Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

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Happy Friday! So glad the weekend is nearly here, the holiday cheer is in the air, and I just love seeing all the Christmas lights going up everywhere! I’m hoping this weekend that we can get some Christmas decor up in the house. :)

To prepare for the coming year, my dear & talented friend Emily of emma&bear and I collaborated and created this lovely polaroid desk calendar – which we are making available to all of you through my new Etsy shop! The polaroids have been taken over the past year or so by yours truly (most of them are from my polaroid 365 project) & the adorable design by the lovely Emily. They also come adorably pre wrapped & ready to gift! Or you can order one for yourself as a gift ;)

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leaving eureka . eureka, ca . canon 5d mk2

On day three, I was greeted in the morning with more fog, which again was on and off throughout the day depending where I was. My destination was Newport, Oregon, which was roughly 8 hrs away if I drove straight through, but of course, being on a trip like this I made many, many stops. That was one of the beauties of taking a trip like this on your own, I could do whatever the heck I wanted to. :) My first planned stop was Patrick’s Point, which absolutely took my breath away because it was thick with fog which gave the entire place this incredible mood that I was in awe of. I felt like I was transported into a different world. I ended up staying there TWO HOURS, which I did NOT plan at all!!

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in awe . patrick’s point, ca . polaroid 420

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the magical trees . patrick’s point, ca . canon 5d mk2

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leaves . patrick’s point, ca . polaroid sx-70

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fog over trees . patrick’s point, ca . canon 5d mk2

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agate beach . patrick’s point, ca . canon 5d mk2

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leaving patrick’s point . patrick’s point, ca . canon 5d mk2

As you can see, I was pretty enamored with the place. Apparently the beach that is there is famous for it’s agate rocks, and unfortunately I didn’t make the trek down to the beach – it would’ve delayed me longer. So I got in the car and headed north through the fog.

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haze . highway 101, northern ca . canon 5d mk2

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redwood burl . highway 101, northern ca . canon 5d mk2

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elk . highway 101, northern ca . canon 5d mk2

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the barn & road . highway 101, northern ca . canon 5d mk2

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lighthouse . crescent city, ca . canon 5d mk2

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the road to oregon . highway 101, northern ca . canon 5d mk2

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welcome to oregon . oregon/california border . canon 5d mk2

Welcome to Oregon! Finally I made it to the border, and the minute I crossed, something happened to me internally. I don’t know what it is, and I honestly can’t explain it, but it just felt so good to be in Oregon. I can’t say I felt this way about Washington – it seemed to be only isolated to Oregon.

It just felt like home.

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a glimpse of the sky . whaleshead, highway 101, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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oregon coast beach . whaleshead, highway 101, oregon . polaroid 420

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trees on rocks . highway 101, oregon . polaroid sx-70

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beach grass . highway 101, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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sea stacks . meyers creek beach, oregon . canon 5d mk2

The best part about Oregon beaches are definitely the sea stacks that are on practically on every single beach. The best ones are the ones with trees on them! Plus, can I just say how happy I am to see trees everywhere? Trees just make me feel safe. :)

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isaac lee patterson bridge . gold beach, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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oregon coast from cape blanco . port orford, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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cape blanco lighthouse . port orford, oregon . canon 5d mk2

I made a detour to visit this place – I told myself that I would see a lighthouse like this – a classic looking one – on my trip!! There is just something about lighthouses – they seem so romantic in a dreamy – out at sea sort of way. I love them. They seems to contain so much history and stories in these places.

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boats . coos bay, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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mccollough bridge . north bend, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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into shorewood . north bend, oregon . canon 5d mk2

I don’t know what it is about these, but the below two images make me giddy. Especially those fir trees & ‘moss’ on the rock.

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heceta head lighthouse . florence, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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tunnel . florence, oregon . canon 5d mk2

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the view from my hotel room . newport, oregon . canon 5d mk2

After 12 hours, I finally made it to my hotel in Newport, which was amazing. Every single room has a view of the ocean (and it’s a pretty good deal too!). I arrived around the time sunset would’ve been – but unfortunately the sky was not cooperating with me. Would I see a sunset at all this trip?! I stared at the ocean for a while before heading out to grab dinner (Local Ocean Seafoods – had the Fishwives Stew, which was AMAZING. The seafood was so FRESH, and I fell for mussels because of this stew – they are usually too fishy tasting for me). I went to bed that night, full, happy, & listening to the sound of the ocean.

Perfection.

Day four, here I come!

Oregon, I love you.

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Previous road trip posts:

the beginning.
day one.
day two.


bolinas lagoon . bolinas, ca . canon 5d mk2

So begins day two. I meant to combine day two & three together as a post, but I had way too many images to be one post, so it will have to be two posts. :) After leaving the San Francisco bay, I encountered the Bolinas lagoon, which was one of the first spots that actually had sunshine (I was driving through some thick fog before that). The lagoon was gorgeous with the fog rolling over though.  I weaved in and out of fog pretty much my entire drive along the coast.


fog between the hills . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


fog . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


floating boats . bodega bay, ca . canon 5d mk2


fog in trees . bodega bay, ca . canon 5d mk2

Bodega Bay. I really only stopped here because of Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds.” It did not disappoint.


