Tag: Olympus TG-2

Hasta Luego Nica Waves

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI say adios to Nica Waves…what a great surf camp.

And to the many that I have met on my stay here.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe proprietor..Mike..and MargaritaOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAGreg/The Entertainer OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABoogie/local surf guide and Stacy/his girl

The surf trail is not new to me. I always approach it with minimal expectations.

I just want to say the Nica Waves Surf Camp, it’s owner and all the employees; Maria, the concierge, the cook/chef ~ the beef jalapeno is an excellent choice, (I have detoured from my food plan!) Boogie, the surf guide, and all the locals that Mike employs here are awesome.

Security has always been an issue on my travels, and I have never allowed myself to be this relaxed.

In two or three hours, after coffee and one more slice of banana bread, I will be headed south to the border.

I’m going home~to Costa Rica that is.

La Huerta awaits me.

Born to be Wild!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI haven’t been on a motor cycle in years. Today, we rented two small bikes and took off. I had so much fun. However, when the moto man showed up, he threw the keys to Bradley with a few words, such as, the gears are five down. Then it was my turn, and he proceeded to tell me about accidents-don’t use the front brake-he’d hate to see me lay the bike down, etc.. He gave me a CRASH course in riding and then he said good-bye. At the end of that talk -I could have run screaming – I’m going to die. But instead, I simply reminded myself that I was Born to be Wild.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe scouted the neighborhood.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThen, we went to a point break, called Lance’s Left, where I was advised to hire Eddie. So, this young man became my first body-guard. The girl behind him on the rock looked like she needed her body protected more than I did. We both had cameras. Maybe she knows karate!

And all the while Bradley was catching waves.IMG_0092Like a true nature child

I was born

born to be wild

I can fly so high

I’m never gonna die

BORN TO BE WI-I-I-LD

The Chaperone

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA I was wrong. When I posted this morning, I had no idea I would be kicked back in the airport, with time on my hands. These are the young adults that I am traveling with. We caught the train this morning, headed to Orlando and our flight. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACity of New Orleans was playing in my head.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe train depot resembled a border crossing.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIn the airport we admired the Go Pro shop. Now we are all armed- with cameras. And they shoot people too! I’m scared!

I identified myself as the chaperone, when going through TSA. So, I guess that’s what I am ~ Chaperone/Surf Photographer ~ Auntibubba has nothing on Mamacheri.

Our World

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI’ve wanted this salad w/crab cake, since the day I wrote the post, Man vs. Nature, about the dune restoration going on at Slider’s Restaurant, on Amelia Island.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACason was playing. It is her birthday. She is a compelling performer, as well as surfer. She has a Southern, jazzy repertoire, that blends with the atmosphere. I can easily visualize her, singing her songs at the Grand Ole Opry, or having the lights shining down from above, capturing her stage persona, on the televised show Austin City Limits.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe sea oats, planted by George, the owner, are coming up nicely. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt, that he did this in the best interest of the dunes. Yes, it was shocking to me to see the machinery in the dunes, after all that I have been taught about the ecology. But new oats have been planted, and in conveying his story to me, he seemed sincere. He has no intention of adding more tables or putting in a pool. Time will tell. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIn the mean time, I want to enjoy this place that has become such a popular source of entertainment. They certainly have good food and a positive vibe.

Tomorrow, I’m leaving the corner, that has become my world: our world. I’m going to Nicaragua to photograph my friends surfing.

We’ll land in Managua, and then drive to the beach.

As I sat in the middle of this decadence, I allowed myself to enjoy it. Even though, in the back of my mind, the poverty that I will soon encounter, loomed.

*I am locking her down now. The next time I write, I will be in a new neighborhood. I’ll be on someone else’s corner, in their world: our world. 

A Trip B4 The Trip

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe headed out early. This is our super-surf sled. It has no name, only 350,000 miles on it. It’s rusty and ready for the beach.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe stopped for breakfast and Desiree was our server. I just had to get a picture. She has an exotic look about her. I wonder~what is her story?OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThen we drove south to  Matanzas Inlet OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe spent the day, teaching little girls to surf.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIt was a perfect day for them to learn.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA I use to always watch folks grab a board and charge to catch their first wave during a hurricane. I hope people aren’t doing that anymore.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe all had a blast.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThen we had to tear ourselves away from this beach and head back to our own.

Another great day ~

I’m in a holding pattern. Waiting to go to Nicaragua.

Beautiful Luau

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old. You grow old when you stop laughing.”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI’ve had a lot of work to do.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~Responsabilities~OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThey’ve given me a headache…OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~But it’s Friday~OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~And there’s a Luau~OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~Celebrating a Birthday~OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~So we partied~OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~with friends~OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~good friends~OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd it was Beautiful!

Dear Journal

Dear Journal,

I have been working; photographing the cutest surfers ever.

IMG_8157 IMG_8145IMG_8205I told you.

I just completed the third week of surf camp. I have the simple job of creating photo packages for the parents, who purchased, The Super~ Secondhand Surfer~ Photo Package. I have a quota of pics, that I promised. And, of course, I want them to be good.

There is an easier way to do this, and I am working on that.

As far as suiting up and showing up, I might as well be working for Surf Magazine; the energy that I put into this.

It’s very exciting, to watch the kids learn about the ocean, surfing and just having fun in general.

Unfortunately, we had two days with a heat index over 105 degrees.

Luckily for me, I own an O’Neil, broad brimmed, straw hat, with a lining. It’s like wearing an umbrella, on my head.photo-2

I sometimes get in the water with an Olympus TG-2.   I have to switch hats for that. When in the water I rely on my black Local, Pipeline ball cap.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe pictures I’m getting are fun.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I’m having a problem with that camera. I have to ship it back to Amazon, for an exchange.

Such is the life of a surf photographer.

Journal, I just wanted to report in.

It’s all good.