In a year marred by uncertainty, isolation, and loss, I was able to find a lot of joy, and I am extremely grateful for that.
For me, 2020 was a year of new beginnings, discovery, and accomplishment.
The greatest and most gratifying event of 2020 was leaving a career that I no longer found fulfilling to launch a tutoring company with one of my best friends. I was hungry for change, and even more desperate to find increased joy and autonomy in my professional life. I took a leap of faith, and can happily say it was one of the best decisions in my entire life. To work alongside someone you value and trust each and every day and build a thriving and meaningful company has been so incredibly rewarding and freeing. Cheers to taking risks, designing the life you want to live, and living on your own terms.
While I may be liberated, I am not above including this shameful plug right here: https://www.capitolteachers.com/
T and I turned a dream into a reality and took the first steps in building a log cabin in Deep Creek, Maryland! This fall we purchased land in western Maryland and we can’t wait until we finally break land and build our mountaintop home. Only 2-3 more years (apparently we’re not the only ones with the idea of building a home out there!) until our new mountain life begins — so really, any day now!
2020 was the year that I finished my book! I’m so excited that my book Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is coming out on April 1, 2021! I cannot wait to share this fun project with all of you!
Regarded as the Narrowest House in America
Of course, like everyone else, we spent more time at home than ever before. There was a lot of Netflix and HBO, a lot of cooking, a lot of reading, a lot of writing, and a lot of unloading the dishwasher (how can two people possibly go through so many dishes?!).
We also spent a lot of time outside, and that brought us boundless joy. I fell back in the groove of running and hiked more this year than ever before. Without question, our favorite new active pursuit has become cycling. This summer we bought new wheels and quickly fell in love with biking. We spent many of our summer and fall weekends going on long bike rides and exploring the beautiful trails of DC and Virginia. There are few things more invigorating than cruising along a long winding trail with the warm sunshine and cool breeze upon your face.
And of course, there was travel. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
Like the rest of the world, our international trips were canceled when the world shut down. We exchanged Mediterranean waters for mountains and rivers and Middle Eastern mosques and markets for red rocks and canyons. We know that not everyone was able to travel this year and we feel incredibly fortunate that we were still able to get out and explore.
Below are our favorite travel experiences of the year.
Favorite Destination of the Year: Tanzania
Tanzania and international travel feels like a lifetime ago. It’s probably no surprise that my favorite destination of 2020 also happens to be our sole international trip of the year. If you have read about and followed any of our travels, then you know that I will always gravitate towards the exotic and faraway destinations. Always.
ZANZIBAR
We traveled to Tanzania with our good friends Rachel and Charlie, who we’ve been lucky to travel internationally with before (read about our 2018 trip to Portugal here and here).
We spent the majority of our trip to Tanzania in Zanzibar, the exotic, yet ultra laid-back, main island off of the country’s mainland. The East African island boasts idyllic beaches, warm turquoise waters, and a vibrant mix of African, Indian and Arabic cultures.
There is so much more to do in Zanzibar than just lie on the beach and we balanced our time nicely between relaxation, active pursuits, and immersing ourselves in its rich culture. The island’s coral reefs and rich marine diversity make a great destination for snorkeling and diving.
Stone Town is the historic and art-centered part of the island, brimming with bustling day and night markets, local artisans, and a wide array of food and spice vendors.
One of my favorite things that we did on the island was take a cooking class and visit a spice plantation.
For me, Zanzibar is the ideal island: a breathtaking escape isolated in the depths of the Indian Ocean that’s void of commercialism. Instead, it’s characterized by a dynamic and lively culture, warm and welcoming people, and deep-rooted history.
Stay tuned for a detailed Zanzibar blog post once the world opens back up again!
Related Reads: Fez, Morocco, Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids
SAFARI (a.k.a one of my favorite things in life)
You may recall that my all-time favorite travel experience was our safari experience in South Africa. Exploring the African bush and witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat is simultaneously humbling and surreal. For the sake of not sounding too dramatic, for me, my first African safari wasn’t solely my best travel experience, it was one of the best experiences in my entire life. Not dramatic at all, right?!
A safari is as much about seeing animals as it is about the chase. Even the slightest hint of spotting an animal is enough to send your heart racing. It’s such a thrill. We were lucky to see an abundance of wildlife: water buffalo (which we did NOT see in South Africa!), elephants, giraffes, zebras, impala, warthogs, hippos, wildebeests, and a multitude of diverse notable birds.
While of course I loved our safari experience in Tanzania, they’re not lying when they say that you never forget your first. The four of us had all been on an African safari before (and yes, I recognize that may sound obnoxious), so that initial jaw-dropping awe you typically experience on your first safari wasn’t really here the second time around. So while exploring Tarangire National Park was absolutely amazing, it just couldn’t compare to our South African safari nearly six years before. It’s not Tanzania’s fault. Really, it isn’t. I’m not sure any travel experience will ever truly compare to my first safari experience.
