Since the wedding isn't until later in the afternoon, I wandered around the Cal State University Chico campus with my sister and brother in-law. The place seemed deserted even for a Saturday. Just about all of the buildings were closed from Friday through Sunday. Everyone must be on a 4-day work week. We stumbled upon the Bidwell Mansion where General John Bidwell and Annie Bidwell lived from the late 1868 until the early 1900s. As I understand it they owned all of the land that is now Chico. The mansion was closed when we were there.
This is the reconstructed carriage house that is behind the mansion. After walking around the campus, we headed into town to their farmers market. Pretty nice size and selection of fresh and organic produce as well as the dust catchers one normally finds at these markets. We headed back to the hotel around noon and I went to the hotel swimming pool with my niece and nephew.
Mid-afternoon, we headed to my cousins home where the wedding was being held. They live in a canyon with a small stream running behind the yard. Even though it was very sunny, there was a cooling breeze blowing up the canyon so it was very comfortable.
The couple made gifts for the attendees and I chose the homemade pickled vegetables with carrots, green beans, asparagus, garlic and jalapeños. They also had homemade apple wine and lemon bitters. I'm not really sure if these are going to make it home in the sidecar. It was really nice to visit with my relatives on my dad's side of the family and saw some whom I haven't seen for a while.
After sunset while a group of family members were sitting around a table, I tried a couple of 30 sec exposures of the sky just to see how it would come out. Not too bad but when I cranked up the ISO, there were more stars but a lot more digital noise. This was ISO 800 with a 30 second exposure with the camera resting on the table.
I have an unusually busy busy summer, I don't have the time I'd like to cruise the blogs, I figure I'll try to catch up, and I see what you and Dom have been up to and I am in awe!!
It will be impossible to consume everything you two have offered up.
I will have fun trying though!
Richard, the location for the wedding looked ideal. Is the Bidwell mansion now operating as a museum?
The wedding wasn't at the Bidwell mansion but at my cousins home. And I believe the mansion and ground are a museum a CA state park.
Sorry, I did understand that the wedding was at the canyon by the stream.
Wasn't sure. I had taken a lot of pictures at the wedding but haven't gone through all of them. I added a pano to the end of the post taken from their deck.
So, the long exposure shot....camera pointed up and no one at the table to cause movement/vibration?
No, the tables were pretty solid and it was only a 30 sec exposure (the maximum for the camera).
I am glad the weather was nice for the wedding and not too hot.
The long exposure shot looks pretty neat.
The breeze was just enough to cool without giving those dealing with tables too many headaches. Some of the flowers on that tables had to be removed mid-ceremony due to the breeze blowing them over.
I thought about trying for some star trails but there may be too much light for that.
Richard, I'm with David, been having trouble keeping up with everyone's summer activities. The days you've been up pile up way faster than I can visit but I do try.
Took me a bit to figure out "dust catchers". From the sounds and looks of things, you chose wisely with the canned pickles....makes my mouth water.
I thought that "dust catchers" was in common use for "junk that sits on shelves". The pickles were wonderful. A little spicy and very tasty.