Image: Yours truly on the beach in beautiful Laguna Beach by the talented Geoff Moore, my photojournalistic partner in crime up and down Route 1

I just returned from an epic journey up and down the Coast on Highway 1 from Laguna Beach to Sea Ranch (Sonoma/Mendocino border-ish), working on a travel article about the breakneck but beautiful road trip for KLM’s in-flight mag. As I settle back into L.A. life and try to process it all, I’m left feeling utterly in love with my state, all dreamy and aflutter with butterflies. I’m just so grateful to live in this special (true blue) state. It is truly something else–a nation practically (an argument for secession comes next).

For people like George Bush senior to refer to us as “a bunch of California hot tubbers” is really missing the point. I embrace the progressive, expansive laid back beauty of my great state. I feel like I never really knew her before (is that appropriate to call a state “she,” since guys call cars “she,” hmmm…) Anyway, Cali is so varied but always interesting, eclectic and magical.

I finally saw the Milky Way when we were up in Sea Ranch, for the first time. I had seen the stars when I was in Woodstock years back, but nothing beats the visibility up on the edge of the Sonoma Coast. It made me wonder if not seeing the stars every night in cities like L.A., New York and San Francisco, further disconnects us from the cosmic pulses and, in turn, ourselves. But that’s just me getting New Age…that’s what we are out here, nothing but a bunch of New Age, hybrid-driving, California hot tubbers… and to use the words of our stodgy and devout accusers: “Amen!”

Image: Another gorgeous shot by GM of cows on an overhang overlooking the ocean on the dazzling Sonoma Coast–we’re about 5 hours from Oregon at this point…

Posted by Shana Ting Lipton