First Day

We arrived safely in Chattanooga last night. When we checked into our hotel (which is really nice, with a Starbucks inside. We got a great deal through a special conference price.), the valet said that the person that arrived before us was here for the conference from the Virgin Islands! I've also seen people from Maine and New Hampshire, so apparently there isn't a Northern SAWG.

I planned to post pictures each day, but forgot the picture downloading apparatus. Therefore, I'll just write about each day and post the pictures when we get home. Today, I started my short course on vegetable production. It was very helpful and I learned quite a bit, although it has been very basic. It has definitely been helpful in confirming many ideas that I was forming for this season.

The program for tomorrow looks really promising, as it includes the tillage portion. This class is taught by Ken Dawson (25 years experience) and Cathy Jones (18 years experience), both of North Carolina. Mr. Dawson looks exactly like Wyatt Earp, except that his mustachio is a little bit longer. They definitely know their business, and due to their experience, the class has a really down-to-earth, dirt-under-your-fingernails feel.

The rest of the family went to the Chattanooga Choo Choo today, and I'm told that they all really enjoyed it in spite of the cold, windy weather. An electric shuttle runs right in front of our hotel, and makes a loop from the aquarium to the choo choo, so thankfully we don't have to walk much in the cold.

~Sherlock