Pool & Palms

Arrived back in Jacksonville today after spending a few days in Orlando. My wife was attending a national conference and I got to go along for the ride and a taste of luxury to which I am unaccustomed. :-)

The conference was held at the Marriott World Center Resort, the title may be a little over the top but it certainly is a hotel and then some -- 2,000 rooms, a staff of 1,400 and a conference center that is absolutely huge. It would put many city convention centers to shame.

It wasn't an ideal location from my point of view. I like to step outside a hotel and walk the streets with camera in hand. This hotel is 17 miles from downtown Orlando. I made one trip in the car to Winter Park and basically that was my one day of shooting outside the hotel.

And it was hot. The best time of the day was first thing in the morning up until 10:30 am. But as you are aware by now, I am not one of life's early risers, although I was up by 8:30 am most days. However, a buffet breakfast means I always linger too long, consuming about four cups of coffee and accompanying cigarettes -- outside on the terrace, of course -- to get out before the heat becomes oppressive.

This shot of the pool area was taken while smoking one of the above mentioned cigarettes. And no, I did not venture into the pool during my stay. For one thing, swimming is not one of my best skills; second, I cannot sit still for more than 20 minutes before I get bored with my surroundings.

Indeed, I am a strange fish and one that doesn't do well in water. :-)

However, I did get to socialize with people from different parts of the United States -- New York; Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Fairfax, Virginia; Portland, Maine; Houston, as well as the other members of the Jacksonville Chapter. So on balance, it wasn't too bad a time.