#35~ Special Matching Funds Donor Drive

HUGE NEWS to Help Bodie....

The Bodie Foundation has been given a $1,000 donation
and told if they could match it, it would be Doubled.
Well they raised it and it was doubled.
NOW, they were told again that IF and ONLY IF
they could raise another $1,000 by Nov. 30th
it would be "doubled AGAIN."

In these troubled times this is INDEED a
Bodie Angel that has come out of the woodwork
to help Save & Preserve BodieSHP...
Maybe you can come up with an idea to
raise a few nuggets of gold you can toss
their way? Any and EVERY bit is Important.

In addition:
The Bodie Foundation has signed an agreement
the California State Parks to be an Official Donor,
thus allowing a more involved relationship between
the two entities. Please stay tuned for more updated
info soon..

Kudos to ALL of those that have Helped so far
and kindly words to those that are considering
helping during this VERY Special Drive.
May you DIG DEEP and often as this is
a RARE Vein Bodie has just tapped in to
and we need to make the most out of it
that we can, so Bodie can be here longer
for ALL of us...

Place to send your nickels and dimes...
The Bodie Foundation

May the Littlest Angel of Bodie Bless you !!!

BTW, we "may" have snow NEXT weekend?
Please use the Road Conditions link below
if you are planning on coming then, OK?

I want to report that the Littlest Angel
did her Finest and managed to get SR270
OPEN in time for the 3rd Photog Sat in
Oct, the last one of the year for 2009.
Congrats to all of the Photogs that made
the trip and Ventured Forth like the
Prospectors of Old and reached their
destination... Hip Hip Hooray !!!

#34 ~ We HAVE snow. ~ Road Closed

Just so ya know, CA last weekend had a
HUGE storm we had to "close" SR 270
due to snow.

So before you come, to check the
Road Conditions easily..please check HERE
and type in  "270" and click Enter
and it will let you know if the road is
back Open or if it is Still Closed..OK?

Have a Safe, Warm Winter and come
visit us when you can, OK?

so you next time you can safely say..

"Good, bye God, I'm going to Bodie."

#33- Bodie= Winter Hours Start 10/1/09

Winter hours go into effect on Thursday
for Bodie State Historic Park.

The ghost town, featuring more than
100 buildings in a state of arrested decay,
will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through
late spring 2010.

At 8,375 feet in altitude, Bodie can be difficult
to reach after first snowfall. Park officials suggest
visitors call the park at (760) 647-6445, to
find out weather conditions. During winter,
access to the park may be limited to snowshoe,
cross-country skies or snowmobiles.
Snowmobiles are not permitted in the town site.

Park admission is $5 per person,
Children age 6-16 are $3 and children 5 and
younger are free. Dogs are permitted in the
park, but must be on a leash.
A self-guided tour book of the
town is available for $2.

#32 Summer's Gone at 8400ft

Well, not that the FOB Party for 2009
is officially in the history books and
Labor Day has come & gone and the
Museum has closed it's doors for the
Winter season until next Spring...

There's also a chill in the air that
tells us that Fall is soon approaching
and that the aspens below us will be
changing soon. That means that the
Fall photogs will be dotting the hillsides
soon and shortly after them the
chill & snows of winter will be here.
We have been told there is an El Nino
coming this year so it will be interesting
to see if we receive more snow than normal.
I know they could sure use it below over
in Mono Lake and the entire Eastern Sierra
and all of CA for that matter....

Also, within the next week or so we will
be hearing the results of the CA State Budget
decisions and which State Parks will be closing
due to the cut backs. We wish them all Luck
to our Brother/Sister parks.

Here's a little last look at Summer and
some blooms on the bushes that are
long gone by now...

#31- Next Sat-FOB Day & BBQ

Hope all "The Friends of Bodie" have reserved
their BBQ dinner for next Sat. festivities...
The costumes and town are getting "gussied up"
for the Annual Event that is attended by many,
even those that are ancestors of the
Original Bodieites.

For many this is an annual pilgrimage that
everyone makes happily to revisit the town
and old friends.. And heck it gives everyone
a chance to party and Bring the town ALIVE
for one more day.. and relive what it must
have been like to live there...

Only thing missing is the constant sound of
the Stamp Mill....Fake gun-fighters are
usually provided for your enjoyment.
But drunks are still not tolerated well by
the locals and now the Rangers are there now
to keep the peace.

