Destination West Coast

There’s always a destination.

That point along a journey when all of the build up and planning comes to a head. Just like an end goal, or a hope or dream, it shines in the distance waiting for your arrival.

It’s bittersweet. I think a lot of the want and drive to accomplish something exists in the challenge. At first it seems like the out-stretched hand isn’t quite long enough to take hold, but then in the blink of an eye… you latch on, and the excitement of what’s to come makes you never let go.

A week on the road  in hindsight  is a long time. 168 hours of being in flux… always moving forward, always with an eye on the end mile marker. I’d take in the surroundings of one place, just to move on to the next. There was so much to see, so much to think about. In real time, those hours went by so quickly. We’d drive until the sun set, I think the longest haul we had was 13 hours one day. A lot of sitting, a lot of opportunities to be bored… but when it became dark and time to pull off to rest, any feelings of boredom or restlessness that occurred that day would disappear — like they never existed. All we knew was that we were one day closer to the West Coast.

When we finally rolled into LA after 7 days of wheels on pavement, that’s how it felt — like I had blinked, and here we were. One second snow, the next sunshine. Had we just crossed through 13 states, seen things we never knew existed, get introduced to emotions we’d never felt before?

Yeah… but as soon as it started, it was over. It was so good to finally get to our end destination to have that feeling of are we there yet?cease… but it was also kind of sad. That long journey endured is now just a thing of the past, but — one that created a lifetime of memories I’ll forever hold onto.

And I must say, having time to reflect on them for three days under the California sunshine was the icing on the best cake I’ve ever had.

cal1s

cacti

cal15s

cacti

cal24s

Processed with VSCOcam with m5 preset

birds

coast

Processed with VSCOcam with m5 preset

cal8s

skate

venice

birds

beach

beach

topanga

trees

byee
Check out more notes from the road!

Follow FP Jana on Instagram and Twitter.

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
12 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
dee
9 years ago

ugh, your photos! <3

9 years ago

Sooooooo proud to be a Cali girl, baby!

9 years ago

Gorgeous images – my eyes are definitely on the West Coast, for some sun!

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

I live in Manhattan Beach and have had a bit of the travel bug, so thank you for reminding me how great I have it here! Stunning photos!

xo

Michaela

http://michaelajeanblog.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichaelaJeanArt

9 years ago

So very true! I remember many Summer road trips with my family as a kid, and although it was always fun to “get there”, a lot of the most memorable moments were along the way….

The Weaver Of Words…..give me 15 words and I’ll tell you a tale
http://www.averyfairytale.wordpress.com

katy
9 years ago

u look so beeeeautiful! more face photos plz. <3

9 years ago

Absolutely amazing photos!
I’d love to make the drive cross country like you did, sounds like a really great trip!

xx Cheyenne
http://www.bohemianjourneys.blogspot.com

9 years ago

These edits are incredibleeeee!!! These photos are so vibrant and vivacious, I’m in love with the feeling they gave me. I am in complete awe of your photography and editing skills!! Please share your secret

Hannah
9 years ago

LA is one of my favorite places to be, but you guys should check out San Clemente, Dana Point and Laguna Beach. I’ve lived around these three cities my whole life, and the vibes here are lovely and the beaches are absolutely gorgeous

Katie
9 years ago

It’s funny–I’ve traveled all over Europe, but I’ve never made it to the West Coast. It’s definitely on my bucket list, and road tripping there is exactly how I want to do it. These images are gorgeous!

xo Katie

http://a-different-sun.blogspot.com

annie
9 years ago

can you tell me what photo editing program you used?? amazing!

Ella Wild
9 years ago

yes please what program do u us?