Chris Nelson Photography- Photography, Family, and Friends.: August 2012

A few weeks ago the kids, Wes and I went on our very first road trip.

Now, Im going to be honest with you, I was a little nervous about driving up the California coast and being stuck with two children {especially one in her terrible twos} for hours on end...

but they did terrific!

Our first stop on the trip was my old stomping grounds... good old San Luis Obispo... SLO,

but you know SLO isn't so SLO anymore. It's pretty modern and hip... not really how I remembered it, but regardless it was fun.

I just had to stop by the bubble gum wall....

* all images are unedited, SOOC

We had our pack of gum ready, chewed and

stuck it right up against the wall.... along with the thousands of other pieces. If you are ever there, this wall is a must see.

We had an opportunity to eat at my favorite resturant, Firestones and enjoy the company of our cousin Leah and her fabulous boyfriend Dante.

The next morning, we were on the road again.

The road was desolate with just farm land and endless miles of dry grass for us to see...

Until, 4 hours later, when we reached here...

Pesacadero, California. Such beauty.

I. FELL. IN. LOVE.

You see that house right there on the beach? Yup, that's where we got to stay. My sister in law's beautiful beach house.

Our own private beach where footprints are of those who only belong to us... our family, our dear friends.

And the animals of the sea were touched by the innocence of our children.

An experience to be remembered forever.

The sand was divine.

The shells unlike any other.

We could comb this beach for hours to try to find our sea treasures.

We got to spend some great time with our friends...

{playing a friendly game of dodge ball}

Goofing around...

just hanging out...

playing....

and just being kids...

Of course we cherished the moments with those close and dear to our hearts.

But the best part for me was the hour I got to run everyday on this road along the Northern California coastline. It was heaven.

Just me, the road, the smell of salt in the air and the sound of waves crashing against the rugged cliffs.

We had a blast.

Our next leg of the trip lead us to beautiful Lake Tahoe.

I didn't take my camera to too many places because I would always forget it or I was too afraid of it getting stolen, but the one time I did take it was on our catamaran boat ride with the family.

The water was crystal clear

the sun was shining bright

and there was excitement and happiness in the air.

Photo courtesy of Finn Nelson

I wish I had more pictures of Tahoe and it's beauty, but sometimes I think that pictures can never give the land the justice it deserves... Tahoe with all its natural beauty never ceases to amaze me.

On our way to Mammoth, we stopped by this view point. I was hoping to find some sort of sticker to represented SD, but I could not find it.

Regardless I thought this was a fun railing...