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Updated in 2025 for easier navigation- relive the adventures of 2021 below

There’s something special about the closing days of a year—the gentle pause between Christmas and New Year’s, when one chapter is ending and another is just about to begin. I love this quiet stretch of time, tender and reflective, when I can look back at the year that was and ahead to what’s coming next.

Like every year, 2021 held its share of highs and lows. There were moments of joy, moments of challenge, and plenty of ordinary days that formed the fabric of daily life. Together, they’ve woven the story of our year, and I’m grateful for all of them and the lessons they carried.

This was our first full year in Tennessee, settling into our new house and slowly making it our own. We’ve been exploring the state—adding more parks to our list, wandering new trails—and venturing into a few nearby states as well. Along the way, I managed to visit two states I’d never seen before and even one new country.

Looking ahead, I hope 2022 brings more opportunities for travel and a little less of the pandemic-related disruption we’ve all grown weary of. But before stepping into the new year, here’s a look back at where 2021 has taken me.

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By The Numbers:

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Highlights & Favorites:

This year has been full of exploring new parts of the state we now call home. Along with that, we’ve have visited some other states as well. There have been a lot of highlights in those adventures. But is the narrowed down list of the years favorites…

stones River National Battlefield

One of the things we love about where we live is the education it has given on the Civil War. There is a national battlefield close to our house. Walking along the paths of the battlefield and between the rows of the cemetery is a moving experience. Being able to learn this piece of history has been important and reflective.

{read the post: Leaving Pennies at the Stones River National Battlefield}

Solvang Danish Community

On a quick weekend visit to the Central Coast of California, we got to reconnect with some dear friends. From beautiful state parks, opulent hotel, and historic missions- we loved every minute of it. But our favorite part was visiting the beautiful Danish community of Solvang with the colorful architecture and cultural delights.

{read the post: The Danish Community of Solvang}

The Holy Land

I had the amazing opportunity to go on a study abroad program to Israel. This part of the world is so complicated looking at the different sides and the different parts of history. While many places moved me, the place that stands out for me is Tel Meggido National Park. Here layers upon layers of civilizations were built.

{read the post: Visiting Caesarea National Park, Tel Meggido National Park, & Safed}

West Virginia

We ran away to West Virginia for a few days to enjoy the natural beauty of this state. We got to visit the New River Gorge National Park. We spend a lot of time hiking to waterfalls and along old rail trails. My favorite part of our trip though was seeing the old grist mill on the river at Babcock State Park.

{read the post: The Old Grist Mill- Babcock State Park}

Universal Studios

We use to spend most of our weekends at one theme park or another. But since moving to Tennessee, we have missed these park days. So we took a weekend and went down to Universal Studios Orlando. Days of fantasy, whimsy, and all the butterbeer we could handle. This place really is magic.

{read the post: A Weekend at Universal Studios Orlando}

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Misadventures & Lessons Learned

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Reader Favorites:

This is the first year that I can say I have readers which is very exciting. I have loved meeting new people and developing new online friendships. Of the places I’ve shared this year, here are some of the favorites of my readers…

Fremont Street Las Vegas

This year I started looking back on places I visited before I started blogging about them. One of those favorite places is Fremont Street- the original strip of Las Vegas. This use to be all of what Las Vegas was, just a popular street in the desert of Nevada. When they built the new, modern strip Fremont Street became a lively entertainment district.

{read the post: Fremont Street- Las Vegas}

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Our favorite state park here in Tennessee is Fall Creek Falls. We keep coming back to hike down to the waterfall and walk across the long bridge. With so much natural beauty, it is no wonder this area became the first state park. It continues to be the favorite for us and many others.

{read the post: Bridge and Waterfall- Fall Creek Falls State Park}

Volcano Bay

On our weekend to Universal Studios, we spent a day splashing around at the water park Volcano Bay. This water park is like nothing we’ve done before. From taking a slow easy ride down the lazy river to the more thrilling tall slides, the day was full of fun. It is worth venturing past the theme park to enjoy their water park.

{read the post: Wet & Wild at Volcano Bay}

Basilica Aparecida

On another look back to favorite places, I wrote about visiting the Basilica Aparecida in Brazil. This was more than just visiting a church, it was an incredible lesson in gratitude. Watching people walk on their knees toward the church to be thankful for a miracle they had received and seeing the Hall of Miracles was really moving.

{read the post: Gratitude & Miracles with the Lady of Aparecida}

Grand Teton & Yellowstone

And last but certainly not least is the story of how Grand Misadventures got its name. In this look back to a disastrous trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. It was full of mishaps and misadventures to be sure. But it was the beginning of the idea that sometimes the best memories and stories come from travel gone wrong.

{read the post: Medicine, Sulfur, & Bear Spray…Oh My!}

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Looking Ahead to 2022:

As of right now, we have no plans in place for the coming year. Hopefully we will be able to plan our Europe trip since it was canceled this year. Also I’m sure we will add more state parks to our Tennessee list. And we have just begun in exploring the surrounding states.

But we’re excited to see what adventures lay in store for us on this trip around the sun. We’re welcoming a new year of adventures and detours and all that they will bring to us.

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Thank you for coming along down the year’s memory lane with me today. I appreciate the time and comments that you share with me and for letting me be part of your 2021.

I hope that this next year brings all good things your way and that it is a year full of love, joy, and adventure.

Thank you 2021 for all that you’ve given me. Hello 2022 and all that you have in store!