Northern California // Wildforest Sanctuary

Last summer Kurtis and I had a wonderful trip to Northern California, camping a bit along the coast and visiting our friends at Wildforest Sanctuary, where we'd lived and worked in 2010-2011. Back then I gardened and took care of the animals, while Kurtis built a barn out of locally sourced materials (we milled the lumber ourselves, and he built this almost entirely solo and by hand!). It was so wonderful to be back in this magical space, where Melinda and Karl live off the grid with goats, gardens, chickens and an evolving bunch of helpers in the redwood forest. This place and its creatures will always be very special to me. I think the photos speak for themselves. 

I use this song for everything, but whatever. It's perfect. Press play.

California // Rocky Coasts & Redwoods

Days after Kurtis and I were married, we drove to Northern California and spent a year caretaking on a homestead property in the middle of the redwood forest. Four years later, we made it back for a visit! Most of our trip was spent visiting our friends at the old homestead, but we had a few days to ourselves to explore the coast and camp (tentless!) along the way. The most amazing part of our trip was on Point Reyes, when I didn't use my camera but just soaked in the experience. All the photos here were taken along the coast in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. This area is dear to us. Press play.

Oh, and that's not a bull whip Kurtis is playing with. It's seaweed. Some of you asked. Haha.