Besides the fact that I never felt like I was missing the comforts of home when I stayed at the Larskpsur Landing Hotel in Folsom, CA, I felt celebrated in the same  way that hotel staff had received me on my 1986  bike ride across America. Then, I regularly found myself on TV and  in newspapers to the tune of 40 million people. Thinking my Memorial Weekend celebrity treatment  might  have been so because of the bike event I was starting from their hotel, I made a point of observing their interactions with other  of the guests. And much to my surprise, they all seemed to be getting VIP  treatment as well. WoW!

Ii all began in the lobby. There, as I wanted three deep to check in, all of us who were in a holding pattern felt our presence was acknowledged. Sean, the man running the front desk, suggested we sample the mint iced tea that was on a table behind us. He also excused himself briefly to attend to the chocolate chip cookies he was baking for us. All of this happened so fast, by the time I then soon had the key to my room, it almost felt like I was making it all up. But I wasn’t!

When I got to my sleeping chamber, my almost surreal hotel experience continued. I opened the door to a room in which no neatness detail had been overlooked.  This as the centerpiece of the room, it’s bed, on which the huge pillows had been perfectly stacked end to end,  looked both inviting and comfortable. And what a bed it would prove to be and then some.

Before I could enjoy it, however, John Erickson, who had driven me and my bike here, set off in search of a burrito. I had not eaten Mexican food for the five years I had spent in Ireland. Fortunately the hotel was set at the back of a handsome. tree-filled shopping center and not far away was the excellent food of Casa Ramos where we ate and talked about the day. About 80 miles away, we had just HiWheel cycled the Ron Bishop Memorial and Oakland to Berkeley rides. Tired since we had both been up since 4AM, John drove back to his nearby home and it wasn’t long before I was asleep.

Still working myself off Irish time, I was up early the next morning , four hours before our ride was set to meet at the  hotel. Well also before the 7 AM continental breakfast they serve, I decided to take some notes about my room.

What I saw in the kitchenette, set off from the rest of the room by a counter with a large sink, no detail was overlooked:
– paper towels on a roller
– electric stove top with two burners
– coffee maker w/packets of decaf & reg coffee. Plus decaf and herb tea packets
– plates, bowls and a measuring cup
– silverware
– stainless, high quality steel pots pans
– mini-dishwasher
– toaster
– small and large mixing bowls
– kitchen towels, wash cloths.
– full drawer of utensils including a can opener, scissors, wine openers, spatulas, long spoons.

I looked in the closet:
– iron board and iron – which meant you didn’t have to call the front desk and wait for them to bring these items  up.
– extra pillow and heavy bed spread

I looked around the room:
– free WIFI with the password on little card inside room key packet
– 36-inch  TV
– separate desk and comfy office chair

Would I stay here again?

Well, since I honestly do not know how any other lodging purveyor on the planet could coordinate all of its staff to pull off such king for a day treatment, my answer is an obvious. “heck yes”!

WoW!!

Martin Krieg
“Awake Again, all the way back from head injury”, Author