27 Years.

 Today my parents have been married for 27 years. They have overcome a lot these past few years, and their strength and love despite it all has been an inspiration for me (as I'm sure it has been for some of you as well). What have I learned from them, aside from what TRUE love is? The lesson is that EVERY DAY is a blessing, so love with all of your heart.

Mom and Dad on their wedding day, 27 years ago.

Mom and Dad renewing their vows last year.

Mom and Dad renewing their vows last year.

Mom and Dad, this Thanksgiving, with lots to be thankful for.

The Dock

Mom, Dad and I grabbed some lunch today and then headed down to the dock to pick up some bunker and say hey to the boys. I remember coming down here when I was a little kid with my dad, not much has changed...

Thank you California for an amazing trip. A special shout out to Bri + Jak who loved me and fed me and entertained me every day! Love you all :)

Bye Bye Big Sur

Brie's amazing lunch spread

Buzzards Roost Trail, STRAIGHT UP to the top.

Heading down through the redwoods.

We went out with a bang, that's for sure! In the afternoon we enjoyed an amazing and relaxing picnic by the Big Sur River and then we hiked Buzzards Roost Trail. It was only about 2 1/2 hours total..but a steady incline, climbing to the top of the mountain- with an epic 360 degree view of Big Sur. Once we made our way back, we stripped down and all hopped in the freezing cold river! GAH! We showered, found a new camping spot, and then we all got a little crazy. Music bumping, me in the kitchen cooking dinner, lots of Beverages (beer, wine, champagne, whiskey), star gazing outside and lots of conversation. We woke up early and started our journey South around 7am. I'm hung.over, and so is the rest of the crew. But we all have smiles from ear to ear. Stopped outside cayucas to see all the seals on the beach and now we are bee-lining it back to Cardiff. Big Sur...big gratitude for the amazing amazingness.

Seals in Cayucas

Big Sur 3

We found an awesome camping spot at Pheiffer, surrounded by beautiful Red woods. The size of these trees can only be fully realized by seeing them face to face. I was the first to fall asleep, as usual, and then was the first to rise. At 6am I made my way down to the Big Sur River and sat on a log for a half hour...wrapped in a blanket, sitting in some Zen meditation. The troops slept in, waking around 10am. We had coffee and a light breakfast and then took a cruise through the red woods.

Big Sur 2

After a long day in the RV, none of us were up for a proper hike, so instead we did a little jaunt down to the beach. We hiked down a long path, under an old tunnel, and climbed up some steep rocks...and that's just where the fun began! I would have taken pictures of the dangerous and totally insane climb that we did, but I was so paralyzed with fear that all I could think about was my next step. We found an insane cave and saw two humpback whales that were less than a hundred feet away!! None of us have EVER seen whales that close before, or that close to shore. It was a truly magical moment. It took a few hours for my heartbeat to come back down, but it was well worth the magnificent experience.

Big Sur 1

Cruising into Big Sur was pretty magical, and we got lucky because more-times-than-not its cloudy up here, but for us the sun was shining bright. We climbed some trees, took some photos and played in the cobblestones.

Dehydrated "Burgers"

Bri is a genius in the kitchen. Through her juicer (which is the rolls Royce of juicers....it makes everything a pulp and Then you press it for the juice) she ran brazil nuts, raisins, beets, carrots, herbs (thyme, parsley, cilantro, mint). Add minced red onion, flax meal and salt. Mix and make patties. Hit em with some ground black pepper. Dehydrate for several hours. Enjoy! Bri also made a tahini white wine spicy mustard and a macadamia nut "cheese". So epic. Best.Camping.Food.Ever.

Big Sur Bound

Made it just outside Ventura last night, pulled the Warrior over and fell asleep. Woke up to the sound of the ocean, checked the oil, then cruised to Carpenteria for some caffeine. We stopped at a super cute cafe, the Lucky Llama. Back on the road, drinking fresh juice, listening to good tunes. Boom.

Bri's Backyard

Here's some photos we clicked this afternoon in the backyard. Sunshine, flowers and friends.

Big Sur bound in da RV!

We packed up Jaks RV, Bri decorated...we loaded it with food and beers, with sarongs and guitars, with boards and potted plants. And now we are Big Sur bound...surfing our way up the coast. We're rocking out to the Tune Yards and laughing and enjoying all of the love and joy the universe has placed in our laps. Let the good times roll...

SD Photo Journal 3

Last night we had a delicious dinner at Grays house on the sea bluff. Woke up this morning, cuddled with Jak and Bri for a bit and then the three of us grabbed Rachael and we all headed to Java Hut for some deeeelicious caffeinated beverages. Picked up my board and wetsuit (I had left them out here last year at my friend Liz's house) and then had a surf at Pipes in Cardiff. It felt super odd to be back in the water...I haven't surfed since December!! But after a few waves I found my groove and was stoked to be back! I will say though, wetsuits fucking suck. Ugh. After surf we stopped at the magnificent Seaside Market and picked up some goodies for lunch, including El Napilito roasted salsa and tortilla chips!! SO GOOD. Alas, after THIS much fun we all snuck in a short nap. Now it's 2pm and the fun is really just getting started...