Just over 2 years ago, I met the love of my life.
The problem? He lived 3000 miles a way, in a different country.
We did the long distance thing for a little while, but decided one of us had to move. So I moved to good ol' New Jersey. Saying that this is the hardest thing I have ever done would be an understatement. I grew up in Calgary, AB and went a little crazy there. It wasn't until I moved to Squamish, BC that I truly found myself and learned how to be happy. New Jersey reminds me a lot of Calgary.
So I left everything I loved, but also needed. I left the mountains. Rain. Green all year. Moss. Fresh air. Clean water. My friends and family. My favorite apartment, that I shared with my little sister/best friend. Poutines. I've gone a little crazy again. I need to give myself what I need. and show the man I love, the world I love.
I know that he is going to adore the west coast, I just have to get him there. SO, the plan is to hop in our vehicle at the very end of May and drive across the USA.
I AM SO EXCITED. I have spent the last couple of months planning out our trip, and researching possible towns to put down some roots, either in Oregon or Washington.
The plan is to visit as many state parks and national parks/forests as possible. As you can see in the map I posted above, the majority of our exploring is going to be in the pacific northwest. It's impossible to deny how beautiful that part of the world is. But I am also really excited for a couple other locations we are stopping in.
We are going to camp a couple nights in Virginia and Georgia before we make it to our first destination, New Orleans. A lot of people don't know this about me, but I am a cook. I've worked in 3 kitchens now and I love food almost as much as I love taking pictures. It's a different type of art. Visiting New Orleans to eat amazing food and soak up the music and culture has always been a dream of mine. I also love wine, so a stop in Napa Valley is in order.
The next 3 places on our journey I am really excited about are Big Bend National park, the Grand Canyon, and Death Valley National Park. I want to at least spend a couple of days exploring these area and adding new landscapes and scenery to my artwork. The environment in these areas is the exact opposite of what I have previously explored . It's desolate and dry, so much red and brown. Vast open spaces with nothing but rock and sky as far as you can see. I can't wait to look up into the night sky here.
After this we will be in Cali and start working our way up the coast. I could list a million different locations and national parks I am planning to visit here, but I'll save all that for when I am blogging on the road. By the time we are on the road, it will have been almost 3 years since I have been home. That is a long time to be away from the things that make you happy and comfortable. Home is where the heart is, and my heart is on the west coast.
