Along for the ride: June 2012

In less than a week, we'll be on our way to Alaska. We've talked about driving the AlCan Hwy to Alaska for so many years, it seems hard to believe we'll soon be on our way. At this point, the planning and preparations seem endless. There are maps, books, websites, and blogs all with suggestions and pointers on the best way to go.

Finally, we have a general plan of our route. We'll first to the eastern side of the Sierras, and head up 395 and then onto 97 into British Columbia and up the western slope of the Rockies to connect to the AlCan. Then we'll detour up the Yukon through the Klondike gold rush country to Dawson City; over the Top of the World Hwy into Tok and onto Fairbanks. From there we'll go through Denali and on to Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. On the return, if we can swing it we'll catch the Alaska Ferries from Haines to Prince Rupert and switch to the BC Ferries to Port Hardy at the north end of Vancouver Island. We'll then get to drive down to Victoria (which we missed last summer) and then hop back to into the US at Port Angeles, WA.

The plan - God willing and the creeks don't rise... or we don't run into a Moose

Peter has been busy reading blogs of people already on their way this season reporting back on road conditions, weather, good camping sites, and of course the bugs. Deet - yes - we got deet, three different kinds, as well as netting to protect us from the bird size mosquitos. Well, maybe they aren't that big, but Alaskans do seem to like to tell tall tales.

Peter's been taking tips from the early travelers up to Alaska on what modifications and tools to add onto the IQ.

New bug screen

Temperature and solar panels are working

We got clothes for a wide range of different weather, including cold, downpours, and hot buggy days. It's almost time to grab my hat and run.

John Mayhall sets the stage for some travelling music:

Gone for Good Time... or ... Gone for Good and ain't coming back??
Only time will tell.

We arrive at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, CA on Tuesday afternoon to start setting up for the Online Teaching Conference pre-conference workshops that are scheduled for the next day.

Disclaimer: Yes - I did retire from coordinating the conference last year. In fact, Tiffiny has taken over my role and has done a great job. I am simply helping out. Turns out, retirement is more of a process than a specific event for me.

EVC campus

Hummm... the buildings look dark and what
are all these electrical trucks doing on campus?

We quickly learn the campus has lost power to all except for two buildings. The source of the power outage is unknown as well as the duration.

Both EVC and OTC staffs explore options

Fortunately we have enough operational computer labs for the workshops

With the next 24 hours figured out, we head to our lodgings, the beautiful Hayes Mansion Hotel. We agree to just relax and not to think too much of what lays ahead for the main conference.

Hayes Mansion in late afternoon

Evening in the patio bar

nightfall @ the patio bar.

We arrive early - 7am - on Wednesday morning to prepare for the pre-conference workshops with our fingers crossed that the power will soon return for the main conference.

Morning fog lifts over the surround hills

Directional signs

Tiffiny and Heather ready at the registration desk

The workshop attendees start coming in and are directed to their new rooms while we keep our fingers crossed there won't be any monsters crawling out of the electric closets.

Murel in Visual Arts

Pre-Conference Workshops

The Distance Education Coordinators is a big success with people coming from all over California and beyond to attend.

Francine, Pat, and Dan enjoy a laugh together

Doug Hersh ponders a point

James GG leads a focus group

The CCC Confer Instructor Certification workshop works great as a BYOL (Bring Your Own Laptop) lab.

Donna G. demonstrates at the podium

Blaine helps an attendee

Donna Eyestone's video workshop sold out audience is hard at work learning new skills.

Donna looks over her students' shoulders

This is interesting

Donna gives individual instruction

Michelle PB's popular Voice Thread workshop is a room full of happy campers.

MPB demoing VT

Attendee trying setting up her own VT

EVC staff save the remainder of the conference by hiring in a enormous generator to power up the main building used for concurrent meetings for the rest of the conference. By the afternoon, technicians are hard at work installing the generator to get ready for the next morning.

Now that's a generator!

Cupertino Electric does the install

with lots and lots of cables.

Main Conference

By the Thursday morning we are all ready to go.

Sponsor tables set up and waiting for attendees

List of room changes

Phil focuses camera for Keynote

The control booth is fired up and ready to roll

Connie monitoring the video stream

Chris checking the sound and light levels

EVC staff at the sound board

Lights, camera, action - the show does go on.

Initial speaker before Keynote

After the keynote address, we hold our breath that all the concurrents are working smoothly under generator power.

VP Keith with his trusty steed ready to roll

Anthony presents his session on iTunes U

Whew - it's all working and our audience looks engaged

Thanks to the collaboration and problem solving of both the EVC and OTC staffs, the rest of the conference goes smoothly.

Attendee studies program for next event

Elvis has a good time

Micah sez "See I told you it would all work out, Marti"

Reception

We are all especially thankful for both Oracle and the Wall Street Journal for making the reception possible this year. By the end of the day, we are ready to celebrate.

Directional sign

outdoor location on the shore of a lake

Food looks great

nicely laid out tables

Chocolate!

Wine - yes !

EVC President,
Henry Yong

Micah and Michelle enjoy a story together

Nasreen has arranged for her Bollywood Dance Troupe to provide entertainment. She recruits some of the EVC and OTC staff to join in on the dance. Me? I'm taking photos.