Wednesday AT The National

[LuckyLarry]

I had trouble free travel up to the National on Tuesday. Jacksonville to Baltimore to Cleveland on Southwest, while many travelers are still experiencing airline headaches and delays. Taylor (along with Spike) picked me up at the airport, and we drove over to the venue (I-X Center) so Taylor could pick up his dealer badge. We wandered around a bit waiting for him and somehow through some side entrance or passageway ended up on the showroom floor. Texted Taylor not to hurry since we were walking around inside the show, and we had a chance to visit with a few friends and get our first look around. Arrived at our Air B&B it’s pretty nice and maybe 15 minute drive to the I-X Center on residential streets. Ate at a real shady looking bar but the “loaded nachos” were on the special and very good. End day one.

Wednesday AM I drove Taylor to the I-X Center at 8AM (since he is helping his dealer friend). Spike and I can’t get into the show until 3:30. We did drive back to the I-X Center at 10AM to pick up our VIP badges and promo items. Then drove to a grocery store to stock up a little bit on food items, subway for lunch, then we visited a local card shop for awhile. Back to the Air B&B until we head back to the I-X Center for the VIP party at 2:30. The lines for free autographs was VERY long, and the line for the free food? Well there wasn’t a line at all so we walked right up and loaded up our plates. Took the escalator up to the show floor and we are in at 3:30

Yesterday I overheard this dealer talking about his OPC Hockey, so this was my first stop and I bought quite a few cards form him. He was located near Stan Lochs table. ‘80s OPC hockey two for a dollar also picked up some tough exhibit football cards. Spent the next 4.5 hours wandering the aisles trying to get my bearings straight but it never worked. One thing I’ve learned is if you see cards you need, go ahead and pull the trigger even if it’s day one because they won’t be there if you come back for them. I picked up five 1951 Parkhurst hockey cards for my set from Randy Kniffen I know those won’t last. Had a chance to say hi to several dealer friends.

It was busy right up to closing time. The I-X Center seems pretty good to me. Appears to be lots of food choices and at least a place to sit down. I ate so much at the VIP party that I didn’t try out the food options.

The show closed at 8PM and traffic exiting the I-X Center was a nightmare. Ample parking but only two ways (that we saw) off the property. At Chicago there are plenty of things to do close to the venue so you can kill time until traffic clears, not here, there is nothing around the I-X Center.

We ate a a different pub with a couple more friends, and back “home” at 10PM.

11,812 steps 5.40 miles walked