A Transformative Road Trip That Changed Everything
The roads of Big Sur welcomed me with a wild breeze tangling my hair and the salty tang of ocean air pouring through my open windows—a perfect backdrop to adventure. “Wow,” I gasped, taking in the view. “It’s even better in person.”
My window filled with an unbelievable scene of the Pacific Ocean, and I stared in awe at the crashing waves and expanding coastline.
My SUV was a mess, filled with camping gear, road trip snacks, and my small backpack of camera gear, which I bought with my third-place winnings from a national design contest.
It had only been a month since I stepped onto the stage at Washington State University and proudly held up my diploma. I had finally earned my bachelor’s degree, but I had no idea what to do next.
Earlier that year, I had spent three magical months studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I studied design during the week and convinced my classmates to jet off to new destinations on the weekends. I’d never known such limitless freedom, and my love for capturing the world around me was born just like that.
After my time abroad, returning to the small college town of Pullman, Washington, was a surreal culture shock. The monotony of college courses sharply contrasted with the awe of learning about Europe’s fascinating culture and history. I thought my three-month European adventure would cure my insatiable wanderlust, but it only worsened it.
My restlessness reached an all-time high the month before graduation. I was itching to leave the confines of small-town life and no longer felt like I fit in with my peers, longing to leave the confines of my university. So, I planned a post-grad road trip with my best friend, Hannah, to fit more adventure into my life. I spent all of my free time researching and planning my road trip, and I even created an itinerary complete with tons of photographs to show Hannah how beautiful our route would be.
Our plan was simple—head down I-5 from Seattle and drive to the Oregon Coast, stopping at a campsite in the forest. Then, drive further south to Samuel H. Boardman National Park, where I’d try my hand at self-portraits on the gorgeous natural rock bridges. Next, we’d head down the coast to San Francisco, spend a few days in the city, and then make our way through California’s most iconic sights; the Redwoods, Big Sur, looping through Yosemite National Park. After our California tour, we head back up through Central Oregon to soak in hot springs and hike to waterfalls.
When the day of our road trip finally came, we packed up my SUV and hit the road, blasting music, chatting, and stopping for snacks. On our first night, we kicked back next to a campfire and discussed future plans under the evergreens. I decided right then and there that this lifestyle was meant for me.
The rest of our road trip flew by. We slept at campsites off the beaten path, snapped a million not-so-good pictures, and enjoyed the freedom of car travel. We could go anywhere, but I was hunting for the best photo spots. I spent each day trying to get “the shot”—the right balance, angles, and subjects were hard to come by. I’d followed and admired travel photographers from afar for years, and this trip was my first chance to follow in their footsteps.
Even with the freedom and scenery of my big road trip, I was still new to photography. My cheap camera body and wide-angle lens could only do so much. Plus, my knowledge of the technical aspects of photography was utterly lacking, and I had no idea how vital lighting was, shooting most of my photos with harsh shadows. Still, I continued to create daily, giving this newfound passion my all. Finally, I shot one of my favorite photos in Big Sur and was absolutely over the moon with the results.
A lot has changed since my first momentous road trip. Shortly after the journey, I landed a job as an interior designer at an architecture firm, but what started as a dream job ended just a year later when my wanderlust kicked in again. Instead of pursuing a traditional path, I dedicated myself to building my social media following by sharing my adventures and photographs around Washington and the rest of the world.
I have traveled around the United States, trekked up to 17,000 feet in the Andes in Peru, explored cenotes in Mexico, and hiked through the Lofoten Islands in Norway, turning my passion for photography and exploration into my full-time career. And it all began with my time on the open road, where my love for art and travel melded into one.
Today, as I look out at Big Sur with that same salty air whipping through my hair, it’s finally hit me—I’m living my dream. The salty breeze, the winding roads, and the sense of limitless possibility take me back to that first road trip and the conversations with Hannah under the evergreens. The plans we made then shaped my life, and every choice to chase adventure feels like coming home.
