My Travels

[Diane Amberg]

Glad to know you are safely ensconced at the hotel.  Eat a nice chunk of good beef for me!

[Rudy Taylor]

Tobina, you're so impressive  traveling with your laptop and tapping into local wi-fi's.  And, yes, I
agree with Diane --- a nice, thick, rare KC strip sounds mighty good tonight.

[Roma Jean Turner]

Tobina,  if you get hungry and don't want to go far, just go up to the corner of St. Louis and National, just east of you and have a great burger at Steak and Shake.  My favorite for cheeseburgers, fries and shakes.  That particular Steak and Shake even has a carhop.  If you get bored over the weekend, call me at 417-860-6752 (Cell)and I'll run over and eat a cheeseburger with you.  I set my own schedule so can pretty well do as I please.

[Tobina+1]

Well, I made it back home safe on Saturday afternoon.  The tradeshow was good on Friday, but slow on Saturday (I assume since the ice storm was going to be moving in later in the day).  I didn't make it to Steak and Shake, but I did take some customers to Cheddar's one night.  Then we were fed at the convention the rest of the time.  I did have time to go to Bass Pro for some Christmas shopping, but didn't find much for my hunter who has everything.  I did find myself a new coat, though... too bad I have to wrap it up for Christmas!

No traveling for work until January.  Then we'll go to Florida for our vacation, and I'll go to Denver 2 weeks in a row, and then to Reno in February, so more fun travel stories after the new year!

[L Hendricks]

Definitely can't keep up with Tobina's weekly travel - but must say the Hotel at Oldtown is worth checking in to - plus to have so many options within walking distance is cool.  Tried Cheddar's in Wichita next to the Warren Theatre - whoa - come with an appetite... they can stack on the food.  Another great place is Texas Roadhouse on the west side of Wichita - two of our local gals work there - Jessica Zellner and Teagan Perkins... but call ahead - normal wait is 2 hrs...Girls and I headed to Great Wolf Lodge in KC this weekend- anyone with small children this is a must - indoor water park and hotel combo... plus shopping right next door (Cabelas, NE Furt. Mart, etc) - unfortunately the weather cut our trip short.  So we came home yesterday to avoid the ice...(Boy traveling with small children sure does curb your adventures...you just don't take the risk you used to.)  But the Lodge was very kid friendly and even refunded my 2nd nite's stay due to the weather... can't say that for condos in CO....   

[Tobina+1]

Time for an update!  I've traveled lots of miles since my last post.  After the New Year, Chuck and I went to Florida to visit his family for a week.  It was a good time.  They live in an Ag area, so it's like being at home... but different.  Chuck helped his mom by fixing fences, hanging gates, and trimming trees.  I repainted her kitchen!  Last year it was bathrooms.  Next year, who knows!

We got home on Saturday evening from Florida, and I left for Denver on Monday morning.  We had staff meetings in Longmont, CO, where our corporate office is.  It was good to catch up with everyone and see the focus for the new year.  We did some "team building"... aka... bowling.  I did break 100 on both games; barely.

I arrived home on Friday from that trip, and left again thisTuesday to head BACK to Denver.  This time again in the office for some training on new software (Meat Inventory Tracking System), and then to Westminster for the National Bison Association Convention.  I stayed in the Westin hotel the last 2 nights... very nice.  "Heavenly beds", although I didn't spend too much time in one!  They had activities in the evenings, and the tradeshow opened at 7 am each morning.  Home later today.  Home all next week (except for hair appointment, Elk Konnected meeting, etc, etc).  Then headed to Reno on Feb 5th for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association meetings and tradeshow.  That's our BIG one; we have the BIG booth set up.  Not sure they'll be much time, but I at least want to try one slot machine while I'm there!

Side note; internet access in the tradeshow this week was very bad.  I borrowed a Verizon Broadband card... pretty handy!  I'm taking it home with me to try "out in the boonies" next week, and then we'll use it at Reno so we don't have to pay outrageous internet connection fees at the convention center.

[Diane Amberg]

You sure have been busy. I like Reno, had some good luck there. Have fun!

[Tobina+1]

As you can tell by my numerous posts today... "I'm BAAACK!"   

The 2nd trip to Denver was good.  I attended the National Bison Association tradeshow and meetings.  We do a lot of business in that industry, and they are a very interesting group of people!  VERY different from the cattle industry.  I have lots of friends/customers and I got caught up with them all. 
After Denver, I was home a week to unpack, do laundry, re-pack, catch up on e-mails (and the forum), and say HI to my hubby.  And make him a batch of chocolate chip cookies (my peace-offering for being gone so much).
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) tradeshow in Reno was good... but I got SICK at the end of the week.  I was in charge of supervising our booth being set up and getting it all stocked with computers, handouts, freebies, etc.  Then we did the tradeshow-thing for 2-1/2 days.  We also had a customer appreciation dinner one night.  By Friday, I was sick.  Saturday morning (4 am), I had a flight out.  Flying sick is not fun.  Coming home to flowers, soup, and apple juice helped (what a nice hubby).  I only got the chance to gamble the first night we were there.  I won $2.36 on the penny slots.  Woo-hoo.  Slots aren't as fun when you don't actually get MONEY thrown back at you when you win!  It just goes on your "voucher" so you can keep spending it.  I'm not a big gambler.
My "big" trips are done for a while.  I have to go to California later in the spring, but not sure when.  That should be a fun trip, as we'll be installing software in a multi-species packing plant.  I'm sure I'll have all sorts of good stories after that!   

[Diane Amberg]

Glad to hear you are home safe, if not sound. I flew back to Delaware from Yosemite sick one time, I agree it's not fun at all. How are bison people different from cattle people?

[Jo McDonald]

Tobina, you have NO idea how much I enjoy your post.  Since I am one of the "old ones" on this forum, it is soooooooooo exciting to read of all your trips, and you have such a great gift of writing that makes me feel I am right there with you, having fun, fun fun.
  Stay safe and happy traveling to you in the future.