Taking Time for Craft

This past Thanksgiving my little family and I packed our bags and left our southern California home for the Grand Canyon.  Having always been fascinated by the romance rail travel, we decided that instead of driving, we’d take Amtrak’s Southwestern Chief, a passenger train that runs between Los Angeles and Chicago.

I had no idea what a prophetic choice it would prove to be. 

When you take the train from LA, you depart from Union Station, one of the city’s architectural treasures in iconic mission and art deco styles.  Artisan Malibu and terra cotta tile bid you adieu, reminding you that no matter where your travels take you, there’s no place like home. 

Josh and our daughter aboard the Southwestern Chief

The moment we stepped aboard the train, we set out to explore.  My daughter, already a seasoned air traveler at age five, was absolutely fascinated by the shower in our room, which used the same cozy cabinet as the commode.  “Let’s be sure to put the toilet lid down before we shower,” she suggested. 

We burned off more of our giddy curiosity exploring the lounge car and observation deck.  Returning to our small bedroom, we played Uno, we laughed, and we marveled at how smooth the ride was. Soon, our charming steward, Fred, came by to introduce himself, offer us a cup of freshly brewed coffee and let us know that the dining hostess would be by to collect reservations for the dining car. 

Seriously.  Dinning reservations.  I love it!

After a Thanksgiving turkey dinner in the dining car, a shower in our room and a story on our bed, our little girl pulled herself up into her bunk and snuggled in with wide eyes and a wide grin. She looked the way that I felt. 

We arrived the next morning in Flagstaff at 6 am to snow on the ground and a balmy 6 degrees F outside. 

Now what are the odds that the only place open and within walking distance is one of the best coffee houses you’ve ever been to?  As it turns out, in Flagstaff, the chances appear to be pretty good. 

From the folks at Macy’s European Coffeehouse, who roast their beans, grown on small farms using traditional methods, to those at Diablo Burger, who make some of the best burgers we’ve had using only local, grass feed beef, our journey to the Grand Canyon held one unexpected gift after another.  These are people that appreciate craftsmanship.  For every coffee house that roasted its own beans, there stood opposite it a pub that brewed its own beer.

It’s congruous with the feeling you get on board the train.  It’s not fast and it’s not impersonal.  The journey lets you experience the land as you move through it.  There is time to make a connection with the country and your fellow travelers.

In our quest to go faster and acquire more, we often lose the opportunity to savor life and connect with others.  We live in a disposable society, but don’t we yearn for something of substance – for sustenance?  For me, it starts with a good loaf of bread, but where else might a more artisanal approach be applied?  It’s simply about savoring the process and respecting the materials.  It’s about producing something of quality and value, and in so doing, making a connection with those around you.