If 2023 was the year of the bucket list, then 2024 was the year of absolutely everything else. As remote work shifted and office time ramped 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. We kicked off the year with renovation projects, making multiple trips to Gardiner, Montana, to work on our Yellowstone cabins. If you missed the behind-the-scenes mayhem, catch up in Cabin Chronicles. Let’s just say, there’s nothing like surprise excavation finds and unexpected plumbing disasters to test your limits (and your sense of humor).

Somewhere in between renovation projects and our first year as Yellowstone hosts, we still managed to make space for a little magic.

In July, I took a birthday road trip with my mom. It was a super special getaway to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, where we were surrounded by the dreamiest shades of blue we’ve ever seen. In October, Jon and I crossed the Atlantic for an adventure in London, followed by a whirlwind 24 hours in Paris.

Then came the grand finale: a 5-week Southeast Road Trip over the holidays. We hit the road just after Thanksgiving and didn’t make our way back until the new year.

Somewhere in between all of that, we even squeezed in a getaway to Big Bend National Park and got swept up in the excitement of an unforgettable Dallas Mavericks Finals run. (Remember how we moved to Dallas for the Mavs? This was one of those years that solidified why we did.)

The Backstory—A Year That Looked 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 time windows became part of our new reality. But still, we knew we didn’t want to let travel season slip away completely.

At the same time, Gardiner became the focus of our year.

After years of dreaming and searching, we finally found a fixer-upper at the edge of Yellowstone National Park, and we dove headfirst into our biggest adventure yet. It was a year of building cabins, learning how to run a short-term rental, and making more trips to Montana than we can count. (Six, actually.)

We were renovating in real time, hosting guests amid 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 every bump in the road in between.

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

We took a 5-week road trip between Thanksgiving and New Year’s and had some incredibly special moments, like snorkeling in a national park, flying over turquoise waves to a remote island fort, and watching the sun set over the ocean in the Florida Keys, with a pineapple cocktail in hand, and a live band playing in the background.

Our 5-Week Southeast Road Trip

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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.

Where we stayed: Residence Inn Lafayette Airport

Stop #2: A Night in Biloxi

Next, we made our way east to Biloxi, Mississippi, for a quick coastal stop. We visited the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse and took in the ocean views along the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

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.

Where we stayed: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino MGM

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 the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop bar, and toast to the start of the Florida stretch of our trip in style.

But... we forgot to factor in one little thing: holiday weekend traffic. (It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, whoops!)

Our 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 slowly, which was exactly what we needed before launching into the next leg of the trip, including the iconic Overseas Highway.

Where we stayed: Westin Sarasota

Stop #4: A Keys Retreat at Playa Largo

Before the national park portion of our Keys road 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.

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 healing thing.

Two bonus experiences made our stay even more special.

First, we participated in Eventide at Sunset, a nightly ritual where guests gather to celebrate the shift from day to night. 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.

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.

Where we stayed: Playa Largo Resort

Stop #5: Everglades & Biscayne National Parks

After recharging at Playa Largo, we were ready for national park adventures! We spent two nights in Florida City, which put us in the perfect position to explore Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park.

🐊 Everglades National Park

We first 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: 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.”

This tip from our experience is also helpful: If you get a row to yourself on the tram, you can bounce from side to side for better views.

🛶 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 and through Jones Lagoon. We enjoyed the snorkeling (though some sea sickness was felt), but the real highlight was paddleboarding through the narrow mangrove canals. We grabbed onto roots and branches to pull ourselves forward. We loved every second of this unique adventure!

Where we stayed: Fairfield Inn & Suites Florida City

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

From Florida City, we kept driving the Overseas Highway, and it most definitely is 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 was 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 fed the permanent residents.

The highlight of our stop in Marathon was 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.

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.

Where we stayed: Fairfield Inn & Suites Marathon

Stop #7: Three Days in Harry Potter World

Next up was Orlando, where we went full wizard mode for three days at Harry Potter World.

This stop had been at the top of Jon’s wish list for years (he’s a lifelong fan of the series), and 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.

Our days began with breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks, then we hit every must-do on our list:

Rode the Hogwarts Express both ways
Stood in line for Gringotts Bank and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure
Shopped for wands and magical sweet treats
Sipped Butterbeer
Marveled at the Hogwarts Castle lightshow

Where we stayed: Loews Royal Pacific Hotel

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. We didn’t have much of an agenda or a packed itinerary, but we took the time to rest 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 an awesome visit that reminded us how lucky we are to have friends who feel like family.

Where we stayed: Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront

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 lots of holiday magic.

After Christmas, we made our way south again, spending just under a week in Charlotte (one of our favorite cities in the US) to ring in the new year.

Where we stayed: Aloft Charlotte Ballantyne

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.
And most importantly: it’s okay to take the long way home. Sometimes, it’s the best part.

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

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