It seems that every time travel to South Dakota occurs, I spend the duration of the trip stressing about finding time to visit with all those for whom with which I wish to spend time. There are friends from high school, my paternal grandparents and maternal grandmother, immediate family and also, the friends I met during my time working as a reporter in Sturgis after college. Inevitably, someone is always missed or I am forced to limit visit lengths or execute a tough choice between who I do or do not have time to see this time around.
Luckily, my friends and family are seemingly understandable of my situation. Regardless, I always leave from South Dakota feeling a bit disappointed that I didn't have a chance to see or do all I desired and this most recent trip was no exception. This visit did, however, provide a few unexpected gatherings, such as chance meeting with a high school friend I had not seen in many years.
Highlights of the trip also included a very enjoyable dinner with my friends Mike and Krista and their little one -- Ainsley -- whom, although more than a year old now, I had yet to meet; attending the bachelorette party (which included a limo ride through Spearfish Canyon), rehearsal dinner and wedding of my cousin; eating lunch with my niece, Alexis, at her school; and celebrating the 30th wedding anniversary of my parents. Of course, I always appreciate nearly every second I am able to spend with my nieces and nephew, who always seem to transform any problem I am dealing with seem trivial and trite.
Next week is another filled with airplanes, taxis and hotel rooms as I travel to Kansas City to spend time with my fellow electric cooperative communicators at the CONNECT conference. Then, a day after I return from the mid-west, I will spend another two nights in a hotel for the Colorado Jaycees Leadership Conference, during which I will be presenting a workshop on writing effective press releases (I would be lying if I said I wasn't more than a bit freaked out about the presentation). Finally, the latter part of the following week will be spent basking in the southwestern sun of New Mexico -- literally, as I have booked a room with a veranda.
Following the New Mexico trip, I will have the opportunity to enjoy a few nights in my own bed before boarding yet another plane, this time to New Orleans for the U.S. Jaycees National Conference. Then, four days at home and I'm off to Minneapolis for the Cooperative Communicators Association's annual conference. The aforementioned conference is uncharted waters as I have not attended it in previous years. And, as always, I have crafted ways to incorporate a bit of leisure time and activities into the majority of the upcoming trips -- two baseball games, spa treatments and visits with my college roommate and cousin. Basically, I have mastered the skill of turning business travel into work-cations.
With the vast amount of trips on the horizon for me, my posts may be a bit sporadic for the next month. I do promise to post an update or two when I have the chance, even if just a sentence or two and a photo.
~ à la prochaine fois ~
My niece, Alexis (second from the left), with her friends on sock-hop day.
With Ainsley Jane, who obviously did not want to be photographed with me.
The wedding party, with my niece, Lily, as flower girl. Congrats Kirsten and John!
To view additional photos, visit my flickr page, which is currently being updated, so please excuse the mess.
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