Conference Season

First Conference - Illinois. Took a red-eye to save on a hotel bill, what was I thinking? Anyway, made it into PIA just in time to enjoy the conference with a new coworker that is managing the schools/banks in IL. I did get to experience public transit at it's finest. Bus ticket $1, taxi $22 - you do the math. By the time I got to my exit, I would have been wiling to pay the $22 (not because of time but because of transit clients (isn't that what they are called - clients?). Let's just say I wouldn't let my wife or kids ride on that bus.

Next conference - South Dakota in lovely Chamberlain, SD. Flew in to FSD to nice weather - about 40 degrees. Believe me, after being in SD twice in the dead of winter, 40 degrees is a heat wave. Got to stop by the Corn Palace in Mitchell - see below.

...and I stopped by the Falls in Sioux Falls - last time I took a picture they were frozen. See below for the thaw...

Next stop on the conference list - actually a hop from FSD to DSM midweek to the Iowa conference in Des Moines. Great trail system in that city. The last day I was there I was able to run 20 miles on their river trail. Beautiful sunset as well...

Quick trip to DEN for a sales meeting in the middle of April.

Next conference is where I am returning from now - Minnesota in the spring. Flew into MSP and drove 2.5 hours north to Brainerd area lakes. What an incredible place. It had snowed on Monday, but I didn't get in until Tuesday and it was 65 degrees. rained once, but mostly 50-60 degrees all week. Great place for golf, running, and kayaking. Oh - and definatley meeting with school customers. Also won a few prizes during the evening festivities.

I will sign off with that as I am getting ready to board my plane in non other then 87A here at SFO. Next week - Louisiana. Let's hope we see some alligators...