Nor Cal Trip!

It has just been confirmed that this years Nor Cal camping trip will be from July 20-24! You see, every year for the past five years I've been going up the California Coast on a "Dudes Only" camping trip. This is my one "for sure" vacation I take a year and I'm very excited that it's coming close to that time again. It seems like every time we come home from this trip each year we're always wondering if we'll be doing it again next year. Funny how it's always a given that we'll be coming back but somehow we're always wondering if there will be guys who are up for it for the following year. We always have a different roster of who goes each year but ever since the first trip, the only consistant ones have been Dennis and I. This year is no different though. We'll be back at McGrath, Limekiln, and Carmel along with Nathanial, Casey, and David. It is on this trip that I get to relax, get away, and re-fuel for the following year.

I never really journal so my real journaling happens behind a lens. My first year it was on my old Canon Rebel G2 film SLR. The second, third, and fourth were on a little point and shoot Sony Cyber Shot. And the fifth was on a Polaroid and the Cyber Shot but this year however, I get to shoot on my little Nikon D40...I am very excited! I'm excited that this will be my first Nor Cal trip with a digital SLR and am looking forward to digitally journaling with it. Of course there will be the traditional Pfieffer shots and Limekiln "Pride Rock" shots but more than anything, I'm excited to try new shots. It seems like I'm usually the only one that brings a camera on this trip so it's so important for me to capture these five days not only for myself, but for everyone.

The only sad thing is I've got about a month plus before this trip and it seems like I've got the worst of schedules before the trip actually happens. From now until July 1st I have to find a new place to live and move out of Ontario. I'd also like to start looking for a new/second job before my trip happens. My Girlfriend will be out of the country for a month on a missions trip starting July 2nd so I'd like to get in as much time as I can before she goes off and saves the world. I've got lots of bills to pay and little pay to help out in that department. My cat needs braces and I have to get new rims for my ride...okay not really but still, I'm a bit stressed...that's an understatement. BUT! I am so ready for this trip to happen. No cell phone, no tv, no myspace, no facebook, no emails, no blogging, no contact with the internet world! Free for five days! Fresh beach/mountain air, bon fire meals, tent living, sun bathing, trail exploring, new faces, good surf, nude European-ers at Carmels white sands, Dennis' pancakes, Main Street in SB, U2 and Jars of Clay on the ride up, Acoustic guitar jammin' around the fire pit, sleepin' to the sound of a peaceful stream at Limekiln, clear night skies filled with more stars than the eye can see, dangerous passing lanes, ridiculous gas prices, the Hearst Castle, SLO, Ocean Avenue/Pebble Beach, pounding waves...God's beauty in everything and of course, quality time. Time alone AND time with others. I'm SOOO excited for this trip!

Limekiln=Amazing!


Camping in my car while the others are in the tent (I'm a loud snorer lol)


Who knew this existed in California?


Casey totally got car sick on our drive to find the lighthouse and I drank this nice refreshing beer on our lunch break. I must admit Nathanial sure does know his beers.


This photo was taken at a new spot for me at Limekiln. Nathanial and I decided to risk it a bit and do somewhat of a dangerous little hike to reap the rewards of it's findings.


This has been a place of peace for me for the last few years and I've always left refreshed.


Santa Barbara, CA. We always make a pit stop here for lunch on the drive home.