2024 Travel Season: Gardiner and the 5-Week Southeast Road Trip

If 2023 was the year of the bucket list, 2024 was the year of absolutely everything else. As remote work was shifting and office time was ramping up, our time felt more limited than ever, but travel still mattered. It still filled our cups, gave us something to look forward to, and reminded us who we are at our best.

So we made it work. Differently. Imperfectly. Strategically. (And yes—sometimes stressfully.)

We kicked off the year with renovation dust in our hair, making many trips to Gardiner to work on our Yellowstone cabins. (If you missed the behind-the-scenes mayhem, catch up in our Cabin Chronicles.) Let’s just say, there’s nothing like surprise excavation finds and plumbing disasters to test your limits and your sense of humor!

Somewhere between trench digging and turnover days, we still managed to make space for a little magic. In July, I took a birthday road trip with my mom—a special getaway that led us to the shores of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, surrounded by the dreamiest shades of blue we’ve ever seen. And in October, we crossed the Atlantic for an adventure in London, followed by a whirlwind 24 hours in Paris that felt like something out of a storybook.

Then came the grand finale: a five-week Southeast road trip that doubled as both our holiday homecoming and our year-end adventure. We hit the road just after Thanksgiving and didn’t make our way back until the new year. Somewhere in between all that, we even squeezed in a getaway to Big Bend National Park and got swept up in the excitement of an unforgettable Mavs Finals run. (Remember how we moved to Dallas for the Mavs? This was one of those years that solidified exactly why we did.)

The Backstory: A Year That Looked a Little Different

This year didn’t look like our past travel seasons, and not just because of where we went.

For the first time since 2019, remote work wasn’t a guarantee. As expectations for in-person time began creeping back in, we had to get more intentional (and a lot more creative) about how to protect the kind of travel we love. Planning around work, logistics, and limited windows of time became part of the new reality. And still, we knew we didn’t want to let travel season slip away completely.

Meanwhile, Gardiner became the heartbeat of our year.

After years of dreaming and searching, we finally found a fixer-upper property at the edge of Yellowstone, and we dove headfirst into our biggest project yet. It was the year of building cabins, learning how to run a rental remotely, and making more trips to Montana than we can count. (Six, actually.) We were renovating in real-time, hosting guests between construction zones, and slowly transforming this wild idea into something we could be proud of. (You can follow the whole journey in Cabin Chronicles, where we share everything from our first walkthrough to our first five-star review.)

And somewhere in the midst of all of it, when it would’ve been so easy to push travel season to “maybe next year”, Jon fought for it. He kept saying, “We need this. Let’s figure it out.” And so we did.

It wasn’t simple, and it wasn’t entirely relaxing. It was a 5-week trip between Thanksgiving and New Year’s that was layered and busy and a lot to carry, but in the middle of all that effort, there were some incredibly special moments.

Snorkeling in a national park. Watching the sun set over the ocean in the Florida Keys, pineapple cocktail in hand, a live band playing in the background. Flying over turquoise waves to a remote island fort.

Even with everything else going on, we got to have that kind of magic. And I’m so glad we didn’t miss it!

The Long Way Home: 5-Week Southeast Road Trip

Starting Point: Dallas

Ending Point: …also Dallas. But with many, many detours in between.

Stop #1: Louisiana Bayous & Beignets

We kicked things off deep in Cajun Country with back-to-back swamp tours, something that had been on Jon’s bucket list for a while. We based ourselves in Lafayette, where our first afternoon was spent gliding through cypress groves and veils of Spanish moss on a classic swamp boat tour.

The next morning, we leveled up with an airboat ride through the Basin, complete with a gator sighting (even in November!) and plenty of birds soaring overhead. Afterward, we made our way to New Orleans (because there was no way we were leaving Louisiana without stopping for fresh, hot beignets).

Stop #2: A Night in Biloxi

After our adventures in Cajun Country, we made our way east to Biloxi, Mississippi for a quick coastal stop. We visited the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse, took in the breezy ocean views along the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and let Lincoln stretch her legs with some salty air and wide-open skies.

Then came the real reward: fresh Gulf seafood and a night at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, where Lincoln got a bougie pet fee and we got a little taste of Vegas on the coast.

