Beautiful destinations, unexpected locations, new friends and old friends, I had the best year of travel I’ve ever experienced. The second half of 2019 has been a monster to a lot of people, and travel eased a lot of the pain and grief that I experienced. Through this year’s travels, I found my freedom. Here is a review of some of my top adventures in 2019.
2019 Travel Stats
Countries Visited: 3
States Visited: 12
Miles Flown: 18,586
Bucket List Items Checked: 5/30 (Write more, join a blogging collaborative, make amends with the mistakes of my 20s, explore my backyard, take a glamping trip)
Most Meaningful Trip – Colombia
I wrote a post about my adoption story, and how my life was forever changed by a courageous girl’s decision and a loving family’s open arms. In September, I was able to reunite for the second time with my biological family and meet one of my biological sisters for the first time. It was very special to be able to connect with the people that I take after, or whose traits I share.This was also the first time where I heard the words “Are you sisters?” and was able to answer “Yes!”
Craziest Travel Story – New York City
Murphy’s Law was enabled while my friend Erin and I tried to get to New York City.
To make a long story short, our flight got delayed for an unknown amount of time. We had tickets to see the Rockettes that night and a car scheduled to pick us up. After frantically trying to re-patch our plans (including moving our Rockettes tickets and getting on another flight), our original flight was back on schedule to depart only an hour later than originally planned.
We scrambled our way out of our newly-defined plans to adjust back to the original ones, grabbed a shot of cinnamon whiskey, and hopped on the plane. When we arrived at LGA we had exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes to our hotel, drop our bags, and get to Radio City Music Hall! Of course we had a nightmare of a time finding our vehicle that we ordered, had to change at the hotel, and it was raining so traffic was bad.
Ultimately, we made it to Radio City with 15 minutes left before the show started. The security line wrapped around the block, and our ill-planned selves forgot an umbrella. We picked a broken one up off the group and spent 14 minutes half shielded with water racing down our backs.
We got to our seats with 1 minute and 30 seconds to spare.
The Rockettes were magical in every way. I cried.
Would do it again, that same way, in a heartbeat.
Best Adventure – Punta de Mita
Whale Watching in Punta de Mita, Mexico? I’ll let the video do the talking.
Most Unique Experience – Salt Cathedral
Colored lights echoing against the sparkle of salted walls and crystal chandeliers. The Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá, Colombia was a beautifully lit, ever-inspiring man-made cathedral inside of a retired salt mine. 500 meters below the mountain I found caverns that seemed to have no end, and wonders beyond my wildest dreams.
Most Beautiful Hike – Custer State Park
Without a doubt the most beautiful hike I took this year was on a Glamping trip I took with two of my best friends in the Black Hills.
It was steep (we opted for a more difficult trail), it was hot, but it was wonderful. Not only is it great to share nature with some of your favorite humans, but the connection and conversation that comes from helping each other make it to the next stopping point is something that I have always valued and enjoyed.
Best Beach – Princess Cay
The blues of the Bahamas captured my attention this year. While some of these islands have since been devastated by Hurricane Dorian, Eleuthera (the island of Freedom) has remained open. Laid back beaches and Bahamian charm roam free on this island. If you want to beach bum all vacation long, this is the place to do it.
Favorite New Destination – Nashville
I had an incredible time touring Nashville, TN this spring. I was able to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame where I connected with country artists who I grew up listening to! Nashville was also the first city where I had the guts to go out to a bar by myself. I was here for work, and wanted a chance to listen to some live country music on Broadway (the main street with the Honky Tonk bars you dream of seeing). Honestly, this city had rich night life, fun tourist attractions, and a strong cultural connection that made you want to throw off your hat and yell “Yeehaw!”
What I’m Most Proud of Accomplishing in 2019
- Built Mary on the Map from the ground up
- Wrote and completed items on my “30 Before 30” bucket list
- Connected with other travel/outdoors/lifestyle bloggers through various networking events and through social media
- Took my first self-planned solo trip (that wasn’t work-related)
- Saw wild humpback whales
- Landed in 3rd place as the Twin Cities Best Travel/Outdoors Blog or Instagram through the Twin Cities Collective
- Gained the courage to take my first solo trip abroad
- Fulfilled a dream by seeing the Radio City Rockettes
I hope my year of travel has inspired you to get off the couch and on an airplane. Travel takes you to unknown places both externally and internally. It opens your eyes to all of the things your life is rich with, and the things you could use more of. It is through travel that I have found myself the most, connected the best with people who are meant to last a lifetime, and gained my freedom.
Wishing you, your loved ones, and your passport a very happy, fulfilled and adventurous new year! – Mary
