Up at 6 a.m., because both the cat and the dog needed attention. After breakfast, Hubbie and I went to see the submarine that is docked nearby. It is a tourist attraction, but it wasn't scheduled to open until 10 a.m.
So we decided to walk along the railroad bridge that has been converted to a pedestrian bridge. From there, I was able to get snapshots of the submarine. We would have liked to walk the entire bridge, but it began sprinkling, so we returned to the van and to camp.
I didn't do much for the rest of the morning except read the newspaper and play on the laptop. Today was the last day of the photography workshop. One participant couldn't come today, and three others had to leave early, so we got right down to business.
First, we constructed viewfinders, using large oatmeal boxes. The boxes are painted black inside, and the top is covered either with plastic lids or wax paper. A length of poster board in wrapped around the boxes, and the bottom of the box is pierced with a large tack. When the kids looked through the black poster board tube outdoors, they were able to see objects, like trees, buildings and people, projected upside down on the lids or wax paper. Kids are always fascinated with this simple device. Back in the classroom, we discussed how the viewfinder acts like a camera and like our eyes.
After that, each participant went into the darkroom to turn the negatives they had gotten with the oatmeal box pinhole cameras yesterday into positive images.
Then, I gave the students the color images that they shot with the one-time-use cameras on Wednesday. I was very disappointed with the Walgreen store where we got the film developed. Not only did they ruin a lot of the shots in developing, but they mixed the photos up into the eight packages so that I was unable to determine whose photos were whose.
When we went on the photo safari, I made sure to take a picture of each child before they began shooting so that I would be able to tell which package belonged to which participant. Thanks to that Walgreen store, though, it took quite a bit of time showing the kids over 200 photos one-by-one in an effort to get the right ones to the right participants.
By the time we finished that project, it was break time, and time for three of the participants to be picked up by their parents. Yesterday, a staff member stopped by my classroom and offered me a stack of various sized certificate frames to give to the kids, and they were glad to get these. Since I had nothing else to offer the kids, we called it a day. Those who were to stay until 4:30 entertained themselves in the museum, and Hubbie and I cleaned up the classroom and the darkroom, loaded everything into the van, and headed back to camp.
Before we left, I picked up my check and talked to staff members, who thanked me for bringing my program to the museum, and asked if I would be interested in returning next summer. I agreed, though who knows what will come up between now and then. This is the second time I've worked at the museum. My program fits right in, since it's a mix of primitive and sophisticated photography, and is very hands on.
We had time today to enjoy a live animal program at the museum...a staff member exhibited two
Australian walking sticks, and a red tail boa constrictor. The walking sticks look like dried leaves that have split and curled. The staff member brought two of the little creatures out on a dried limb. If we hadn't known they were there, we'd have thought they were just part of the limb. Wonderful camouflage.
The boa constrictor was beautiful, with combination red,-brown diamond shapes (or saddles) on a cream colored base. Those of who wanted could touch the snake. I did...the snake was warm and smooth.
As we were traveling in the market district on the way back to camp, we stopped at a traffic light. We were amused to see a Michael Jackson mime on a street corner. He was dressed all in black, with white gloves, a white ball cap, and white makeup on his face. He stood perfectly still until a tourist approached, and then he went into a Jackson dance routine, including a Moon Walk.
Back at camp, I finished fixing a supper that Mother had started...potatoes fried with onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers, omelets with the same veggies plus cheese, and toast. Mother ate her whole supper, which she said she really, really enjoyed.
Just as we sat down to supper, Nephew and his family arrived. They had already eaten, so they entertained themselves at the pavilion while we ate. We joined them as soon as we finished. Nephew and Niece stayed on the go trying to keep up with a two-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl. Three older children were also present. The family stayed about an hour, and Mother was very glad to visit with them. We were particularly thrilled to learn that Nephew has recently been promoted to the position of supervisor at his job.
After Nephew and family left, Hubbie and I walked the entire length of the railroad walking bridge, where I took lots of photos of the city. Then, we went to the wholesale club to get several bulk food items.
Back at camp, we noticed that the paddlewheeler boat was cruising on the river past the campgound. It was so prettily lighted, that I decided to grab my camera and tripod and go catch shots of it and the city lights.
After that, we had time to play one game of Skipbo, which Hubbie won. Tomorrow, we head home. It's been a busy, but good week.
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