The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
July 28 - August 4, 2013:
Cheyenne, Wyoming
For over thirty years I have belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma,
a prestigious teachers’ society for women. Over most of those years I have been
involved at the chapter and state levels and I am currently the Oregon State
Webmaster. I enjoy attending state, regional and International events. Last
year I went to New York City for the International Convention and this year I
attended the Northwest Regional Conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
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| Diane, Marietta, Grace and Jim in the RMNP |
Since Paul didn’t want to go with me, I traveled with
Marietta who was also my roommate. One of the draws for this particular
location was the chance to do some pre-conference touring. We were met at the Denver
airport by my good friend Jim Hein who so graciously agreed to pick us up and
take us for an overnight stay at his and Diane’s home in Estes Park, CO. After
lots of visiting, good food and a night’s sleep, we had a personalized tour of
parts of the Rocky Mountain National Park where Jim is a ranger and where Diane
works in an information site. We could not have asked for better hosts and tour
guides.
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| Snowy Range at Lake Marie |
Monday afternoon Jim and Diane drove us to Cheyenne where we
checked in to the Little America Resort – site of the conference. We also had
Tuesday for touring and had chosen a full day tour of the Snowy Range, west of
Cheyenne. There was a fun group in our van along with a good driver and a local
guide who was also a DKG member. The day was sunny and very pleasant. There
were a number of stops along the way.
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| Boot at Railroad Station |
Wednesday morning Marietta and I took a half-day city tour
of Cheyenne in an old trolley. The driver-guide took us around many of the
significant places in town and shared many interesting historical facts. One
thing that impressed me was the number of trees in the city. At some time,
there had been a push for people to plant trees and they still line the
streets. Given some shopping time, I got a little carried away and bought my first
pair of cowboy (girl) boots, which drew considerable attention when I wore them
later. ;-)
We made it back to the hotel in time for me to attend a
luncheon and a special session for webmasters and editors. I learned a few
things and it was enjoyable to see some familiar faces from previous
conventions and conferences.
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| Feeding bison at the ranch |
During the conference we enjoyed great guest speakers and informative
workshops. For the Friday “Night on the Town” Marietta and I and others from
Oregon had chosen to visit the Terry Bison Ranch south of Cheyenne, along the
Colorado border. After a small train ride out into the prairie to visit a herd
of bison – they came up to the train to be hand fed - we returned and had an
interesting BBQ dinner of either beef or bison steaks.
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| Oregon participants at the conference |
Saturday evening concluded the conference with the
traditional “President’s Banquet” where our new state president, Kathy Martell,
was installed. It was an enjoyable conclusion to another great regional
conference. Next year is the International
Convention, which will be held in Toronto, Canada. I’m hoping to attend that
event as well.
That's it for now. Grace