Come Early and Stay Late
and join in the Parade down Main Street.
Ladies remember your parasols as the
Summer sun can cause one to Glow.
Party ON....

**Be sure to bring YOUR video camera
and bring some Bodie videos HOME
with you... and then post them, OK?

#30- 2009 FOB Day Invites sent- 8/8/2009

Honoring Bodie's Sesquicennial

1859-2009

For those that follow me regularly, you know
I love CA's Official "only" Gold State Historic Park.
I just received in the USPS, yeah and not by
Pony Express, the Official Invitation to this year's
Annual FOB- The Friends of Bodie Day - August 8th.

For those able to attend, this event is always
not only a FUN Day , but full of unusual photo ops
that we are not normally exposed to in the West.
On this Special Day, in this Special Place, in this
SHP that is such a HUGE Part of our Gold Rush
history, the town comes ALIVE again for one day.

Yearly Bodie fans, young and old come to share
their love of the town, meet old residents & friends,
and party with a Parade down Main Street wearing
old time period costumes (@ 1:30PM this year),
games & contests for kids, food & music and
for Actual Members of FOB the day culminates
with a BBQ and Evening Entertainment.
At 8,400 feet these occasions are Rare like
the air, and always new memories are made.

The Daytime activities are OPEN to ALL..
The BBQ and evening entertainment for
FOB members ONLY.....as the park is closed
by then and the public has left.
If you are interested in attending Please do.
If you wish to Join FOB and attend the BBQ
Please call the Park Office and get info on
how to join and then you can be part of those
Helping to Preserve our History and join in
on the evening's fun.
The Member's BBQ starts at 5PM
Call for Info: (760) 647-6564
RSVP by August 1st so your dinner will be ready.

Post with Official 2009 FOB Poster HERE
A report of last year's event is HERE.

Hope you can come join us not only for the fun
but also for reliving our history & the photo ops.

#29- Happy Birthday America-Support Bodie

Hope you are all have a

Wonderful Independence Day somewhere...

If you can't be Celebrating with the Parade in Bridgeport

then please do it Safe and Sanely some where else.

I wish I could say that the State of California

and our State Parks System were having

as much fun.... unfortunately I think you ALL

KNOW how dire the situations IS right NOW.

All of our State Parks need your help, esp.

Bodie as it contains artifacts that can deteriorate

and take our irreplaceable History with it.

I would like to ask EVERYONE reading this

to please think about just making even a

small $15 donation to the Bodie Foundation

to Help Preserve OUR history.

If not the trees in the parks will still live,
but the artifacts in Bodie NEED

"constant care" to remain in a

"State of Arrested Decay."

These buildings and their contents

can NOT be Replaced...Once GONE

like MJ or whomever we will not

be able to have it to visit if Mother Nature

reclaims it as she tries EVERY Year.

Whether hot summer sun or

freezing winter snow Bodie is

delicate and there IS a REASON

you do NOT SEE any other Ghost Towns

Like Bodie... They take Work and Constant Care.

Please enjoy the videos and realize exactly

what part of our history they represent.

Being THERE is NOT the same as

reading about it in a book...

If you have been there you KNOW this!

If we ALL just do a little we can save it.

Please check out the Bodie Foundation

website and read their Mission Statement,

and considering donating a Birthday present

to America this year by coughing up just a

little of "your gold" for Bodie...just a thought...

Please enjoy the videos- at least we do

have them for now.

The Bodie Foundation

I chose THIS particular video for this day

to show you an interview with Brad, the

20 year Head Ranger of Bodie, that just

retired. I wanted YOU to hear what HE

considers "The Miracle" of Bodie.

He has dedicated the last 20 years to

help preserving it.. We owe him ALOT.

#28- 2009 **Photog Days INFO** (#2of2 old videos)

The 2009 Photographer Days for
Bodie have been scheduled.

Friends of Bodie
Photographers Day
3rd Saturday of the Month
May thru October

$50 per person
Limited spaces available

Privilege includes Park access
_ hour before sunrise to
_ hour after sunset.

Advance reservations only
Inquire at the museum or call 760.647.6564

#27- 2009 FOB Day-8/8/09 (part 1 of 2 old time videos)

Tis that time of year again and the date has been set
and the Poster made... so Mark your calendars and
call Bodie to Join and get IN on the Party....
You can read in older posts from last year
the report of the event from that event...OK?
Please check out this poster and then GET Planning.
...for Fun Bodie-style... YeHaw..

