We went from the sublime to the more sublime of northern AZ on Sunday, arriving in Flagstaff to lecture at the gorgeous Museum of Northern Arizona (after being fully and completely caffeinated at the well-loved local beanery, Late for the Train). It was a special opportunity to speak there, because the museum holds one of the few known collections of the art and belongings of Fred’s fascinating granddaughter, Katherine “Kitty” Harvey—and I think the well-attended talk got them thinking about maybe doing more with their collection. Thanks to Kathy Farretta and everyone involved in the talk there.

The event ended at four, then we dashed to the Flagstaff airport, picked up a rental car and zoomed to Winslow, to give a talk at 6:30 at La Posada-–the trackside Harvey oasis—followed by dinner at the hotel’s amazing restaurant, The Turquoise Room, with chef/owner John Sharpe.

It was wonderful to see the Winslow Harvey Girls again, and the crowd at the talk included Winslow residents, traveling Fredheads and hotel guests who just happened to wander in, got a dose of Fred and suddenly wanted to read all about him. Our host, as always, was owner Allen Affeldt (although we missed his wife, artist Tina Mion, because she was debuting a big show of her work in Prescott–if you’re in that area, GO, her work is fascinating and provocative.)

John had added some Fred Harvey dishes to the menu in honor of my appearance, so I was able to have his yummy rendition of Chicken Castaneda, and a Harvey-inspired fruit pie. But I must admit the highlight of the meal was not a Harvey dish, but John’s transplendant fried squashblossoms, which I ate very delicately with knife and fork but was amused to see John pick up like a corn dog and just bite. In between courses, we were delighted to meet and talk to people who wandered by our table and wanted to continue the discussion about Fred. La Posada really is, in many ways, the center of the Harvey universe–and it’s more enjoyable and ambitious every time we visit.

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