The Places I've Traveled in 2018
I thought it would be fun to recap this past year in travel. I’m not going to include most of the little trips around Iowa. And I will link to any videos that I made from those trips. m
January:
1.16 - 2.6 Sri Lanka
We spent three weeks in Sri Lanka and I loved it. We started at Talalla Beach, which was actually an accident because we meant to book a place at Tangalle Beach. But it was a lucky mistake because Handun Villas was amazing and there were only a handful of others on the beach with us.
From there we did a safari at Uduwalawe on our way up to Ella. We hiked Little Adams Peak which was a quick one with amazing views. There were a lot of great food and coffee options there.
We took the famous train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, which was breathtaking Nuwara Eliya was an odd little town but we went to St. Andrews hotel, sat by the fire places and the boys played a game of Billiards on a 100 year old table brought from Columbo by 6 elephants.
We spent a night north of the airport to send our friends off before heading south of Columbo to Induruwa for a few nights. Neither of us were very impressed with that area and so we did a day trip to Hikkaduwa to walk through the tsunami museum before heading further down to Galle, which we were pleasantly surprised by. It was a cute little area and if you’re into shopping that’s your place.
We spent the remainder of our trip in Welligama, which we both loved. Just a laidback beach town where you can learn to surf, rent a board or relax in the sun.
I have two more weeks of footage from this trip to edit, but here’s our first week.
February:
2.16 — San Diego (Encinitas and Temecula)
2.17 - 2.20 — Phoenix
Michael announced a race in Temecula, California so we stopped through Encinitas while we were there, but nothing to crazy to report from this trip. From there we flew to Phoenix to visit his parents for a few days because they spent the winter down there. We went on a fun little hike on the Hieroglyphic Trail, which is very easy and family friendly. I don’t have a vlog from this trip actually.
May:
5.17-5.21 — San Francisco (Bay to Breakers)
We went to San Francisco because Michael was announcing Bay to Breakers, which I decided to run. And it still is at the top of my list for favorite races I’ve done. Physically and mentally I felt great. I enjoyed running so much and didn’t struggle at all. The atmosphere is great and there are runners of all abilities, costumes, you name it. Here’s my vlog from that trip.
June:
6.14-6.17 — Chicago (Julia’s Bach)
I went to Chicago for a weekend trip for one of my best friend’s bachelorette party. We did paddle board yoga, hired a party boat and danced our faces off late into the night. I don’t have a video from this trip because I was too busy enjoying myself with all of my friends. But this was actually the first extended period of time I’ve spent in Chicago beyond staying there overnight to fly out.
July:
7.5 - 7.8 — Okoboji
7.21 - 7.27 — Colorado (family trip)
We visited a friend at his family’s lake house at Okoboji, Iowa. It was a laid back weekend because the water was too high for boats. Michael and I did take out a paddle board and kayak for some water adventures. But I spent time in a hammock, we rode our bikes around, and kept it simple.
I had a family vacation in Colorado this summer, which was great because I got to see my family from Seattle that I only get to see every few years. There was plenty of outdoor adventures, puzzle making and quality family time. Here’s my video from that trip.
August:
8.9 - 8. 12 — Cleveland
8.26 - 8.31 — Bristol
We went to Cleveland for a long weekend because Michael was announcing a race there, and we were both pleasantly surprised with it. Here’s my vlog from that.
And we ended August by flying out to England to stay with our friends in Bristol before all flying down to France together for our yearly friends trip. This was my first time to Bristol, we went over into Wales as well, hit up the Cotswolds, went on a electric bike ride and had a grand old time. I always loved my trips to England. And I haven’t edited my video from that trip yet, whoopsie!
September:
9.1 - 9.6 — France
9.7 - 9.9 Dallas (tri)
We flew from Bristol into Geneva, drove down to Saint-Gervias Les-Bains where we watched the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) which was lucky of us to be there when it was happening. We went to Annecy, Chambery and Alp d’ Huez. It was a great tip, which I have also not edited the video for yet.
We flew directly into Dallas so Michael could announce a triathlon in Tyler, TX. I decided the week before that I wanted to do it so I borrowed a bike and did it. The 650m swim wasn’t easy for me, my googles broke right before the start gun went off and I’m just not a strong swimmer (there was backstroking involved), but it was a fun challenge.
October:
10.6 - 10.12 — New York + East Coast
10.24 - 10.27 — Shreveport
I did Vlogtober this year so I have a handful of videos from our trip to the East Coast. We met up with a friend who was coming in from Germany. We started in Long Island for a race Michael was announcing and then a wedding he officiated. From there we went to New York and spent a few days in Brooklyn before working our way up the coast to New Haven and Portland. I had a great time!
November:
11.2 - 11.4 — Las Vegas
11.5 — 11.7 — San Diego + Encinitas
11.30 - 12.4 — Phoenix
We flew out to Las Vegas for the weekend to meet up with Michael’s cousin and her boyfriend. It was my first tip to Vegas and probably my last. I know there’s cool areas around the city but Las Vegas wasn’t my cup of tea. From there we drove back to San Diego with them and spent the first part of the week in San Diego and Encinitas. Here’s the video for that trip.
And to end the year for travel we went to Phoenix for a few days to explore and get a feel for the city. We’re trying to decide between Phoenix and Encinitas for January. I had only been here once at the beginning of the year to visit his parents. I enjoy all the hiking options and I really liked the neighborhood we stayed in (Roosevelt). As of now we’re learning towards here for our January get away.