Our arrival at the lake

We arrived at the lake and headed toward the band shell.  We were fairly early and the full weight of the crowd had not yet gathered giving us some open space to explore. We decided to wander over toward the band shell and see what was happening there assuming it to be the hub of the activity. On the way there we passed an area where they had a sign that you could put your handprint on.  Leslie did this but it required putting your hand into a bucket of black paint and the only way to wash your hand off was in an equal size bucket of water and it did not seem to come off her easily and there was no towel to dry my hands so I opted to not do it and let her have all the fun.  I needed my camera hand free. LOL. We also passed people on the lawn rolling out a large canvas that they apparently had displayed at the game the night previous.  It eventually as the evening progressed became its own memorial.

We also passed the security areas and then I noticed the SWAT snipers on the roof of a nearby building.  It was honestly the first time I considered the danger of an event like this and it was truly the only looming presence that made me aware of the danger we are all always facing in this world.  But I think that the Orlando responders did a great job of protecting everyone that night.  There was a lot of security everywhere and I can see what a large undertaking an event of that size outside in the open can be and the challenges it can create from a safety standpoint for the police etc.  But bravo to all of them for their hard work and dedication to making that evening what it was for everyone…a chance to come together and renew our spirits.  I hope that they too, although in the on-the-job mindset, were able to enjoy and embrace what was happening there that night.