Today I drove 8 hours up to Cincinnati. The drive was actually not nearly as bad as I had expected. I arrived and checked into my hotel without incident (so far so good, for now). I checked in at the registration table, and got the first of the many free goodies that you get here. From there, I checked out some of the exhibits that had already been set up, getting more free stuff.

I wanted to check out the Bookstore, who annually sets up a shop at the conference, but they did not open until 1800 today. In the meantime I checked out the supply depot who also sets up shop. It was amazing! For the first time ever, I could actually see what they carried. Not just the partial lists that you get in CAP News. Later I got to take a look at the bookstore also. It was nice being able to buy uniform items that I needed without having to pay shipping or waiting for the items to arrive in the mail.

Later came the welcoming reception, this was what conferences like this are really about. Networking. It was exciting, I talked for a while with the National Historian about the history behind many CAP awards and decorations, as well as other senior members, mostly from my wing and surrounding wings. So far I have only seen two Generals (I thought I would have seen a few more by now).

Well, it's getting late, and I have to make sure I'm awake to take the Train-The-Trainer course (Part of the new National Emergency Services Curriculum Project) all day tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have a lot to report tomorrow, being the first full day of activities. Until then, good night.