Stop #3: A Quick Pause in Sarasota

This stop was meant to be all about the sunset. We had grand plans: arrive in time for golden hour, sip cocktails at a rooftop bar overlooking the bay, and toast the start of the Florida stretch of our trip in style.

But... we forgot to factor in one little thing: holiday weekend traffic. (Thanksgiving Sunday.)

Our leisurely 9-hour drive turned into a crawl, and we rolled into Sarasota sometime after 10 p.m.—starving, road-weary, and very much not in rooftop-cocktail mode. The sunset was long gone, and so was dinner.

Thankfully, the next morning offered us a bit of a reset. We slept in, sat by the pool, and moved slow, which was exactly what we needed before launching into the next leg of the trip: our Florida Keys road trip down the iconic Overseas Highway.

Stop #4: A Keys Retreat at Playa Largo

Before officially kicking off the national park portion of our trip, we continued to hit pause for some much-needed R&R (aka Kelly’s love language) and checked in for two blissful nights at Playa Largo Resort in the Florida Keys.

We slowed way down. Days were spent lounging by the pool, piña coladas in hand, fries within arm’s reach, and a good book nearby. We fully embraced the art of poolside service, wandered to on-site restaurants for pizza dinners, and let the ocean air do its thing.

But what made our stay even more special were two unforgettable experiences:

First, Eventide at Sunset, a nightly ritual where guests gather to celebrate the shift from day to night. A bell rings, the music starts, and the sky puts on a show. We toasted with signature pineapple cocktails and took part in the resort’s Drift Table tradition of letting go of old energies and setting new intentions. It was meaningful, beautiful, and exactly the kind of moment that stays with you long after you leave.

Later that night, we cozied up for the Stargaze Chimenea Experience: a private setup with wine, charcuterie, s’mores, and blankets under the stars. It was peaceful and romantic and exactly what we needed before the road picked up again.

Stop #5: Everglades & Biscayne National Parks

After recharging at Playa Largo, we were ready to kick off the national park stretch of our Florida road trip. Two nights in Florida City put us in perfect position to explore Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park—two totally different worlds, just miles apart.

🐊 Everglades National Park

We headed to Shark Valley, one of the best spots in the Everglades for wildlife viewing, and hopped on the last open-air tram tour of the day. Pro tip from our ranger (and now from us): the first and last tours of the day are the best for spotting wildlife, since cooler temps mean the animals are more active.

We saw two alligators within minutes of leaving the visitor center, and the sightings just kept coming. By the end of the two-hour ride, we’d spotted over a dozen gators, including a mama alligator and a bunch of baby gators so tiny they looked like toys. We also saw tons of birds, and the ranger told us this time of year (early December, sunny and 70 degrees) is one of the best for wildlife.

Our favorite quote from the day: “The alligator is the architect of the Everglades, and this is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles cohabitate.” Incredible!

Also clutch: if you get a row to yourself on the tram, you can bounce from side to side for better views—highly recommend.

🛶 Biscayne National Park

The next day, we took to the water with a Snorkel & Paddle Eco-Adventure through Biscayne National Park. It’s one of the few national parks that’s mostly underwater, and the only way to really explore it is by boat. Our full-day tour took us across Biscayne Bay, through Jones Lagoon, and into an entirely different kind of adventure.

We enjoyed the snorkeling (though some sea sickness was felt), but the real highlight was paddleboarding through narrow mangrove canals—grabbing onto roots and branches to pull ourselves forward like Tarzan. The water was calm, the lagoon was quiet, and we loved every second of this unique adventure.

Stop #6: Seven Miles, Sea Turtles & a Seaplane

From Florida City, we kept cruising down the Overseas Highway, the kind of drive that makes you roll the windows down no matter the time of year. Stretching across endless blue, it’s easily one of the most scenic routes in the country.

Our next stop: Marathon, where we spent two nights exploring the middle Keys.

We walked the Old Seven Mile Bridge Trail, dipped our toes in at Bahia Honda State Park, and visited the Turtle Hospital, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at sea turtle rehab. The hour-long guided tour was fascinating, equal parts educational and heartwarming. We learned how to identify sea turtle species, toured the facility, and even got to feed the permanent residents (spoiler: they’re very food-motivated and completely adorable). No handling allowed, just lots of respectful appreciation and conservation nerding out.

