Stage 6: Fort Stockton to San Antonio

This morning we completely threw out our plan to swing south for tourism because we wanted to be in San Antonio in time to register for the convention on Wednesday when it's generally calmer. Therefore, all time projections went away as we got on I-10 to go straight to San Antonio.

( But first, there's trains! )

Leaving Fort Stockton, we got on I-10 where I saw something I've never seen in my life before: an 80 MPH speed limit. Nothing in California is above 70, and Nevada doesn't exceed 75. My minivan can go that fast, eventually, but it isn't easy and the mileage drops dramatically; however, it certainly does eat up the miles.

( Odd Helicopter )

We got to San Antonio at 3 PM, traveling 332 miles in 6 1/2 hours including stops, which for us is pretty fast travel. That makes it 1,852 miles since we left Fernley: we're here, and it's time for Worldcon!

Worldcon Day 0: Checking In

Lisa navigated me in to the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, and while she started to sort things out for taking to the room, I tried to check in. Our room wasn't ready. This is a specific room, as we're volunteers who have agreed to be booked in and around party suites so we won't complain if it's noisy during the convention. For whatever reason, our specific room wasn't ready to go. I went back out to the front curb, where Lisa hadn't quite yet started unloading things. They told us to go park in the hotel garage and they'd call us when they were ready for us. So we did just that. My goodness, it is hot and sticky, and much worse in the garage! Alas, with no hotel room, we had nowhere to go decompress and cool off.

( Registration and Move-In )

( Night Zero Parties )

We turned in just after 11, as we're very tired from all the travel. Tomorrow is the only day of the convention — possibly the only day of the entire trip — where I don't have to get up early. I do have a panel at 3 PM about How the Business Meeting Works that I actually am not looking forward to doing because I prefer to do that one as a solo workshop rather than as a panel discussion, but I'll do the best I can with what I have to work with. But in any event, Thursday I get to sleep in, as long as I stop writing now and go get some sleep.