One trip down, two to go

When I worked in Seattle I traveled pretty often for work. Sometimes it might just be a day trip in the area, but it got me out of the office and interacting with colleagues and clients. Here in Abilene I don't get out much and our travel budget is next to nonexistent. This is frustrating because one of the things I've been tasked with at work is to maintain relations and be active in professional organizations.

This year is a bit different. I've got three meetings and conferences lined up and, wouldn't you know it, they're all in April. Washington, DC last week, Louisville, Kentucky this week and the week after a quick day trip to Kansas City.

Washington, DC was great. My agency has two facilities in that area, the main one in College Park, Maryland and the original in Washington. Now that the National Archives building has been renovated it looks like we are going to start having more meetings in DC and I'm all for it. When going to College Park the hotels were usually conveniently located next to nothing - if you didn't catch a cab or snag a ride with someone with a car it was the hotel restaurant every night. DC has a Metro stop right next to the airport, great hotels, great restaurants. Only bad thing was that I forgot to take my camera. I'm finally in Washington when the cherry trees are blooming and I didn't have my camera!

I'll correct that in Louisville. The conference is at the historic Brown Hotel and I am definitely going to take some pictures.