In 1990, I started Cowboy Coffee Company in Moose, Wyoming. During that time, as there was no social media (not really sure how we did our marketing then?) … so I went to KZ95, one of the local radio stations to get some ads out on the air. As it happened, I ended up writing, producing and performing the voice overs, which then lead to a radio show, “Sean and Susan” which then lead to more voice over work… etc.
Twenty years later, the radio station which was located on top of a crusty local bar, the Log Cabin, is now the lovely Rustic Inn!
Per a friend’s recommendation, I booked a massage with Amber, who has hands as strong as steel, and demeanor of a Saint. You check-in at the hotel reception where the door men and front desk agents look a bit, beatnik … do we even say that word anymore? They are these young hip guys with long-ish “Ringo” hair in oxford shirts and the most welcoming smiles. “Good Morning Mam.”, as he opened the front door and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear.
The usual protocols happens after that; I meet Amber from Idaho, intake form is complete, excitement gears up and then… an unexpected walk down memory lane. Amber leads me to the treatment room, past the old Log Cabin bar, which is now an elegant bar, a welcoming bar, a safe bar. Where are the locals that start drinking at 10am? Where is the smell of cigarettes, Clorox and spilled beer?
My guest journey continues as I then walk by the wide set up stairs that lead up to the old radio station, a get a glance of café chairs and tables. In my mind, I can still see the desks of the sales reps, the station manager and posters of bands and KZ95 banners. I smell the pipe smoke from Bill, the engineer, who would sit over my shoulder when I was on-air and puff his pipe. Those steps… those steps that lead to the only bathroom- I played a long song, ran down those steps, ran up those steps, hit a button for the next song.
My massage was therapeutic, which is a nice way to say, very deep and not “ewwy-gewwy Zen.”, but I felt great after wards, way after wards. The rooms are large, could use some softening up, a few details could make them nicer. But all’n’all…. A great day at the Rustic Inn with haunting of KZ95… puff puff.
Susan Gwaltney
Essential Spa Consulting
