DPC is back on the road and covering the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. Part one of his odyssey from Phoenix to Westworld of Scottsdale is available here

I mentioned in Part One of my funky adventure that I have covered the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction seven times as a reporter, but strangely enough I have never attended the event as a customer. I’ve always wanted to check it out whilst off the clock but as we know, life can get in the way. This is a lame excuse when you consider I love cars and live in Phoenix, but I have my lazy moments when I don’t want to drive across town. On Sunday I defied my sluggish spirit, skipped the NFL Playoffs, and headed to WestWorld of Scottsdale, but not as a reporter.

I will readily admit that we reporters are spoiled when we cover events. Closer parking, separate entrances to avoid lines, and free food in the press box. It’s first-class treatment and I do my best to avoid taking it for granted. I know I am incredibly fortunate to be coddled when I’m on assignment, and I’m eternally grateful.

To have a better understanding on why I haven’t been to Barrett-Jackson as a paying customer please consider my schedule. When auction week starts, I work 12-hours a day, in at 8 a.m. and I’m heading back home after 8 p.m. This schedule changes as the days of the event gather and by Thursday, I’m in at 7:00 a.m. and heading home is best defined as “TBD.” With long hours you must stay properly fueled and I have discovered over the years that one cannot live on Red Bull alone. I could in college but that was decades ago and I’m far removed from early 20s when I needed minimal sleep, could subsist on cigarettes and caffeine, and never got hangovers. I often miss those days of poor lifestyle choices with minimal repercussions but that’s another story for another time. I love my job and I am not complaining, but I miss my family and dogs during auction week.

Seeing this sign in the Automobilia display helped ease my guilt from being away from my loyal Husky on Sunday (Photo by David P. Castro)

Sunday afternoon my wife and I head to Westworld, and I got lost. This was embarrassing but I have no idea where public parking is located, despite spending 10-days a year at Westworld and having a good idea of the general layout. We eventually parked, waited for my mother in law and I went to the box office to buy a ticket. It’s strange but it was a good experience to be a paying customer. Buying a ticket validated my Sunday experience.

Once inside I saw the main pavilion from a different angle. It wasn’t my temporary office for 10-days where I needed to stay sharp and analytical to cover the auction properly, while also being in a perpetual hurry. Quite the opposite on my day off. I relaxed, just took it all in and by taking a simple pause I developed a better understanding of the event and how it is a great opportunity to bring people together.

I ordered a Greyhound and we just strolled with no destination or schedule. We checked out whatever cars caught our eye, chatted it up, and simply had a relaxing day as a family. Easy like Sunday morning at 1:00 p.m.

If you have the opportunity take a moment and smell the flowers because you might have a chance to see something in front of you with a different perspective.

Source: www.classiccars.com