In case you were unaware, I’m currently on an extended road trip across the United States.

During my first week on the road, I decided to drive North and finally snap a photo that I was tossing around in my head since my first Pismo Beach trip. About a year ago, I discovered the miles of sand dunes that sit between the beach and lush farmland near Guadeloupe, CA. I knew that when the sun was setting over those dunes, it would make for a wonderful backdrop with warm, even lighting – and so I went back North, up the coast of California before leaving it behind for 12 months on the road.

En route, I stopped for a night along the Pacific Coast Highway near Santa Barbara and slept with my bedroom windows open – just a few feet from the waves. (Lethal Weapon style) Actually, there were hundreds of RV’s lined up along that stretch of PCH. The real estate doesn’t get much better than that.

Before making my way up to Pismo Beach, I spent a few days in Los Alamos, home of Full of Life Flatbread – a favorite dining destination of mine. Clark Staub, the owner, took me around to the farmers markets where he and Chef Brian Collins do their weekly shopping and plan the menu. (which changes weekly based on what looks good and is in season)

I shot some photos of their fresh dishes and packaging for their website and also had the opportunity to photograph Clark, Brian Collins and Evan Klein (master of the wood fired oven) for Edible Santa Barbara Magazine.

While I was in Los Alamos, I put over 100 miles on the new motorcycle, since the hilly roads are great for riding and the weather was gorgeous. I included a photo (below) of a spot where I stopped my bike to eat lunch in the Los Padres National Forest. It was an amazing scene.

I did eventually make it up to the Pismo Dunes, where I spent a two nights parked right against the sand. Sid, my Jack Russell Terrier,  loved it out on the dunes and I managed to toy around with the idea that I was tossing around in my head.  More to come from that shoot soon…