This might hint of mushy and over-stated, but last week, I was surrounded by journalism greatness. No, I wasn’t on a tour of the Newseum or at a White House press briefing.   I had the honor of co-hosting eight travel and outdoor writers on an Original Florida press familiarization trip through Natural North Florida. 

They were an incredible group.  As a matter of fact, in all the years, (note hand over the mouth so the actual number is muffled and inaudible), I’ve hosted press fams, they were the coolest collection of cats yet.  And let me just say, achieving, let alone maintaining “coolness” all the while canoeing, kayaking, and hiking even in the rising mercury of the Florida in June, is alone, a remarkable feat.

I tip my hat to the writers for numerous reasons.   First, it was abundantly clear that each journalist was true to their editorial mission – seeking, searching, and ultimately retrieving scoop, to ultimately crank-out the best stories for their readers.  Even amid the humidity and haze of this five-day fam, they had focus, sharp focus.  

What also struck me with these fam-goers was their incredible consideration of their fellow journalists. Because honestly, let’s face it, some fam itinerary stops are just more “editorially rich” for some journalists than for others.  (I’m still trying to figure out how Sue, the gutsy outdoor writer from the Miami Herald, is going to incorporate the tour of the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop into her Ginnie Springs scuba diving feature! Not!) 

Bottom line, their patience with, and respect for, one another were generous gifts to observe.      

As matter of fact, my admiration for this traveling band of award-winning writing and photo-taking gurus went so far that it even crossed my mind that they should actually be our permanent fam participants.   I day-dreamed that we’d simply ask them for their perfect travel dates, present them with yet another cool itinerary in North Natural Florida, pack their bags, pick-em up and hit the trail again! They were just that impressive – individually and collectively.