CLICK "ON" the Poster to see
a Bigger Version...OK?

#26- Bodie is BOOMNG Again, folks!

I'm having a hard time keeping UP with all of the new Bodie videos.

So please excuse me...text will have to come later..

I need to gather these rosebuds while I may.....

#25- More Fine Bodie editing here

Another nicely done video.

How many buildings & room can you

name or place?

#24- Put your Glasses on for This one!

Someone did some nice editing for this one...Enjoy!

#23- Ooooo A Scarey Bodie Video ;-)

#22- Could this be Marco's cat?

Not sure, but I think this might possibly be the cat 

that belongs to Marco the New Head Ranger?

Anybody know for sure? Please comment

and let us all know, OK? ;-)

At least he has the swagger and acts like

he has been trained in stealth behavior

by a Ranger  :D  IMHO

Any guesses?

#21- Even the Avante Guarde Artistic like Bodie

#20-What's New in the Ghost Town of Bodie in 2009?

2009 has started now and it is Spring
up at the 8,000 foot elevation.
Visitors are now returning to Bodie and
this year there is an Urgency to Visit
due to the CA Budget "woes" and
the upcoming "cuts" to the
State Park System...so we are waiting
to see what will happen to Bodie S.H. P. ???
As this special Historic Park is NOT
just another tree ( I do LOVE trees)
but these buildings and their contents
are Actually Part of OUR Historical
Heritage, so we NEED to be concerned.
Once these artifacts of our history
are gone, they are GONE 4 Ever.
So Please do all that you can to
Help Save Bodie, OK?

#19- Mono County.org video of Bodie

http://www.monocounty.org Traveling on US 395 will give you a great view of all that Mono County has to offer. US 395 has been described as taking a "National Geographic Tour through your Windshield Take a tour of Bodie, California's official gold mining ghost town, once notorious as the wildest town in the West. From 1877 to 1888, the community swelled to more than 10,000 residents and produced over $35 million in gold and silver. Now a State Historic Park, Bodie is the largest unrestored ghost town in the West. Visitors can explore the museum, follow a self guided tour, or wander the dirt streets peaking in the windows of the homes, stores, saloons, barbershops, and the church for a glimpse into life of a bygone era. For more information visit MonoCounty.org or call 800-845-7922.

#18- 2008 FM_NorCal 3 day Photo Workshop report

It's almost time for the schedules to come out...
So keep "checking back" cuz as SOON as
they are confirmed, I will post the info HERE.

I know many want to attend the 3rd Sat Photog
Days and want to see this years of
Official Workshops Permitted.
If there are any other NEW workshops
offered I will, also post them here or
at least give you the link....OK?

So remember.... the Dust is Archival,
Do NOT touch anything inside, and
STAY with your Leader! and MOST
of all... Appreciate what you see
and make some GREAT images
to preserve our History, OK?

News to follow.......soon ;-)

*********************************

Here's the report from the 2008

3 day Bodie Photographic Workshop.

It's was a long time in the planning and we
were VERY LUCKY that Jill graciously let
our group have first dibs to fill this workshop.
We did have the entire workshop filled, but
then "Life" interrupted a few members plans,
so a Canuck was lucky enough at the last minute
to tag along and we can thank him
for the Group Photo ;-) Thanks, Bruce.

Hint:
We (FM_NorCal) are already taking names
for next years workshop. Get your name ON
the list if you are interested "at all."

FM_NorCal participants: Ed Nunez,
Allen Hirsh, Shelah aka "Digital-She",
Jean Christopher, Ed's friend Luis Morales.

Trip Report by:
FM_NorCal in the field reporter: Allen Hirsh

All six of us met with Jill & Kelly on the night
before our workshop for dinner and a little
preview of our three days in Bodie, since we
were staying in different lodging locations.
Jill stressed that we couldn't
"move or touch" ANYTHING, and that
space is tight, so we HAD to be careful
with our tripods inside all the buildings.

For some buildings, not all six of us could
be inside at the same time, but when
that occurred, Jill would open one building
and Kelly would man another, so we could
all be "working", then switch shooting locations.
This served to maximize our available
image making time.

During regular park hours, we often had
park visitors peering into the buildings while
we were making images, and Jill would
let them know this was a
VERY "private workshop."

