CCB Fall Convention - our first train ride & LA!

Wow! It's already a week ago!

Last weekend, we took Amtrak to Los Angeles to attend the California Council of the Blind Fall Convention. We couldn't go for the whole thing because of Nikki's job, but our main thing was to check out the Guide Dog Users of CA. And of course, to meet up with Linda and Buster (Linda's guide & my buddy!) They moved to Palm Spring recently to work at the Guide Dogs of the Desert.

We took a 4:00pm train leaving San Diego. It was very crowded, but we had a seat because San Diego was the first stop, Thank God! At every stop after that, people kept coming on with their bags & suitcases! A conductor kept checking on us and said to Nikki, "You're so lucky to have a dog that fits neatly under the seat!" Yes, I was very good, and asleep under the seat most of the ride. I liked it better than a trolley because it was so smooth.

We arrived at LA Union Station around 6:30p. It was already dark, and I was getting hungry. But we still had long way to go! It was a challenge to find the way around in the station because it was so big, and Nikki didn't really know where she was going. After going here & there, asking for directions, we finally found the express FlyAway bus to LAX. While in line for the ticket someone tapped Nikki's shoulder and asked if she was going to the CCB convention! It turned out that he was also going, and he knew the way around! YAY!!! The trip was easy from there with nice company!

No, we didn't fly anywhere. We took a free shuttle to the hotel from the airport, and finally got to the hotel at 8:30pm or so! By that time, I was really starving!!! Nikki should have fed me earlier, but she didn't do it because she was afraid of me on a train ride with full tummy! Silly thing! My welbeing is more important, don't you think? Anyway, I finally had dinner when we settled into Linda's room. Yum! For a second or so though, I totally forgot that I was hungry when I saw my buddy Buster! We were so excited and ran around the room stealing each other's bone!

Saturday, we got up bright & early and got ready for the day. The dog relieving area was like a social circle for me! I kept checking out new friends. Then the GDUC meeting: there were roomful of people and dogs! I wanted to play so much, but managed to behave after a few zip-zaps!!! And I'm so glad that I behaved; when we were walking out the room for a break, someone called Nikki. It was Kieth, the instructor from GDB! I knew something was up!!!
At the meeting, humans introduced themselves and their dogs. They didn't give us a chance to bark or anything!!! After selecting officials and and other things, a vet came to talk about allergies and tumors in dogs. While that was going on, someone came around the table and showed us some stuff that GDUC was selling. There were doggie bones and other toys, and I believe that Nikki bought a toy for me, which I haven't seen yet!
Between the meeting and luncheon, there was some time. So we walked around and checked out the exhibit hall. It was one crowded small area with a bunch of blind people and dogs!!! Nikki decided to use a volunteer sighted guide, so I just heeled along. At lunch, we sat with Kieth, Aerial Melissa and other people from GDB. Melissa lives in LA and seems a lot of fun! I hope they keep in touch.

We left the convention after lunch and met up with Toshie. We drove around the city for a while and finally decided to browse around downtown. Then drove around more to find a parking!!! Finally we parked and went to Oribela Street. (I don't think I spelled it right...) It was kind of like Old Town San Diego, bigger and more people!!! Then we stopped for a drink, and it was time to head back to San Diego. We got home somewhere around 11:00 at night! Arr, Home Sweet Home!!!