By Greg Kozera, Shale Crescent USA
Returning from three weeks in Florida, last Monday we were flying from Orlando to Akron-Canton airport. I had a business meeting at Marietta. It was sunny and clear. Flying over the Ohio River, snow covered Parkersburg, Marietta and Belpre were easy to spot. The Muskingum River looked frozen. Then we heard, “From the flight deck. We have begun our decent into the Akron- Canton area. Current temperature at the airport is one.” I looked at Lynnda. “One what? One degree above zero,” she responded.
At the rental car counter, we agreed on a small SUV. Never having been at that airport, I asked the counter lady, “Where are the cars?” She pointed behind her. “Parking lot. Once you find it you will need to clean off the snow. Have a nice day.” I’m thinking, “Go ahead. Make my day. It was 75 degrees and we were in the pool with the grandkids in yesterday.” My Michigan and Ohio winter expertise as a young man kicked in. I found the vehicle, got the snow cleaned off and picked up Lynnda at the terminal before frost bite set in. It was good to be home even in the cold and snow.
When we returned home and got our mail, we found a late Christmas present from our daughter, Dannielle, it was a plaque with the phrase, “TAKE VACATIONS. Go as many places as you can. You can always make more money. You can’t always make memories.” It was a good reminder why we do what we do. Time is precious. We can’t buy more of it. We can only use what we have wisely. Dannielle had a long weekend off and joined us the weekend before our return. It was fun playing golf. We watched a pair of Ospreys build a nest and did a run together.
Everything can’t be planned. When we focus on others first good things happen. Our youngest son, his wife and our 4 grandkids spent 2 extra days with us because of weather up north. We call friends and family when we are close by. My nephew was happy we called. He visited with us over beer and snacks. We weren’t sure if we would see our grandson and his family who live two hours north of Orlando. We saw them in November and still let them know we would be in Orlando on Sunday. Our grandson took off work and drove down with his family. Cooper, our great-grandson has changed at lot since November. He is now 9-months old. Cooper is developing a personality, can crawl fast and climb. He loves the water. Dannielle got to see him for the first time. Great-grandma Lynnda loved holding and playing with him. Children grow up fast. We don’t get a do-over.
We took The Key West Express from Marco Island to warm sunny Key West with our friends from Pennsylvania who vacationed with us the second week. The Key West Express is a high speed comfortable air-conditioned catamaran capable of over 30 knots. (approximately 40 mph) It makes the trip in about three hours giving us part of the morning and most of the afternoon before the return trip at 5 PM. We stopped at an Irish Pub on Duval Street for a late lunch before the return trip. We made friends with the Irish singer/guitar player. After learning we were from West Virginia, he played Country Roads for us.
One small detail I didn’t mention in last week’s article (Something I prefer to forget) was the trip back on the catamaran. As we left port the captain mentioned, “The seas are a little rough but we will make the trip as comfortable as possible.” In rough seas the ship rides a wave up and suddenly drops when the wave breaks and there is no water under the boat. There is a reason why I don’t ride the Tower of Terror. Up went the ship and suddenly down when the ship. Up and down and up and down and suddenly up came my Irish lunch. I may have started something. I heard later one man headed to the bathroom and wouldn’t come out. I was focused on my own problem. Our friend brought over a little paper bag. It was worthless. Lynnda had him get large trash bag. I don’t know what hell is like. After 2 ½ hours of up and down I don’t want to find out. The crew did a good job of cleaning up. I laid down in my seat until we were tied up at the dock. I’m sure I will be reminded of this memory every time Key West is ever mentioned. Maybe it will be funny this time next year. This vacation made many memories.
Lynnda, Nathan (Shale Crescent USA President) and I are getting ready for our next adventure. No boats involved. At the end of February, we are going on a U.S. Commercial Services Roadshow to the Netherlands, Belgium and France. with Economic Development Organizations from TX, FL, GA, NY, VA and other states. We will be meeting with companies and telling the Shale Crescent USA Region (PA, OH & WV) story.
Most of the companies we will be meeting have decided to expand to the USA but haven’t decided where to settle. Nathan and I learned from our overseas trips and meeting companies at SelectUSA, most foreign people know where New York City, Disney World, Texas and Hollywood are. They are clueless about Pittsburgh, Columbus and Charleston. In Germany, India and Japan, companies thought all the natural gas and oil was in Texas. A businessman from India at SelectUSA last year thought our low natural gas prices were an “introductory price.” We now communicate weekly. Because of SCUSA’s energy advantage, he will be bringing a delegation of Indian companies to our region this spring.
TAKE VACATIONS. Go as many places as you can. Make great memories for yourself and others. You can make money. You can’t make time.