Day 41: The Hospitality Business is Alive!

Hello!

Last year during my summer at Yellowstone, the worst feeling I repeatedly experienced was responding to park visitors who were searching for a place to stay. These questions would always come at the end of the day when nothing could be done. The hotels were booked, the campgrounds were overflowing, and camping in the parking lot could result in a ticket. The only solution I could tell them was to drive outside of the park (45 minutes away minimum) and find a place to stay outside the park, either in a hotel or a campground (which were also probably full without any guarantee of reserving a spot). Planning ahead is crucial when visiting a major park; otherwise visitors are met with the reality of discovering there's "no room in the inn".

Working at the front desk of a hotel now, I get the chance to be the innkeeper. This particular week, I was blown away twice in the extent this resort's staff will go out of their way to help people. Early in the week, we had a couple stay overnight. In the morning they took a boat tour, but upon their return, the husband collapsed. After the medical team took the husband to the hospital, one of the managers placed an immediate hold on their room (they were suppose to check out that day), and extended their stay without charge. She then located the company van and offered to take the wife to the hospital to be with her husband. They returned later that evening--the husband was doing much better, and stayed overnight.

Two days later, we had a woman experience some medical issues while on a bus tour. While her tour group continued on to their next destination, the front desk team (I learned later), secured a room where she could stay as long as needed while her son flew from the east coast to take her home. She stayed around the resort for two extra days and we got to talk with her, get meals for her, and help her in her errands. Her son arrived this afternoon after a long flight and drive to Lake Powell (it's a 4.5 hour drive from Las Vegas), and we got to spend time with him, chat, and help put him at ease from several days of worrying about his mother. As the lady left, she shook everyone's hand, saying that she couldn't have been stranded at a better place.

Watching the extent the hotel staff went to help our visitors blew me away. While Lake Powell Resort is technically hospitality services, this was far more service, courtesy, and going beyond the call of duty than anyone could have prepared me to see firsthand. It reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan: an injured man is found on the road and an enemy rescues him and takes him to a nearby inn. The Samaritan paid for the man's costs while pledging to cover any future expenses this man might incur. The man is left in the care of the innkeeper. This is where the narrative ends, and this is where my story begins.

Jesus finishes the story by asking who was a true neighbor to the injured man. The response: "he who showed pity". Jesus then responds, "Go and do likewise". As an innkeeper, who do I welcome? Who is my neighbor that I go out of the way to care for, patiently tend, and serve? In the array of people who pass through this resort, is there anyone I might not be willing to go over and beyond expectations? Do I treat everyone as a neighbor the way the Good Samaritan did? As the summer progresses, I know that I will find my answer. Unlike last summer, this year I can do much more when someone is trying to find a place to stay while inside the park.

Photos for this week are available at Photos of the Week. There are a few photos from around the resort, including the front desk area where I work. Also, I've included photos from my weekend at Death Valley National Park from the start of April.

Blessings to you this week!