The First Half
I finally have time to sit for a while and post a message to the blog. I had the greatest intentions and aspirations when I created this blog of having the students and myself post daily reflections about our experiences at the conference. We have been moving nonstop. So here are my four days worth of reflections.
Day One - Tuesday, June 27, 2006
After what was a dreary begining to our day with a departure plagued by often torrential downpours and a little apprehension concerning the age of our buses, we were on our way to Mammoth, KY. Some of the other advisers and I questioned the route we took (I-20 to Atlanta, then North) because we generally consider travelling to almost anywhere in Tennessee by way of Asheville, NC. Finally we decided that maybe the buses would make it over the mountains and Atlanta was our best bet. As I looked back to observe our students on the bus, I realized that they were beginning to form connections with other South Carolina students just as I was with the advisers. As adults we shared FBLA and curriculum ideas while the students just had fun! And then there was ...
... that big puff of black smoke that can from the floor vents on our bus. Time to make a LUNCH stop. It was funny how the driver never said a word to either calm or heighten our fears, but simply turned the air condition off and pulled off the interstate and into Arby's. We later found out courtesy of Mr. Sparks that the cause of the smoke was simply a brush that had brun out in the air condition compressor and the driver had it repaired in minutes. What a relief!!! After a short lunch stop and repair session, we were on our way again, this time travelling North.
It was a long ride and ... wait a minute ... aren't we going to Nashville ... we drove right through Nashville on our way to Mammoth. We finally arrived at the Mammoth Cave Hotel several hours late after a dinner stop a Ryan's. What a day! I must be getting really old because I was already tired and it was only the 1st day.
Day Two - Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Late to bed - Early to rise. I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow Tuesday night. I ate the fairly hearty breakfast buffett with Jake as a companion and when back to return my luggage to the bus. Was I really ready for TWO cave tours? I think even today my legs are still telling me that I should have stopped after 
the first one. The Mammoth Cave was very interesting and beautiful, but when you really don't exercise your body with tell you about it over and over and over again after hiking approximately 3 miles through the Mammoth Cave. I think our 
students really enjoyed both tours especially the sections of the Historic Tour called "Fat Man's Misery" and "Tall Man's Agony" where we passed through a section of cave about 1 foot wide at the knees followed by a section approximately 3 feet tall. We did have a treat during our lunch break that I throughly enjoyed. A deer came from the woods and walked directly up to one of the picnic tables where we were able to throw pieces of bread and apples for it to eat. What a neat experience for students who have never seen a deer that close.
After leaving the Cave behind, we were on our way back to Nashville. I was so excited when we arrived and learned that our rooms were in the Delta section of the hotel (the one with the best views) until I got into our rooms and realized that all we could see was a parking lot. But realistically, a room is a room and I really haven't spent much time in mine until this morning. This hotel has so much to see and is so beautiful. I certainly recommend that everyone visit at least once even if you cannot stay for the night.
After checking in, our group headed for Friendly's Irish Pub in the Magnolia section for dinner and surprise entertainment by a live Irish Band. Then Mr. Sparks took half our group to the Opry Mills while the rest of us toured the hotel. When they reuturned, we all toured the conference center and decided to do lunch the next day on the General Jackson Showboat. Early to rise ...Late to bed! Time for curfew.
Day Three - Thursday, June 29, 2006
We were able to sleep a little later this morning, but then we were off to the Genreal Jackson. The approximately three hour cruise down the Cumberland River was interesting especially once we arrived in the downtown area and the lunch buffett was nice. The highlight was the show that some of us saw for free in the enclosed dining area - Comedy and Music rolled into one!
Upon our return - CONFERENCE TIME! Here we go with nonstop activities. State Meeting ... State Photo ... Opening Session - All Back to Back. The highlight of the night ... Coach Ken Carter was our keynote speaker and it was exciting! Later to rise ... but still Late to Bed!
Day Four - Friday, June 30, 2006
Workshops! Workshops! Competitions! and more Workshops! The morning was a little disappointing in that some of the workshops were full and other were cancelled, but there was still plenty to do. Reports from Ben and Alex were that competitions were hard. Kristin thought
her presentation went well as did Jessica from Pelion, although neither made it to the final round of competition. Stephanie visited the regional officer campaign booths to get to know the candidates and Jake and Stephen studied. Mr. Sparks and I took in some valuable adviser workshops and we all participated in the March of Dimes Mini WalkAmerica. Our free time for the evening was spent at the mall where Kristin and I dined at the beautiful Aquarium restaurant and had time to take in a movie while Mr. Sparks and the others ate at the food court and shopped. Early to Rise and Late to Bed another day.
