Sunday was an intense day, a piece of cake after the first two of the conference, but the last day of a jacket making class is always hardest. Everyone is rushing, everyone is exhausted, and everyone makes big mistakes. Tweaking of the fit, last minute bailouts, getting everyone far enough so they can finish on their own, is always a big stressor. But in the end, a very happy group of women modeled their almost finished jackets. I’m in the middle of the bottom row… (note, there were quite a few missing sleeves, but I have every confidence they will be attached in the coming weeks…)
This was a great experience, even though I had such a tough start. I was really hoping for an uneventful return. The vistas here are breathtaking, and the weather was spectacular. And the conference staff and participants couldn’t have been more enthusiastic.
So I would love to say there was a happy ending here, but alas, the reason I have been able to update my blog, for the last four days, is because I have been sitting in the tiny Durango terminal since 8am this morning. My 10:00am flight was eventually canceled, due to mechanical problems with the plane, and of course, all the remaining flights were oversold and the earliest I could get out on United was maybe late tomorrow or Wednesday. I start the Michigan conference on Wednesday. I managed to procure a seat on a different airline, again for a hefty price, so I’m waiting for a 7:40 flight this evening. My plan if all goes well, though there seems to be weather delays now coming in from Denver, is to arrive in Denver around 9, and meet up with my cousin, whom I haven’t seen in years. She had twin girls last year, and I hope I can take a peek at the sleeping angels. I have a very early flight confirmed on my airline of choice, Continental, and I have an hour and half turn around to head out to Michigan for the conference. I have no clean clothes, and have to figure out how to get my family to pack the remainder of what I need for that workshop, and meet me in Newark to exchange bags. I am so beyond stress at this point I just want to run away and never get on a plane again. Rest assured I will NEVER fly Mesa airlines, the United Code Share partner who caused all the problems last Thursday and today. I am beyond exhausted, and am glad I have the blog to vent…
Stay tuned to see if I make it to Michigan…
I LOVE Colorado, but I must say, getting past the western slope is tough. I flew to Gunnison once. We had no beverage service because of rough conditions and a huge deluge when we landed with 0% visibility. People thought I was a local because the turbulence wasn’t an issue for me. The problem for me was too few flights and not ideal times. So now I drive the 4+ hours from Denver (and I always rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle). Getting there in the winter is easier I think, as there are more flights due to the snow bunnies… Read more »
Colorado is great, but the little puddle jumpers ALWAYS mess up the plans. When Sean and I went many years ago, we too, got stuck first in Denver due to weather in Durango, and then on the way back, the reverse happened. Sean and I traveled the tramway for 4 hours in Denver Airport and watched the axes fall, since there was only so much to see of the airport itself. I sure hope this trip to Michigan goes allot better for you. I will keep my fingers crossed. Maybe your new hotel will have a jacuzzi for you to… Read more »
Hotel? NOT! This is my third stay in a dorm room in a month. Jacuzzi? NOT! I share a shower/bath with Robyn Spady, who is my Seattle buddy. She is out as I write, in search of serious libation, but sadly, this is a dry town…