2009-02-07T06:49:00.000-08:00

Perhaps there is a certain satisfaction one can take in being able to completely divorce oneself from the real world of phone calls, family emergencies, and world news. In fact, to be able to flip a middle finger at the rest of the world, isn’t that the height of luxury? (Or, for that matter, poverty?)

I’m sure that’s what enables Gwenyth to calmly tell visitors that there is a three day wait for a window seat in the dining room. After all, if it was too easy, anyone could just sit down and eat.

And as our many platinum and porcelain friends here can testify, guests at the Grand Canyon Lodge are not just anyone.

But for those who know no such luxury (or poverty) there is a good old national park campground complete with a Chevron gas station and camp store at a safe distance of 1.5 miles from the lodge. Just far enough away to prevent any significant cross-caste-contamination, but not so far that the highly motivated can’t get a glimpse of a different state of being.

As for the camp store, you’ve probably been there before. It’s amazingly reminiscent of any of the nationally known chains where one can purchase an amazingly expensive tall cup of fair-trade coffee, connect to a wifi hot spot and relax in an overstuffed chair with a freshly baked pastry while checking email or Facebook. It’s amazing. Except here, instead of an aproned barista there’s a guy with suspenders ... and a belt. Also, the coffee isn’t fair trade and the cup isn’t tall. But it is Styrofoam. And it is expensive.

And other than that, it’s pretty much the same.

Except here, instead of a freshly baked $4 pastry you can buy hot dog buns (they have an aisle all to themselves) for upwards of $6. You can also buy “strike anywhere” matches, marshmallows, chili and canned beef stew.

So, except for the barista, the fair trade coffee and freshly baked pastries it’s pretty much like any other nationally known chain where one can purchase an amazingly expensive tall cup of fair-trade coffee, connect to a wifi hot spot and relax in an overstuffed chair with a fresh baked pastry while checking email or Facebook.

Even down to the wifi and overstuffed chairs!

(OK, the chairs are made from logs and they're just a little more comfortable than that KOA in Colorado ... but other than that, this place - even down to the patio seating and bistro tables - is just like all those other places. Really.)

So we sat down near a smug Air Book and a totally frustrated Dell and began downloading pictures.

Some locals even provided entertainment.

Just like at any other good Internet Café …

Except here, the wifi is free and anyone can use it.
(Oh, and the password is “guest”.)

Internet Cafe