Neither an earthquake nor the imminent and unwelcome arrival of Hurricane Irene could deter 400+ bloggers, an assortment of dogs, a convoy of cats, ferrets and even a guinea pig from descending upon the Sheraton Premier Hotel At Tysons Corner, Virginia.
United Airlines must have sensed my excitement because they had me seated in the first seat of their 50 seat "express" plane. I was seated directly behind the pilots! It was perfect for telling them to step on the gas and get me to BlogPaws! STAT!
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| My seat was directly in front of this door. I am a nervous flyer and there was quite a bit of turbulence on my way to Virginia. The small plane didn't thrill me, but Kelly (the flight attendant) was located across the aisle from me. We had a few great conversations and she put my mind at ease letting me know that the plane we were on could do all of the things that the "big" planes do!!! |
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| This was the FIRST thing I saw as I made my way into the hotel lobby |
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| "Follow the yellow brick and blogpaws road" |
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| Yes they most certainly were there! |
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| Ohhhhh did they EVER have "TREATS!" Better known as "swag" |
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| No bloodhounds were necessary to help us track the scent to where we needed to be |
I'm back and it was bliss! BlogPaws 2011 met and surpassed my wildest expectations. There is so much to tell that I can't possibly do it all in one blog post. Please come back and read further blog posts about BlogPaws 2011
It sounds like you had the best time there!
ReplyDeleteWe are awaiting lots of stories and pictures of your adventures there!!!!
Aww, lucky you!! I wish I could go too...
ReplyDeleteOur human love the 'behind the pilot' seat! Thanks Cody for posting about this exhibit and we look forward to read it.
ReplyDeleteDear Caren,
ReplyDeleteThank you to share this with us, I feel like I been there with you and I can't wait for BlogPaws part II, Because I really want to know what kind of Treats you got after you registered : )
I like the meals exhibit direction, but I wonder what is " Pet Park ' ?. Is it a nap room ?
xoxo
Caren, looks like you're a backseat driver .. even in a plane lol.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the lowdown!
Holy catfish - 400 antendees - I never dreamed it was THAT big. Oh, M so wanted to be there (me too). We got the surprise of our life as we got a phone call from 5 very dear pals at BlogPaws. And, @MaggieTKat even made sure I got to BlogPaws anyway by wearing a T-shirt with my picture on it. Can you believe all this! So happy you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it was a fabulous time! We should try and get our human to one of those!
ReplyDeleteOh wow!!!! Look at you behind the pilots!! Awwww me and Charlie are glad you had a great flight with nice flight staff to make your journey pleasant!
ReplyDeleteWe love the pawprints showing the way to the Blogpaws event and can't wait to read all about this fab conference!! Yay!! Take care
x
Looks like a great thing to be a part of. Can't wait to read your next posts!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you made it there safe and sound. I am a bit nervous about flying too!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful time and I can't wait to read more about it!
Love the paw prints on the floor!
Wow, that looks so exciting!
ReplyDelete@Priscilla it was just marvelous! I will be doing a few more posts about it interspersed with some other things I have scheduled. It was overwhelming but FANTASTIC!
ReplyDelete@Alittlesprite it most definitely was!
@Old Kitty yes! I wish you could have seen my face when I saw the plane only had 50 seats. I wasn't thrilled lol. There was a good amount of turbulence flying down but the flight home was excellent. I loved the pawprints too, I smiled every time I saw them
@The Monkeys it was fantastic! Yes you should! I already registered for next year, next year it is in Utah! I believe it is June 21 through June 23...
@Mario, yes the 400+ were just bloggers, that wasn't counting vendors and speakers. Awww I wish I had run into Maggie but I didn't, I didn't see her T-shirt :( That was so nice of her to do that! Next year it is in Utah and I already registered! xoxoxo
@CaroScat Hmmm...I will have to think about that comment and assume that you mean that in a GOOD way! It's all good!
