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updated in 2025 for easier navigation- look back to the beginning in 2019 below

It has been one year since we moved to Florida! One year of new experiences and new places as we have adjusted to living here on the coast. What an incredible year this has been and how grateful I am for those who have been following along. So allow me a moment of looking back over our Florida favorites. Thank you 2019 for all the adventures, can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store for us!

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By The Numbers:

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Favorites & Highlights

This year proved to be one of new beginnings and new adventures. We had moved from Utah to Florida at the end of 2018. We were on the other side of the country from everything we knew. We jumped into life on the coast and weekends at the theme parks with the occasional adventures here and there.

Holidays in the Wizarding World

One of our first adventures in our new home state was a visit to Universal Studios during the holidays. The park was decked out in holiday finery and it made a magical place feel all the more special. Of course, the Harry Potter World was our favorite part of the park. We loved the light display on the Hogwarts castle.

{read the post: Holidays in the Wizarding World- Universal Studios}

Family Day at Cape Canaveral

My husband was working at Cape Canaveral. We got to go on a behind the scenes tour of the Cape during their Family Day. It was incredible to see some of the rockets that have gone into space. There was so much planning and preparation that went into each one. What a feat of courage and engineering.

{read the post: Cape Canaveral}

Castillo de San marcos

On a weekend trip we drove up to the oldest city in the country- St. Augustine. The city itself is beautiful and full of history. But if you want a deep dive into the history then the best place is Castillo de Sand Marcos National Monument. This old fort shows the movement of powers and influences before finally being part of the U.S.

{read the post: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument}

Discovery Cove

Of all the theme park experiences we had, one of our favorites was spending a day at Discovery Cove. This all inclusive day resort is an experience like no other. Swim with dolphins, pet stingrays, float the river- all with plenty of free food throughout the day. We loved getting to share this park with family.

{read the post: Discovery Cove}

Smoky Mountain National Park

Over a long weekend we met up with some family in the North Carolina part of the Smokey Mountains. We loved being back in the mountains again. We hiked up to Clingman’s Dome and drove along some of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is no wonder this is such a favorite national park.

{read the post: Smoky Mountain National Park}

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Misadventures & Lessons Learned:

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Reader Favorites:

This year has been full of learning- about Florida, about blogging, about us as a family. Some places meant a lot to us, and some places were more interesting. Here are the posts that readers enjoyed the most.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Missing home one day, I shared a previous visit to Bryce Canyon National Park. This is one of my favorite national parks. I love the red rock hoodoos and the winding paths in the valleys. It is an incredible experience to be down in the rocks and see where the red rocks meet the sky. It felt so far from the coast that was now my home.

{read the post: Bryce Canyon National Park}

Fieval and Curious George

One of the greatest children’s areas at any theme park is at Universal Studios. Here kids can run amok with curious george in a splashy water filled house, ride the coaster with Woody Woodpecker, and get lost in the maze of household items with Fieval. (content note: this area no longer exists at Universal Studios having been replaced with the new Dreamworks Land. But to remember what a fantastic area had been there, it is remembered here)

{read the post: Fieval and Curious George- Universal Studios}

Anne of Green Gables

Sharing another previous visit, this one to Prince Edward Island. As a long time kindred spirit with the Anne of Green Gables books, this trip was all the more beautiful. L.M. Montgomery put her small Canadian island on the map with her beautiful stories of the orphan Anne. Seeing the museum and house was really special.

{read the post: Green Gables & The Anne of Green Gables Museum}

The Gingerbread House

One of the most creative and impressive displays of gingerbread happens at the Grand Floridian Resort. The central area becomes the front yard to the largest gingerbread house I’ve ever seen. Thousands of people come to the resort each year, solely to witness this creative and delicious display.

{read the post: The Gingerbread House- The Grand Floridian Resort}

Festival of the Holidays

The theme parks during the holidays are really an incredible and beautiful experience. We enjoyed all of the parks festivities, but the one that stood out the most was Epcot. With cultural displays, stories, events, and of course food- this is one of the greatest holidays around the world showcases.

{read the post: Festival of the Holidays-Epcot}

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Looking Ahead to 2020:

It seems that this next year may be bringing changes and adventures in a different place. My hubby has been reached out to about a job in Tennessee. We don’t know for sure yet if it will go through. But right now we are turning our thoughts to the rolling hills instead of the sandy coast.

If it goes through then this time next year I’ll write to you from Tennessee. If not, then I will have a lot more adventures to share from Florida. Keeping fingers crossed that the path will open up as it should.

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Thanks for coming along on this first year of Grand Misadventures. I appreciate you and the time you have given in sharing with our story. Happy New Year!