What a trip!

So my last post I said I was going to a work conference in Baltimore. What a trip that was! I had a lot of firsts...first time I had to change planes, first time I rode the Amtrak train, first time I visited Baltimore OR Washington DC, first time I have been without a vehicle to get around (!)... but it was very much an interesting trip!
We boarded the first plane and everything was great! No checked bags so we knew we wouldnt loose our luggage. Got to the next airport where we had to change planes. We had about an hour and a half before our next flight so we decided to grab lunch in ther terminal. Almost the biggest mistake we could have ever made! You know when you fly, there's always at least one person holding everything up by not being there on time? Well...we were that person. We got to the gate, and the gate agent told us "You ladies better hurry. I'm about to close the door!" Whew!! Just made it!!
So we take off and everything is great. Just a quick reminder...I have only flown once before this trip and I was not in the back of the plane. So on this flight, we were 3 rows from the back. The side of the engine was our view. And I was in the middle seat. All of a sudden, just about 3/4 of the way there, I felt sick to my stomach. Really sick to my stomach! Thank goodness there were two restrooms at the back of the plane. I occupied one of them and proceeded to loose my lunch. I know...yuck right! You shoulda been on my end!! So we land in Baltimore and I am feeling much better. We catch a ride to the hotel, freshen up and decide on having dinner at the hotel.
The next day goes pretty much without incident. We attend some great classes and decide on going to the party at the hotel that evening. It was a ton of fun...except for the overpriced drinks! $7 for a domestic bottle of beer is way to pricey for me. So after a little music we retire to our rooms for the evening.
On Thursday we head off to the classes in the morning, and head into DC in the afternoon. What an amazing place! If you have never walked around the monuments and memorials, I highly suggest you take time out of your busy schedule, clear a few days off your calendar, and see what our countrymen and women have given us and pay tribute to those who have given their lives for us. We visited the Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The WWII Memorial and the White House. With only  a few hours in town, we couldnt see everything so we picked what we thought were the most important sights. Besides that absolute amazment and size of these monuments, there was one thing that struck me. The names on the Vietnam Veterans wall. There are 58,272 men and women listed. Some of which have never been found. This was the one place in all of DC that was quiet. Actually quiet. It was the most eye opening, heart breaking thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I highly recommend as part of any trip to the east coast, take the time to stop in and give your thanks to those men and women who gave their life for you.  You will not soon forget it.
For more information about The Wall, go to http://thewall-usa.com/index.asp

My Crazy Life!

Well...ok...its really not so crazy. But sometimes....it can be a little nutty!  Back in the middle of February I was asked if I wanted a free trip to Baltimore. Well yeah!! I'll take a free trip anywhere!  And to make it even more sweet, two of the girls I work very well with are going to! But somehow....it is now 4 days before we leave and I just realized it.  OK...so the plane tickets and the hotel reservations were made weeks ago. So glad someone else was in charge of that "minor" detail. But as of yesterday we had no ride to the airport...which is a little over an hour from where we live! So I talked real nice to our deputy chief...ok...maybe not that nice...I just said "Hey Rick...we need a ride to the airport on Tuesday. You're not busy, right? Thanks! I knew we could count on you!" How can he say no?? :)  So the ride there is arranged. Thank goodness one of the girls who is also going is married to a super nice guy (who happens to be one of our Lts.) that promised to give us a ride home. Travel arrangements...done! Now...to pack. I thought I could get everything I needed in my small suitcase. Now....I'm not sure its gonna fit! We leave Tuesday morning...so I need to pack for Wednesday, Thursday, and the trip home on Friday. Plus a couple extras for "just in case" moments. Maybe I can stuff it all in. Just hope I don't have to open it...cuz I may not get it closed again!
Now for the slightly nerve racking part...we have to change planes in Atlanta. Yes...you heard (er, read) that right. ATLANTA! Bloomington, Illinois to Atlanta, Georgia to Baltimore Maryland. Does that make sense to anyone??  The nerve racking part is #1 I've only flown once in my entire life. #2 I've never had to change planes. #3 What if my suitcase gets lost?  Ok...Ok...I know.  I have nothing to worry about. These are professionals and they do this kind of thing all the time. But I'm telling you, if something is going to happen...it'll happen to me! I'll be the one whos bag gets lost, misses their connecting flight because I was in the bathroom, or can't find the hotel we are suppose to be staying in! Thank goodness I'm not going alone...I'd be a total freak! And I hate being a freak alone. :)  So here goes nothing! Three girls from little ole Central Illinois being turned loose in downtown Baltimore and Washington DC for three days! Holy crap, do they know what they are doing?!