ACE 09: Expect the Unexpected
I usually have good luck when traveling. I've only temporarily lost baggage once (it was sent to another carousel), and my plane's landed ahead of schedule more times than I can count. So when I decided to carry on my bags for the flight to Nashville, I figured the trip would be a breeze. That was until about 2 minutes before I was supposed to board, when the operator announced my flight was cancelled.
Stormy weather was to blame, and it promptly grounded the next flight, too. I had planned to attend the Welcome Reception, but the country crooning, boot stomping and--oh!--those 10-gallon hats were not in the cards for me.
Fortunately, the sympathetic ticket agent found a connecting flight through Charlotte that would put me in Nashville by 8:30 p.m. Not enough time for any attempt to mingle with attendees, but better than waiting until the morning for a flight out of Philly. (And miss the grand opening of the exhibit hall? Well, that just couldn't be.)
After a quick hop to Terminal A and a few breathless moments as runway delays cut my connection way too close (I had visions of myself curled up on an airport bench like Tom Hanks in "The Terminal"), I plopped safely and securely in a seat bound for Music City.
I must admit, I made a beeline for my room as soon as my key and map--yes, the Gaylord Opryland is so big, it needs its own map--were in hand. But from what I did see in the picturesque walk to my room, it's just as swanky as I thought. Fountains, gazebos, winding paths through tropical foliage--and that's all indoors! The preview made me even more determined to get a good night sleep so I can be up bright and early to check out the scene.
Of course, I'm even more excited to join ACE in action and meet some attendees! I'll be listening in on Donna Hartley's keynote presentation, then over to the exhibit hall before checking out some educational sessions. And unless my feet fail, transportation shouldn't be an issue. Stay tuned!