SMuggers Galleries

San Francisco : Thursday, April 30, 2009 My daughter and I drove to a BART station in Berkeley to meet up with Hillary and Monica (Katchinyakandid). It was like meeting up with friends that we just hadn't seen in a long time! We then headed to the SmugMug Headquarters, in Mountain View, and met up with Darron and Robin (RandD). Again, it was like getting to see long-time friends! Hillary had been in contact with Toni, at SM HQ, and she had extended an invitation for us to drop by for a tour. (We DID dress up for the occasion!) Toni was wonderful and very gracious with her time and information. We also got to meet five of the 'tech gurus', and they were also friendly, accommodating and fun! The Headquarters is very cool in its set-up--and as we would expect--there were some OUTSTANDING photographs displayed, several of which had been printed into HUGE wall murals-----WOW! Thank you, Toni and crew for your hospitality! As Toni was leading us to the door to go in, I suggested a group shot in front of the building, asking Toni to use my camera (which I hadn't taken out of the bag until that parking lot)------next, I experienced what could be referred to as one of 'my most embarrassing moments'!! IT WAS NOT LOADED WITH A MEMORY CARD! And now we are walking into the 'Headquarters' and my camera has no ammo!! I did fix that problem, soon, but missed many shots in the meantime! We then headed to Pier 39 in San Francisco, and had a great time leisurely having lunch and strolling the area! Don't know how many times people asked if we were a camera club? Photography class? How much is all that equipment worth? Will you take our photo for us? With five of us 'Kindred Spirits', unrestricted time and no agenda, plenty of equipment and lots of memory, and flowing creativity, it was really funny how long it would take us to advance even the next fifty feet down that pier!! We complimented my daughter quite a few times for how patient she was! "Oh, like I didn't know this was going to happen?! This is like walking along with five of my mom!" She told me on the way home that one of the reasons she wanted to go was to watch me get to experience time with four others that behave much like I do, certainly re: that particular passion! Thanks soooo much to you other 'Kindred Spirits' for our time together! I must say, the hours raced by much too quickly, and hopefully we'll make arrangements for another meeting-of-the-minds, soon!!

San Francisco

Thursday, April 30, 2009 My daughter and I drove to a BART station ...

Updated: Jan 19, 2011 1:53pm PST

Ontario/Norco : May 19, 2009 Yes!! I love it when a (spontaneous) plan comes together, bringing you the previously mentioned surprise! My son, Travis, let me know he was flying into Ontario (California) on Tuesday, for a Wednesday job interview. Of course I set about to reconfigure my schedule to come spend the afternoon and night with him. However, he let me know that he would need about two hours for 'work' time. Huummmm..........since I knew she lived nearby, I called Andrea Kaus (ChaosGraphics) to see if she could come out to play for a while! We also tried to coordinate with CreativeDeviance, but time was just a touch too constricted for that :( Kelly......we WILL be making some other kind of arrangements, soon :) Have certainly loved my visit with Travis, and the time spent with Andrea was wonderful ! She was such a sport re: the Tiaras and Boas (I came around the corner when we first saw each other, saying that I didn't want to let her down!) and a great hostess -- this is her turf -- not mine!, a very personable and fun gal, with many talents! Again, it was like meeting up with a long time friend that I just hadn't seen for quite a while. She took me to a Wild West little town (here in the middle of metropolis ) so we could go to the Saddle Sore Saloon! YeeHaw! I had a great time, Andrea! Thank you! P.S. Thanks, Hillary...for the inspiration to make contact w/other S'Muggers! This IS fun! Andrea and I chatted about setting up something w/others; certainly including you?!?!

Ontario/Norco

May 19, 2009 Yes!! I love it when a (spontaneous) plan comes togethe ...

Updated: May 22, 2009 11:20pm PST

Central Coast CA : On the evening of Tuesday, August 4, '09, Alex Tiethof (from the SmugMug Daily Photo Community) pulled into my driveway for a S'Mugger get-together! He honored me and my husband, Greg, by including us amoung his visits while on the West Coast! We offered him a 'Premium' facility for his big-ass RV; making our plans for a photographic excursion the next day. The following morning Alex and I were joined by my friend, Maria, and the 'Three Amigos' headed over to Hwy 1, towards Big Sur. With a late afternoon return time on the agenda, we managed to make it as far north as Ragged Point for lunch then began our return to Atascadero. The weather was perfect, with the fog clearing just ahead of us, giving us warm sunshine and gorgeous blue skies. We even got to quickly attend a wedding while at Ragged Point, which also gave us great music while we were walking and dancing the grounds! One of the highlights of the day was to bring Alex to his new Castle, being as he was "King For A Day"! We enjoyed a wonderful day together, and presently are hoping that Google Maps sends him back our way as he begins to meander homeward!

Central Coast CA

On the evening of Tuesday, August 4, '09, Alex Tiethof (from the SmugM ...

Updated: Aug 08, 2009 9:03am PST

Maria's photos Central Coast, CA :

Maria's photos Central Coast, CA

Updated: Aug 08, 2009 9:57am PST

Alex came back! :

Alex came back!

Updated: Aug 16, 2009 11:46am PST