Journal Journey

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

Sanibel Harbour Marriott

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

The Ocean Beyond the Pool

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

Hotel Dock

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:

Empty chairs because people ditched to play on the beach!

1. 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.
2. The expression “you sound like a broken record” means nothing to them.

Now 2012 in which there are 60 items.

1. Generally born in 1990 and WWW has never stood for World Wide Wrestling.
2. 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!