On Mother’s Day, I took my son on another road trip—this time, once again, to Gualala. In a previous post, I shared my first experience exploring this charming town and its quiet beauty.
I’m not sure what drew me back. I’d planned it as a photography trip, but naturally, the light was terrible. The forecast had promised a partly cloudy day with rain to follow—ideal, I thought.
Wrong.
Still, by evening, after a lovely dinner at Vue Kitchen, we found ourselves walking the Gualala Bluff Trail. This one-mile path runs along the river, offering sweeping views of the water, Gualala Point Regional Park, and the open ocean. And as the light shifted and softened, it finally revealed its magic—just in time for my FEATURED PHOTOGRAPH (f/9, 1/250s, ISO 1600, handheld, 85mm). Note the high ISO, and know that for the most part it is not a limiting factor anymore. I cleaned the image with the “de-noise” function in Adobe Camera Raw.
Since my husband passed away in 2022, I’ve found myself quietly drawn to portraying couples. They often appear in my photos, unplanned. There’s something quietly profound about two people choosing each other—a kind of intimacy unmatched by any other bond.
Most of the images from this trip will end up as stock, or nowhere at all. But the memories are the real keepsake. I spent the day with my 31-year-old son—still, and always, the best company I could ask for.
If you visit Gualala, don’t forget to visit Paul Kozal’s beautiful gallery. His portfolio is here also for your appreciation. The very best.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
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