Sometimes my "personal" photos get put on the backburner while I edit shots for my business. In July, Padraic and I went on a trip up the California Coast, where we visited Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Tomales, and Point Reyes. We drove down Highway 1 from Fort Bragg to Tomales, which was a) amazing, and b) slightly terrifying when we got into Sonoma County and were driving on a super curvy part over a drop-off with no guard rail! Yeah...I was glad I was driving simply because I was as far as I could be from the edge. Overall, this trip was relaxing and introspective. I put my camera away for much of what we did, because hey, photographers need vacations, too. We saw our fair share of lighthouses, seals, beautiful beaches, and delicate wildflowers perched on ocean cliffs. Here's what I managed to capture...
Airbnb #1: Fort Bragg, California
Where do I start with this cabin? It's nestled among tall pines and redwoods on 27 acres of property, with a lofted bed and a firepit in the backyard. There's a matching A-frame greenhouse with abundant herbs and tomatoes growing inside, and rope lights line the trees. Chickens and deer roam the country roads that lead up to it, and we fell asleep to the sounds of the forest. Waking up with cool air breezing across our faces from the open window and looked behind us to see a crisp stillness among the early morning trees was magical and refreshing. We made s'mores over the fire pit, got ice cream at the local Cowlick's Creamery every night, and walked on the cliffs at sunset.
We're headed toward Tomales now, and we stopped at the Point Arena Lighthouse area. We made our way across a vast expanse of beachside plateau, with naturally carved tunnels and vibrant red moss on its edges. I'm finally getting the dose of fog I've been craving.
Airbnb #2: Tomales, California
Two words: house goals. Inside this little garden cottage are the contents of my decorating dreams. It was built in some crazy year like 1860 out of redwood, and the wife-and-husband team restored it and made custom furniture/cabinets out of the original wood. I couldn't get enough of the rich tones and interesting décor! The town of Tomales is truly tiny - about a square block, with 4-5 main shops, and barely any cell service. Not pictured: a nearby colony of Highland cows. I kicked myself for not bringing my camera!
Last stop: Point Reyes
First, a mandatory stop at the famous tree tunnel. Then, onto the westernmost point of the US, which was covered in insanely thick fog. It was otherworldly.