Introduction
This year was one of connection and reflection. In the moments between each of the trips outlined below, I spent long walks weighing my present against my hopes for the future. Finally, after many long walks and morning coffee talks, Dave and I made a drastic decision to change course (stay tuned until the very end to learn what that was).
As you’ll see throughout this post, I traveled a lot with my friends and family this year. In total, I visited 2 continents, 2 countries, and 10 states. I also left one home for another, more familiar one (hint, hint).
All in all, 2023 was an absolute joy for me. This was the first year where I was truly comfortable traveling in a post-pandemic world. I felt everything open up again, and everyone was able to spend more time outside our homes.
I was also forced to grow as my priorities shifted. Looking back on the last 12 months of photos and journal entries, I almost don’t recognize the 25-year-old who carried me halfway through the year. That’s a sign of a year well-lived.
I hope your 2023 draws to a close with ease. And I hope you have a wonderful start to 2024. I still have lots of exciting trips and travel tidbits to share with you all. So stay tuned!
The Portland Head Light is the most photographed lighthouse in America and the oldest in Maine.
January
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Once we fully recovered from the holiday buzz, Dave and I took a short trip from Massachusetts to Maine.
We saw The Portland Head Light, which is the most photographed lighthouse in the United States, and the oldest one in Maine.
You can visit the lighthouse grounds at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, which is right outside of Portland.
This attraction would be a great add-on to a weekend in Portland, which I highly recommend if you appreciate a small, walkable town with a scruffy edge to it.
Keep an eye out for my Portland itinerary blog in 2024 ;).
February
Hotel Mundial is centrally-located in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lisbon, Portugal
In the second month, my friend Emma and I visited Europe…or should I say we fell in love with Europe.
To recap, we went on a tour of culture and history, visited a 6th century castle, and ate amazing food. We soaked in the relatively warm Mediterranean winter and filled long days walking and talking how best friends do.
Looking back, Emma and I agreed that our only regret was making this trip too short. You can read all about our adventures around Lisbon here.
Martini Junction is a must-visit if you have kids or need a reminder to have fun.
March
Eastern Massachusetts
This month I mostly stayed in and around Boston to enjoy the first warmish days of Spring on our regional trail systems.
Most notably, Dave and I visited Martini Junction in Needham, which is an adorable art installation nestled in a community woods not far from where we used to live (hint, hint).
You can learn more about that in my roundup of 15 amazing hikes throughout New England.
Richmond, Rhode Island
In line with the theme of hiking, I capped off this month with a solo backpacking trip in Rhode Island. I visited Arcadia Management Area, which is the state’s largest outdoor recreational site.
March felt like a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. My introverted heart was full after long stretches in nature, and my legs were sore from working out all the kinks after Winter’s deep rest.
April
Burlington, Vermont
Dave and I celebrated his birthday month with a weekend trip to Burlington, VT. Again, I’ve got a blog on that :).
Compared to how we usually travel, we took it quite slow this trip. The Spring weather was uncharacteristically warm this weekend. So we spent most of our time enjoying the sunshine. Vermont was perfect for a low-key weekend getaway.
Boston, Massachusetts
Fenway Park opened in 1912, making it the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball.
Toward the end of April, my family flew in to visit. I took them past all my favorite local spots, and everyone was very pleased with their first taste of lobster rolls and clam chowder. However, it was cold again, and we are not a people built for New England’s harsh winds.
Dave and I also treated everyone to a Red Sox game. My brother and Dad had a great time and taught us all about the history of Fenway Park.
May
Dave teaching me about the 1614 voyage where John Smith mapped and renamed the region of New England.
The Seacoast Region, New Hampshire
With the depths of winter far behind us, Dave and I checked a major feat off our bucket list: We biked the entire seacoast of New Hampshire!
Our route was around 20 miles total. However, we each had very little experience with coastal riding, and that seabreeze is no joke!
We rode past a ton of scenic vistas and historic landmarks, including the Isle of Shoals and a monument for the 1614 voyage where John Smith mapped and renamed the region of New England.
The first (of many) cocktail hours with my sister, Bugs.
This bike ride was such a rewarding experience for both of us (even with my flat tire). We had a quintessential New England day, complete with seafood.
Cleveland, Ohio
This month, I also flew back to Cleveland to celebrate my sister’s 21st birthday and my not-as-special 27th birthday.