We have big plans for today, but I will let you know about that in another post.
Day One - Tuesday, June 27, 2006
After what was a dreary begining to our day with a departure plagued by often torrential downpours and a little apprehension concerning the age of our buses, we were on our way to Mammoth, KY. Some of the other advisers and I questioned the route we took (I-20 to Atlanta, then North) because we generally consider travelling to almost anywhere in Tennessee by way of Asheville, NC. Finally we decided that maybe the buses would make it over the mountains and Atlanta was our best bet. As I looked back to observe our students on the bus, I realized that they were beginning to form connections with other South Carolina students just as I was with the advisers. As adults we shared FBLA and curriculum ideas while the students just had fun! And then there was ...... that big puff of black smoke that can from the floor vents on our bus. Time to make a LUNCH stop. It was funny how the driver never said a word to either calm or heighten our fears, but simply turned the air condition off and pulled off the interstate and into Arby's. We later found out courtesy of Mr. Sparks that the cause of the smoke was simply a brush that had brun out in the air condition compressor and the driver had it repaired in minutes. What a relief!!! After a short lunch stop and repair session, we were on our way again, this time travelling North.
It was a long ride and ... wait a minute ... aren't we going to Nashville ... we drove right through Nashville on our way to Mammoth. We finally arrived at the Mammoth Cave Hotel several hours late after a dinner stop a Ryan's. What a day! I must be getting really old because I was already tired and it was only the 1st day.
Day Two - Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Late to bed - Early to rise. I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow Tuesday night. I ate the fairly hearty breakfast buffett with Jake as a companion and when back to return my luggage to the bus. Was I really ready for TWO cave tours? I think even today my legs are still telling me that I should have stopped after 
the first one. The Mammoth Cave was very interesting and beautiful, but when you really don't exercise your body with tell you about it over and over and over again after hiking approximately 3 miles through the Mammoth Cave. I think our 
students really enjoyed both tours especially the sections of the Historic Tour called "Fat Man's Misery" and "Tall Man's Agony" where we passed through a section of cave about 1 foot wide at the knees followed by a section approximately 3 feet tall. We did have a treat during our lunch break that I throughly enjoyed. A deer came from the woods and walked directly up to one of the picnic tables where we were able to throw pieces of bread and apples for it to eat. What a neat experience for students who have never seen a deer that close.After leaving the Cave behind, we were on our way back to Nashville. I was so excited when we arrived and learned that our rooms were in the Delta section of the hotel (the one with the best views) until I got into our rooms and realized that all we could see was a parking lot. But realistically, a room is a room and I really haven't spent much time in mine until this morning. This hotel has so much to see and is so beautiful. I certainly recommend that everyone visit at least once even if you cannot stay for the night.
After checking in, our group headed for Friendly's Irish Pub in the Magnolia section for dinner and surprise entertainment by a live Irish Band. Then Mr. Sparks took half our group to the Opry Mills while the rest of us toured the hotel. When they reuturned, we all toured the conference center and decided to do lunch the next day on the General Jackson Showboat. Early to rise ...Late to bed! Time for curfew.
Day Three - Thursday, June 29, 2006
We were able to sleep a little later this morning, but then we were off to the Genreal Jackson. The approximately three hour cruise down the Cumberland River was interesting especially once we arrived in the downtown area and the lunch buffett was nice. The highlight was the show that some of us saw for free in the enclosed dining area - Comedy and Music rolled into one!Upon our return - CONFERENCE TIME! Here we go with nonstop activities. State Meeting ... State Photo ... Opening Session - All Back to Back. The highlight of the night ... Coach Ken Carter was our keynote speaker and it was exciting! Later to rise ... but still Late to Bed!
Day Four - Friday, June 30, 2006
Workshops! Workshops! Competitions! and more Workshops! The morning was a little disappointing in that some of the workshops were full and other were cancelled, but there was still plenty to do. Reports from Ben and Alex were that competitions were hard. Kristin thought
her presentation went well as did Jessica from Pelion, although neither made it to the final round of competition. Stephanie visited the regional officer campaign booths to get to know the candidates and Jake and Stephen studied. Mr. Sparks and I took in some valuable adviser workshops and we all participated in the March of Dimes Mini WalkAmerica. Our free time for the evening was spent at the mall where Kristin and I dined at the beautiful Aquarium restaurant and had time to take in a movie while Mr. Sparks and the others ate at the food court and shopped. Early to Rise and Late to Bed another day.We have big plans for today, but I will let you know about that in another post.
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