BajaNomad

Invitation

Ken Bondy - 2-2-2008 at 09:30 PM

For the past month my brother-in-law Gary Powell and I have had 24 of our underwater images on exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay. They will be there through March, maybe longer. On Saturday, February 23 at 1 pm Gary and I will give a presentation on the techniques we used to make the photos, including a PowerPoint slide show, and a display and discussion of our diving and camera equipment. I know it's not Baja, but it would sure be fun if any Nomads are in the neighborhood and could drop by and spend some time with us. As an added bonus, Nomads Paulina and Dern will be there and are looking forward to seeing any Nomads who can make it. The museum sits on a breathtaking site in the State Park, just south of the town. The talk should last about an hour, maybe a little more. No pressure, but if any of you can make it we would love to meet you in person.

++Ken++

Paulina - 2-2-2008 at 10:54 PM

We are looking forward to it!!

I want to mention Morro Bay State park campground is directly across from the museum. It has been recently refurbished and would be a great spot to set up camp if anyone wanted to make it a weekend trip. I guess you could hotel it too, but camping would be more "baja-ish".

Hope to see a few of you there,
P<*)))><

EMAM - 2-3-2008 at 02:23 AM

Sounds like a great litte expo, I wish we could make it, but will be heading down to Baja:spingrin:

Pat

bajaboolie - 2-3-2008 at 12:12 PM

How cool, thanks for the info. I'm a couple hours north, but with such good advanced notice, maybe I can figure something out. Sounds very interesting.

Ken Bondy - 2-3-2008 at 07:48 PM

I'm going to shamelessly bump this :)

David K - 2-4-2008 at 09:38 AM

Never been to Morro Bay, Ken... How long do you think it would take to drive there from Oceanside? Oceanside to Santa Barbara is about 3 hrs., I think? Would love to see the exhibit, meet you, party with Dern, Paulina and other Nomads...

Ken Bondy - 2-4-2008 at 10:02 AM

David

It takes me a little over 3 hours from Calabasas in the southwest San Fernando Valley to Morro Bay. Santa Barbara to Morro Bay is about 2 hours. So I would estimate 5 hours between Morro Bay and Oceanside. That, of course, assumes no serious traffic. Morro Bay is a delightful little resort town so you could make a weekend out of it. Hearst Castle is only about 30 miles north and this is a GREAT time for seeing elephant seals on the San Simeon beaches, all within about a half-hour drive of Morro Bay. I hope you can make it.
++Ken++

Paulina - 2-5-2008 at 09:28 AM

Bumping.

Ken Bondy - 2-5-2008 at 11:03 AM

I should have pointed out that this is a GREAT time to see the big herds of northern elephant seals on the San Simeon beaches, only about a half-hour drive north of Morro Bay. There are lots of pups, males sparring, all the behaviors. And you can get VERY close with the viewing setups the State has built.
++Ken++

BajaGeoff - 2-5-2008 at 01:13 PM

Congratulations on the exhibit Ken! That is really exciting. Do you have any of your images online for those of us that cannot make the trip up to Morro Bay?

Ken Bondy - 2-5-2008 at 01:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Congratulations on the exhibit Ken! That is really exciting. Do you have any of your images online for those of us that cannot make the trip up to Morro Bay?


Thanks Geoff. I've been fiddling with Flickr, it's pretty addictive. I've posted lots of photos at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenbondy/

++Ken++

[Edited on 2-5-2008 by Ken Bondy]

dean miller - 2-5-2008 at 03:24 PM

Ken,

Congrats on the Show.

So to home!

I regret that Mrs Miller and I will be heading Towards Mexico on the 15th

sdm

bajaboolie - 2-6-2008 at 11:57 AM

Hey, just took a look at some of your pictures. Fabulous! They're really great pictures, and very inspiring. Thanks for the post.

Gadget - 2-6-2008 at 12:56 PM

Ken,
Do you know my Father-in-law, Elwyn Gates, developer of Gates Underwater Camera housings, which he owned and operated for 30 years and otherwise diving guru of SoCal. He was the President of the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society for several years in the 80s.

He is in the South Pacific, Figi, somewhere on a dive boat as I write. Being married to his daughter is like marrying into the Cousteau family. He has amazing still and video footage.

Sorry for the mini hijack on your thread :biggrin:

TMW - 2-6-2008 at 01:15 PM

Ken, I think My wife and I can make it. Sounds like a fun outing.

boe4fun - 2-6-2008 at 05:08 PM

Ken et al, Looking forward to your exhibit and to meeting some other nomads. I live in Santa Margarita, about 30 minutes from Morro Bay. If some of the nomads are into fresh water fishing I would suggest camping at Santa Margarita Lake. Paul Boe

Iflyfish - 2-6-2008 at 09:57 PM

Congrats! Love your photos and am sure they will be well received. I always look forward to your posts.

Regrets on the invitation, now back in PDX

Iflyfish

barngal - 2-6-2008 at 11:26 PM

Ken
Planning on being there for the presentation and seeing more of your wonder pictures. Have been lurking for a few years and thought it's time to post a Howdy and come meet a few of the people I read so much about here.
I will someday get brave enough to post some of my Baja pictures.

See you on February 23 at 1:00
With my Husband, Daughter and Grandson
barngal Pam

4baja - 2-7-2008 at 07:34 AM

would love to make it ken but i have snow to plow. good luck.:cool:

2008 storm 002.jpg - 44kB

dean miller - 2-7-2008 at 04:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gadget
...
Do you know my Father-in-law, Elwyn Gates, developer of Gates Underwater Camera housings, which he owned and operated for 30 years and otherwise diving guru of SoCal. He was the President of the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society for several years in the 80s. ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have known Elwyn Gates for most of those 30 plus years. His U/W camera housings are top of the line.
He use to have a world class collection of antique UW camera housings...worth a visit for any one interested in UW photography.
Regards to you and Elwyn,
SDM

Ken Bondy - 2-7-2008 at 09:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gadget
Ken,
Do you know my Father-in-law, Elwyn Gates, developer of Gates Underwater Camera housings, which he owned and operated for 30 years and otherwise diving guru of SoCal. He was the President of the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society for several years in the 80s.

