John McCain
Danny Moloshok/REUTERS/Landov
Now, with his party's nomination all but official, McCain has taken on a press entourage that pretty much puts the kibosh on the trip, he told PEOPLE June 9 at his northern Virginia campaign headquarters.
"All the [motels] are full for the summer and getting all the media up there, which they would insist on doing, understandably, is logistically impossible. It just turned into a nightmare. We're going to see if we can't hike around Sedona or something," says McCain, 71, who also provided some further insight into what's now taking place for him and his family.
Does it upset you that you have to sacrifice your plans for the campaign?
It goes with the territory. You have to understand that the media are a part of the way of informing the American people, and there are certain things you give up.
You lost a hard fight for the 2000 presidential nomination, so you've been where Hillary Clinton is now. Do you recommend she maybe spend a couple weeks on a beach with some umbrella drinks?
I think so, but I know Hillary and I think she'll be back to work on the floor of the Senate a lot sooner than anybody thinks.
Your ex-wife is a supporter. Your wife Cindy travels with her mother-in-law. Do the women in your life really get along as well as they seem to?
I know that they do! It's quite a remarkable thing to see. And each of them are very fascinating in their own way. But I must say that the most interesting one to most observers is my 96-year-old mother, because she's still incredibly active.
What about Cindy? What's the last romantic thing you've done for her?
Let's see ... Over the weekend we ordered out, which nice. Chinese. Didn't have to entertain anybody. Didn't have to have a political conversation. Didn't have to ask for any money.
You're not a flowers and diamonds kind of guy?
You know, I have not missed one of those occasions because I'm very blessed to have staff that reminds me (laughs).
Well, that cat's out of the bag now, if Cindy didn't already know.
We've got to have some straight talk!
For more of PEOPLE's interview with John McCain, pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday
