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It’s that time of year again. Time to make lists—lists looking back on the past year and lists laying out big (and small) plans for the next.
For me personally, it’s been an eventful year once again. Compared to last year, however, travel to foreign countries was minimal in 2016. In fact, I haven’t spent any time abroad whatsoever. I only spent time in the United States and Belgium (only about a week) in the past twelve months. I’m planning to dedicate some more time to (inter)national travel in 2017. Much more on that later.
2016 in a Nutshell
As you know, Caroline and I moved from Vermont to Charlottesville, Virginia, in mid-March. I’ve been busy exploring Virginia ever since, which was my major—my only—“travel focus” this year. It’s definitely been successful. For example, I’ve spent significant time in Shenandoah National Park, drove the Virginia section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, visited a number of Civil War battlefields, strolled the historic streets of Alexandria and camped in Grayson Highlands State Park. I also explored—still am exploring—the Virginia craft beer scene, which has been great fun.
Additionally, Caroline and I visited Philadelphia, spent some time in New York City and modeled for a photo shoot in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. I went to Belgium to celebrate my 30th birthday in July—thanks for that awesome surprise once again mom, dad, sis and Caroline! Caroline and I spent a week up in Vermont in summer, my parents and sister came to visit us in Charlottesville in August.
My 25 Favorite Photos of 2016
In 2016, I took more than 3,000 pictures. The vast majority of them were taken in Virginia, and many of those were taken somewhere in nature. I selected my favorite 25 photos of 2016, a process that—just like in 2013, 2014 and last year—was surprisingly difficult. Here they are, in no particular order.
1. Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
2. Blue Ridge Mountains in Fall, Virginia
3. Manhattan Skyline, New York City
4. The Sun Rises Over Charlottesville, Virginia
5. Black Bear Mother With Her Three Cubs, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
6. Landscape in Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia
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7. Beautiful Architecture at the Town Square in Antwerp, Belgium
8. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia
9. Musician and His Porsche on Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
10. Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia
11. Sunset at Raven’s Roost Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
12. Dupont Circle Metro Station, Washington, D.C.
Intermission: Thoughts on Local Trips Vs. International Travel
The past twelve months have made me realize even more how incredibly fun it is to explore your own backyard. You don’t necessarily need to travel thousands of miles to far-off places to have a great and memorable time.
Often, you’ll find the same experiences a simple car ride from your house. You just need to get up and do it. Also, it’s not necessarily required to take time off from work to go travel. Especially not if, like Caroline and I did this year, you explore areas close to home.
It’s easy to forget—or not realize in the first place—that literally everyone has 104 free days every single year. And those are only weekend days. If you include official holidays, almost one out of every three days is a day off.
Use them. Explore the region you live in. Go for a hike. Visit a neighboring town. Have a meal at a new restaurant. Spend an afternoon in a museum. Go to a concert.
13. Dawn on Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
14. Kayaker Braving the Rapids in Great Falls Park, Virginia
15. Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
16. Looking Toward New Hampshire From the Palisades in Fairlee, Vermont
17. The Downtown Transit Station in Charlottesville at Night, Virginia
18. Boardwalk Around Abbott Lake, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
More Virginia Photos: Charlottesville Through a Local’s Lens
19. A Golden Sunrise in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
20. Grazing Ponies in Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia
21. Captain’s Row in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
22. Otter Lake Waterfall, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
23. The Rotunda at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
24. Rodanthe Pier, Outer Banks, North Carolina
25. A Fall Sunset in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
As I always do in the beginning of a new year, I’ll share with you guys my travel ideas and goals for the upcoming twelve months. You can expect a blog post with all that sometime in early January.
For now, I wish you all a very Happy New Year!