I got back from the GFM Camera Clinic around 7:00 pm last night. My wife and I hung around the restaurant at the museum for a good while talking to friends before driving the one hour trip home. It was great getting to see everyone from the list again and all the other old friends as well. Got to meet Scott Loveless since he was able to make his first trip to the mountain (I bet he'll be back). Cesar was a pleasure to see again (he is always wearing a smile). Got to spend a little time with Doug (the list guy) who is always fun. Don Nelson did a great job of presenting an enjoyable event as he always does. Don has been a good friend, he is just as nice a gentlemen as you will ever meet and his two sons Scott and Jeffrey are super too. It was good seeing Nico again and meeting his son Patrick. Got to spend a little more time with Tom Reese this trip (he's staying at my place next time). Bill Owens and his wife Phyllis were up for the Saturday events and my wife Penny and I really enjoyed getting to see them again. Bill and Phyllis as you all know are really great folks, Bill is going through a lot right now with some medical problems but he is pretty strong spirited and doesn't let things get him down. I hope your surgery and everything goes well Bill, I'll be praying for your quick recovery.
I didn't get to talk to him much but it was good seeing Tom Payne from Charlotte, NC as well. The programs were very enjoyable and informative as they always are. I especially enjoyed Bill Fortney's and Joe DiMaggio's presentations. I saw that Ben Martin was attending this year and is going to be one of the speakers at next years clinic, I don't want to miss that program. Ben was a photographer for Time magazine for around thirty years I think and I distinctly remember one of his programs as being really interesting when he was a presenter a good many years back. The GFM staff was very courteous and helpful and fixed us a great supper Saturday night and breakfast Sunday morning. I'm already looking forward to the Nature Photography Weekend next year at GFM. Charles
