bless the mess: I left my ♥ in Northern Cali

Open roads, windows down, my left arm swaying in the wind, a playlist for the trip, road stops in the little towns for coffee and muffins, stopping off to explore, documenting the trip...bliss!
Last week I took off and headed up North to Santa Cruz and San Francisco with my family. I decided if I am to live in California, I would dream it would be in Santa Cruz...or San Diego. I love San Francisco, but it's just too cold for a sun lover. Anyways, back to Santa Cruz, I go there every year with my family and over the years it has become my home. I just love, love, LOVE the fact that you can be crazy and weird and yet you are totally accepted. I went off exploring downtown and I had so many splendid conversations with complete strangers! My heart was so...oh man, I can even find a word that explains how much joy I had. It was really hard leaving. I had to come back Thursday afternoon for work, but I just wanted to stay and enjoy the rest of my day in a place where nobody knew who I was or my story. I was just another face in the crowd going about my business, enjoying that time with me and myself.
I may be back in Fresno, but my heart stayed in Santa Cruz. (Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip, enjoy!)