I Had an Adventure... Con You Not

Okay, you know I love a good (or really bad) pun, so I couldn't resist! This past weekend, was AdventureCon13 at Seaworld San Antonio and as a lucky-duck member of the Wildside, I attended this convention for free, gratis, nada. And anyone who knows me knows that those are three of my favorite words. Add to that, Seaworld/Aquatica season passes and I am on the cloud often referred as Nine. That said, and here comes the boring part... the opinions below are mine. Okay, are we square? Good. Now to the fun stuff.AdventureCon is an intimate Blogger conference that focuses on growing a voice, strengthening interaction, and using tools to organize platforms. And boy, did I learn so much. There are bloggers out there rocking it and I was surrounded by many. I am always amazed by what I can learn. Here's ten things with which I walked away.1) My kids love Seaworld. You know that, But I am thrilled anew each time they walk through those gates and head to be measured again. Sonny-Bunny has his eyes on The Great White and Little Diva wants to head up a step, as well to the Steel Eel. (It's going to be a while for both of them but don't tell them I said that)2) I have a lot to learn and there are great people out there ready to share -- I am always amazed at the tools and tips I bring back from every blog conference i attend and this was no exception. The list is too long to share here but a big thanks to Magaly Chocano, SwebApps, Ashley O'Neill, Editor in Chief for SavvySource, and of course, the all-around amazing Kami Watson Huyse, PR Extraordinaire! I learned from each of these speakers, as well as from the comments shared by the other bloggers. So yay!!!!3) Blogging friends are real friends -- on the subject of great bloggers, I saw old friends including my gal, Priscilla, AKA The Wheelchair Mommy.The list of fabulous bloggers is really long and I loved meeting every one of them. Check them out here:If you stalk my Twitter, look for my AdventureCon list.4) I’m not the only one making friends -- Not only was I busy socializing, but my kids were, too! Both kids made pals and ride-mates which made everything better!The terrific Jenn from Still Living the Dream brought her daughter and we knew right away, we had a pair!5) Dolphins are beautiful in the morning -- We were lucky enough to pet the dolphins before the park opened. This was a quiet moment with the families I really treasured.6) Seaworld has a serious mission -- I love that Seaworld is about so much more than entertainment. They are dedicated to animal rescue and conservation.7) Land animals are part of the mission! Look at these cuties: 8) And pets, too! With the new show, Pets Ahoy! (which I highly recommend -- full review to come!) Seaworld has extended its rescue efforts to domestic animals.They have begun adopting animals from shelters which they train to participate in this fun show. More importantly, however, they show how older and "difficult to train" animals make wonderful and loving pets.9) Seaworld makes me a kid again. I have a hard time stopping and smelling the roses, as they say. I have an ever-growing To-Do list that despite all my work seems to get bigger not smaller.  Something magical happens here, however, and I let go and a little  lot of fun! Exhibit A:10) Finally, I am mightily blessed. I have good friends, great kids, and this special guy who spent his Father's Day there.Thanks to everyone including Seaworld, AdventureCon13 and the Wildside Bloggers who made so much good happen.