Confession time: I don’t “get” journaling. I know what’s in my head so why should I write it down? I already “thunk” it. Maybe I don’t think deep thoughts? I’ve read the reasons it’s valuable so no flaming, please. I’m just not that person.
However, I thought I should take a stab at a travel journal. A travelogue is defined as “a lecture, slide show, or motion picture describing travels.” I’m adding the written word and journaling. I hope you enjoy it.
Monday, Feb 6
Traveling from the mountain west to the peninsula of Florida is not for the faint of heart. I went to a conference for work and the airfare limit was $500 so we definitely took the scenic route. We left at 6:30am our time and got into Fort Myers at 5:30pm EDT. The place we were staying, the Sanibel Harbour Marriott, was 20 miles away so then we took a taxi.
At best, traveling that distance is one stop and two flights. We had two stops and three flights. Each stop was only a 30-45 minute layover, so no time for real food by the time we got to the next gate. I’d packed a Zone protein bar so I had that during flight #2, but no breakfast or lunch. IMO, you can’t count a packet of 12 peanuts, or 8 little pretzels, or 2 biscotti (the airline called them cookies, but they are dry and the package says biscotti) as real food. By the time we got dinner at 7:30, we were all starving.
I had Hazelnut-Crusted Sea Bass with a Frangelico Sauce for the entrée that night. Nothing beats fresh fish.
Tuesday, Feb 7
I managed to get a few pictures while it was still sunny. Unfortunately, it’s gray and stormy the rest of the day! The news said a mild tropical depression. Warm, but windy and rainy.
Today started the conference and trade show. We had 10-minute “speed dating” sessions with vendors and broke only for meals. As my dad used to say, “My dogs are barking.” For you young’uns, my feet hurt! However, a lot of new technology products (translated “toys”), so it was fun.
I had ½ tail lobster in the shell, grilled mahi mahi for the entrée. Do you see a theme here for staying practically on the ocean?
Wednesday, Feb 8
Last day of speed dating with vendors. I had more breaks today and the sun was out. I walked out and watched the boats pass by the hotel dock. I was afraid I’d be in Florida for five days and never put on my sunglasses. Today, we had lunch outside and the sun was out. I have a lovely tint of pink on my cheeks, the first of 2012.
Dinner entrée was yummy medium rare prime rib, with crab cakes and huge cocktail shrimp thrown in because I had to have some fish.
Thursday, Feb 9
Education Sessions today. Sessions on a whole bunch of topics but the Beloit College student mindset list was pretty interesting. Two professors publish a list each year that reflects the worldview of 18 year-olds when they enter college. For example, the 2002 list has 43 items like the one below:
- The people starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1980 and are too young to remember the Space Shuttle Challenger blowing up.
- The expression “you sound like a broken record” means nothing to them.
Now 2012 in which there are 60 items.
- Generally born in 1990 and WWW has never stood for World Wide Wrestling.
- The Tonight Show has always been hosted by Jay Leno and started at 11:35 EST
Dinner entrée was petite filet with Chianti sauce. No fish. 😦
Friday, Feb 10
The conference lasted all day, but because of my travel schedule, I attended educational workshops until 2:30pm and then headed for home. One highlight at lunchtime was I got to see dolphins playing. My camera has a fairly weak zoom, so my pictures didn’t turn out, but I’m keeping the memory of seeing them.
I got home at 12:30am Friday night and it’s wonderful to be in Boise, Idaho!