Out of the 10 goals I choose for 2013 there are two that were hands down my favorite. Two I joyfully surpassed more than any of the rest. Two that I will scratch onto my list {either typed out or in my head} for years and years and years to come.

Can you guess which two?

Read All The Books — and — Travel!

If I had my way with time and money {mostly money}, I would have loved to go to 5 places that I’d never been, preferably across the country or oversees, BUT, I had to be realistic with my travels and easy on my wallet.

Here are the 12 places {technically 10, since I went to NYC 3 TIMES!} I traveled to in 2013. All by car, with the exception of Denver which was, without a doubt, my favorite adventure of them all…

That’s the list. And was life ever rich and full.

I can’t wait to see where the future brings me.

The West Coast is already sketched in the plans for April– TRAVEL ABOUND 2014! Adventure awaits!

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On a similar note,
my travel page is finally ready!
Go ahead and have a look. :)

At this point, a memory, but one I’d like to remember all the same…

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September, 2013 // 24 hours in New York City:

I arrive by train and stare in awe {for the one millionth time} at Grand Central Station. It never, ever gets old. After a quick mani/pedi that I’ve been DREAMING about all week {that is, in fact, as good as my dreams} I stroll through the crowded streets and then hop in a cab to the West Village. It’s my 3rd of 4th time there and I feel like I want to stay forever. I pop around for a bit, soaking in the quaintness and eventually find myself walking through Washington Square Park — quite by accident, actually. I feel like I’ve found a special place. I listen to some street performers, do a bit of people watching, and just enjoy some time just sitting in the sun.

I take lots of instagrams and lots and lots of Nikon photos. {No one here is surprised.}

I hop in a cab and head to the Brooklyn Bridge. I loooooove the Brooklyn Bridge. I take some more photos, take some more ‘grams. I walk over the East River, and then through the streets of Dumbo. I specifically want to find Jane’s Carousel and Brooklyn Bridge Park and when I get there, I do a dance— what. a. treat!

The sun sets, then my phone dies {too much instagram. oh!oh!}, so I roam the streets of Brooklyn by night. After quite the walk, I find Rebecca in her lovely Park Slope apartment and we embrace in a hug. We get grilled cheese, chat about life past and present, and then have a sleepover like the good old days. Making time to see best friends makes me the happiest.

The next morning I wake up, take a little walk through the BK, grab a baked oatmeal and a Grumpy’s coffee and eventually set out again for Manhattan from the 7th Ave Station. I meet up with Colleen {and Brian!} and Laura {and Michael!} for a great brunch on the Upper East Side. Getting together with bloggers in real life is still so strange / fun / awesome. Every time I have the best time. After brunch, Laura, Michael, and I take the nicest walk through Central Park. It is such a beautiful day— sun shining, warm air, and really, honestly, a perfect September weekend.

Outside the Park, I hug Laura goodbye {until next time!}, then make a stop at the Strand Book kiosk and buy a new tote bag.  I head up 5th Avenue to Rockefeller Center before hopping in a cab back to Grand Central. I board a train back to Greenwich, sit back, relax, look through my photos. I think about past 24 hours with a smile on my face and give a silent cheer for another fabulous weekend in my favorite New York City. ♥

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P.S.
Happy Wedding Weekend, Colleen!
You’re going to be the P R E T T I E S T.
LOVE YOU, BOO!