The workshop gave us access to something
like 17 or 18 buildings you can "NOT go into"
as a public visitor. The only building that has
a regular public tour is the Standard Mill,
but we got more time in there and could go
beyond the roped off areas, -
and at hours when the park isn't open,
which gave us that great early and late light
for more interesting images.

Our venues included: "Ranger's roost" -
the rock outcrop overlooking town from
the parking lot side, Boone "General Store",
Morgue/funeral home, Lottie Johl's house,
Wheaton-Hollis and Bodie Hotel -
(twice, once in am, once in pm
- very different lighting each time),
Pat Reddy house, Lester Bell house,
Cameron house, Firehouse,
Main Street at Sunrise,
Dechambeau Hotel/Saloon,
Sam Leon Bar/casino & barbershop,
IOOF building (which housed
the Bodie Athletic Club),
Standard Mill, Schoolhouse,
Methodist Church,
UP on the Mining Ridge Hill,
Station House and reservoir with the
Sierra mountain range backdrop,
and McDonald house.

We met at the Bodie SHP parking lot at
6:30am each morning (usually 25F then -
and it was often 65F just two hours later!),
and would play until around noon or 1pm,
then take a couple hour lunch break.
We'd meet back at the parking lot again
at 3 or 4pm.

The 2nd day when we did the SPECIAL Event
-the night photographic session, we met later,
and went until 9pm. The first day, we left
the park around 6 or 7pm
(after it closed to the public, which is 5pm).
The last day, the "official workshop" ended
about 10:30am, but then were free to stay
and make exterior images the rest of the day
while the park was open.

The first day was the only lunch we had
together, when some of us shared
photographic portfolios; Jill showed us
quite a few of her Bodie images,
for inspiration.

The night session was something the
whole group "really came together for",
as we collaborated to make sure everyone
who "wanted to" create a night image COULD,
no matter the limitations of our respective
cameras and gear. When we finished
photographing the church, we went on to
do a couple "night sculptures".

I firmly believe, if Jill hadn't been concerned
we'd overstayed our permit for the evening
session, we'd have kept going as a group
for many hours longer, as everyone was
excited with the images we were getting
and the considerable other night possibilities
we saw within Bodie.

After the 3 days were over, Edward, Jean
and Shelah stayed and photographed around
the area the next morning and Ed also stayed
a couple extra days after our workshop
and was rewarded with a change of weather -
storm clouds and snow, so he got very
different exterior images than we had
during our workshop, when the weather
was crystal clear.

The night session was a real highlight for me,
not only because I got an image that will be
published in the 2009 Bodie Foundation
Calendar, a juried contest, and because it
was a new form of photography for me.

The "new" Bodie Foundation was formed to
raise funds to help SAVE and stabilize Bodie.
My image that was Accepted is below...and
was a 3-minute exposure of the Methodist
Church (taken "within" a 20-minute exposure
for star trails that most of the others
in the group did during our night session)
Kelly "painted" the church with a flashlight
several times during our exposure, and we
had an incredibly clear sky with very bright
stars, as is often the case in the high desert.

I'm pretty sure we all left feeling like Bodie
was our favorite ghost town, and someplace
worth many more visits, given the richness
of its history and the scenes it still holds
to this day. ~ Allen H.
********************************

Thanks Jill for helping me arrange this
SPECIAL opportunity for the members of
FM_NorCal, and show some of them
why we are SO Bodie crazy ;-)
....and Kudos to Allen for his first
publication and we look forward to the
2009 BF Calendar coming out...

BOTH Logos below will link you
to the BF and also to the BodieStore thru
which the calendar will be available and
where you can Join the Bodie Foundation.
To see everyone's images please be sure
to check their websites listed on the
right-side of this blog.

PS: Can't get the URL image links to work

so here are the links to the

Bodie Foundation

and

The Bodie Store

#17- 2009 has come to Bodie

#16-Welcome Mark, New Head Ranger!

Welcome Mark "Marko" Langner,
in the Spirit of the Bodie Ghosts....
You have already lived amongst us for years
and we already know you well.
Now, we "Thank You" for taking over the helm
and working on behalf of our remnants,
to keep us as best you can....
in "arrested decay" and in the hearts
and forefront of the minds of the
people that love this park and as you
also work to preserve it....
May everyone help you continue
to spread the word of Bodie,
either by mouth, snail mail or blog.
.... esp. for all of those who
have a Heart of Gold....
It is INDEED a year for New Beginnings.