Monster Trucks and Fancy Cats

Say what you want about living in a van, but it does lead to some pretty spectacular bedroom views. While you're stuck with that view of the neighbor's pool, or the neighbor's trash cans, or the neighbor's illicit affair that only you and your telescope know about, the view out my window can range from the Grand Canyon, to Niagara Falls, to the world famous Tuscaloosa Walmart.

In Sedona, Arizona, I don't need my van for a spectacular bedroom view. My cousin Diane and her husband, Eric, invite me to stay at their beautiful home in Sedona. Eric is an architect, and he has designed their home in an "H" shape, maximizing the effect of the picturesque mountain in their backyard.

This is the view I wake up to in the guest bedroom:


The mountain is nicknamed "Thunder Mountain," which places Diane and Eric's house on "Thunder Mountain Road." When Eric mentions this, all I can think of is the overzealous announcers at monster truck events that exaggerate every proper noun by yelling it three times.

"It's Thunder Mountain, Thunder Mountain, THUNDER MOUNTAIN ROAD!"

When it comes down to it, however, Diane and Eric live a life that evokes no images of a monster truck rally. The house Eric designed is beautifully sophisticated and the couple are avid wine drinkers.

Diane even works part-time for a nearby vineyard, where she and Eric treat me to a wine tasting. I'd never really associated Arizona with wine before, but the local winery is quite impressive, boasting rows and rows of flourishing grapevines near a quaint and peaceful brook.

Sedona is a pretty special town, so it's not surprising that the occasional resident is a bit...let's say...particular. I'm not talking about Diane or Eric, both of whom are wonderful hosts who remain very down to earth. I'm talking about their cat, Paco, who refuses to drink from a bowl.

No, Paco can not quench his thirst unless he is drinking running water, and has managed to train both of his owners to turn on the kitchen sink upon his demand various times throughout the day. Now that's a cat that knows what he wants.

Oh, and if anybody asks, Diane and Eric are very hip and with it, and neither would ever go to bed at eight o' clock on a Saturday night.

And I would never go back on a promise not to mention that in this blog just because I thought it was funny.