We went to our first Instameet as a family this weekend. As we prepared to leave, the clouds gathered, the wind blew. The traffic snarl that is summer construction season was a gong show as we exited the city to drive east. Our route to the destination – Elk Island National Park – was straight into the middle of Mordor-esque clouds. By the time we arrived, the skies opened and were spewing a drenching rain.
I was so excited to attend, though, so we drove up. An hour after we passed through Elk Island’s gates, the storm was in full tilt. The meet up was in a covered area, so we all stood around chomping on donuts and brownies and chips waiting out the storm. When it stopped the sun rose again like a giant warm hug, drying us off and making the park all the more verdant.
Our son hopped in puddles, checked out the fwah-wahs (flowers) and guks (ducks) and chopped his first roasted hot dog. I snapped a hundred mediocre photos and about two good ones. The sun was warm and mellow and I chatted with other instameet’ers about photography geekery.
I’m so glad we waited out the storm, because it was the perfect soggy then sunny kick off to summer season.
I love that you went to an Instameet! I’ve been so intrigued by them, but haven’t lived close enough to any to take part.
You should definitely try to go to an Instameet sometime. It was great to meet other photographers and also see how they get their shots. Lots of big lenses! One of the neatist parts is seeing everyone post their pics after the fact.