Lunch at the Wrigley Mansion

If you go to Catalina Island, you can't miss the sprawling white house 350 feet above the harbor.  It was the former home of William Wrigley, Jr. and his wife Ada.  Built in 1920, the home saw such dignitaries as President Calvin Coolidge and the Prince of Wales wander its spacious rooms.  It is now a bed and breakfast called the Inn on Mt. Ada.  The only way you can tour the interior is to either stay there or to make a lunch reservation.  We opted for the latter.

We took a taxi up the hill and were greeted by a charming hostess who showed us around and then pointed to the open bar.  "Please help yourself to wine, champagne or beer, and when you're ready, lunch is available on the terrace or in the dining room.  You're welcome to stay until three o'clock."  My travel buddy looked at me and grinned.  "Champagne anyone?"  I nodded.  We sat outside soaking in the views with a couple of glasses of bubbly before having lunch.  Ah!  This is the life!

After lunch, we had coffee and homemade cookies in the dining room.  Other couples had made their way into the living room/library area and were cozily wrapped up in blankets and munching on popcorn  Since it was cold and drizzly outside, we decided to do the same.  There were gorgeous coffee table tomes scattered about the room.  Our last hour on the Mount went by far too quickly. 

"Why didn't we stay here?" 

"Because we never would have left," I said. 

The truth is I would have become restless.  I can take only so much pampering.  The inn has an exclusive club type feeling.  For anyone who needs rest and relaxation, this is the perfect place to stay for a few days.  The views are spectacular.  The service, top rate. 

 But as I looked across at the opposite hill and saw the old  Zane Grey adobe where we were staying, I had the feeling I had made the right choice.  I wanted to get back to Wanderer of the Wasteland.  The protagonist had just fallen in love with a beautiful woman in Death Valley, one of  the most inhospitable places on Earth.   I needed to get out of this luxurious environment and re-enter the Wild Wild West.