Meganywhere: 2022 Year in Review

2022. What a year! The world was finally opened up and almost free of Covid-restrictions. I knocked off almost 10 states from my journey to visit all 50. I spent quality time with family and friends. And now I’m ending the year in a different city ready to set down some roots (but don’t worry- plenty of fun travels ahead in 2023!). Enjoy my 2022 year in review!

January – March: Sunshine and Snow (no in between)

Finally took my bucket-list drive through the Florida Keys! Took a slow ride through the towns of Islamorada, Marathon, and finally ended in Key West (just in time for sunset). (January 2022)

Flying 5,000′ in the air on a seaplane out to Dry Tortugas National Park was an absolute dream. Considering between the ferry and seaplane? I did the comparison for you! (January 2022)

Scratching off another state- Wisconsin! Hopped over the border from Duluth, Minnesota to do some snowy hikes out to a waterfall that ended up being completely frozen. I don’t know what I expected, lol! (February 2022)

Dogsledding in Duluth, Minnesota! A total dream and something that was on my bucket list for years. They even let me drive for a bit! (February 2022)

Me and Kodak, who was the best girl. 12/10. (February 2022)

Exploring Minnesota’s Ice Castles which pop up each year outside Minneapolis. Ice, Ice, Baby! (February 2022)

April – June: National Park overload

Ventured up north to explore the enchanting Banff National Park! I didn’t realize that late-May would still be “winter” in the mountains. Still worth it to travel this time of the year? I think so! (May 2022)

While visiting Banff National Park, I couldn’t NOT take the time to drive up to Jasper National Park! Such a dreamy drive with mountains surrounding you each way! (May 2022)

And just to make it a triple-score for Canadian National Parks, I bopped over the border into British Columbia to explore a bit of Yoho National Park! Emerald Lake is far less visited than nearby Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, but equally as stunning. (May 2022)

Checking off some new states and new parks! Road tripped from Bozeman, Montana down to Jackson, Wyoming and obviously had to take the scenic route. (June 2022)

It’s the year of National Parks, I guess! My best friend had her wedding in Grand Tetons National Park so I of course had to arrive a few days early for exploring! (June 2022)

Pre-wedding exploring in the town of Jackson, Wyoming! Peep my godson cooking in my best friend’s belly! (June 2022)

The wedding had the best time at the Jackson Hole Rodeo! It was my first rodeo and I lost my mind. It was so fun! (June 2022)

July – September: Cruising into fall

Getting Olympic walking around the town of Whistler, British Columbia – host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics! (July 2022)

Cruising down the actual Olympic bobsled course from the 2010 Olympics! The smile was real, but also so was the concussion, lol! (July 2022)

Taking it slow after the bobsled course to look out over the Howe Sound outside of Vancouver, BC. (July 2022)

Another day, another one-two state punch! Visited Delaware and Maryland after a work trip to Washington, DC. It had been far too long since my feet had touched sand so a visit to Assateague Island National Seashore was in order. (July 2022)

The best part about Assateague? The wild horses! They roam free throughout the seashore and are so amazing to see! (July 2022)

Traveled to Philly to LITERALLY MARRY the two most perfect humans in the entire world. My speech was fine but the jokes were a 10/10. Others may disagree. (July 2022)

Kissing summer goodbye at Grinter Sunflower Fields in Kansas (which was state number 47!). (September 2022)

Taking social distancing very seriously on a stroll through Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Emporia, Kansas. (September 2022)

The absolute highlight of my year! I jumped on a last minute 6-day cruise out of NYC. While we were supposed to go to Bermuda, Hurricane Earl had other plans. We were rerouted to New England & Canada but it didn’t stop my fun! (September 2022)

Stop #1 on our rerouted cruise was to Newport, Rhode Island. I had been before, but it was fun to step off the boat for a few hours and do something I hadn’t done before- like the Cliff Walk! (September 2022)

Stop #2 on our cruise was to Portland, Maine! We didn’t have a ton of time at port, but it didn’t stop me from hitting the beach. If I closed my eyes it was almost like I was in Bermuda. Almost. (September 2022)

My favorite stop on our rerouted cruise was to St. John, New Brunswick, Canada! Probably would never have visited otherwise, but what a fun surprise! (September 2022)

Getting nauti in St. Martin’s, New Brunswick! This was my one and only shore excursion on the cruise and it was great to get out and explore somewhere I would have otherwise never seen! (September 2022)

A “fun day at sea” to round out the cruise. I can’t even lie- this trip was such a blast. Can’t wait for my next cruise! (September 2022)

October – December: Goodbye NYC

Snuck in one last quick trip to Philly in to visit my friend before I moved. Will miss the days of having so many cities be just a couple hour train ride away! (November 2022)

Let out my inner child (and lost my voice from happy screams) at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC! (November 2022)

Said goodbye to NYC and moved back up to Buffalo, NY! While there is a lot I will miss about NYC, I’m so looking forward to planting down roots near family and friends. The worst part? Less direct flights. Ugh. (November 2022).

Settling back into life in Buffalo, NY. Good family, good food, good football. Go bills! (December 2022)