Dave and I were driving a few weeks ago and talking about how he is feeling a little burnt out. I said it is to bad that we can't just fly to conference since it was a great trip last year. Dave said why not? So we found the guy in our stake that was in charge of tickets and asked if he had any left for Saturday afternoon. He did. Then on the way to pick up Cora I started checking if the hotel we liked was still available and if there were affordable flights. Everything just lined up and we were set to go. Later we got an email saying that not many people had asked for tickets, again we asked if there was Saturday evening this time. There was. Dave did make sure to say we didn't want to take tickets away from anyone since we already had some, but if no one was taking them we would take them.
We got up before 4 on Friday and went to the airport. I had told Dave that the plane left at 7, he heard they boarded at 7. And for some reason this time he was sure it only took an hour to the airport. It does not. We compromised and left our house at 4:15. I was a little stressed. We turned in our car and the shuttle was full, so we got on the next one. The driver took forever coming, we eventually got to the airport and into the security line. Line was not to bad. We soon discovered that they were moving VeRy SlooOooW. I really think it was training day. Dave kept telling me he was not worried, we would make it. I thought there was no way and was already thinking how we get on the next flight. As we got closer I told Dave and Blake to run to the terminal, as my bag was last, so they would know we were coming. They took my bag to check three times. At one point the guy said he knew what was in my bag and the lady said it never hurt to look again for practice. I was like are you kidding! I let them know my flight was leaving. They did not care. Finally I grabbed it and ran. I see a lady in uniform standing in the lane asking what I was wearing. I kicked it up and they opened plane doors and let us on. Not happily. Good thing our gate was the first one after security. After we had taken off and our hearts had settled I asked Dave when he really had been worried. He said as soon as he saw the security line. :) I knew it! He also said that they had asked him if he and Blake were prepared to leave withouth me. He didn't dare answer. He thought if he said no they would kick us all off. The rest of the trip we were very early for our flights. We took the round robin route but finally made it to Salt Lake. Got an Uber straight to Texas Roadhouse and enjoyed a great meal. Grabbed a few things for breakfast the next morning as we were leaving before the complimentary breakfast opened, then Ubered to the hotel. Very ready for sleep.
Saturday we were up again very early. We got ready and walked the 1/2 hr to the Tabernacle. We wanted to be in line by 6:30 at the latest to see if we could use the stand by line to get into the Conference Center. A block away it started to rain. It continued to pour the entire day. We had umbrellas but it didn't help a lot. Blake said the rain was nothing as he could still see if front of him. He was freezing all day. Joked he was having a little PTSD from the rain. Luckily we could stand in a little alcove at the Tabernacle as we waited till they opened. When we arrived we were about 30th in line.
We had some lovely people that we chatted with the 2 hrs we waited. They asked lots about Blake's mission and we found out they have a grandson in our mission. There was also a young man there that was waiting for his wife. We learned about how they met and an upcoming trip they are going on. When his wife arrived just before they opened the doors we all cheered. We had been very invested in her making it on time. It was just fun. We did make it into the Conference Center for Saturday morning session.
A bunch of the elders Blake served with and his MP and wife had all gone to the temple Thursday night. He found out about it to late and as much as I tried I could not change his ticket. He still wanted to meet up with his MP. As he is a seventy now he was at all the sessions and we met them after the first one. It was so fun to see the love they had for my son, and the love he had for them. They were all so excited to see each other and talk. It was beautiful and meant so much to me. Wonderful couple!
