Shannon Lee Fotography: Travel

California

First stop......Los Angeles

One thing I discovered about LA is to never ask what should I do, but to ask where should I begin! The vast amount of famous attractions in a relatively concentrated space is mind blowing. My choices included amusement parks, architectural landmarks, art museums and galleries, beaches, parks, hiking, shopping and day trips to the desert, to name a few. It is truly a region of great diversity, amazing culinary delights, unique haunts and great character!

Second Stop...... The Desert - Joshua Tree

Viewed initially from the road, this Desert National Park consisting of over a half-million acres of vast rugged wilderness, didn't seem like the liveliest place. However once I submersed myself and took a closer look and got off the beaten path, I discovered a very fascinating terrain. With it's bighorn sheep, six different kinds of rattlesnakes, dramatic granite peaks and strange Joshua trees that sprawl their branches like twisted arms spread wide in the air I had entered a serenity of sorts. The fascinating geology and cultural history make this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable rains, and climatic extremes even more compelling and captivating! It's easy to lose yourself here, to forget about time, to turn off your cell phone and to just consume your surroundings through wide open eyes!

Along the Barker Dam trail, there is a display of petroglyphs etched on the walls of a granite overhang. The reason they look so visible and clear is because in the 1950's a movie crew shooting a Western on this location painted over them to make them more visible to the camera (what a stupid thing to do).

Coastal Drive From Los Angeles to San Francisco

This drive is still with me, visually it was the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. The soul-stirring beaches, the winding road that hovered dangerously over cliffs as it carried me through the most quaint coastal towns, veiled by mist that left me captivated. The clear blue freezing ocean that washes up along the elephant seal laden beaches and the wild flower hillsides that spill over cliffs made me want to stay. All of these things make me wish I could drink my coffee every morning with such a view. These images come to mind every time I think of California’s North Coast. It makes me wish I could make that drive everyday for a lifetime................

Final Destination.....San Francisco (aka..My favorite US City!)

San Francisco is considered one of the greatest cities in the world! Mark Twain was once quoted saying that "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." There is much truth to this statement! However, outside of it's chilly summer weather San Francisco to me is my favorite US City. Renowned for its chilly summer fog, steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture and its famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars, Little Italy and Chinatown
Frisco is truly a City not to be missed!