This is my gorgeous room at the Hyatt where the conference was being held.
Real Marble in the bathroom? With a bidet and marble shower? This is traveling in style.
The first 'free evening' of the trip I decided to head down to the beach and dip my toes in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. I ran to my room, changed into jeans and headed through the lobby. I walked past a group of women that I had been talking to the for the last few days standing at the concierge desk. They said they were headed to the local mall via shuttle. Most of the attendees stayed onsite and didn't bother to rent cars; I was smarter than that :) The moment I mentioned that I had a car, I started a fan club groupie following. It was similar to that feeling in High School when you're the first one to get your license and everyone wants a ride somewhere. This is my first groupie, Cathy - she works for Grand County in Winter Park, CO. She was kind enough to keep me company and navigate while I drove. This is Fort Lauderdale beach; we walked for nearly an hour and a half and then found ourselves at a little cafe for dinner. 
This picture was too classic to pass up. A washed up cocount on the beach with a set of footprints beside it. Reminded me of a poster I had as a kid "Footprints".
Everything in Florida is tall high rise style; with LOTS of windows of course. Doesn't seem very condusive to hurricanes, but I guess it's worth the risk for the view.
Cathy grabbed these photos of me - touching the 'warm' Atlantic Ocean for the first time.
This picture was too classic to pass up. A washed up cocount on the beach with a set of footprints beside it. Reminded me of a poster I had as a kid "Footprints".Everything in Florida is tall high rise style; with LOTS of windows of course. Doesn't seem very condusive to hurricanes, but I guess it's worth the risk for the view.Cathy grabbed these photos of me - touching the 'warm' Atlantic Ocean for the first time.The last afternoon I picked up another groupie - Connie (no picture) who lives in Washington and works for an emergency communication company. We went west to a Billy Swamp Safari and took an airboat ride through a piece of the Everglades.
The beasts really like dog food - go figure.
The local "pet" ostrich - the guide said that this guy along with his cohort sent one of their tour guides to the hospital a while back b/c she didn't get the boat moving fast enough. They are apparently very mean, strong and territorial. He came over to check us out, and we took off.
The tour guide laughed when Kathy jumped as this guy approached. She asked him if they ever 'bug' the boats, and he replied that mostly they leave them alone, but they are capable of doing some serious damage if they want, and he did not trust this particular one - who was especially assertive. I was surprised how close he got and a bit panicky the guide was to get us moving. It might all have been a show, but it added to the fun just the same.
The beasts really like dog food - go figure.The local "pet" ostrich - the guide said that this guy along with his cohort sent one of their tour guides to the hospital a while back b/c she didn't get the boat moving fast enough. They are apparently very mean, strong and territorial. He came over to check us out, and we took off.The tour guide laughed when Kathy jumped as this guy approached. She asked him if they ever 'bug' the boats, and he replied that mostly they leave them alone, but they are capable of doing some serious damage if they want, and he did not trust this particular one - who was especially assertive. I was surprised how close he got and a bit panicky the guide was to get us moving. It might all have been a show, but it added to the fun just the same.
Florida in general is so lush and filled with shades of green I've never seen.
That last evening we went to Hollywood and walked the Ocean Boardwalk. I couldn't resist capturing a picture of these guys for Sam. 
Overall, a great trip. I wouldn't want to live in Florida, but I'd consider going back for vacation sometime.
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