But the real star of this stop? A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, a remote island 70 miles off the coast of Key West, accessible only by ferry or seaplane. And yep, we went full bucket list and booked the seaplane.

We left Marathon around noon, made our way to the Key West airport, and by 2 p.m., we were in the air, flying low over crystal-clear turquoise water, spotting shipwrecks, sea turtles, and dolphins from above. The half-day snorkel trip gave us just enough time to explore the island and Fort Jefferson, and soak in the surreal feeling of being somewhere that remote and beautiful.

Before heading back to Marathon, we made a quick detour into Key West to visit a few of my parents’ old stomping grounds from their early dating years. It was a short stop, but so special to see places that hold meaning for them, and to walk through a little piece of their story.

Stop #7: Three Days in Harry Potter World

Next up: Orlando, where we went full wizard mode for three days of Harry Potter World, express passes in hand, wands at the ready.

This stop had been at the top of Jon’s wish list for years—he’s a lifelong fan of the series—and let’s just say: it delivered. From the moment we stepped into Diagon Alley, it felt like walking straight into the books. Every detail was spot-on, from the cobblestone streets and flickering shop signs to the wand ceremony at Ollivanders.

We kicked off our days with breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks, then hit every must-do on our list:

Rode the Hogwarts Express both ways (yes, it’s different each direction)
Braved Gringotts Bank and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure
Shopped for wands and magical sweets
Sipped Butterbeer at least once a day
Marvel at the Hogwarts Castle lightshow

For three days, we fully embraced our inner kids. It was fast-paced and completely magical, just like every great theme park trip should be.

Stop #8: Change of Plans in Charleston

Originally, this leg of the trip was supposed to take us to Asheville to visit Jon’s parents and experience Christmas at the Biltmore, which has been sitting at the top of my holiday season wish list. But, as travel plans sometimes do, things shifted, and we rerouted to Charleston for a quick, low-key pitstop. No big agenda. No packed itinerary. Just a little time to reset, take a breath, and enjoy the charm of one of the South’s prettiest cities.

Stop #9: Best-Friend Reunions in Virginia Beach

Next up was a four-night stay in Virginia Beach, where we got to visit the place Jon grew up and spend quality time with some of our very best friends.

We lucked out with a hotel upgrade and ended up in the best room in the place—oceanfront, right on the boardwalk, with gorgeous sunrises. The weather was brisk, but we bundled up and made the most of it.

Most of our time was spent soaking up the company of the people we love, including late-night game nights, the best donuts in town, and bar-hopping to some of our favorite local breweries. It was equal parts nostalgic and joy-filled, and it reminded us how rare and lucky it is to have friends who feel like family.

Stops #10-13: Holiday Hopping

As December rolled toward Christmas, we made our way north for a festive stretch of family visits, friend catch-ups, and cozy holiday moments.

We started with a couple of wonderful nights visiting my parents, followed by a quick stop with friends, and then settled into the Christmas festivities—matching shirts, endless snacks, games around the table, and all the usual holiday magic that reminds you just how good it feels to come home.

After the holiday glow, we made our way south again, spending just under a week in Charlotte with friends to ring in the new year. It was the perfect way to start winding down the trip—easy dinners, familiar faces, a basketball game or two, and time to reflect on everything this road trip had held.

Favorite Moments from 2024

Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle ✨
Watching the sunset over the Keys 🌅
Spotting sea turtles from a seaplane on our way to Dry Tortugas National Park 🐢
That first five-star Airbnb review ✅
Hearing my mom whisper, “It’s the prettiest blue I’ve ever seen,” after finally arriving at the place that had topped her bucket list for years 🥹
Strolling through Diagon Alley and watching Jon take it all in like a kid in a candy shop 🪄

What We Learned This Year

You can survive construction chaos with great friends and a little perspective (and lots of snacks).
Saying yes to adventure doesn’t mean saying no to rest. Sometimes the poolside nap is the plan.
Paddleboarding through mangrove tunnels feels a lot like life: messy, magical, and best navigated one tug-of-a-root at a time.
You can’t plan for everything, but you can pack snacks, stay flexible, and trust that some of the best stories come from what didn’t go according to plan.
And most importantly: it’s okay to take the long way home. Sometimes, it’s the best part.

Here’s to another year of winding roads, big dreams, and great stories!