Cashiers, NC (Part 2)

Waking on Thursday blessedly free of hangover and, after breakfast, there was a morning's worth of talks. These were, thankfully, only ten minutes each with a couple of minutes for questions and so there was little chance of losing attention. I was even brave enough to ask the odd question as well. After lunch, there were three hours of free time and so a group of us took the opportunity to hike up Chimney Top - one of the mountains behind (about 4,700 ft - not sure if that is high enough to be a mountain or not, but it felt like a long way, believe me). The views were fantastic - you could see for miles and miles of gold, red and brown trees. Absolutely stunning. There were glimpses of wildlife on the way up too - we managed to catch site of albino squirrels. On returning, there was a poster session, a second plenary lecture and then dinner. After dinner, the real fun started - a band arrived and a stage was set up for square dancing. Except the dancers didn't turn up. Thus, we improvised (it was entertaining, believe you me). After two hours of dancing around, you'd think we'd all be ready for bed but, scientists being scientists, it was straight back to the alcohol (the table downstairs had been replenished from the night before) and, as i recall, most of us ended up getting to bed in the wee hours of the morning (about 2.30 as i recall).

Another morning's worth of talks awaited us (no hangover again - it must have been the mountain air!) and some of our group were in line to present. They all did very well, on the whole, and dealt with any questions very adroitly. The conference officially wrapped up at 12.15 and after a final lunch at the inn, most people headed home. I stayed on with a group of friends to go round the golf course (part of the Inn) - no, I didn't play (i'm not THAT co-ordinated) but was merely a spectator and took joy in driving those funky little carts around (they are fantastic fun, let me tell you). The course was stunning - the scenery breathtaking. After the golf, we headed to Greenville (on the way home) for dinner before finally setting off back to Charleston. I arrived home at about 1.20am (early Saturday) and went straight to bed. Is it any surprise after all this, that i didn't get up till 2.30PM?