I went down to breakfast. One of the mysteries I encountered when making bookings for this trip was how on earth you can get what looks like a decent room with all the nice added amenities (free wifi, swimming pool for those who like to indulge their masachistic side, as well as free breakfast for a couple of dollars a night? I paid less than $50 a night, and could have had up to 3 friends with me, for my gorgeous Lake Tahoe room. When I saw the breakfast though, I somewhat understand. Yes, I was feeling a little under the weather, but the sight of runny oats, day old bread for toasting and, heaven forbid, American Coffee! Soon sent me scrambling back to my cosy bed only to see me reemerge after lunch. Although I really could have stayed cosy in my room all day, I figured I'd better do something touristy. The thought of being suspended from a height on the Heavenly Gondola made my tummy churn, but I figured I could cope with a little drive around the Lake.
It is definitely one of the most stunning parts of the world. Again I faced the challenge of capturing photos whilst being a solo driver, but I did get a few pictures along the way. I stopped for a little brunch in a sweet lakeside hamlet called Kings Beach, where I had the most amazing ever peppermint hot chocolate and a small serve of eggs Benedict (and damn my crazy belly!). I felt somewhat better after I'd eaten and as I sat in the little restaurant I noticed my first real snowflakes falling. I restrained myself from running outside and doing a little dance (if only Kylie was here) as the locals all shook their heads in frustration and lament for the end of their winter.
I pressed on with my circumnavigation of the lake and as I made my way around there was snowfall abound. I stopped at the little town of Glenbrook for a coffee refuel and to take a few snow pics.
I soon arrived back at my room and ordered some fabulous New York style pizza to cosy up with next to my fireplace for the night.
I again decided to make an early start the next morning as it is a long drive across the Nevada plains. I was all packed and ready to go by 5.30. I went down to inspect the overnight snow accumulation. Uh oh - there was a good couple of inches right over my car! I know my sister in law had advised to set the demister on and leave it to do its thing from the warmth of my room but if you recall the automatic door lock debacle in San Francisco, there was no way I was leaving my car running with the door closed for any amount of time. I decided to get practical and grabbed a plastic back, which a placed over my hand and arm and tried to sweep the snow off. I must say it was somewhat effective, although my arms just didn't quite reach across the roof and what I now had was a gold corolla sporting a rather cool-looking Mohawk! Once I got fair visibility out the car windows and had deposited my ever-expanding luggage, I was ready for my next adventure.
I got about 10klms down the road when I encountered many flashing signs advising that snow tires/chains would be required along this route. I turned back into South Lake Tahoe and spoke to a mist helpful worker at a 24hr pharmacy who helped me map out a route via Carson City, through Reno and across along I80. I'm so glad I turned back as he pointed out where a newly opened Reno bypass that didn't even register on my GPS that saved my loads of travel time.
The drive across the Nevada desert was breathtaking! I wasn't able to capture exactly how amazing some of the views are, but I really enjoyed the trip. I did stop in Elko for lunch and a refuel, but was back on the road again before I remembered the ghetto Walmart I was going to visit. It was turning out to be such a long day as it were so I kept going and am hoping I can still do my challenge in the final week of my trip.
I managed to hit Salt Lake City right on Peak Hour, of course, and I'm sure my GPS has a sense of humour. After going around in circles for a frustrating amount of time, I finally found myself at the Grand America Hotel.
Wow! My room is absolutely gorgeous, all Richelieu furnishings and marble and gold fittings in the bathroom. I made my way down to the conference registration and the Meet and Greet event.
I've met some great people and am really loving the opportunity to speak with fellow dispatchers. Although our centers are quite different, some with tri-agency (police, ambulance and police) capabilities, we all have the same frustrations and funny tales to tell.
The Opening Address on Wednesday morning saw us observe a minute's silence for the Boston Bombing tragedy and the singing of the American National Anthem. Our opening speaker was Olympic Gold Medalist Jim Shea. His Grandfather and Father are both Olympic Gold Medallists also, and it was incredible to hear of the tragic death of Jim's grandfather during a drunk-driver MVA just 17 days before the 2002 Winter Olympics and the bittersweet emotion of Jim winning Gold in his honor.
I attended a couple of the conference sessions yesterday afternoon, mostly to do with Leadership and Management. Much of the content was stuff I am really quite well versed in from previous professional development training I have been exposed to.
I was crazy tired and after a short walk in search of something quick and easy for dinner, I found myself tucked up in bed really early (5.30pm).
I've had a fantastic sleep and now about to head downstairs for breakfast and the Day 2 program. I'm really looking forward to the visit to the SLC Comms Centre and many of the sessions I will attend today will be Medical Protocol and Quality Assurance specific so I anticipate getting much out of them.
I've met some fabulous people, Amy from Calgary (Canada) and Sandra from just outside of Fort Worth (Texas). I've been watching the terrible Ferilizer Plant explosion in West, Texas, that have seen a few EMS personnel as well as others die, so I would like to go and see how Sandra is going this morning.
I have lots of photos to post, but I'll head down now and catch up with the others before the day starts in earnest.
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