A few weeks ago I finally got the opportunity to go visit one of my best friends Ashley up in Northern California. I’ve been meaning to visit since she moved up there in March for work, but was finally able to make the time when our schedules fit together!

Ash and I have been friends since 8th grade. We’ve gone through so much together — growing up, fun times, stupid/silly moments, family tragedies — and no matter what we were going through, or where we were, I’ve always known that if I really needed something, Ashley would be there

I am so happy for, and proud of, Ash for everything she is doing in her life. It takes a lot of courage to move to a foreign town, knowing nobody, to take on a new and very challenging job. But, she has done it. She’s met some great people, has a great place to live, and I can say with confidence that I know she is truly happy, despite the occasional bouts of missing home.

Here are some of the photos I snapped on my trip:

I had to pull over on my way up there because I just thought this view was spectacular.

Ashley and me at a little lake near Monterey where we fed the ducks. Thanks to Chris for taking this for us!

These guys looked docile enough… but they scared the heck out of me! They’re pretty ruthless when it comes to getting their food.

And of course I had to get some portraits of Ash alone. Her eyes are really this stunning.

Great laugh. We manage to do this a lot together.

I got these right before having dinner in downtown Monterey.

This one was on the way home off of a different highway than the one I took up there. I’ve always had a strange fascination with these machines, having seen them a lot on family road trips as a little kid. I’ve never seen so many of them in one place, though! It’d be so fun to do a shoot in this field.

Thanks for hosting me, Ash! Looking forward to my next visit up there soon!