We're home from an Epic road trip down the left side of the nation. Seattle to L.A. & back. It was such a memorable trip sprinkled with all kinds of beautiful sites and gracious friends. We had a few photo assignments out that direction so we thought we would go ahead and check off one of those "life goals" of taking a road trip down the west coast off the list in the process. I would encourage anyone who is contemplating it to pull along someone you love a lot, pack up the car and just go.
Three things I learned:
California has the best dang sushi in the world, the best dang Sunsets and some really sweet people.
Typically, I am pretty die hard Seattlite... I scream it's praises from the roof tops, I embrace its overly ambitious pedestrians and have found comfort in its gloomy skies. And it is honestly just a killer city to live in.... but for the first time I felt like I was cheating on my city ;) Not really, but there were definitely moments! We are absolutely missing the sunshine and 75 degree weather right about now!
Some of the highlights of the trip:
- Waking up to the Oregon Coast, the crisp breeze of the ocean
- Seeing over 200 sea lions chilin' in their natural habitat... it was gnarly
- Driving through Wine Country and spending a day in Napa Valley
- Driving through a tree in the red wood forest..... our lives are now changed.
- Going to San Luis and hanging out in one of the coolest cities in the world with Anna Ingalls
- Shooting one of the Raddest Jazz musicians out there who has become one of my new favorite people, Christopher Wray... photo goodies to come!
- Hanging out with one of the most talented lady's in the world, who just happens to be one of my closest friends in the world, Jennie Teubner
- Grabbing vino with the most fabulous Miss Carrie Cook I left soo encouraged. I love people like that!
- Eating some amazing Sushi with Justin & Amelia Lyon, we could have talked FOREVER!
- Hanging with our "Life Twinkies" Mark & Candice Brooke over some life changing sushi
- Staying with The Newsoms and hanging out with what might be the cutest baby on the face of the planet
- Spending endless hours in the car with the man I love most in this world... my main squeeze... I adore him.
** There were many many more highlights from this Epic trip but just to name a few J I've got A LOT of blogging goodness to post from this trip and some shoots I had before I left so stay tuned.
Went through the Mondavi winery a few years ago as well as the Oregon coast. Took me back. Great pics. Miss you guys!
Man am I glad I finally stumbled on your site! I must've been in the dark for awhile. The photos are fantastic...everything about them is inspiring to photographers like us who're new to the game.
...you guys are a great inspiration!
what a fun trip! wish we could have met you guys along the way, seriously can't wait to cross paths.
Cheryl and I are overdue for a similar adventure.
haha, and the bottle of wine pictured is one of Cheryls all time favs! (and sadly only mondavi wine we have liked)
great stuff!!!
YES!!!!!! these photo kick some serious ass! we miss you kids terribly already!!! much love!
-mark!
woooooooooooo for California! lovin' these sweet images. thanks so much for partaking in the greatness that in San Luis Obispo and for hanging with my lovely wife. so glad you guys know her for reals now! much love to you both. can't wait to hang again!
Holy Cow Sarah... and Chris. Seeing these makes me want to speed up Claire and I's plans to visit the west coast! Absolutely awesome! Chris is a pretty dang good photographer too! Although I know he takes lots of the images on this blog... they have your name on them, really cool to see some of his portraits of you! I love them
SARAH and CHRIS!!! You two are seriously champions! We are sooo glad that we got to share some tasty eats and epic conversations with the two of you. We truly wish you lived closer so that we could share life a little more often. These pictures are AHHHMAZING and seriously make us want to cruise up the coast again. It's seriously one of the most amazing things. Anyways, until next time - high fives!!
Wish we could have hung out...next time for sure!
That sea lion image made me cry..well really anything to do with sea lions does..not sure why..its really odd actually. I am glad you guys had fun on your trip! It certainly makes me more excited about my trip up north with Scott soon. =) You have wowed me once again Rhoads...
sarah and chris! this is so amazing! it looks like you guys had so much fun. beautiful images!!!
the left coast is nothing short of epic. and you certainly captured that :)
Your photography is beautiful, inspiring and absolutely refreshing. I love visiting the page. I am a good friend of both Rachael Clinton and Karen Workun and have heard nothing bout wonderful things about you. Thank you for sharing your talent! Peace.
Hi! Sorry for my English, i'm french... Your pictures are just so great, amazing, beautiful[...] and i saw the video, it's Whaw!!! Just for say that. Sorry again for the English. Bye & "bonne continuation a vous, vous le méritez!".
that Mondavi shot is making me a bit thirsty...
I wish I were at the beach right now. But I do adore Seattle too. I love how you captured your road trip.
Oh my word Sarah . . . I adore your glasses!!!!
We travel to Seattle so often and have never done that road trip. We've always talked about it and looking at you and Chris's trip makes me want to pack up the car today and leave early for our trip to the northwest this upcoming week. You two look like you had such an amazing time! Can't wait to see the rest of your "blogging goodness" from this trip.
Oh, that is one of my favorite trips! I am trying to figure out when we can do it again. Road trips are the best. Looks like you had a lovely beachy time!
ohhh i often visit your blog but never leave love. you are so wonderful and i adore your eye. you inspire me sarah rhoads!
these look so wonderful, and now i want to take that trip even more!! (especially for the sea lions, that must have been amazing!)
ps. now i'm craving sushi...
Beautiful pics Sarah! This coming from someone who made the ultimate plunge in cheating on Seattle, next time if you make it as far south as San Diego, stop by and see us, pink sunsets almost every night.
Looks absolutely amazing! Makes me ache for the sun to come back to Washington...
loved the shots. thanks for sharing!
SARAH and CHRIS!!!! How awesome does this trip look?!?!?! I've done that drive before and it is truly amazing! Love the images...and have to agree with another comment-er that Vancouver sushi IS the bomb.com, so be sure to check that out sometime as well! Regardless...YEAH for AWESOME sushi!!!
LOVEe
Epic trip indeed!
(An FYI - If you go a little North to Vancouver you'll find sushi that rivals Californian fare. Just sayin. I'm proud to be Canadian)
Sarah,
You are seriously one of the dopest photographers on the planet! I love your poses and your processing. SO Lovely!!
sarah, you are a bright spot in this world. you brought your own flavor of sunshine to sunny socal, the kind we need most. hangsies with you and chris left me all warm and fuzzy, just like these images. much love, c
makes me home sick - i am so needing some consistent sun right now. amazing shots as always - nice thing to see before sleep :) thanks!
oh me, oh my! Those photos make me want to grab a cozy blanket and disappear to the Oregon coast. Still haven't been and its growling at me to get checked off my list. Looking forward to the jazz musician photos!
I'm having a bloggasm right now,,,,, is that possible? SURE IS!! Isn't California the hot spot or what? Glad you guys had a fab time and still sniffling that we couldn't meet up. Oh and Chris.......I'm uber jealous of your chest hair in that wonderful 50/50 blend Summer American Apparel deep v-neck grey Tshirt...... fer shizzle.