West Coast, Best Coast?

/ karaknick

I am from still debating…but this trip made it hard to not want to stay out west.

Being from Pennsylvania, part of me will always have a home here in my heart, but the landscapes and weather out west are unmatched. Maybe it was the combination of seeing and meeting friends that made it so special, but still. After over a year of not really seeing my friends, (and not seeing some of these particular friends in 3-4 years!) I was more than ready to be reunited with them and have some cross country adventures. I am in my feelings all over again just thinking about it!

First, I arrived in Flagstaff and met up with my friend JT, where he was on a weeklong vacation to see the Grand Canyon and some surrounding areas. Together, along with three of his friends (who quickly became mine, too) we visited not only the great Grand Canyon, but took a side-by-side through Sedona, swam in Lake Powell, dared to look down over Glen Canyon Dam, and felt lucky at Horseshoe Bend. (I’m fortunate that JT is a videographer, so stay tuned for some awesome footage of this trip! And check out his wedding videos & website here.)

Grand Canyon:

  • With JT!
  • The whole gang.
  • Bright Angel Trail
  • I look like I’m filing The Lion King.

Glen Canyon/Lake Powell/Horseshoe Bend, etc.

  • Lake Powell was perfect for a dip.
  • Stopped for a sunset.
  • Glen Canyon Dam
  • When your drink matches your shirt.
  • “Dino tracks”
  • Truly such a beautiful view no matter where you stand.

Sedona:

  • First stop on the trail.
  • Enjoying a beer in the shade of a cave.
  • Some shops on the main street.
  • Hike up to Devil’s Bridge.
  • Our ride 🙂
  • Devil’s Bridge: It’s scarier being on the other side looking than actually walking out on it!

It just so happened that my incredible friend from home, Eli, was also in Flagstaff because he was going to RUN the Grand Canyon. Yeah, you heard right. Bright Angel trail, the rim of almost 50 miles. Insane. Anyway, there was one night of overlap so I got to see him for a couple hours the night before his big run! He does a lot of epic things like this and raises money for the Inclusive Outdoors Project, which you should know about (and donate if you’re able)!

Next, I left Arizona and made my way to California, where my friend from college, Casey, picked me up from the airport and we headed back to his place with his boyfriend Taylor in Venice. It was a couple days of beach walking, hard kombucha drinking, mountain climbing, and sunset chasing, as well as time playing with Hudson, his cute pup! I also walked the famous canals, wandered down the ever-busy boardwalk (even at 7 AM!), and checked out Santa Monica Pier. (Sidecar donuts for the win!)

  • Hiking in the clouds
  • Little library
  • The Venice canals
  • At JuneShine the first night
  • Santa Monica Pier
  • Mosaic Tile House

Before leaving, I was able to meet up with my friend and fellow Madwoman, Karla. We’re both poets that recently left Pittsburgh (she moved out to LA!) and caught up with one another over coffee. If you’re also an artist in LA or looking for one, here is her website.

Last but certainly not least, I arrived in San Diego where I met up with my high school friend Elle and her girlfriend Bria. It’s like we never missed a beat! There were so many evenings of long talks late into the night where we laughed so hard I thought I’d physically hurt myself, and days filled with trying the best tacos and most decadent ice cream, and watching an epic sunset our last night- at a spot literally called “Sunset Cliffs.” We may have talked about me moving to San Diego… and with the beauty that is the seaside, Balboa Park, and weather like that, who wouldn’t consider it? I did a day trip to La Jolla as well, made friends with some chunky seals, and had the best tacos. Check it out:

  • La Jolla
  • Dragonfruit smoothie
  • Mission Beach
  • The Baked Bear!
  • Belmont Park
  • Can you spot the sea lion?
  • La Jolla Swing
  • Salt & Straw ❤
  • I ate ice cream for 3 days straight
  • Balboa Park
  • Reunited!
  • Last night at Sunset Cliffs

Can you believe ALL of that was just in one week?!

Like I said, I’m from the east coast and Pennsylvania will always be home, but…nice weather, awesome national parks and unique landscapes, Salt & Straw ice cream…it tugs at my heartstrings.

What do you think? West coast, best coast?

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