He is in the South Pacific, Figi, somewhere on a dive boat as I write. Being married to his daughter is like marrying into the Cousteau family. He has amazing still and video footage.

Sorry for the mini hijack on your thread :biggrin:


Gadget

I know of him, of course, but I don't think I ever met him.

++Ken++

Ken--a gentle little bump!

Baja Bernie - 2-8-2008 at 04:29 PM

Being recognized is great............sorry I can't make it.

Stickers - 2-10-2008 at 12:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Never been to Morro Bay, Ken... How long do you think it would take to drive there from Oceanside? Oceanside to Santa Barbara is about 3 hrs., I think? Would love to see the exhibit, meet you, party with Dern, Paulina and other Nomads...


It amazes me that our intrepid Nomad explorer David K has never seen Morrow Bay. Well David, the compass also points North - try it you might like it - the roads are very good and you wont need 4 wheel drive.
All these years it never occurred to me to go diving there but Ken has certainly opened my eyes. I will try to make it to the presentation.

David K - 2-10-2008 at 12:48 PM

Come on now, I have too gone north... at least once!

Last November, to northern Arizona...

Arizona 11-07 108r.JPG - 30kB

aha baja - 2-16-2008 at 10:37 AM

Hey David. Come on up to Morro. Maybe we can all check out Ken's photos at the museum (5 minutes from my house) and make it a Nomads camp out like Paulina suggested. If you guys need a place to crash instead of camping just u2u me. Pot luck bbq sounds like fun. Make it a Nomad Norte get togeather and check out the coast:biggrin:

Sharksbaja - 2-16-2008 at 11:46 AM

Yeah, what's all this Baja talk about anyhoo?:lol: DK, swing by Oregon and I'll buy you a beer and a shooter.:rolleyes:

How's about a Baja photo display from the best ?

Paulina - 2-17-2008 at 03:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by aha baja
Hey David. Come on up to Morro. Maybe we can all check out Ken's photos at the museum (5 minutes from my house) and make it a Nomads camp out like Paulina suggested. If you guys need a place to crash instead of camping just u2u me. Pot luck bbq sounds like fun. Make it a Nomad Norte get togeather and check out the coast:biggrin:



"I want to mention Morro Bay State park campground is directly across from the museum. It has been recently refurbished and would be a great spot to set up camp if anyone wanted to make it a weekend trip. I guess you could hotel it too, but camping would be more "baja-ish".

No offense, but I wasn't implying a Nomad Campout session, only mentioning a nice campground available right across the street from the museum for those who might want to camp vs. hotel it.

If the Nomads who are coming up feel like circling the campfire at Morro Bay State Park, you'll like it, it's a nice place. It's got the best hot shower for your $.25

My "MOM" schedule is way hectic right now, starting at 9am on Saturday. We are taking a break to enjoy and soak up Ken and Gary's presentation and then it's back to more 4H obligations with Cody for the remainder of the weekend.

I can't wait for Spring Break.

Until Saturday,

P<*)))><

David K - 2-17-2008 at 10:02 PM

Thanks Paulina and aha baja, we won't be making it up, so please post about it afterwards!

Paulina - 2-24-2008 at 03:47 PM

Just a quick post to say, "Wow!" What a fantastic presentation Ken and Gary gave us yesterday at the museum. Dern and I arrived about fifteen minutes before the start of the program and found it to be a full house. We lucked out and got the teacher's pet seats in the front row, and before I knew it, it was standing room only.

The photos and information about the life under our local T pier was excellent, although I felt that the audience was cheated. They only saw photos from our local Morro Bay waters and not Ken's collection of Baja and it's wonders we are fortunate to see here on the Nomad board.

Thank you again Ken, what a special treat!

Paulina y Dern

David K - 2-24-2008 at 04:50 PM

Great to hear, thanks Paulina!

Ken Bondy - 2-24-2008 at 04:50 PM

Thank you so much for the kind words, Paulina y Dern. It was a FUN day, the audience was just great. What did you think of those winds right after the show??

Mil gracias otra vez,

++Ken++

[Edited on 2-24-2008 by Ken Bondy]

Paulina - 2-24-2008 at 09:40 PM

Winds???? Those were gale force it seemed. Our friend ended up with a monster tree invading his yard. How it missed the houses is a mystery. Lots of wind damage in the neighborhood. We lost power around 3pm, and it was still out when we finally gave up and went to bed around 10pm.

Funny, in Baja when the power is out, or we are without, it seems normal. We light a fire, huricane lamps, board games and good conversation. Here in the States it just doesn't have the same feel. Dern plugged the heavy duty extension cord into the inverter in the truck to power the computer, so at least we had internet off and on. The TV didn't like roughing it, so it was not cooperative. We have generators, but they're in Baja. I suggested to Dern that we bring one home as we tend to loose power when it gets windy.

It was a cold, windy, rainy night that would have felt less miserable if it were in Baja.

Thanks again for the wonderful show yesterday. Let us know when the next coffee date is.

P y D

Bajafun777 - 2-24-2008 at 11:05 PM

Ken, have always enjoyed your pictures and maybe a calendar of the pictures that bring the best comments for you would be an oppurtunity to let more people enjoy your work. Can not make it but definately would like to!!! Later------------------------------- bajafun777