Golf Carts, Crickets and Airplanes. Oh my.

Downtown Milford is part of the National Main Street Program sponsored by the National Historic Trust for Preservation. 
What does that mean?

It means we work our butts off to revitalize our historic downtown, stimulate economic development and growth, support small business, and create a place where people love to gather and enjoy their community.

So, once a year, we all get together in a different city to share and learn (and maybe complain just a little) and ultimately be reminded of why we do what we do the rest of the year.

On Sunday, I left to represent our small town in Des Moines, Iowa.

I can't tell you how much fun it was to miss my connection in Memphis due to a delay.
Then sit around.

There was at least some entertainment in Memphis. 

I have never been, nor will I ever be, as skinny as this guy. 

And when you're that skinny, you deserve to be able to wear star patches on the backs of your knees. 

Then I fly to Minneapolis/St. Paul on a winged golf cart.
I don't like smallish planes.

You really begin to appreciate the small things.

Like not having to do an acrobatic move to use a paper towel to grab the door handle, hold the door open with your foot, attempt to quickly throw the paper towel behind you into the trash can, and make it out without nipping your heel in the door and having your bag smashed.
Thank you Step-N-Pull.

Then I get to run. Fast.
Barely make it to get on the LAST flight to Des Moines.
On a cricket.

I realize that there were actually about 50 seats on the plane, but it felt like five. Maybe ten.
The only thing that made it okay was that I was too exhausted to care very much.

For a place with so many cornfields, they could stand to add a few runways.
Then maybe my suitcase could have arrived sometime before 11:30 the next morning.

Plus I missed all the meat on a stick at the opening ceremony Sunday afternoon.
Jan Miller said it was great.
And I believe Jan Miller.

Finally in Iowa.
No shower.
Same clothes as yesterday.
(at least my dress was cute)







All the people you meet with and talk to and do projects with all in one place.
Hugs and handshakes everywhere.
And I do not even have a toothbrush.

I make the best of it.
No one seemed to notice and I'm pretty sure I didn't smell. Yet.

The conference turned out to be great!

Des Moines was WAY better than I expected. 

I learned a lot. 

Talked even more. 

And I really believe I am bringing home some new ideas to make our hometown a better place. 

p.s. Stay tuned for the all the juicy details of the "after hours" events. 

By the way, I am writing this blog from Detroit.
Where I am stuck because I missed my connection.
Again.