@Mr.Puddy Aggggh!!! I already took out everything that we got! I should have photographed it all when I unpacked and A LOT of it I gave back to them (at a blogger exchange table) where you could give back what you couldn't use or couldn't fit into your suitcase. There was soooo much I could barely shut my bag. The Pet Park was a room where all of the doggies hung out if they wanted to. I saw one poop on the floor lol. Love you Puddy!
@The Chair Speaks actually I ended up liking it too...the plane was just smaller than I would have liked :)
@dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur it was so wonderful, I wish you could go too! Next year it is in Utah!
It was great meeting you in person. Look forward to seeing you again in Salt Lake City at Blogpaws 2012!
ReplyDeleteI loved the paw prints... they definitely made me smile as soon as I got to the hotel.
ReplyDeleteIt was so fantastic to meet you this weekend and I'm glad we were able to hang out on Friday night!
Looks like a great time. Mom says she is going to make it next year. Even if she has to invade my College fund... (I have a College fund???)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun, and I'm looking forward to reading more about it!
*nosetaps*
Caren! Absolutely in a GOOD way lol It's the ONLY way xox
ReplyDeleteDear Caren
ReplyDeleteWowwie! Zowwie! Me is waiting with baited breaths to hear more!!!
Kisses
Nellie
Sounds like a wonderful event
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
@Jen oh it was fantastic! You MUST try and attend some time! You will love it! I will be posting more about it throughout the next two weeks (not every blog post but interspersed)
ReplyDelete@Benny and Lily it was SUPERB!
@Nellie ohhhh you would have loved it! There were even some kitties there! Wish you could have been there! Next year it will be in Utah, would that be a possibility for you?
@Caro you got it! xoxo
@Henry lmao!!! College fund? You are one smart kitty! lol. Next year it is in Utah! :)
@Pup Fan I fell totally in love with you in "pawson!!" Not that I didn't love you before but you have an ADORABLE personality! Were you ok at your house with the storm and all? Yes Friday night turned out to be great, wait! That was Thursday night wasn't it? We are both so tired we can't remember! lol ((((hugs))))
@Vicki it was GREAT meeting you as well but I sure wish we had had time to actually SPEAK! lol. We barely got to say a word to each other and I wish that hadn't been the case! I already registered for Utah so I will see you there!!!!
Oh.... I'm so glad you enjoyed blog paws. HH and I enjoyed seeing your pictures on Facebook.
ReplyDeletepawhugs, Max
TW really enjoyed meeting you and wished you could have had more time to chat. She had a wonderful time and might even have learned something! xoxo to Cody. She left Sunday afternoon and—surprise—there was no traffic heading up north.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear all about it! We were supposed to be there, but Mom had to WORK!
ReplyDeleteWe're so glad you had fun even though you were on a small plane. Mom is a fraidy cat...pffffssstt
ReplyDeleteWe'll look forward to your next update.
xoxo Kassey
We've loving the coverage. Our appetite is whetted and can't wait for more...and to attend next year!
ReplyDelete@Max thank you so much! I wish you had been able to be there. Next year it is in Utah! (((hugs)))
ReplyDelete@Cat Wisdom 101 I am loving the coverage too! I keep trying to work on my blog posts for tomorrow and I keep becoming engrossed with other people's updates! Will be great to see you in UTAH next year! There is a discount on registration if you register by noon (MT) tomorrow!
@Great Granny I am a fraidy cat too but it was great! Thanks so much! I will be doing more updates interspersed with my other blog posts. xoxoxo
@Tucker oh no!! I am so sorry your Mom had to work, maybe next year?
@Cathy I was THRILLED to FINALLY meet your Mom but I agree that I wish we had had time to chat. That is my only complaint that we need more time for blogger to blogger FUN! lol. It was so hard to find everyone. I think for the next conference everyone needs to exchange phone numbers so that we can track each other down at the conference! Glad TW's trip home was uneventful! Thank goodness! xoxoxo
Sounds as awesome as I thought it would be. I'm going to go to BlogPaws next year, even if I have to sell a car...or a kidney. I have two of each, so I afford to lose one :)
ReplyDeleteVicky you are so silly! Don't say that! lol. I am hoping you DO go though! If you register now it is only $99 (discount ends August 30 at noon (MT)...then it will be over $100 to register. Go and do it! :)
ReplyDeleteThat Blogpaws sign is so cute!! These signs are enough to excite me :-) I'm looking forward to your story!!
