Outer Banks, NC - "Training" - Day 2 About This Page:

[DrDolphin]

This week I will be in North Carolina - on the Outer Banks for training for my job... Tough life as I see it at the moment. The break from the office will be greatly enjoyed... although I did bring work with me as well.

I thought I would do a mini-live trip report as I go since some folks may be interested in the outer banks as a vacation destination.

Pre-trip Planning

As I said - this trip is for work - so I did not get to choose the time of year - but I DID get to choose the hotel. The class notes recommended the Best Western. Those of you that have read my notes from other non-Disney trips (yes, I have those occasionally) know that I am a Hilton Hhonoras member - and try my darnest to stay at Hilton properties so I can earn points, and get my southwest airline credits. FYI - Hilton is the only hotel chain that lets you earn BOTH - everyone else makes you choose between points and miles... I went online at work the day I found out that I was approved for the course and searched Hilton.com for hotels near Duck, NC. I found the Hampton Inn and Suites in Corolla, NC. This appears to be a newer hotel, and since I am hear before Memorial day - the place should be empty. Hampton Inns are great since they include a free hot breakfast every morning - wonderful when you are on a budget!!!

For airfare - we are required to fly whichever airline the government has the contract with. Since the closest airport to Duck, NC is Norfolk, VA - I had our office travel agent check and that is Southwest ! I am a rapid rewards member and have not paid for a personal plane ticket since I started working with the Corps!! Got to it. I also had Pam (the TA) get my rental car from hertz, since I am a gold club member and can earn more southwest credits.

[lauren-roxy]

Sounds like you are getting paid 4 times over for work Terri with all your rewards!! i am interested in hearing about the Outer Banks, since I would like to possibly vacation there sometime!

[DrDolphin]

The Day before I leave

It's Saturday, April 23, 2005. Today I have a TON of things to do - I have to give my students their final exams, collect all the assignments that are due, as well as listen to and grade their presentations. Then I need to compile all the grades and get them loaded into the school's database.

I need to go to Target and get cat litter, and a couple of travel items. Then I need to go home, pack my suitcase, prep all my travel stuff, put a tape in to record Jeff Gordon co-hosting Wind Tunnel on Sunday night, watch the race and go to bed.

Well - that was the plan.

Here is what happened. Scott took me to dinner on Friday night and we did not get done and back to my house till almost 10pm. Then I went to bed and woke up at 6am to get up and get ready to head to the University. I gave the final exam and was done with all the class stuff by noon. Then I headed to Target to buy video tapes, and travel stuff (including a new camera case) for the May WDW trip.

After I got home, my head and neck started to hurt a great deal - I think it was a tension headache. I finally motivated to get off the couch and get some food into my system. I ended up going to Publix and getting sushi and watermelon (dessert). The food and aleve made the headache go away. I got all the grading done and the grades posted. Then I tackled packing for the trip. When I was all done and everything was in the suitcase - I weighed it -- 45.5 lbs. Whew - 4.5 lbs under the limit (I know SW allows up to 3 bags - but I already have my purse and laptop case - I don't want to drag more than I have to). Good to go.

One thing I wanted to do was call Southwest and make sure my Rapid Rewards number was on my reservation so I get credit for it. When the agent pulled it up - she told me the ticket was cancelled!!!! WHAT??? I called the emergency 24-hour fed govt travel agent number to be told that I had never given my travel orders to our local rep -- YES I DID!!! Ok - problem -- I need a plane ticket.. I ended up making an emergency run to Kinkos to fax the travel orders to the emergency folks so they can get the ticket.... wow - talk about luck. Imagine what would have happened if I had not called SW to add my frequent flier number... would have made for an interesting morning...
Then I worked on cleaning the house, watching the race and getting ready for bed. I finally went to bed around 830pm, but laid there watching the race -- at 10pm, I turned off the tv, missed the end of the race and went to sleep.

Next - My suitcase weighs HOW much???

[lauren-roxy]

Good thing you checked about your ticket Terri! It doesn't sound like the next installment went too smooth either.I know it will get better though!

[Tara O'Hara]

Terri, I would to hear about the Outer Banks! I sure hope your trip is smoothe than the preparations for it!!

[KathyL]

I can't wait to hear more about the Outer Banks. DH and I have always wanted to travel there...probably during the spring time.

I hope the rest of your trip goes smoother than the start!

