This marks my first “Year in Review” blog post, inspired by a talented young woman I met a few years ago. Taking her cue, I thought it would be interesting to reflect on the past year – the ups, the downs, and everything in between – and share it with you.

The Year at a Glance

Despite a demanding full-time job, I managed to accomplish several things.

2023 by the numbers:

• I sent 45 editions of my weekly #TravelTuesday email. 
• I explored 24 destinations.
• I visited 13 wineries, 9 breweries, and 2 distilleries with my boyfriend (the wineries were for me, the breweries and distilleries were for him).

Unique activities and firsts:

• I saw and sat in the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile (silly, I know, but it made my inner child really happy!).
• I stayed in a cool treehouse during my birthday trip in May.
• I tried boondocking and dispersed camping.
• I enjoyed a wonderful tour of historic churches.
• I visited the gravesites of Colonel Sanders and Muhammad Ali.
• I toured a once top-secret underground bunker at a famous resort in West Virginia.

I’m grateful for the places I went, the experiences I had, and more importantly, the people I met.

One of the highlights of 2023 was the trip my boyfriend and I took to Louisville, Kentucky. Despite the exhausting 8-hour drive each way (yawn), the four days in between were filled with a lot of fun activities, experiences, and food. (It was especially gratifying to hear him describe it as the best trip I’ve planned so far, especially since it served as our major vacation for 2023, coinciding with his birthday during that week.)

Goals from 2023

Here’s a look back at the goals I set for 2023 and how I did in working towards them.

• • Send #TravelTuesday Emails Every Week: I’m thrilled to report that I did well with this goal! While I didn’t quite hit the 52 mark, I sent  45 #TravelTuesday emails, and I feel pretty good about that. The positive feedback I’ve received about my emails makes me happy. As long as you, my awesome audience, find value in what I’m sharing, count on me to keep those emails coming your way! 

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• • Publish Weekly Videos: Regrettably, I fell completely short of achieving this goal. The demands of my full-time job left me mentally and creatively drained by the end of each workday. To find a compromise, I prioritized sending out the #TravelTuesday emails.

• • Attend the annual DC Travel & Adventure Show: Sadly, I missed the travel show last year, and it was such a letdown! I had everything planned—I booked a hotel and made the drive up to the DC area, all geared up for the event. However, during the drive, I started coming down with a sore throat and felt completely rundown. By the next morning, I was feeling awful and had to make the long journey back to central VA. What a bummer!

• • Go on at least 1 Trip Every Month: At the beginning of 2020, I promised myself a monthly adventure, and guess what? I’ve kept that promise to myself. To help make this possible, I opened a dedicated bank account specifically for travel and have the funds automatically deposited for my payroll. This has been a game-changer. Whether a quick day trip, a cozy overnight stay, a weekend getaway, or a more extended escape, I’ve taken at least one trip every month. Not only do these trips bring me joy, but each one also teaches me something new, helping me make the next adventure even better and giving me something to share with you.
    

Goals for 2024

Below are my goals for this year. Sharing with you will help keep me accountable.

• • Send my weekly #TravelTuesday emails: This year, my goal is to send them out weekly and so far, I’m on track to make this happen.

• • Publish weekly YouTube videos: While achieving 52 is no longer feasible as it’s almost February, I currently have several videos in development and am excited about resuming regular uploads.

• • Share my free travel challenge: In my ongoing efforts to help others create a fulfilling life with travel and adventure, I’ve created the Adventure Awaits 7-Day Email Challenge. Participants receive daily emails educating them on 1 topic, quick action steps to take related to each topic, and access to me – all at no cost. 
    

• • Make my travel workbooks on Amazon: Another method of facilitating smarter travel experiences, I’ve created several carefully crafted workbooks. These have been designed to make travel planning easier and the journey more enjoyable and should be available for sale in February. Stay tuned!

• • Attend the annual DC Travel & Adventure Show: Barring any unexpected illnesses or emergencies, I’ve set aside February 24th & 25th to attend the DC Travel & Adventure Show in Washington, DC—my absolute favorite event of the year! It offers interesting presentations, vendors showcasing destinations worldwide, and chances to meet and get pictures with speakers. The highlight (for me) is always the photo booth (my first stop to avoid long lines later). I can’t wait!

Personally Speaking

What was 2023 like for me beyond A Traveling Broad?  I can’t complain.

My boyfriend, Duane, and I relocated from northern to central Virginia about 1 1/2 years ago. I love the area and had visited many times before moving since he is from here. We live about 30 minutes from Charlottesville in a rural area. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and less expensive. We’re renting a small home with 15 acres, which has been great for all of us (especially when I get to go outside and relax on my hammock when the weather permits).

Moving was a good decision and allowed us to escape the traffic, constant construction, and cramped condo living. We live just a few miles down the road from Duane’s parents and brothers, who we used to only see a few times a year. Since we lived less than an hour from my family for the majority of our relationship, it was his turn to be close to his family.

Despite being 3 hours away from my family, I was able to participate in two significant celebrations in the latter part of 2023: my mom’s 88th birthday and my great-nephew’s 1st birthday. I feel incredibly fortunate that my mom is still around and my great-nephew couldn’t be cuter.

Professionally, I’m coming up on my 4th work anniversary. Last summer, I made a lateral move, which brought about several positives: reporting to my former boss and good friend again, maintaining the same salary and benefits, and continuing to work remotely. 

I ended the year with a solo trip to North Carolina. My boyfriend was supposed to go with me but he wasn’t feeling well and encouraged me to go alone since I’d already planned and paid for the trip. Despite the change in plans, I enjoyed myself and he got to rest and recuperate.

I hope the year brings you health, happiness, and lots of travel adventures. Cheers to 2024!

 

Some of My Favorite Travel Photos of 2023