Change the World Tour: Day 11

Oopsie daisy, looks like someone missed blogging last night. Sorry about that. It was a long and great day.

I woke up at 3:40 am to catch my 6:00 am flight and all went smoothly. For the life of me I couldn't sleep on the plane, even though I had a whole row to myself. Maybe it had to do with the creepy guy sitting across the aisle from me who snored the whole time.

Chris Schoebinger from my publisher picked me up at the airport in Salt Lake City and drove me to my first school, Butterfield Canyon Elementary. This is a special place to me because I've been there before and I'm very close now to the principal, Shelly Davis. The Literacy Facilitator, Laurie Larsen, is also awesome. Needless to say, we had a great time and Butterfield solidified their status as one of the Top Ten Greatest Schools of All Time.

Angie Wager from Barnes and Noble, who I've talked about before, was nice enough to come with me to every school today. She's definitely one of the 4 or 5 people with the most influence on my career, so I'll always be grateful to her. Even though she's psycho (in the good way) and loves my wife way more than me.

We also went to Hayden Peak Elementary and Copper Canyon Elementary. Thanks to Jayne Wassom and Stephanie Rich from the schools. Steph was a supporter from the very beginning of the Jimmy Fincher days, so I love her to death. She even came despite being off track! And Hayden Peak was incredible - and had the most students come to the signing last night.

I finally reunited with my family today. They came to the last school visit, and there was much merrymaking and joviality (that's for those of you who loved my frolicked with glee comment). I don't like to get into my personal life too much on this blog, but I think you know very well how awesome it was to see my wife and kids after a week and a half of being gone. Insert about 30 adjectives like wonderful and sweet and you'll get the picture.

Chris took my wife and me out to dinner before the signing. We had such a great time, I was ticked off when we had to leave. It was the first time Chris and my wife had met, and luckily they both thought the other was very cool.

Finally, the signing at Barnes and Noble. Angie took great care of the Dashner Dude as usual, providing me with a strawberry frap to last through the night. She even reminded me when I needed to shake it up. The event was awesome - Angie just emailed and said we sold almost 200 books total yesterday (including some Jimmy Fincher Saga books). Not bad, eh?

Once again, there are people I'd really like to mention. But I don't dare because I know I'd leave someone out. But for all of those who came, especially you students from the schools, thank you very, very much. Yesterday was one of the greatest days ever.

I gotta get out of here. Three schools and another signing tonight!

It's good to be home.