I just got back from a work trip to Salt Lake City, and was stoked to take advantage of my free time in such an amazing place. The Great Salt Lake is insanely gorgeous and huge and seemingly never-ending. I’d really only driven through the area at night in the past, so it was all new to me. You impatiently walk a ways down a crackly, dry beach to reach the calm water with views of the mountains every way you turn. It’s the kind of sunset experience that you never want to end. I barely even edited this photo – it is seriously just that perfect. So is the mole at Red Iguana for that matter. And the town of Park City. The weather was pretty darn spectacular, too. Photos of the hike I took on my day off will come soon.

It’s the first day of summer, and the heat is here, so I’m a bit jealous of that California coastal weather. Here are a couple more photos from Garrapata State Park.

Warm water, waves, hot sun. Sometimes I just need a beach getaway. It’s a time to reconnect with my roots. While I was in my hometown of Virginia Beach last weekend with some friends from college, I watched dolphins, pelicans, osprey, sand crabs, and lots of people enjoying the atmosphere – including these two ladies. They were so sweet, holding hands, watching the waves and the birds, and walking slowly down the beach. I loved their similar swimswuits, angular postures and bright colors. But then again, I also love watching people as they watch nature. Plus it’s pretty great seeing people respect and admire the ocean and all the wildlife that lives in or off of it.