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.