Beefy Adventures!

It seems like every time I fly, I could write a novel about my adventures. In fact, it gets to be somewhat of a game for my friends to “See What Will Happen to Alicia this Time.”  From routine cancelations to security convinced I am the red-headed terrorist, I have plenty of stories!  Of course, being a National Beef Ambassador, I have the opportunity to fly plenty this year!  These past few days, I have been in Ohio for training with Certified Angus Beef, and this might be the most exciting flight adventure yet!

I left Tucson bright and early on Monday morning, headed to Cleveland with a layover in Dallas.  Upon arrival in Dallas, I come to find out my Cleveland flight had been canceled and I was rebooked to leave in 20 minutes to Chicago, then catch a flight to Cleveland.  Fortunately, the flight to Chicago was delayed, so I was able to make it to my gate and grab a quick bite to eat.  When I got to Chicago, I enjoyed a five-hour layover before boarding my plane to arrive in Cleveland relatively unscathed.  Being able to see my team (and maybe the fact they brought me a steak dinner) helped to erase some of the stress from traveling!

CAB Headquarters

The next morning, we attended a very informative training hosted by Certified Angus Beef pertaining to branded beef.  I certainly felt very special to be in the same class as CAB interns and members of the Junior Angus Board!  We had some awesome food and even were able to take a personality test – which I very much enjoyed!  After the day was over, we headed out to Columbus to our hotel.  For dinner, we found a Hibachi grill, which was very exciting (including the flirtatious couple at our table!). 

The Ladies

Wednesday morning, we made the short drive to Select Sires for a private tour of their facility.  It was so incredible to be able to tour one of the largest bull semen distributors and learn about their company!  At one of their facilities, I had a good laugh at the Jersey bulls; I wasn’t aware of how small they were and how incredibly aggressive and talkative they are!  I think I will stick to our sweet beef bulls!  Upon conclusion of the tour and picture taking (of course!), we headed to the Port of Columbus Airport.  This is where things really took an interesting turn……

We saw off two members of our team, Kalyn and Will, before sitting down to lunch outside security since Katie (our lovely chaperone), Rachel and I were on the same flight and Demi had driven.  Shortly, Demi received a text from her mom telling us that someone had been shot at the airport!  This caused a ripple of unease, but we figured that the news was just behind.  No, they were not.  As we walked Demi to her car, there were police blocking off the entire second level and reporters swarming.  At the time, all we knew was that the police had shot and killed a man.

As Demi left, Rachel and I headed back into the terminal and passed through security easily to meet with Katie and wait a few hours for our plane to arrive.  Typical of my flights, the plane was delayed an hour, and had me concerned I was going to miss my connection to Tucson in Denver.  Sure enough, we were late getting to Denver, but my Tucson flight was canceled anyway, so I spent the night with some terrific cattlewomen in Denver who hosted me for the evening!  I would be on the first flight in the morning to Phoenix, and then have a connection to arrive in Tucson.  So here is the scary part – I was able to get on and check out more about the shooting and found out the man had been acting suspiciously and tried to buy a plane ticket, before wielding his knives against police.  We were right there when all this happened!  I would be willing to bet we were checking in the same time he was trying to buy a ticket.

Real Snow! Typical Southern Girl

So, here is to another adventure and I fly out to Pennsylvania tomorrow morning!  Cross y’all’s fingers for no more delays or excitement!!