I took my sister out to a cocktail lounge called Cloak & Dagger, which was filled with leather-bound books and antiques. This cozy corner spot is in the historic Tremont neighborhood and offers a rotating menu of drinks based on different themes. Definitely worth a visit!
On a more sentimental note, I’m so proud of my sister (and in awe that she is now an actual adult). I’m so excited for this next chapter in our sisterhood. This night was the first of many cocktail hours together (Love you, Bugs!).
Royalston, Massachusetts
I spent my birthday weekend exactly how I wanted: outside with someone I love.
In honor of my birthday, which falls on Memorial Day weekend, Dave and I dedicated a portion of the long weekend to hiking around Tully Lake in Royalston, MA. I got to spend my special day exactly how I wanted: Outside with someone I love. It was bliss.
Again, you can read more about this and other breathtaking hikes throughout New England in my previous blog.
It felt so good to wade in the ocean after two days of roadtripping down the East Coast.
June
Cincinnati, Ohio
June and July were hectic to say the least.
Dave and I traveled every other week. It was a jam-packed couple of months, but I don’t regret a second of it.
For starters, since meeting Dave (and passing the vibe check), I’ve been able to join in on the annual kayaking trip.
This yearly tradition has become one of my favorites. Our whole crew rents boats and spends a long summer day making our way down a river. You can sum it up in three words:
Laughs
Sunscreen
Beer
Outer Banks, North Carolina
After just one week of recouping at home, Dave and I hit the road again. This time, we drove down the East Coast to the Outer Banks, camping out on a windy beach in Delaware along the way.
We spent about a week enjoying the sun, sand, and seafood with Dave’s extended family. It was also Dave’s nephew’s first big outing. Go Eric!
July
A summer scene from Rockport, which is a cozy, seaside town in the North Shore region of Massachusetts.
Boston, Massachusetts
We then hosted Dave’s sister just one week after returning from North Carolina. We explored the surrounding coastline, stopping to take pictures of all the lighthouses to send back to Dave’s mom.
It was incredible to see Dave’s sister and brother-in-law as parents. We also got to witness Baby Eric crawl for the first time.
Wisconsin Dells and Madison, Wisconsin
The week after Dave’s family left, we jetset off to Wisconsin for vacation with my family. We spent one night in Madison, which is an awesome (and underrated) college town. Then we spent a few days in the Wisconsin Dells so my cousin could minigolf to his heart’s content.
The Dells seem like heaven for young families. There are waterparks and roller coasters as far as the eye can see. Me and the fellow mid-20-somethings, spent most of our time lounging by the pool.
I appreciated the chance to turn my brain off and veg for a week with my family, but there wasn’t a ton to do, unless you like eating cheese and playing minigolf. This trip was a calm and casual closer to an otherwise crazy few weeks of travel.
August
Indianapolis, Indiana
Oh, but my summer travels didn’t end there.
In early August, Dave and I flew to Indianapolis for a board game convention called GenCon (call you tell we are nerds). I spent the first day completely overwhelmed by the shear number of people and options. But by the end of it, I was really happy I went. I’m still learning what board games I like and have never experienced an event as chaotic as GenCon. I felt like I was walking through a bustling city filled with a foreign language most of the time (Do you know the difference between a CCG and a TCG?).
I did find respite in the house we rented with the Cincinnati kayaking crew who joined us. We were just a short ride from the convention center and quickly fell into a routine of spending our days at the convention center and our evenings drinking and playing our new games at the house.
La Grande Roue de Montréal is Canada’s tallest observation wheel. I highly recommend walking by at night to see it all lit up.
September
Montreal, Quebec
Dave and I always try to take a trip over Labor Day Weekend. This year we decided to road trip up to Montreal.
Growing up, I had visited my Quebecois family multiple times, but it was fun to explore the city on my own.
I’ve loved Montreal from my very first visit because it feels elevated, yet welcoming. It is truly a city of new experiences, and the second most diverse city in all of Canada. Plus, the architecture and street art is amazing. If you want culture, go to Montreal.
I’m compiling an itinerary blog to publish next year. However, here’s a quick snippet of advice from someone who’s visited multiple times: Driving in downtown Montreal is an Olympic-level sport. So I recommend getting a hotel on the Metro line and commuting in, rather than trying to find parking downtown. The Metro stations are conveniently located near most major attractions. Plus, you can purchase an unlimited weekend pass for just 14 CAD per person.
