Dorothy and I went to the Beat Hotel yesterday afternoon, met Steve there. He showed us the materials in a fair amount of detail, showed us the rooms, the plumbing leaks, the holes in the floor, various other things that need to be fixed before the hotel can open. While we were there talking, his latest worker, Rick, showed up to do the subfloor. We can hope there won't be too many stories about Rick, of the type that Steve has about others working there. The painting of the deck and stairs that has the guy's girlfriend's toeprints in it, the sealed-in plastic cap, painted into the deck, things like this. Nightmarish.

He's very discouraged about ever finding good help in the desert. Surely there is someone, but who?

Afterwards, we took off to pick up my hike pictures and D's meds, and reconvened at a good Mexican restaurant in town, had a good meal and better conversation. I think I enjoy Steve as much as I enjoy the motel, and would feel like I had not gotten the full experience if I did not get to spend time with him.

very windy last night, still fairly so today. I don't want to return just yet. I really would love to have one or two more days. Perhaps this mornign we'll get to the spa.