California, or rather, North-Central California

In lieu of the fact that I'll be moving back to Austin by the end of the year (fingers crossed), I've been highly sensitive and sympathetic to any potential "last moments," especially as they relate to nature, landscapes, ocean views aka the many number of things that are nowhere to be found in Texas or at least not to the same degree of beauty and awe. Don't hate me – you know it's true.

Example: it's 6pm and we're driving back home from the climbing gym on a route that takes us through the winding, foliage-lined streets of the Presidio and then along the Pacific coast on Lincoln Blvd. I'll be oogling that sweet, sweet, pastel-colored ocean skyline, so thankful for the view and the moment and the magic, but simultaneously want to burst into tears because "oh god what a sunset, are the sunsets in Texas this beautiful, I just don't remember but *surely* they aren't, you must relish in this moment, Katrina."

It's all very dramatic.

But I'll save my premature, San-Francisco-specific nostalgia for another post. For now, I'd like the opportunity to fangirl over this entire, beautiful friggin' state. I'll preface by saying none of these pictures do it justice – there is a magnificence and captivation that's impossible to capture in a photo. Or maybe I'm just not a good enough photo-taker.


 hoan at the edge of mendocino

 views on the way to pinnacles state park

 russian gulch bridge
One of the things I'll miss most about the Bay Area is how close and accessible nature is. And if nature is a spectrum, I'm talking about the things to the far ends of that scale, the things that make you feel tiny and insignificant, yet bursting with so much gratitude for all that's in front of, above, and below you.

For me, Big Sur is the utmost epitome of that feeling and is, without a gotdang doubt, one of the most magical places I've ever seen. No matter how many times I visit, no matter how often I pull over on the side of the road to take in that view, I'm always overcome with such genuine fascination. It is the gift that keeps on giving.

 big sur coast from the point sur lighthouse

 sun in garrapata state park

 fog in garrapata state park
Not included here are the numerous camping, climbing, backpacking trips we've taken that are documented elsewhere in my social media sphere, but all contribute to the many, many ways in which I will really, really miss this place.

So I guess... thanks for letting me be in you these last five years, California. What a friggin' ride.


 red roof on point cabrillo lighthouse