the birds. bodega bay, ca . canon 5d mk2


california coast . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


california coast . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


the california coast road . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


a note left behind . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


california coast . somewhere along highway 1, ca . polaroid sx-70


the view in the side mirror . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


a thin layer over the ocean . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


headlands coffeehouse . fort bragg, ca . canon 5d mk2

The last time I saw the ocean before plunging inland, heading towards Highway 101. Looking at google maps, it’s only 15 miles, but ohmigoodness, that drive was by far, the most INSANE & stressful drive my entire trip. So many pin turns, and I was basically on the edge of the road. Plus it was hot. But it was gorgeous to see the lovely mountains filled with trees.


leaving the coast for the time being . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2


bridge & water . somewhere along highway 1, ca . canon 5d mk2

All of the craziness was worth the drive though, to step into this world.


the giants. avenue of the giants, ca . polaroid sx-70


the giants. avenue of the giants, ca . canon 5d mk2

Avenue of the Giants. There are moments that I have, where I wish I was still driving along this road, listening to Greg Laswell, & enjoying the trees that surround me in stillness. Yea, it felt like home.


go . before eureka, ca . canon 5d mk2

Last moments of daylight, and the last time I saw the sun that day, for shortly after this image, I was plunged into fog, yet again. But I was exhilarated from the day, and looking forward to the next day, where more adventures waited. <3

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Previous road trip posts:

the beginning.
day one.

where the wild things are.

November 1, 2009

 

I found a wild thing,

and followed it into the forest.

it roared it’s terrible roars,

and gnashed it’s terrible teeth.

it scaled logs,

and slept lazily.

it dreamt of flying,

and danced heartily.

but the wild thing was lonely.

so it decided to become my friend,

and we LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!

we rolled in the dirt,

and pondered by the stream.

we let our dreams loose in the wind,

and became best of friends.

the end.

zach . on the guitar.

October 26, 2009

I often post photos of Zach & things like that here, but this is a first – a video of him playing guitar. He’s so extremely talented, but hardly anyone besides our closest friends & family knew. Well, I decided to record him playing one of his own original songs, cause I think he deserves to be heard. ;) So enjoy!

accidental double exposure . richmond bridge & patrick’s point, ca . polaroid 420

So after about 8 hours of driving, I arrived late at night in Berkeley/Oakland where one of my closest friends Carol lives; pretty delirious from the drive because driving along that stretch of I-5 is the most. boring. drive. ever. Even worse at night when all you see are headlights and darkness! Plus, I’ve gone along that drive so many times that I’m pretty tired of it to be honest. But I was glad to be there. I always feel at home up north.

After a several hours of sleep, we got up and headed to breakfast, at a place called Rick & Ann’s.  It was an absolutely delightful breakfast, and I loved the fact that the kitchen was an open one! After that, we strolled around the neighborhood before setting off to Oakland to explore.


rick & ann’s . berkeley, ca . canon 5d mk2


rick & ann’s . berkeley, ca . canon 5d mk2


around the neighborhood . berkeley, ca . canon 5d mk2


around the neighborhood . berkeley, ca . canon 5d mk2


jack london square . oakland, ca . polaroid sx-70


cathedral of christ the light . oakland, ca . canon 5d mk2


cathedral of christ the light . oakland, ca . canon 5d mk2


grand lake neighborhood . oakland, ca . canon 5d mk2


grand lake neighborhood . oakland, ca . canon 5d mk2

We explored several neighborhoods, which were all very fun to see & experience. The Cathedral that we visited was pretty insane to look at – the exterior is entirely of glass, but the inside was quite a surprise – it was all wood! Beautiful craftsmanship & design though :)

That evening, we visited a little eatery that I definitely think is a Berkeley gem, Gregoire Restaurant. It’s not so much as a restaurant as a charming open kitchen with a few stools and and outdoor seating. But the food is definitely what makes it because it’s French takeout!! Hands down the most gourmet takeout food I’ve ever had (and was extremely delicious). We took it back to Carol’s and ate it on plates, and I felt like we dined at a restaurant based on the quality of the food! What a wonderful way to end the first day. I will definitely have to be back again.


gregoire restaurant . berkeley, ca . iphone

The next morning I woke up at the crack of dawn, to begin the coastal portion of my trip. I would be driving from the Bay Area up to Portland along the California & Oregon coast, and I would be doing it completely alone. Needless to say, I was very excited.

As I sleepily looked out the window that morning, a gentle haze of fog greeted me over the rooftops of Berkeley.


morning . oakland/berkeley, ca . canon 5d mk2


morning . oakland/berkeley, ca . canon 5d mk2

What a way to start the morning. :)

So after packing my car back up, I headed off on my adventure. :) The most interesting thing I noted, was how alive everything felt. It looked so quiet and still when I looked out the window, but the town was alive and everyone was commuting as normal. Certainly a good morning. :)

As I headed towards Highway 1, I crossed the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge as the morning fog was starting to lift off the bay. Once I crossed, I looked back and was greeted by a most breathtaking sight. I immediately pulled over to take it in – the first of many, many pull overs during this trip.


richmond/san rafael bridge . san francisco bay . canon 5d mk2


pier . san francisco bay . canon 5d mk2

After taking a few photos (the first image on this post being an accidental double exposure from this day & another day) & marveling at how surreal it felt, I got back into my car, and headed off.

It was a lovely start, and I had many more miles to go.