Saturday evening started with a group dinner at Isaac's Bar & Grill in historic downtown Silver City. After dinner was a social gathering hosted by the Austin's at the "Silver Portrait Studio" which included desert, wine (for those over 21) and coffee.

  Sunday morning began at 8:00am for breakfast at Vicki's Eatery in historic downtown art district - in the patio area.

  After breakfast, around 9:00am, Melinda Austin conducted an informative tour of Historic Downtown Silver City. Following the tour, around 10:00am, the group caravanned north to the Whitewater Picnic Area and Catwalk National Recreation Area. (Approx. 1 hour and 15 minute drive) At the catwalk was the summer picnic and then George Austin lead a 2.2 mile round trip hike through the catwalk to the suspension bridge.

  The Catwalk is considered a jewel in Southwestern New Mexico. The massive volcanic walls hold stories of mining and the lure of gold and silver. The sycamore and cottonwood trees tell their own stories in this unusual ecosystem. It is a place for hiking, picnicking, swimming and great photography that George & Melinda loved sharing with their fellow photographers.

  George lead a landscape photography session entitled "Exploring the Catwalk's Hidden Treasures." George has been exploring and photographing this area since 1974 when he was a Gila Wilderness Patrolman with the US Forest Service. On the tour he talked about the photographic challenges in a narrow canyon, composition, and his specialty - photographing water.