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad you had such a good time and we look forward to hearing more about it.
ReplyDeletepurrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥
I love seeing all the updates from various attendees, but I think yours wins for most detail so far! I so enjoyed meeting you, and I'm looking forward to your next update. What a fun way to relive the conference!
ReplyDelete@Tamago aren't they? I am like you, that is all it took to excite me as well! lol
ReplyDelete@Abby thank you!! They will be coming up within the next couple of weeks! xoxo
@Ingrid I am on my way around the blogosphere in a few minutes to check out some myself. Thank you! Coming from you that is a HUGE and much appreciated compliment! I soooo enjoyed meeting you, you have no idea! You are completely delightful (but I KNEW you would be!) It is fun to read what everyone has to say. I have probably at least 2 more coming in the next week or two. Have to fit them in between some other things I have to do. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHow fun and exciting! We can't wait to hear more either :-)
ReplyDeletePip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
I am very glad that the evil Irene didn't mess with your great time!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteNubbin wiggles,
Oskar
Woo-hoo! We look forward to the next installment!
ReplyDeleteMy Human has not been on a plane since about 1981. She just cannot wrap her mind around being in a metal tube 30,000+ feet up in the sky. Nope, uh-uh, no way! Car, bus, train, boat--anything that stays on the EARTH! MOL!
BlogPaws sounded like a blast! Our mom was disappointed she couldn't go, but she says she's definitely going next time!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a fun time! Wish BlogPaws would come to Chicago then our mom (and US!) could go!
ReplyDeleteDearest Caren,
ReplyDeleteWow that sounds like having been a very interesting trip! So glad for you.
As for the bottom freezer, this is the best fridge/freezer combi I've ever had! Love it. Very convenient as that drawer pulls all the way out. Most of our visitors were very excited about it too.
The Miele Cooktop is not hard to clean though. Do you have the special cleaning liquid for it? You can order it from Miele and that makes it shine like showroom material. LOVE it.
Love to you and Cody,
Mariette
@Cara it was a blast!
ReplyDelete@Mariette, yep I do have the special cleaning liquid, pads, etc. If water boils over onto the cook top it is hard to get it off (Maybe I am just a sloppy cook lol). Thanks for the info about the fridge, your kitchen is truly beautiful! Enjoy! Love right back at you!
@Laila and Minchie, Chicago would be a BLAST but then I would want to do too much shopping. Chicago is one of my favorite cities!
@The Island Cats YAY! It is in Utah in 2012...there is a discount right now til today at NOON (MT) on registration. It is only $99!!!
@Spitty your human is actually worse than me! lol. I hadn't flown since 2006 when I went on this trip because I am pretty much the same. I will do it if I have to and since I had to for this trip I did! The flight there could have been a little better but the flight home was fantastic!!! One of the best I have ever had! :)
@Oskar had a fabulous time, wish I had gotten to meet you!
@Brian actually Irene did. I left a day early because of her. Turned out I didn't have to but I couldn't take the risk of being in a hotel with no air (with my kidney stone issues heat is NOT a good thing!) and the risk of getting stuck there for days. But I still had a wonderful time!
A guinea pig? I could bring Tooey! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story! I love all the welcoming effects. I was worried about you - wondering if the storm would affect you. Glad you're breaking this up into segments. Too much for a brain to handle it all at once!
ReplyDeleteI'm really sad that I didn't get to go. I'm glad that you had a fun time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of flying either, and would have been totally freaked out in that seat!
ReplyDeleteIt was so fun to finally meet you!! What a blast we had!
ReplyDelete