I experienced investor nirvana this morning. I was standing on Main Street in Disneyland out here in Southern California, taking a photograph of The Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner, with the cart vendors selling Nestle ice cream, and the loudspeakers begin playing, “The Wells Fargo wagon is a comin’ down the street”. It’s as if my investment portfolio has manifested into a capitalist dream around me. This really is the happiest place on Earth.
Maybe instead of Disney stock as a souvenir this trip, I’ll buy some more ownership in the makers of the world’s finest Dixie champagne. Or both? I don’t really need an excuse to buy Coke. If it’s a trading day and the earnings yield is at least rational relative to Treasury bond yields, it’s probably going to work out well for the long-term buyer due to the inherent economic advantages in the core business (it certainly has in the past).
The older I get, the more I wonder, do I get this irrationally excited about my work because I’m good at it, or am I good at it because I get so irrationally excited so it isn’t work? I stand outside of this and I think of the Asa Candler era, when he bought the entire firm lock, stock, and barrel for $2,300 and turned into into a money making empire. I think of the 1919 IPO, the original sugar contract including the legendary bottling arrangement that let Thomas and Whitehead amass huge fortunes, the Woodruff era, the Roberto Goizueta and Don Keough era.
The Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner is a glorious, glorious place. Fountain Cokes and ragtime piano under shaded tables make for a nice combination, especially today when the temperature reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit. I was supposed to look at real estate in Carlsbad later this week but with the town burning down by wildfires and mass evacuation orders, I don’t think that’s going to happen …
Mary Poppins has good taste in hangout spots. I can’t think of a more fitting person to sell the nectar of the gods.
Old-school Coca-Cola artwork graces the walls …
The Coca-Cola sign calls to you from Main Street …
It’s a beautiful, but brutally hot, day here at the castle. Or, rather, at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner, from where I took this picture.
We’re off to have lunch at the Carnation Cafe. None of us ate breakfast because we wanted to get over into the park early while it was still cool so we’re all hungry at this point. My dad is flying in tomorrow to join us. I am not sure what my plans are at this point since I was supposed to be out here looking at real estate but the entire state is burning down at the moment. Several of the communities I was going to examine are now under evacuation orders.
Reader Comments (5)
Comments are presented chronologically, with replies indented beneath the comments to which they respond.
chris
May 17, 2014
Youll just have to explore Adventure Park instead.
Joshua
May 17, 2014
You picked a bad time to come visit us on the west coast. If you're sticking around for another week you should get a better feel for the climate.
Joshua Kennon
May 17, 2014
Replying to Joshua
You're telling me, haha! This trip has been brutal. We were going to fly out here, look at some real estate, see friends and family at Disneyland, and return with a better idea of whether or not we would consider buying a property. The first two days in the park were 101 and 105 Fahrenheit highs, respectively.
I'm debating about what to do now. We're considering renting a car and driving around for another week or so since we have someone staying in the house back home and don't have to worry about it. I have a lot to get done but can adjust my schedule and work from the hotels if I have Internet access. On the other hand, it may be better to come back some other time when things are a bit calmer.
We'll probably figure it out by the end of the day. We'll have some time to think it over as we have smoothies and babysit our godson later this afternoon. I need to check the evacuation notices and see how many of the communities we were going to visit are now unavailable. That will probably determine what we do.
Melissa K
May 18, 2014
Replying to Joshua Kennon
Come North! I'm North of LA and Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties are beautiful and much cooler.
Frederick
May 18, 2014
Replying to Melissa K
Everyone I've ever known who had the money moved to California. They've got what you call a "durable competitive advantage" with weather. Forest fires in California are what Tornados are in Kansas City. They're a reason to get home insurance, but not a reason to avoid living there.