Well, I'm at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which is a world of difference from yesterday, when I didn't even walk outside the hotel.

Of course, looking to my left, there's snow falling and you can't see the concrete ground. Baby steps, I guess.

But all 24 of us are booked, ticketed and sitting at our respective gates, bound for Washington-Dulles and Charlotte before connections into Savannah. My flight into Dulles is posted as on time and set to leave at 10:30.

After we land in Savannah, we take a bus trip estimated at an hour to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

Today was to be the big day at Parris Island, and the educators remain hopeful that they'll still get there in time to fire the M-16 rifles that today's military personnel use as service weapons.

It doesn't look good, however.

Rather, our flying companion, Major Greg Jones, says we'll likely make it to the Island in time for a dinner at the officer's club on base. He describes the club as the sort of place you probably remember from the movie "Top Gun." I asked if Tom Cruise would be there, and he said no.

Darn.

But, here's hoping we make it out of Cleveland and finally get to see what we've all by dying to see ... the yellow footprints that welcome all recruits to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.

Wish us luck!