last month our parent company (who 'is on your side') asked us to be involved in an event they were participating in. i was originally scheduled to attend, but it was then determined that it wouldn't make economic sense for me to do so, since the event was on the east coast and i, am on the west. they did not know that i was already planning on heading east for another event only a couple of days later, but no matter, we would send one of our reps living in closer geographic proximity.
unfortunately, though, the reps father passed away, and with less than twenty four hours notice, i was making travel arrangements to leave for hilton head, sc. the arrangements were a bit crazy. one hotel one night, a different the next night. and because of the last minute nature and its associated costs, i opted to drive from hilton head to virginia where i would be spending a day with my fam before a drop off in maryland for the next event.
and the trip in was equally as wild. after taking off forty-five minutes late from dallas, we were informed that there had been a mechanical issue and we would have to land back at dfw. the catch was that the fuel tank was too full to land, so we'd have to fly around for 'awhile'.
every fifteen or so minutes, the pilot would come on and tell us that we would be landing in 15-20 minutes. that meant electronics off and no getting up from the seats. and i believed him the first time. and the second time. but by the third and fourth time, i had had it. instead of making the two hour flight to savannah, we flew in circles for an hour and a half.
now, i'm pretty patient about travel glitches, but this one was so far off the 'logic radar' that i was as close as i've ever been to truly losing it. when we landed in savannah, it took nearly thirty minutes for someone to come out and bring our plane into the gate. then thirty minutes for the bags. then the hour drive to the hotel. and by the time i got to the hotel, it was 3am. 3 hours later the alarm was going off, and i was heading out to the event.
fortunately, things started looking up from there. i got to the event with no obstacles, and since it was quite literally on the beach, i was instantly relaxed and happy. everything went smoothly, and i was really pleased with the exposure we got. the organization was so thrilled to have us there, and they all had such a good energy about them that it was truly a pleasure to be there. and of course, it didn't hurt that i got to pet dogs all morning!
after the event i headed to my new hotel, the hilton head marriott resort & spa (yes, it was as good as it sounds) and slept for several hours. when i woke up in the early evening, i decided that i needed to go enjoy the beach, so i headed out to do some exploring. since the only thing between the hotel and the beach was the pool, i didn't expect to make a rest stop, but just behind the pool was a copse of carolina grass and several hammocks.
i just couldn't resist, so i crawled onto one and did some reading while lenjoying the sounds and smells of the ocean..
there is just something different about carolina beaches. from a purely aesthetic perspective, california beaches are far superior, but i truly think the overall EXPERIENCE of a carolina beach wins out hands down. it feels more relaxed, and less like a social 'scene', and there are hammocks, and you can swim in a swimsuit in april, and don't need a wet suit in august!
after i'd sufficiently 'rested', i headed thirty yards east, where i was reminded again how wonderfully warm the atlantic ocean is! i was nearly knee deep before i remembered that i was wearing a skirt. and i spent the next hour enjoying the warm water and the sunset, before calling it a night.
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