Feb 9-14

Headed back to Florida, this time to a place I had been before, Orlando.

Once again, travel was simple and uneventful. Once at the airport I picked up my rental car and headed to the hotel. I like to get checked in at the hotel first and then see the site.

We were staying at the Double Tree Walt Disney, A very nice hotel in my opinion and it was close to the site as well.

The event was to be held at Disney’s Epcot Center. I think this may be one of the biggest parking lots I have ever seen.

The driving route for the Volt course going to be on site again which was great, however, the turn around area left a lot to be desired. We had to use a grassy sandy area to turn around. Not to mention it was next to a catch pond for waste treatment, so it smelled fantastic!

The crew cam in the next day, saw the route and helped with final set up.

That night I decided to be as cost efficient as I could. So, rather than ordering out or going out to eat, I went to a local grocery store. I spent $25 on food and it lasted me for the entire time I was there. Besides, I didn’t know the rest of the team too well at this point and my anti social nature was to just stay in the room at night and eat and watch some TV and Skype with Adrienne and the boys. To tell the truth, I really enjoyed this. Even though I was a few hundred miles from home, thanks to Skype, it was almost like I was home with them.

The event days were good for attendance, but the weather not so much. I mean, I was hoping that Florida would be warm, I mean, Its FLORIDA right? Its supposed to be warm and sunny. Well, it wasn’t happening like that for us. Even Miami was chilly.  We did have one and a half nice days in Orlando, but it wasn’t what I was expecting that’s for sure.

All in all, it went well. The team did great. We are learning each other and learning how to work with each other. This is going to be an ongoing process for several cities I’m sure. I figure by the time the tour is over, we’ll have it dialed in.

Also, in Orlando they added a new task to my job description. As well as being the tent lead for the Volt, I was asked to do demonstration narration for the GMC truck tent. “Sure” I said, “Why not?”

So they set up a giant set of rollers on a ramp and I was to talk about the difference between a Limited Slip Differential and a Locking Rear Differential. GMC/Chevy offer a Locker and Dodge/Ford do not. Well, Ford does, but only on certain vehicles. They have someone drive the trucks up the ramp while I explain to the crowds what’s going on. Simple enough I suppose.

The demo for the trucks was set up right behind the GMC truck tent which happened to be right across from the Volt tent so it worked out great. I was gone for about 10-15 minutes at a time and then back to the Volt tent. While I was gone from the tent, other Volt team members would cover for me.

All seemed to go well and it kept me busy which helped pass the time, I like that.

Orlando course layout