That Itchy Summer Feeling
It’s starting to feel like summer. The light hangs around a little longer, the days feel wider, and I’ve got that familiar itch to hit the road again.
After a recent Shasta trip, something’s been stirring in me. That mix of stillness and motion you only get from road-tripping. Waking up to light dancing on water, coffee in hand, no real plan except to chase good views and maybe some good light if I’m lucky.
Now I’m sitting here, looking at maps again—zooming in and out on Google Earth, dragging that little yellow guy onto roads I’ve never driven. I’ve lived in California my whole life, but somehow I’ve never done a proper road trip up the coast to Oregon. That’s been calling me lately. Crashing waves, fog-draped mornings, maybe a few empty beaches if I time it right.
Then there’s Zion. I’ve never been, but it keeps showing up in my feed and in random conversations, like the universe is nudging me. The red cliffs, the slot canyons, that soft light—it just feels like a place I need to see with my own eyes. I don’t know what it’s like to stand at the edge of those cliffs or walk through those narrows, but something tells me it would leave a mark.
I don’t know where I’ll end up yet—maybe I’ll flip a coin. What I do know is I’m craving that open road feeling again. No cell service, just a few good snacks, the camera in hand, and no real destination. Just the space to breathe and create again.
That’s what I love most about road trips. They’re not just about where you go—they’re about how you feel when you’re out there. The quiet, the freedom, the unexpected moments that end up sticking with you long after you’ve unpacked the car.
If you’ve got a favorite route, a quiet coastal town, or a random roadside diner that left a mark—send it my way. I’m taking all the signs the universe wants to throw at me.
And if you’re feeling the same itch, maybe this is your sign too.
#openroadseason #westcoastroads #roadtripdreams #oregoncoastphotography #zioncalling #summerphotographyvibes #wanderingnotlost #slowtravel #photographerontheroad #summerscenes
