Homecoming
How many of you are eager to get on a plane to see the world? If you’re like me, traveling is the vessel to my blood flow. I feel happier when I can explore to old and new places. Like many, I’m very fortunate enough to still have a heart beat. Covid didn’t detour my plans too much. This is a world wind trip and a little fast pace, but here goes.
In 2017, I moved to Portland for Grad School. I left my heart in San Francisco. My trip begins on Saturday at 7AM from Portland to the Bay Area. The locals called San Francisco, the Bay or the Bay Area. A word of advise, don’t ever says San Fran or Frisco. This is a nail on a chalk board to the local Bay Area.
I stopped four times along the way for recharges. As soon as I get to Vacaville, I felt home. Before long, I reached Emeryville where I lived for over ten years. This was home for me. I charged my car prior to crossing the Bay Bridge. A little before 8pm I arrived at my final destination at 8PM.
Day1. I ventured out the city to do an elopement in the other part of the City. Palace of Fine Arts located next to the Marina District of San Francisco. The structure made with tall columns, red, yellow, and brown cement structure. The architecture resemblance of a Greek pantheon. It is a gorgeous place for engagement proposal, wedding, or a family picnic. In the water you can see turtles and swans enjoying their environment as the humans passing by. Across the street from a distance you can see Alcatraz and Angel Island in the Bay. I once did a 15K race at Angel Island in the pouring rain. A 360 panoramic view of the City, Alcatraz, and Golden Gate Bridge. To get there, you have to take a ferry from either Tiburon, the City, or from Vallejo.
Day 2. The next day, I decided to drive through the streets of San Francisco where I ran many races and pounded many asphalts. I didn’t realize how steep the hills were. I drove passed the Coit Tower and down the Lombard Street. I knew every turns and hills as I remembered them during my many marathon races.
Today, was a busy day for me. I had three shoots to do. Two of them were at the Legion of Honor Museum. The other one was at Lover’s Lane in the Presidio.
Days 3 and 4. The next I drove down to Santa Ynez along the coast toward Santa Barbara, CA. I stayed the night in Solvang, CA. Because, my photoshoot is the next morning at Sustone Winery in Santa Ynez. Did you know Solvang is known for its cute little Danish-style architecture town in Santa Ynez Winery? The drive itself took about 6 hours from the Bay Area. I did six shoots today and I am exhausted. I had to drive back to the Bay as I got a styled shoot scheduled for 10AM the next morning. The elopement shoot located at Sutro Baths or Lands End.
Day 5. Friday already here before I knew it. Today, I have two styled shoots at the Ackerman Heritage House Vineyard. It’s a charming victorian house located in heart of downtown Napa. It is one of the impressive and the oldest houses in Napa. It was built in just 90 days by Luther Turton. One of the most profound architects of the late 1890s and early 1900s. The library contained one of the books signed by Mark Twain himself. Indulge yourself and try the intimate multi-courses dinner experience paring them with the amazing wines.
Day 6. I ended my trip in Sonoma. Along the way to Sonoma I stopped by Domaine Chandon Winery, Castello D’Ambrosia, San Sebastien Winery, and Farmstead Restaurant. While in Napa, don’t forget to stop by one of the famous Michelin Stars Thomas Keller Bouchon Bakery and restaurant.
