It's been a busy couple months and I've been SO eager to revisit the photos we took from our big travel adventure of 2015. Several of these images are actually now available for purchase in the J. Lee Photos Print Shop, so be sure to take a look! Back in October, Kenneth and I decided to opt for a week-long domestic adventure rather than one overseas. We thought it seemed appropriate to take our time traveling up the coast as we made our way to Yosemite to complete (our first ever!) half marathon.

We ventured out of LA and started our trek up the PCH and stopped here and there along the way. Although the weather was a bit dreary (and WINDY), we loved taking in the sites of the ocean and the seals at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Our goal was to make it up to Big Sur to camp for a few nights at the incredible Ventana Campground. There are definitely no shortage of incredible places to stay and explore in Big Sur, but we highly recommend Ventana.

We set up camp in time for it to start raining on us and we loved waking up to the fresh air among the breathtaking Redwoods. As luck would have it, we scored campsite #20, which is by far the most secluded and spacious of the entire camp, with the exception of our raccoon and deer visitors each night. It was so fun to see them up so close to us!

After getting some food, we spent the rest of our day heading up the coast and timing it right to be at the Bixby Creek Bridge at sunset.

Chasing the dreamy light and capturing the beauty all around...

In my happy place:

Thankful to see such beauty all around and the thrill of getting shots like this is hard to really even put into words. I'll let the photo do the talking, instead!

We wrapped up our time in Big Sur by staying up way past our old person bedtime and headed over to the Esalen Institute for a late-night hot springs experience.

Each morning, you're able to call in as a member of the public to the Esalen Institute and get your name on the list to use the hot springs. There was no better way to end our time in Big Sur than under the stars, in a hot bath while overlooking the ocean in peace.

Stay tuned for Part II, as we head further up the coast to Carmel and make our way to The City.