Now, you have to understand that the airport is surrounded by flat agricultural land similar to the prairies I'd left behind. I was sure he'd would be hard pressed to give me a view I'd remember forever.
I was wrong.
When I opened my curtains at dawn the next day, this is what greeted me...
I'd arrived on Tues afternoon, and Wed morning found me grabbing a coffee and muffin early and heading down to the conference area where I became a bag stuffer for a couple hours, so-called because we stuffed things in the ACFW bags. The bags this year were big, black, and sturdy and we stuffed them with an ACFW portfolio, the conference book/guide, a name badge hanger, and an info sheet. We were a half dozen strong at the start and about a dozen or more by the time we finished. Around and the around the room we went, pick up a bag, add one of everything as you passed each table, then set the bag in a box and loop around to the start again. Two hours of walking and reaching. That was my exercise for the day!
Free from my only volunteer task of the day, I moseyed around the hotel checking where everything was until Inky Gina Welborn drove up. She was going to the airport to meet Laurie Alice Eakes and Angie Breidenbach, but had parked her car and was taking the free airport shuttle. Having nothing better to do but spend time with friends, I tagged along. It was only a 3-5 min drive to the terminal Laurie was arriving at so we got there lickety-split.
Back at the hotel later, I was on hand to greet new and old friends as they arrived. I always love that part of the conference - when the lobby doors open and someone shouts my name, arms open wide for a hug. It's a special time of reacquaintance.
Meanwhile, Angie and Laurie Alice provided back seat support.
We ate at the Rainforest Cafe - a treat for me since I hadn't been to one since I visited the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota back in the 80's.
Upon arriving, I found that my roomie, Inky Dina Sleiman, had arrived. And many, many, other friends. Have I said yet that I love the ACFW annual conference? :)