After that we needed to quickly get something to eat before the next session. We ran in the rain to Seven Brothers since we had enjoyed it last time, but the line was to long for us to make it back. Finally Subway was the shortest and they were moving fast. We downed our food, back in the rain and in line for afternoon session. Again wonderful messages and great to be there. This time we had planned to jump on Trax and eat our left overs at the hotel. We knew that Justin and Emma were in the same session as us, so I texted him to see where he was sitting to see if we could met up. He was down close at the bottom beyond barriers that we were not allowed to cross. Luckily he saw us and came to us. Then took us down. He kept needing to tell people that he had been down there and had just gone up to see family and that he was down in that area with family. He had to show his ticket many times. They really wanted to kick us out. Eventually we made it to Emma and got to say a quick hi to some of her family. Again lovely people. Back out in the rain. We didn't have time to head back to the hotel, so we tried to find a place out of the rain as we waited for last session. We found one building but it was so full. We decided just to go to the mall. On the way we found a small ledge that while outside was blocked from the rain. We just sat and chatted until it was time. Walking around we saw a few sister missionaries walking around and around. At one point I jokingly asked them if they were trying to stay warm. Two of them broke off and started talking to us. One was from England and as we talked to her we found out that her friend was in Blake's mission currently. I guess there is was only one British missionary in his mission and he happened to be this sisters friend. Only Canadian meets friend of only British. Such a small world in the church. Blake got a picture of them together so he could send to the elder.
Then it was time to get in line for the evening session. Still pouring rain. We found our seats and found we were sitting next to a couple that are in Cora and Ammon's stake, the lady knew Dave in YSA and they are related to Emily so kind of knew Leah. We had so many fun stories like that. It was a great experience to be in the Conference Center all three sessions on Saturday.
Sunday was another super early morning. We had to be to Trax by 5:30 to get to the airport to catch our flight. We were to be home by 2 and planned to watch both Sunday sessions that night. As we were walking through the airport Blake realized that he had flown out of that exact spot exactly 2 years ago, almost to the hour. Again kind of cool.
We got to the airport in good time, got through security, found out gate and then after an hour there was an announcement that our plane had mechanical issues and they were looking for a different plane, anyone that had a connecting flight to please see the lady at the counter. We got in line. By the time it was our turn what was left with our final destination was either a flight to Denver and home that left Monday at 1 or a flight that was Denver, San Fran, home that left early Monday morning and we would be home by noon. A very round about way to get home but we took that one since we would be home sooner. We then waited and waited to see if another plane would be coming. Watched Sunday morning session in the airport. Dave sent some text to his work explaining he wouldn't be there and we continued to wait. Just after noon we finally got word that another plane had been found and was ready. It was a tiny thing and Blake was a little confused where his tray table was.
I was not excited about staying over one more day. We had things that really needed to be done on Monday. Once we landed in Denver I got to work. We used our vouchers and ate at Smash Burger. One of Blake's comps had said it was good. Did not disappoint. We found a quiet corner and I started making calls to United as they said we would have a hotel voucher as well. . They gave us a hotel and another meal voucher each, which I thought was good of them. As I was making calls there was a free leave a book take a book stand. Dave had just finished his and so he left his and started looking at other on the stand. He picked up one about building the railway across the US and found his relative in the book. How neat is that. After that I wanted to find the check in desk and just have them try again to see if there was an earlier flight. I said a prayer, found the desk and they had 3 tickets on a flight leaving at 7. It was 4:30. I said bless your soul, yes please. Blake was hungry again and wanted to try Cantina. We got in line. After a bit we saw a bunch of people had budged and got right in. Thought that was kind of rude. Then we realized we were not in line, hahaha, we were waiting with all the people that were watching the football game on TVs in the restaurant. Felt kind of dumb. Got in the proper line and had some great Mexican food. Finally on the plane, Dave and Blake got exit rows so the had to say yes they would help in an emergency and, bonus, got extra leg room. At last we made it home by midnight. Tired and so thankful that we were not in a hotel in Denver, waiting to continue on.
It was so much fun. To sum up I would say it was a great experience. We got up super early every day to wait in long lines. Have stories we will talk about with each other for years. Had great chats one on one with Blake. Listened to wonderful messages from our apostles. Met some great people. Memories were made. 10/10 would recommend.
