I returned from a trip to Southern California last week and I’m still settling-in to this fulltime photographer routine.  The hardest part is knowing when to stop, ironically.  Now that I actually have enough time to do everything, I just keep going and going anyway!

While on the west coast (my favorite), I got to spend time with some of my favorite people, including my brother, Nate.  It was awesome to see everyone … we had a great time despite the terrible weather.  My final night there Nate and I just drove up the coast toward Los Angeles — it was so neat to see the huge port and all the little beach neighborhoods and houses late at night on Tuesday … nobody was out.  We ate at Taco Surf, but mainly, we drove and drove.  Turns out we both love driving and driving … sometimes for hours.  Sometimes when I’m just feeling restless inside late at night … I’ll ask Troy if we can just drive.  And we do just that.  Good music and an endless road in front of us — love that.

There’s something about California that just gets to me every time.  The energy, laid-back and cool, is amazing.  Here are 24 frames from my little trip.  Of course, there are plenty of food photos: