Well things have settled down since the WWW December 2001 trip, I have the July 2002 trip posted and registrations are coming in, I've sorted and delivered over 500 pictures from the December trip, and I've starting planning a spring 2002 WWW trip (destination to be announced later this month). So now it's time to write another trip report.
After each trip I struggle somewhat with how to best relate my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I never end up doing very well. Yes, the report always reads well and I get the usual compliments, but when I re-read them, the spirit is just not captured the way I'd like. Many others (all you WWWers without a trip report posted are you listening?) do a great job of filling everyone in on what went on during the week as they saw it. To them, I am very appreciative of the time and effort they put into writing their trip report. However, I tend to look at the trips a bit different than many. The normal Hedo II activities are a blast and I enjoy participating in them and watching the WWWers participate and enjoying themselves. Those things are important. These WWW trips have become something more to me.
Just what that something is - I have a hard time explaining. I do know that it is rooted in the depths of the friendships I have cultivated through the trips. I wish I had the chance to spend the entire week with each of the WWWers individually. But of course, that's not possible. That makes each minute I spend with anyone something very important to me. On the flip side, the time spent by each WWWer with me is a precious commodity for them, and for that - I am so deeply grateful for all of you to share your vacation time with me.
I was astonished, to put it lightly, to discover Doug and Chris at Hedo II during WWW week. It was our first face-to-face meeting, but it has seemed like our spirits have been connected for years. Thanks for changing your normal schedule of trips. Now I hope you make it a habit.
This trip was a trip of changes. Changes for me personally, and changes to our Hedo II home. Sometimes changes can be painful. Sometimes changes are welcomed. Sometimes changes are needed. And sometimes changes are a surprise. I think I experienced all the above during our trip. Just as I think the changes I experienced ended up all being a good thing for me, the changes at Hedo II will all end up being a good thing, too.
As the end of the WWW week arrives and people start leaving, the goodbyes can get a bit emotional. I feel the pain, too. However, I've embraced an attitude that I'll share which turned the sad times into happy ones - at least for me. I've started to look at the finish of our WWW week not as an end, but as a beginning. It's a beginning of many new long-lasting friendships, a beginning of planning for our next meeting, a beginning of months of chatting and email, and a beginning of the anticipation for the next trip.
So to all my friends, old and new, thank you for sharing your time with me. And be sure to take good care of that piece of my heart that I sent back with each of you.
See you soon!