KathyL

[DrDolphin]

Day 1 – April 24, 2005 Jacksonville – Corolla, NC

I had to wake up early again this morning – 5am. My flight is scheduled to leave at 755am – so I want to be at the airport no later than 630am – in case there are problems due to the travel order fiasco.

I logged on to Southwest’s website and printed my boarding pass – good sign so far.

I left the house at 545 am and headed to I-95 North to go to the airport. I arrived at 615, pulled into Park Space and hopped on the shuttle with my bags. The driver dropped me off at the Southwest door and I went right in. I got in line, and within a couple of minutes was called to check in. I handed the agent my boarding pass printed that morning and placed my suitcase on the scale. Her scale says 52.5 lbs….. HOW DID MY SUITCASE GAIN 7 lbs in 12 hours??? She tells me I can take out 3 lbs of materials or pay 25 dollars…. I told her I weighed it at home and it was 45.5 lbs – I was informed that her scale is correct and mine must be off… I know mine is within 1 lb of my personal trainer’s scale…. I hope that both of ours is not 7 lbs off…. So I opened my suitcase and removed one hard cover book. It reduces the weight to 50.5 and she tells me she will let the .5 lb ride…. And then slaps a HEAVY sticker on the bag… now wait one minute – up until 2 weeks ago I could have 75 lbs and that was a heavy bag – now we are down to 50lbs is a heavy bag… and that includes the weight of the bag…. I would HATE to have a hard side suitcase now….

I carried the book with me and headed to security. It took me about 15 minutes to get through - but all went well. I headed to the gate and sat down. It took about an hour before we boarded – but I was like the 4th person on the plane. I grabbed my seat in the exit row, grabbed a pillow and blanket and was asleep within 15 minutes.

I woke up when we were on final approach. I really needed that nap. I got off the plane, found a restroom and headed for baggage claim. My suitcase was the 3rd or 4th off the plane. I grabbed it, headed to an ATM to get some money for the toll road to North Carolina and then headed to the rental car agency. When I got to Hertz – they had no record of my reservation – so I pulled out the paperwork – the emergency TA has not made me a gold Hertz member or made it so I was a federal employee – so it took awhile for the agent to get everything in the computer.

I got to the car – a Buick Regal, and headed out to drive to Duck. It takes about an hour and a half - no interstate – and little highway. My max speed was 55 mph. I saw LOTS of cops out on a Sunday am, so I was using the cruise control the whole way.

I arrived at the hotel right at noon, and my room was ready!! I got in my room, opened everything up and began to get settled into the room. I took some photos, explored the hotel and talked on my phone to family and friends to let them know I had arrived. Then I got hungry – I wanted lunch.


View from my room


My room from the balconey


Hotel Gym


Front of the Hotel

I hopped back in the car and drove north along the beach – and found a local raw bar where I got a blackened tuna sandwich. Not much different than I have gotten elsewhere. I came back to the hotel to focus on getting a bit of work done before my class begins tomorrow.

[lauren-roxy]

How in the heck does a suitcase gain 7 lbs?? Sounds like the travel agent was not really on the ball for you, but glad you got a rental car without too much difficulty. The hotel looks nice. Can't wait to read more!!

[GoofyMom]

Your government travel agency sounds about as competent as my DH's! His TA messes up on nearly every trip he takes and he travels as much as you do. Unfortunately, government employees have to use the government's lame-o TA.

Boy, is your hotel ever nice! I hope the rest of your trip is pleasant, Terri!

[LizardCop]

Only you Terri!!!

Hope the rest of this trip is better than the start!!!

[Pris]

What a start! Hope the rest goes smoothly. At least you ended up with a nice car. I have a Regal and love it.

[HiddenMickey]

Terri-
Enjoying reading your report. We drove past your hotel on our way to/from our Spring Break trip to Corolla. It really looks like a great place to stay. There aren't many hotels in that area, so it's extra nice that you could find one that give you rewards! Sorry the weather is so icky. Similar to what we had in late March, I'm sure. Hope you packed warm clothing.

-HiddenMickey

[Jillybean]

Terri,

I'm looking forward to this tr because I have always wanted to visit the Outer Banks!

Jill

[Tara O'Hara]

Terri, on the bright side, you hotel looks beautiful!! I hope things pick up from here!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Terri I've heard of the outer banks, so I'm very interested in your report And we Hampton Inns as well What a fiasco with the suitcase

More please