My Succulent Garden

Lynsey Addario

LOVED this book!

Photography and journalists who thrive in war zones.

Two topics I'm very passionate about.

Loved Lynsey's story, and her stunning photos.

Week 8 - The Hundred Day Project

Besides major technical glitches due to limited wifi,

my phone freezing for 24 hours, and a new photo app that has too many kinks to count,

I loved shooting my daily photo while driving up the coast this week.

I didn't always plan my days perfectly to capture the best light,

but I was very inspired and shot lots of images.

Amusement

Quintessential summer;

a boardwalk by the sea

with screaming kids on rollercoasters and rides that spin.

Stands selling frozen custard, candy apples, and fudge.

Oodles of amusement, and photo opps.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Twenty two miles south of Santa Cruz

is California's oldest state park, Big Basin.

It has over 10,000 acres of old growth forest.

Deep in the woods, dwarfed by giant redwoods the silence was both comforting and unnerving.

I hiked an 11 mile loop which lead to an incredible waterfall.

Midday light spilled through the trees like a spotlight on the green moss.

The water rushed in a cascading pattern over the neon carpet.

So perfect it was surreal.

Santa Cruz

Another favorite, Big Sur Bakery, for breakfast.

Avocado toast on thick homemade bread topped with tomatillo honey jam.

A convergence of bohemian skirts with motorcycle boots and souvenir tee shirts.

Transient locals conversed about late night transgressions as tourists tripped through their reality.

Fascinated by those who call this strip of coastal paradise home.

What is a like to live here?  What does it take to plant your flag on this isolated part of of the coast?

Onward to Santa Cruz, a place I've longed to visit.

Took a tranquil late afternoon walk on West Cliff Drive past frolicking swimmers and surfers.

Oh California, you are a stunner.

Big Sur

Revisited one of my favorite hiking trails along the bluffs of Andrew Molera State Park.

Fives miles to a desolate beach, perfect lunch spot.

Returned to the little cabin in the woods

to soak in the clawfoot tub under the trees.

Chased the light at sunset

for some classic coastal shots.