Kansas City here I come (next year)

Over the past six months since my last post, I have been soul-searching about another trip.  Several possibilities have popped up, from a road trip to visit my cousin in Philadelphia to a dance weekend in November in Tampa and one in December in Indiana.  Finances played a major role in canceling those thoughts.  My two-month kitchen renovation took nearly all my budget (i.e., savings).  I decided on the higher road -- not getting into more debt.

That said, another possibility crossed my desk that is exciting and do-able.  It's a PBR event in Kansas City, Mo., April 2-3.  Six months would get my savings back in shape and ready to go if I could get good prices on travel and hotel.

I wrote my sister-in-law who lives near Kansas City to invite her to join me and she said yes.  She likes the PBR too. 

Getting the tickets was the first task.  Opening day for ticket sales was Oct. 1 and, as I expected, neither the Web site nor the phone was working.  I've had that happen before. The phone lines were so busy I was on hold "forever," and a recording kept saying I'd have better luck on the Web site.  Not true.  The link wasn't working.  I tried repeatedly over several hours with the same lack of response.  Discouraging isn't a forceful enough emotion to describe how I felt.

I was ready to call my sister-in-law the next morning with the disappointing news but thought I would give it one more try.  Amazingly, the Web site worked!  I was able to reserve two seats in a good location close to the action.

Then came the next task -- booking my flights.  I had searched the day before and found AirTran to have reasonable prices for nonstop flights both ways.  I used Expedia because of my experience with them and was able to get the flights I wanted.

Finally, I had to find a hotel, preferably close to the Sprint Center where the bullriding will take place.  I did find one near the Crown Center, which is somewhat near the Sprint Center, and I made my reservation for two nights.  My sister-in-law will join me for the first night (Saturday) and enjoy dinner and the sights.  Our tickets are for the final round on Sunday.  I'll be returning on Monday. 

I've wanted to spend more time with my sister-in-law (and no husbands) over the years and this will be a lot of fun. 

I wonder what the weather will be like in Kansas City the first part of April?!