---

Updated in 2025 for easier navigation- relive the moments and adventures of 2022 below

And so we come to the end of another year. This season always feels a little tender as I pause to reflect—looking back at what has passed and forward to what’s ahead. Some years are full of joy, others more challenging, but each carries its own lessons and moments of gratitude. The question, of course, is always the same: how do you really measure a year?

One of my favorite analogies is to think of life’s years as peaks and valleys in the mountains. Sometimes the climb is steep and rocky, with slips, stumbles, and even a few tears (and maybe some profanity). But then you reach the summit and are overwhelmed by how far you’ve come, how strong you’ve grown, and the breathtaking view from the top. The descent feels easier, lighter—but always with the knowledge that more peaks and valleys lie ahead.

By that measure, I’d say this past year has been more of a difficult climb, filled with its fair share of tears and rocky paths. Between ugly office politics, the stress of both Brad and me finishing our master’s degrees, and the disappointment of canceling much-anticipated trips to Costa Rica and France, it’s been a rough stretch. But I trust that a peak is ahead, and one day soon we’ll look back and see just how far this year carried us.

And even amid the climb, there were bright moments—wonderful weekend adventures that kept us grounded and grateful. This year alone has taken us to 16 states, including four that were brand new to me. So, let me share with you the places this year has brought us.

---

By The Numbers:

---

Highlights & Favorites:

We were disappointed to not add international trips to the year. But we certainly made our way through a lot of different states and experiences. There was a great variety of landscapes, history, and experiences that we enjoyed this year.

Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

There is seeing art in a museum, and then there is being consumed in art. The immersive Van Gogh exhibit felt like being surrounded, consumed, and totally changed by being part of the art. With the colors moving, changing, and reflecting it made us feel the art in a far deeper way.

{read the post: Experiencing the Immersive Van Gogh}

Buffalo National River

We got to celebrate the Buffalo National River turning 50 with a canoe ride with my in-laws. My in-laws have been coming here since they were young and then later with their kids. It meant a lot to them to share this place with a grandchild. It’s hard to say who enjoyed the canoe ride down the river the most.

{read the post: Canoeing Down the Buffalo National River}

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park holds the largest cave system in the world. No visit is ever the same. We decided to do the Domes and Dripstones tour and loved going deep down into the caverns of the caves. The formations were incredible. It’s hard to believe that there is an entire world of caves and paths buried beneath your feet.

{read the post: Domes & Dripstones- Mammoth Cave National Park}

Cuyahoga National Park

We visited Ohio, which was a first for us. During that weekend, we fell in love with the natural beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We loved the rocky ledges and the sweeping views of the buckeye trees. We especially loved the Brandywine Falls with the first hints of fall colors poking out.

{read the post: Visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park}

Franconia Notch State Park

There is no better place for fall leaves then the New England area. On a weekend trip we drove through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont seeing some of the lesser known historical sites. But our favorite part of the trip was taking the Flume Gorge Trail up through the rocks of Franconia Notch State Park.

{read the post: Hiking the Flume Gorge Trail- Franconia Notch State Park}

---

Misadventures & Lessons Learned

---

Reader Favorites:

I love to see what posts are the favorites of others. It is always interesting to see if they share my own favorites or if they are different. This year there seemed to be quite a bit of overlap between my favorites and reader favorites. Here are some of the reader favorites of the year…

Home of Mark Twain

On our visit to New England we stopped in Connecticut to visit the home of one of America’s favorite authors- Mark Twain. His home was interesting and beautiful. We learned about his time here in Connecticut and about his equally famous neighbor- Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was quite the amazing writer’s corner of the state.

{read the post: Visiting the Homes of Mark Twain & Harriet Beecher Stowe}

Belle Meade Plantation

Of all the plantation homes, Belle Meade is my favorite. Not only is the house itself beautiful, but it’s fame came not from crops but from race horses. All throughout the house you can see the love and pride of the horses they bred. The tour of the house is interesting as you wander through the beautifully decorated rooms.

{read the post: Visiting Belle Meade Plantation}

Uncovered Native American Community

On a visit to my aunt’s house in Colorado, I learned that she was working with a local leadership of a few Native American tribes. She had on buying her house, learned that the area use to be an ancient community of tribe members. Since then she has worked tirelessly to not only protect the sites, but work to educate others on them.

{read the post: Rock Circles & Prayer Trees- Lessons from the Native Americans}

Mobile Bay Alabama

A weekend in Mobile Alabama came with small towns, hidden fort, old battleship, and all the Mardi Gras fun. From one end of the bay to the other, this area of Alabama is a hidden gem. It is the best of both beach side town and Southern hospitality. We even happened to find ourselves in a dog parade going through town.

{read the post: Down By the Mobile Bay}

Chimney Rock State Park

On a visit to North Carolina, we spent a morning hiking at Chimney Rock State Park. Hiking to the large rock that juts out from the mountain is no easy feat. With hundreds of stairs to climb we were a little winded by the time we reached the top. But the views were amazing- even in the gray of early spring.

{read the post: Stairs to the Top- Chimney Rock State Park}

---

Looking Ahead to 2023

Right now, we’re holding our breath that our daughter’s passport will come. When that happens then we will be replanning trips to France and Costa Rica.

We’re also giving some thought to going to Banff National Park sometime in the next year. I know my husband is hoping for winter so he can ski while we are there.

I’m sure the year will take us to new parts of Tennessee and hopefully some more national parks to explore.

---

Thanks for coming along with me on this wild ride. I feel grateful for you and the time given, the comments shared, and the friendships created here in this corner of the blog world. Thank you for being part of my 2022. May this new year bring you love, joy, and many adventures.

Thank you 2022 for all you have given me, hello 2023 and all that you have in store!