For more tips, and specific itinerary recommendations, stay tuned for my Montreal itinerary ;).
Newbury Township, Ohio
Adult summer camp! (Never grow up).
In September, Dave and I participated in another annual tradition (Gotta love that Pittsburgh crew).
This year marked the 3rd anniversary of Summer Camp. As the name suggests, my friends rent out a literal summer camp, and I bet you didn’t know you could do that. Well, our friend Kyle always finds a way! We spend a long weekend reconnecting, rock climbing, axe throwing, kayaking, lake swimming, and shooting bows and arrows. (Of course, drinking is involved).
Summer Camp is so much fun, and I hope we all can continue attending for decades to come.
A rainy walk to the Topsfield Fair.
October
Topsfield, Massachusetts
At the beginning of October, I spent a rainy day at the Topsfield Fair with Dave. This was our second year attending, and it was just as fun (and impressive) as our first time.
For those who live outside New England, the Topsfield Fair is known as “America's Oldest County Fair”. It started out in 1818 as a humble, one-day cattle show. Today it is a 10-day spectacle filled with live music, deep-fried oreos, 4H competitions, and trapeze artists. Also, there’s an annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, with pumpkins so large they build a small shed around the winning squashes.
Dave and I left with huge smiles and stomach aches from all the fried food. We then cozied up at home and fell asleep to the rainstorm.
Mount Agamenticus, Maine
Tori and I at the summit of Mount Agamenticus in Maine.
Later this month, on a warmer and rain-free weekend, my friend Tori and I hiked to the summit of Mount Agamenticus in Maine. (Have I mentioned my hiking in New England blog?)
We had ourselves the perfect fall day outside, and rewarded ourselves with a picnic atop the summit.
Tori is one of those people I wish I’d met sooner in life. We instantly hit it off, and I’m so grateful for a friend who fills every moment we share with joy.
Berkshire Region, Massachusetts
I ended the month with another solo road trip, this time I ventured through the Berkshires of Massachusetts. This region of mountains is renowned for its fall foliage, and I can vouch for that.
I had such a peaceful time watching the rolling hills of different shades of orange as far as the eye can see.
November
My parents enjoying pints at our favorite local brewery.
Boston, Massachusetts
This month, we hosted family one last time. We spent most days exploring local breweries and restaurants. We also spent a lot of our free time packing because…..
We are coming home!
That’s right, after nearly two years in Boston, Dave and I are moving back to Pittsburgh. Boston has been incredible, but we can’t imagine spending another year this far from our community.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dave and I made our initial move back over the week of Thanksgiving. We dropped about half our stuff in a storage unit and spent the week touring apartments. I’m happy to report we have a place, and it’s just what we wanted! Dave started his Pittsburgh-based job, and is killing it (what a professional gentleman).
After Thanksgiving, I then flew back to Boston and finished out the month at my job, which cannot transition into remote. So yeah, I’ve started my job hunt and have been focused on freelancing and finalizing our move.
December
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
We’re entering a season of change, and I’m embracing it!
I’m finalizing this post in mid-December, writing to you from my half-empty apartment. I’m surrounded by moving boxes and cleaning supplies. Earlier this week, Dave flew into Boston one last time, and this upcoming weekend we will make our final drive home. I’m so ready to settle back into our chosen life in Pittsburgh.
I’m also struck by how much Boston has changed me. The harsh winters hardened me, and the idyllic summers revived me. I came here as a mid-20-something with no clear direction. I followed a whim and somehow landed on my feet. I experienced a baptism by fire and am coming out more centered and capable than ever before.
I will always recall my time here as a pivotal chapter in my life; One that grew me closer to my partner and helped he and I commit to the place that feels most like home for us both. I am leaving Boston with agency over my life, with clarity on the choices I make and the priorities I value most.
The holiday season has always been one of reflection and community. But this year, more than ever, I’m so grateful for my friends and family. That community was the driving force behind my longing for “home”. I am moving back to to be with my people. They are who I chose, over the allure of an East Coast life.
I’m grateful for another year of making memories, making connections, at home and abroad. Thanks for following along.
See you soon.