A Trip Up the California Coast with Ali Dobbs
Whenever I travel, I’m always stuck trying to think of a way to bring home the memories in a physical way. I’ve started a postcard collection and, more recently, tried to remember to bring my Polaroid camera with me so I can have an instant photograph. Both of these have served me well, but sometimes a trip can feel so special that a postcard or a photograph just can’t do it justice.
When I heard about Dune Jewelry, I knew it was the perfect way to freeze a moment in time from my travels and carry it with me from that point forward.
I have quite a few pieces of Dune Jewelry at this point, but one of my favorites is my Square Rope Stacker Ring that I filled with sand from Big Sur in California. I was initially worried that wearing it every day would cause damage to the beautiful piece, but after almost 6 months of continuous wear it looks just like it did when I got it!
My Trip Up the California Coast
This past fall I was able to save up enough money to do quite a bit of traveling, and my first big trip was to the West Coast. I have a friend in Los Angeles and a friend in Sonoma, so I started my adventure down south and then made my way up. My few days in Los Angeles were amazing, and it was so nice getting to catch up with a friend and see her new home. I was reluctant to leave the warm and sunny paradise, but I was even more excited for my next leg.
I rented a car and drove from L.A. all the way up the Pacific Coast Highway. The views were absolutely breathtaking, and I almost couldn’t believe that I was lucky enough to get to see it all with my own eyes. Along the way I made a few stops: a detour into Solvang, a tiny Danish-inspired town; Monterey, where I stayed overnight at the cutest bed-and-breakfast; Big Sur, a gorgeous stretch of state park; and Pigeon Point Lighthouse, because I love a good lighthouse.
Sonoma wine-tasting and the Big Sur Coast
I made it safely to Sonoma and spent a couple of days wine-tasting and exploring with my friend, and realized there is so much to love about this expansive state. I couldn’t possibly capture it all, but I chose to put sand from Big Sur into my ring to signify that the journey can be just as great as the destination. I didn’t get to spend enough time on the Pacific Coast Highway, so my piece from Dune is also a reminder for me to go back someday and finish my adventure.
– Alison Dobbs