There’s just nothing like your first time 🙂
Stay tuned for a much more detailed Tanzania safari travel guide!
Related Reads: South African Safari Guide, Cape Town
Greatest Travel Discovery of the Year: Falling in Love with America’s National Parks
In terms of travel, 2020 will forever be the year that I fell in love with America’s national parks. I visited 7 national parks this year, nearly doubling my previous life total. Each park I visited this year is magnificent and unique in its own right, but if I had to choose my top 3, I’d rank Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Arches as my favorites.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
Dare I say that Grand Teton National Park is my favorite of all of the national parks I’ve visited so far? A bold statement for sure, but it’s just so damn breathtaking here. Boasting jagged mountains, pristine lakes, miles upon miles of gorgeous trails, lush meadows, and fascinating wildlife, this natural wonderland is nothing less than magnificent.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Believe the hype. All of it. Regarded by many as one of the world’s best national parks, Yellowstone is also the world’s oldest park. Mother Nature was surely showing off when she created Yellowstone. The diverse and extensive landscape of this imposing park is remarkable. Yes, there are towering mountains. And crystal-clear blue waters. And exotic wildlife. But what sets Yellowstone apart from its peers is its unique geological and hydrothermal wonders. Erupting, boiling, oozing, steaming…so many things happening here all the time! It’s truly phenomenal!
Stay tuned for a combined travel guide blog post of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks soon!
Related Reads: Banff National Park, Arcadia National Park & Bar Harbor
Arches National Park
Fantastic red rock formations and astoundingly formed arches that look like they were carved by the hands of artists, Arches National Park is incredible. The sheer number and diversity of perfectly formed arches scattered throughout this expansive park is mind-blowing. We spent multiples days exploring this wondrous park. Each time we discovered a new arch, we would turn the corner, and find an even bigger, bolder, and more beautiful arch. This park is a true marvel.
Stay tuned for a complete guide to Arches National Park, Moab, and Canyonlands National Park — it’s my next blog post!
Related Reads: Red Rocks of Sedona, New Mexico Spa & Hot Springs
We visited several other wonderful national parks this year, too! Read more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas (and a few others in the southeastern region of the U.S.) here.
Jackson Hole, WY
It didn’t take long for Jackson Hole to quickly rise towards the top of my favorite U.S. destinations list. Enveloped by towering lilac mountains, a fierce and stunning meandering river, and quite possibly my favorite national park to date, Jackson Hole lives up to all of its ridiculous hype and then some.
There is no shortage of exciting things to do here: white-water rafting the Snake River (and do I have a story to tell here!), endless hiking while exploring a bounty of glorious trails, ATVing, practicing yoga on a mountain top, and if you visit during the winter, some of the best skiing (from what I hear) in the country.
Jackson Hole is a nature lover’s paradise, and an adventurer’s dream come true. Hailed as a year-round destination, it’s easy to see why so many instantly fall in love with this spectacular destination.
A complete guide to visiting Jackson Hole during the summertime is coming soon!
Related Reads: Oregon, Seattle, Vancouver
Big Sky, MT
Regarded by many as the gateway to Yellowstone, Big Sky is a spectacular destination in its own right. This marvel of nature spans nearly 6,000 acres, boasts four connected mountains, and is an outdoor paradise for nature and adventure enthusiasts alike. We absolutely loved our time here and spent our time fly fishing, horse back riding, paddle boarding, and brewery hopping.
Click here read all about our lovely time in Big Sky. We loved Montana so much that we’re going back in a few weeks to bask in its winter wonderland and go skiing!
Related Reads: Idaho, Colorado
Girls Trip to Paradise: St. John, USVI
In the midst of a pandemic, sometimes you just have to escape for a few days with your girlfriends to a tropical paradise. We celebrated our friend Liz’s 40th birthday on the stunning island of St. John, a sun-soaked haven defined by dazzling crescent bays, panoramic vistas, and untamed beauty.
As with any girls trip spent in the tropics, there was plenty of beaching, a lot of boating, and a ridiculous amount of boozing. And really, what else more could a group of girls possibly ask for?
Stay tuned for a future blog post detailing our utter debauchery in St. John (and for some travel tips, too, of course)!
Related Reads: Aruba, Dominican Republic, Cabo San Lucas
What will 2021 bring? Damned if I know! Ha! We have a number of domestic trips planned including the aforementioned trip to Montana, a return trip to Utah — Park City to be exact, for more skiing — Arizona, Key West, and hopefully a Pacific Northwest trip to visit friends. We are hopeful that a European trip will occur in late fall or winter, but of course, we will see what the year and vaccines bring!
Wherever 2021 takes you, I hope it brings you an abundance of joy, love, adventure, and growth. Wishing you a bountiful year brimming of new experiences, exciting destinations, and endless opportunities!
Happy Traveling, All!
