Meeting strangers

I have to confess that I love to meet new people.

It's especially fun, when I'm traveling. I have the perfect excuse to be nosy.

I usually preface my questions with, "Excuse me, I write for a small newspaper in Missouri, and I'd like to do a story about you."

Most people are delighted, even if they understand that it's a tiny paper, and they may never see the story. I take down addresses, so I can send them a copy, and I give them the address of the Dexter Statesman website, where I post the stories for all the world to see. (www.dailystatesman.com)

How do I KNOW "all the world" can see them, you ask?

I'll tell you: Two years ago, when I wrote a story about the python problem in the Everglades, I got an email from a reporter in Miami. She said she was "in charge" of searching out information about the pythons and had read my story. I think she wanted the name of an airboat guide who had fed marshmallows to an alligator. Turns out--it's illegal to feed those creatures. I didn't have his name, but I did publish a photo of him feeding the alligator--so I don't know what she did with that information.

On the same trip, we stopped at a roadside attraction that had an enormous statue of a Florida panther out front. They didn't have panthers--also known as mountain lions or cougars--but they did have BIG snakes! The man is charge of the snakes carried them wound around his body--but, ironically, he also raised exotic orchids! Go figure!

Anyway, I never know who I'm going to meet on my travels.

In 2012, I got the most terrific photo of then-presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich and his wife, when they appeared in the parking lot of a Fort Myers business. I risked my life on that assignment, as there was a very aggressive crowd of amateur photographers, grappling for the same shot I wanted. We all had to get "up close and personal" with each other to get what we wanted--not to mention risking severe sunburn out in the open parking lot.

Most recently, I interviewed some very scary bikers over breakfast in a Naples hotel. I discovered what I already knew--Most scary people are really quite nice, once you get to know them.

On the way down to Florida in December, we stopped, as we usually do, to buy sweet potatoes out of trucks, parked alongside the highway.

That's how I met the "Tater Man." What a hoot!! He looked scary, too, but he was just a nice ole guy, who wanted to get home to feed his dog.

Now, I'm getting ready to embark on a new adventure. In a week, we'll be spending several days at the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in the Everglades.

What interesting people will I meet, and what amazing stories will I uncover??

I can hardly wait!!