Morning, v.3

For some reason, I am aching to return to this place today. Maybe in a few years we'll find ourselves moving to the West Coast? ;) For now, though, I am wildly happy with our new dwelling place in Chicago. (Our kitchen has skylights and appliances from this century!) We spent the weekend unpacking and cleaning, inviting friends over to cheer the once-stale rooms with their company. Though we aren't settled in yet, this place is beginning to feel like home!

Tilley in Tweed

If you have a free second today, could you vote for my cousin, Maia? She is an incredibly talented artist from California, and her drawing has made it to the finals of 2013 Eustace Tilley Contest hosted by The New Yorker! Isn't it awesome?

To vote, click here. You will have to create a login for The New Yorker website, but it only takes a second. If you're feeling extra amazing, return to the site this weekend to vote again! You can vote once per day through Sunday, January 20.

Thanks, guys!

California, v.4

We spent our time in Santa Barbara at the sweetest little inn. The front door was propped open all day long for easy coming and going.

We actually didn't spend our entire day out and about, exploring every tourist attraction or lying on the beach for hours. To be honest, we went out for breakfast... then went back to the inn. We took a long walk down the beach, ate lunch... then went back to the inn. We ventured outside once more to go window shopping... then went back to the inn. It was amazing, and we definitely needed the rest!

Our final adventure in Santa Barbara took place at Stearns Wharf. We left the inn one more time for a beautiful walk along the coast.

Aren't the mountains gorgeous? This scenery is much different than the beaches in North Carolina, where I grew up. The East Coast is very flat, but the West is garnished by these rolling hills.

California, we miss you already!

California, v.3

 

We took the California 1 from the San Francisco Bay area to Santa Barbara. Needless to say, it was the most glorious drive of my life. These photos hardly capture the magnificence.

California, v.2

You can't visit the San Francisco Bay area without walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, right?  We thought so, too.

 San Francisco dwellers have such a pretty view!

Someday, we'll show these photos to our kids.  I'm hoping that they'll be able to say, "But... we drive over that red bridge all the time!"

I can dream, right?  :)

California, v.1

We are back, we are tired, we are content. Our nine-day adventure in California was truly beautiful.

These particular photos were taken on Mt. Tamalpais, or "Mt. Tam." Our cousins drove us safely along the steep road, through the fog and around the deadly turns. I had never been to the West Coast, so in my mind... those golden hills were the most stunning scenery I'd ever seen.

So, what did we do for nine days? We flew in to Los Angeles and drove the 5 through the desert to stay with family in Novato. Together, we explored San Francisco, Sausolito, Fairfax, Mill Valley, Berkeley, and other towns sprawling across the coast. After a few days, Josh and I left and drove the 1 down to Santa Barbara to stay at a charming inn, finally journeying back to Los Angeles for our return flight to Chicago.

To all you lovelies from California... now I know why you love your state. :) More photos to come.