2023 Travel Wrapped
2023 brought travels to new National Parks, new states, and revisiting old haunts (literally). So, a list of favorites are in order. There was no international travel this year, but perhaps the highest of highs was that I didn’t lose any luggage (we have fully recovered from the great Italy rollercoaster of 2022) or miss any flights.
First up, my favorite place that I stayed: Mill Creek Resort (Lassen Volcanic National Park, California)
This place felt like all of the sweet and nostalgic things about summer camp. Sleeping with sounds of the creek and crickets, campground-wide movie night, and making dinner with the windows open made this one the top of my list.
My favorite experience: (should come as no surprise to anyone that I’ve spoken to since August) swimming with sharks in Hawaii.
A scratch off the bucket list and an adrenaline-induced, dream come true fulfilled. On a deeper level, watching animals up-close in their natural habitat anywhere is bound to leave a lasting impression. I was awestruck and giddy and would do this a thousand times over.
My favorite revisit: Salem, Massachusetts in October.
Round 2 called for visits to new spots and anticipated stops at a couple of favorites (I’m lookin’ at you, Goodnight Fatty). Plus, who doesn’t love a drag performance of The Shining to celebrate the spookiest time of year!?
My favorite hike: Fern Canyon Loop Trail (Redwood National Park, California)
This was a tough call as there were a few stunning hikes taken this year. However, the kind of solitude that Fern Canyon offered was unmatched. It was the most beautiful morning spent amongst the redwoods that cemented itself as a core memory. I will never forget that scent or that feeling of being so quietly, yet powerfully immersed in nature.
My favorite drive: Up, around, and through the North Shore, Hawaii.
Spending my birthday with my besties driving along the coast popping into shops, getting the freshest food, and swimming in the bluest water fed my soul in ways that I can’t describe. Getting to and from was filled with super green land all around and the mesmerizing rows of pineapples from the Dole plantation.
A fabulous year all around! While filled with so many wonderful moments, I’m always learning about how I can be a better traveler — whether that means doing things more efficiently, getting better + more sustainable gear, or just being open to whatever is thrown at me. Some kind of wrench is often thrown in plans, and my hope is to always be adaptable and accepting of wherever the universe is guiding me.
To a fun and beautiful 2024!
