Getting to Work in Nebraska City

The second annual Rural Philanthropy conference is being held in Nebraska City at the Lied Lodge Conference Center. After registering for the conference I find out that there are no vacant rooms at the lodge. That is too bad because it is a very cool Arts and Crafts style building with exposed post and beam structure. It is part of the Arbour Day Foundation site. They use wood accents and tree products all over the place.


The challenge is to get between my motel and the conference sessions without using my car. All I do at most conferences is sit, talk, and eat. The exercise will do me good. A few calls to businesses in Nebraska City turns up a bike shop that is willing to rent me a bike. I make my motel reservations at the Deluxe Inn, flight arrangements, and use the shuttle service from Omaha to Nebraska city. So far so good.


The shuttle service doesn't stop at my motel and the schedule is too tight to make it to the conference on time. How do I pick up the rental bike, get my suitcase to the motel, and be ready for the start of the conference? My first failure of planning means I have to scratch the bike rental.


It is all about alternative ways to work. so maybe can car pool with other people staying at the same motel. No exercise, but I still save gas. The conference leaders assure me they will help with car pooling. Plan B is in put into play.


The first day of the conference is great. The last session breaks up at 9:30 PM I have been up since 5:00AM. Time to crash into my bed at the Deluxe Inn. The conference leadership have a ride ready. They connect me with Judy who has room for one more in her car to and from the Deluxe Inn then disaster strikes.


The Deluxe Inn has given my room reservation away and there aren't any rooms left in the whole city. Without a car I can't go to the near by city for a room. I am stranded. I feel like the challenge failed. Why didn't I just rent a car. I feel very vulnerable. The chairs in the lobby don't look very comfortable.


One more call to the Conference leadership. Help!


Ten minutes later my phone rings. Doug tells me to sit tight help is on its way. Lindsey one of the conference staff had booked a room at the Best Western three blocks away and a colleague had booked a room for her at the conference center. She can't use both rooms so one is mine. Judy comes down to the lobby and offers to pick me up at the Best Western and be my carpool ride each day for the conference.


Being stranded and feeling vulnerable suck, but I got to meet Judy, Doug and Lindsey. If I had my own car I wouldn't have been stranded, but I would be poorer for not knowing these helpful people. From failure came connections. Finding alternative ways to work is a good thing.