Ponderosa: Just Me, My Tribe, And A Disposable Camera

Me, in July of 2011 at Ponderosa.

This was such an exciting week: Jay (our son) was able to find a place that would develop my Ponderosa disposable camera.


Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee.


I've waited 5+ months to see these pictures.


You see, even though players are technically "out of the game" once we get to Ponderosa, we still don't have any contact with the outside world. No phones, no cellphones, no computers, no newspapers, no letters to home, no cameras, etc.


But fortunately, the crew gave us each a disposable camera--so we could record some of our memories. 


And then ... they collected those cameras until the finale in December--so we wouldn't be leaking photos of the cast, etc. during the season. 8(


So, as you can probably imagine, getting these photos was SO EXCITING.


BTW: When was the last time you waited 5+ months to see a picture you took? 


Uh, 1986? Seriously, right? 


Digital cameras and smart phones have SO changed the way we record and share life.


And my follow-up question: 


COULD you go 45+ days without a phone, camera, computer, internet connection, PEN and paper, contact w/ family, etc.?

ME and Whitney at a restaurant a few days outside of the game.

PS: Whitney is just insanely kind and beautiful in person.  All these months later
and I still miss seeing her everyday.

Also, Whitney's wearing a pink bracelet to support her missing cousin, Holly Bobo. Holly was abducted shortly before we left for the game, and is still missing. There are very few leads and it's an incredibly painful and overwhelming time for their family.
Please send Whitney's family your prayers, love and positive thoughts today.

Cochran and Jim
(Jim's already joked about holding 2 plates here.)

Cochran has on a hat--for my bday.
I turned 41 at Ponderosa-- and they threw me a very
nice bday party.  I had my favorite dinner (Mexican food) AND there were
decorations, presents, and a cake!
(Which wasn't easy to find on the island. Ponderosa didn't have an oven,
so they had to order the cake.)

ME and Cochran.

ME and Whitney at probably 7am. First thing in the morning.

Jim.
(AKA Peter Brady. I swear he looks like a grown-up Peter Brady.)

My BFFs in the game and at Ponderosa.
(Keith, Whitney, ME, and Jim)

Keith and ME at lunch outside the game.
(First day out of the game for me.)

Whitney gave me a concert for my bday. Loved it.

PS: Cochran and Jim both play, too.

The view from my tent at Ponderosa.