This was my second time returning to California. However, this time I ventured North. On my first trip, I experienced the typical California that we all hear about: surfers, gorgeous beaches, and the “LA life”. The second time I was in the mountains.

This place was magical. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. Being from the east coast I was not used to this type of scenery. What we call mountains in the Northeast are not much more than glorified hills. These were mountains. They were enormous pillars of rock reaching up to the sky. Ever since I was a kid, I had dreamed of staying in places like this.

Lake Tahoe was one of the first places that sparked my never-ending need to see and experience the world. This place gave me clarity and direction in life. I saw myself in my surroundings and wanted more of it.  Because of this trip, I knew that I wanted my “every day” to be like this.

These photos were taken around the campgrounds near Fallen Leaf Lake and the Southern Basin of Lake Tahoe.

This was my first time leaving the East coast. I had seen places like Florida and the Bahamas, but nothing like this. California was a whole new world. This trip opened my eyes up to what else was out there. I wanted to see more, experience it all. This trip gave me the first clue to what the world is like and sparked my love for travel.

Flying over the Rocky Mountains was surreal in itself. Never had I seen mountains like these. Crossing them was kind of symbolic of the trip that was about to begin. When I arrived there was nothing but rolling green hills, palm trees, and the great Pacific. On top of these amazing views,  the people there had such a laid back lifestyle compared to the hustle and bustle in the northeast. They were so welcoming.

In my time there I experienced the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, exotic sea life, and Catalina Island and all its wonders. These things left me in an everlasting state of awe.

The photos were taken throughout Southern California in places such as Laguna Beach, Los Angels, Catalina Island, La Jolla, and Venice Beach.

Although I didn’t see it at the time, life was an adventure. No responsibilities and unlimited freedom. It would seem that I had it made. In hindsight, I see this, but back then freedom was all I was searching for. My world was small, really small, and I wanted it to be bigger, grander. New Jersey was the stepping stone to where I am now. It was my first set of challenges, my first home, and where I discovered what I wanted my life to become. These photos are a compilation of my time in New Jersey and my favorite places there. Locations include various places on the Appalachian Trail, Mount Tammany,  Sunrise Mountain, Pyramid Mountain, and Long Beach Island.