Hanging With the Gals From Gather (Photo Essay)

I've been meeting Internet friends since 1998 when I went to Chicago for a mini get together of 12 friends from a BBS website we all used to hang out on. Then there was a Las Vegas trip with a group of forum pals from Deal of the Day, a freebie and deal site I used to frequent in the early 2000s. And of course with geocaching and attending events all over the country, I always meet up with people who I first came in contact with virtually. So it was only a matter of time before I met some of my great Gather friends.

If you're connected to Victoria and Phyllis, you already have a good idea of how I spent several hours yesterday. If you're not then I'll just say that I met up with two of my Gather connections in Florence, SC for a little geocaching while on my drive back to Atlanta.

It was really great to meet so many of my Gather connections on this South Carolina visit. It began with Gloria, Larry, Fuzzy and Missy on Friday and ended with Phyllis, Victoria, Haley and Parker yesterday.

I enjoyed spending time with all three of you Gather gals and look forward to the next time. I can tell you that these three ladies are even more wonderful and spunky in person than they are here at Gather. And it never fails to amaze me how you can really get to know people online and simply fall into familiar conversations once you finally meet face to face. I've never had a bad experience meeting my online buds and yesterday was what I've come to expect with regards to online friends.

I really wore myself out on this trip, and with only 5 hours of sleep last night, I still haven't fully recovered yet. So my article won't be quite as colorfully worded as the others. My brain just needs a few more days to recoup, ha-ha.

By the time I arrived in Florence yesterday, photo taking wasn't first and foremost on my mind. So many things to chat about that I got lost in conversations rather than focusing on photos.

I did manage to get a few shots to share with you here though. The following photos were taken at the final geocache our little group found in Freedom Park.

Phyllis and Victoria looking at the cache. It was hanging up in the air with parachute cord.

Phyllis was having as much fun checking out the cache goodies as Parker and Haley were.

You can see the cache hanging in the left portion of the above photo. This is once it was lowered.

Phyllis models her new line of trail footwear. Those are some real hot shoes, girl!

After finishing up at this geocache, we all headed to a nearby McDonalds for food.

Parker was having a fun time sharing his french fries with the sparrows.

Haley hanging out in one of the PlayPlace tubes.

If you look closely, you can see my reflection in the window. So technically, this IS a photo of the three of us together :-)

Yesterday was a fun time. I'm really looking forward to doing it again sometime soon. Thanks for a great day, you two!