2018 in (Mostly) Travel Photos

Looking back on 2018 in travel photos without a doubt was packed with changes, some ups and downs, and exploring both new and old places. Every moment of 2018 has flown by, quickly moving onto the next with little time to think about or reflect on any previous happenings.

One thing I have been able to reflect upon is the fact that I wrote one blog, ONE, in 2018, and I will be damned if that doesn’t change in 2019. It’s one thing to get caught up in the whirlwind of life, but another to lose sight of a passion and love for both travel and writing, and then sharing both with all of you.

2018 began with the ending of relationships and the blossoming of new ones, mom-daughter bonding on the road trip of a lifetime, and well, a blizzard that I had quite a fun time sledding in.

The first half of the year continued with new relationships, second-semester senior year shenanigans, a cruise, and graduating from college. The second half began the same way the first half began, with the ending of some relationships and the start of amazing new ones, more traveling, renting my first apartment, and beginning my first ever “big-girl job” as an educator.

The year became a blur after the second half overtook my mind with lesson planning, running detention, grad school, and drowning in thousands of papers. That is until my flight took off for Colombia and I had fallen back in love with travel and writing…and here I am!

New York City

The year began in New York City — full of sledding, and quite honestly bundling up by the fire with a coffee and watching the peaceful snow continue to fall on the streets below. A few flight delays and changes later due to the “bomb noreaster” and negative temps, we were able to make it on the road from Florida beginning our road trip north!

Charleston, SC

Charleston stole my heart from the second we arrived. The picturesque, old-town feel had me feeling like I was in an old romantic movie (minus the fact that my mom was my travel buddy). We immediately began to search for the best food spots in town, caring more about filling our bellies with southern comfort food than seeing the gorgeous streets lined with oak trees and vibrant houses. Eventually we got to the sightseeing part, visiting Fort Sumter, the Calhoun Mansion, the old market, and various sections of the town. In between each spot, we made sure to fill up on fried chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, pulled pork, mac and cheese, and whatever other comfort foods we could find.

Asheville, NC

I should have probably named this section “The Biltmore Estate” since we stayed on the estate, toured the mansion, biked around the property (in less than freezing temps), got lost on the property, treated ourselves to facials, and even ate on property. However, we did venture around town, try out a few breweries, and sip some drinking chocolate from a chocolate factory in town. The food tour of the east coast continued here with more and more biscuits…

Baltimore, MD

Once we made it into Maryland, our adventures continued while exploring the quaint streets of Fells Point, the touristy sections of downtown, and Fed Hill where we could overlook the inner harbor and the surrounding areas. Somehow we found a way to continue our food tour of the east coast, filling up on crab cakes and lobster rolls (a much healthier version of a food tour).

Cruising to Mexico and Belize

For spring break, my friends and I went on a girl’s trip setting sail to Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Belize. I have been to the Mexico ports before, so we got off at one and went on a snorkel boating excursion to take in some salty air instead of taking in too many pina coladas on the ship! None of us had experienced cave tubing, where we drove hours into the wilderness of Belize (I swear we almost reached Guatemala) and leisurely tubed around inside a dark cave (yes, with bats).

Las Vegas, NV

Right after graduation, my dad and I took a trip out to Las Vegas (and lost our gambling money). We cut our losses inside the casinos and headed outside to take a tour of the Hoover Dam and visit Red Rock Canyon, where we got lost for a solid hour in the middle of nowhere and somehow (after a few scrapes and bruises) I of all people led us back to civilization. Directionally challenged, who??

The Grand Canyon

2 years prior I had hiked down the grand canyon and camped in bunkhouses for a couple nights and thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong.

One, because that trip was in the winter not the summer. Two, I didn’t come close to touching the water that time.

My 2018 trip started with a night at a ranch in an old-fashioned family wagon with activities like ATV-ing, clay shooting (watch out because I actually shot the clay disks mid-air!), horse-back riding and live music. The next morning we took a helicopter ride to our boats. We lived on these for the next two days except for the night we slept on the beach – open-air and everything. (Don’t worry, you’re not the only one…I also thought a coyote was going to eat me in the middle of the night. Instead, I just saw a few shooting stars!).

White water rafting the Colorado River is everything from exhilarating to exhausting. It’s 100 degree air to 50 degree water, and nothing in-between.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

After basically hanging on for dear life in the Grand Canyon, a few days later I had some time for rest and relaxation in Mexico at Breathless Resort and Spa. The healing powers of the sun, the salty air, a little sight-seeing (and the night club) had me ready to go back home and start adulting. Or so I thought…

Cartagena, Colombia

Endless winding streets and colorful buildings covered in flowers and European architecture took the months of worries and stresses of teaching away. It propelled me forward with a brighter attitude and more positive feelings for 2019.

The plazas and nightlife of Cartagena took me back to wandering the streets of Sevilla when I lived there for a couple months a few years back. It gave me a little piece of me I had been missing.

The second I was back in a foreign country, away from everyday life, I knew I had to bring my passion back to life to write about the cultures and places away from my own.

New York City

Where else end the year, but where you started it? My 2018 came to an end with many friends in the same area as last – in the best city in the world.

Here’s to all the life lessons (not mistakes), relationships, places, and memories I have formed in 2018! There’s nothing quite like looking back on 2018 in travel photos.