Friday March 6-Time to head back home. We were fascinated by the new bridge being built over Hoover Dam. Greg stopped at a Rest Stop in Flagstaff, AZ so I could walk in the snow and collect pine cones. I couldn’t resist purchasing a necklace and earrings made of natural stones from the Hopi Indians selling off a blanket on the ground. That afternoon we stopped at the Meteor Crater, Exit 233, near Winslow, AZ. (Remember the Eagles song-Standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona?) Our tour guide, Eduardo, was fantastic. The impact crater is a mile wide, 2.5 miles around and over 500 feet deep. The largest piece found of the meteor that caused it weighed over a ton but was only the size of a half of a square bale of hay. Some where between Flagstaff and Meteor Crater, the wind started blowing. The gusts were over 65 mph. We walked a short time around the crater, but due to the wind mostly observed it from inside.

Saturday we observed the Pueblo Indian Village at Acoma, New Mexico. The views of the snow topped peaks and panoramic mountains were gorgeous through this area. Our next stop was the Cadillac Graveyard off Arnot Road, Exit 60 on the west side of Amorilla, Tx. A land owner had planted 10 Cadillacs in a field with one end up and one end in the ground. Over the years the cars have been painted with layers of graffiti. You have to stop and see this one time. The wind was still blowing. We even got 35 mpg in a Park Avenue with the wind on our tail. Our last and stop was The Cross outside of Groom, Tx. You can see this cross almost 10 miles away. This is a privately owned inspiration park. It certainly was inspirational. You could feel the presence of God as you walked around the 12 stations of the crucifixion that had been created. Inside the courtyard was a fountain with a statue of Jesus standing with open arms. A great way to end our trip.

Sunday we listened to Rev. Robbie Zachariah and Rev. J McGee on the radio as we finished our travel home with the wind still blowing behind us. Their messages were almost as good as Rev. Rob Jackson’s, our pastor, or John and Glenn Ingouf’s, our Focas Class Teachers, at Central Baptist Church where we attend in Decatur, AL. As we traveled we noticed Spring is coming. The trees are starting to turn that first hint of green and some in bloom with daffodils decorating the ground. We had a great trip, but there is no place like home. Monday morning I will be ready with a fresh prospective to get back to selling real estate in Madison and Huntsville, Al with all the wonderful products and information gathered from the convention.

When Greg and I visit Las Vegas we most always stay at The Orleans-Greg’s casino of choice located off West Tropicana. He reserved our room for $35 a night for this stay-awesome. It had changed a little by adding a Chocolate Connection, Baskin Robbins, Fudruckers, and Sbaro. Greg eats most of his meals at The Courtyard so he can play Keno.

March 2 was spent registering and organizing classes. That afternoon I attended Pat Zaby’s class on Marketing. It was very informative and pertinent to selling real estate in Madison and Huntsville, Al. I was so impressed I purchased his Marketing Library. The next class, Build Your Business By Working with Builders was equally impressive by Dennis Walsh was equally informative and prompted my to sign up for the classes for the designations RCC-Residential Construction Certified and CNHS-Certified New Home Specialist. In the future if you or a friend is planning to purchase or build a new home, call me. I will be professionally trained to represent you through the process from start to finish.

March 3: The day started at a Networking Breakfast. The food in Las Vegas is always top notch. I sat at a table with Realtors from Canada, California, and Colorado. Greg and I attended the opening session in MGM’s Grand Garden Arena. The exciting beginning to the conference featured a professional group wearing rain gear, dancing to “Riding the Storm Out” , ending with fireworks and escorting Dave Liniger on stage to “Let the Sunshine in.” We learned to be thankful for real estate in Huntsville, Al. We are fortunate to only have a sprinkle of the storms much of the U.S. are experiencing. Christopher Gardner, the featured speaker, spoke on “Breaking Cycles.” If you have the chance to hear Mr. Gardner speak-do it. The movie “The Pursuit of Happiness” with Will Smith is a true story of his life. I haven’t seen it, but I will.

The afternoon was spent networking and walking through the trade show and attending the classes on “Be the Agent that Buyers Want and Need”- Curtis Hall, “The Art and Science of Prospecting”-Cheryl Fairbanks, and “Market Proof Your Business”-Craig Proctor. The night was spent walking the strip and enjoying the lights. Las Vegas has to be the most colorful place in the world. Greg is always reminding me that tourist are hurt or die most often by looking at the lights and sights and not looking at where they are walking.

Wednesday’s featured speakers were Andy Andrews and Howard Brittan-both colorful and inspirational. Lunch was highlighted by a fashion show benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. (Support of breast cancer awareness.) The highlighted models were RE/MAX agents who were cancer survivors. I was privileged to break bread and network with agents from Honduras, Texas, Finland, Michigan and Florida. The afternoon included the classes “Enriching Your Career” and learning about the upcoming Re/MAX web design changes. On the trip to LV I received a call from Vicki Nellis from Northern Virginia concerning a referral for a client moving to Madison, AL . Vicki won 8th in residential sales in the US at the “Night of the Stars” program this night. Congratulations Vicki!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday March 5

“What Motivates Buying and Selling Homes for Gen X” by Cam Marston was the topic for the morning General Session. He had all of us laughing one minute and crying the next as he spoke about how to motivate the different generations of buyers. This was a timely topic for selling real estate in Madison and Huntsville, Al considering we have college graduates to retirees purchasing home in our North Alabama area. The afternoon sessions I chose to attend were “Utilizing Leadstreet to Enhance Your Business,” “LinkedIn 101,” and “the Assistance of Assistant.” The LinkedIn class was especially timely considering the present use of internet networks. I now have an information over load. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Trade Show learning more about the many choices and advantages of the different products and opportunities offered to help sell Madison and Huntsville, Al. real estate.

We found out that it snowed at home last night. I love snow. It never snows when I am home. We ate breakfast yesterday in Gallup, NM at the Travel Centers of America. Greg had the Trucker’s Special and I had biscuits and sausage gravy. Food was good, place clean. By mid morning the landscape had turned to desert and we were in Arizona and stopped at the Petrified Forest, Arizona. This was a marvelous National Park with beautiful views of the desert terrain, petrified wood, Indian drawings, etc. I will have a Visual Tour link ready for viewing by the week end so check back. I took some wonderful panoramic shots. Halbrook, AZ is the town near the Petrified Forest. We ate lunch at the Dairy Queen there. It looked like it hadn’t been updated since it was built-like the rest of the town. We liked the western worn look; it was what you expect to find in the desert. Of course we had to purchase a piece of petrified wood.

I received a call from an agent with another referral for Madison, Al this time. Betty will be out of town next week taking her GRI courses; I had to refer it to another agent that sells real estate in Huntsville. Pooh.

Mid afternoon we were through the Flagstaff, AZ area. I did finally get to see snow. The mountains were beautiful. On the way back we plan to stop at a meteor crater, maybe the Cadillac Ranch and the 190 foot cross in Texas We arrived in Las Vegas by 8. …………more to come.