I’m Mark Basse and Basecamp California is a journal of our wanderings around one of the most beautiful and diverse places on the planet.

This work is at the intersection of California, my cameras and an urge to share what I’ve seen and experienced here with others in the hope they’ll want to see it for themselves, or at the very least, get outdoors in their neighborhood, maybe even with their cameras.

I’m a committed Nikon nurd (digital and film) and I’ll post some ramblings on that subject when I think of something interesting to write about.

Susie and I live on a ranch along the central coast of California with a dozen or so horses, four rescue dogs, a few rafters of turkeys, hawks, coyotes and the occasional mountain lion. I like to say that we’re not off the grid, but we can see the end of it from the front porch.

I’m a graduate of Temple University and I’ve been creating content in higher education for 30 years with side gigs for broadcasting and photography (HGTV, Food Network, PGA Tour, E!, KB Home, IAP-Hill). Producing, writing, shooting, editing and a myriad of other tasks that it takes to get the message to the user.

I’m also never too far from a camera of one kind or another, and never too far from a trail of one kind or another as well. I volunteer my time and expertise through Patagonia’s Catchafire program.

Susie is a whiz with WordPress and also maintains a full schedule of horseback riding lessons here at our home at the Bancroft Ranch.

So please enjoy our posts as we explore the wonders of California!