Reflecting Upon Time Spent in Florida

“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.”
― John Dewey

I left school Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend this year with my car packed and a long drive ahead of me.  A long-anticipated trip to Orlando, Florida began that Friday afternoon.

I arrived after midnight, checked into my hotel, and looked forward to meeting fellow scavengers later that morning.  I have participated in a photography scavenger hunt since 2015.  The scavenger hunt started on Google Plus and has outlived the end of Google Plus.  If you are interested in learning more about this hunt, you should take a look at the reveals album for the last (the 25th round) included here.  You can also subscribe to the hunt to receive updates and information regarding the next signup.  Photographers of all skill levels are welcome!  In the  years since I started participating, I have had the pleasure of learning from the many creative photographers involved.  There have been several meetups of participants over the years.  This was my first scavenger hunt meetup.

Although I missed the first day of the meetup, I was quickly welcomed into the group.  There were outings planned for all to participate, photograph, and enjoy each other’s company.

Our first outing was to Bok Tower Gardens.  There was so much beauty to photograph there.  I spent most of my time there getting to know some fellow scavengers, but I did manage to make one image of the tower being reflected in a sword of a Game of Thrones character and one of a character.  (There was a Game of Thrones Meet Up group there the same day of our visit.)

Sunday, many from the scavenger group went to Lake Eola Park to photograph.  There were swan paddle boats and swans.  I found that I was most focused on the amazing reflections in the water.

It was such a pleasure to spend time with those I only knew before the weekend online.  Friendships that began online strengthened.  It was difficult, at the end of the weekend, to say good-bye.

Immediately after the meetup, my husband, Randy, drove down to join me.  Once he was there, we were able to spend quality time with family who live in Orlando.

We even got to spend a day at Disney with our new college graduates.

Midweek, I said goodbye to Randy and moved down the block to the hotel that was the location of Photoshop World.  I have wanted to attend Photoshop World for many years.  I had expectations of the event.  The four days of Photoshop World far exceeded my expectations.  I learned so much and made new friends in photography.

Spending my last night in Orlando with my brother, Paul, and his wife, Janet, was the perfect finale of an amazing 10 days.

It will take quite some time for me to truly process all that went on in that ten-day period.  I am so thankful for the new friends I made, all who worked to make these events possible, the learning that occurred, and precious memories created with family I love!