Even though I had predicted that 2011 would be a big travel year for me, I had no idea just how great it would turn out to be. I traveled away from home far more times than I anticipated this year, and had some amazing adventures both on the other side of the world, and in my own backyard.
Here, then, are some of my favorite travel photos from 2011 to sum up my adventures this year.
February
During the coldest part of Ohio’s winter, I escaped for a week to Hawaii to visit a friend going to school in Honolulu. I spent my week checking out Oahu’s best beaches, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, visiting Pearl Harbor, stalking out some LOST filming sites, and much, much more. It was a great winter getaway.
A green sea turtle at Laniakea Beach on the North Shore.
The Byodo-In Temple near Kaneohe
March
In March, I made my very first trip to Chicago for a long weekend with my best friend from college. We ate some deep-dish pizza, checked out Chicago’s tallest towers, and saw some great improv, among other things. It ended up being the first of 3 trips to the Windy City in 2011.
"The Bean" sculpture in Millennium Park
April
I stuck closer to home in April, exploring more of what Ohio had to offer. This included visiting Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, which is especially pretty in the spring/summer.
Lanterman's Mill in Mill Creek Park
May
After taking part in the Blog4NZ campaign in late March and finding myself the proud winner of a semi-sponsored trip around New Zealand, I decided to head South in May for two weeks in my favorite country. This time around, I focused on doing/seeing things I haven’t done before in NZ, which included exploring the Kapiti Coast, enjoying French-infused Akaroa, taking the TranzAlpine train across the South Island, braving the tallest bungy jump in the country, hiking on a glacier, visiting misty Doubtful Sound, and much more. Every time I visit New Zealand, I swear I fall more and more in love with it.
Looking back toward the mainland from Kapiti Island
Riding the rails through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine
June
Only a few weeks after returning from New Zealand, I again boarded a plane — this time bound for Seattle and Vancouver, where I attended the TBEX travel bloggers conference. I didn’t have nearly enough time to properly experience Vancouver, but what I did see of it was fantastic.
Outside the Vancouver Convention Center
July
I was pretty well broke in July, so I once again stuck close to home. But being in Ohio during the summer months isn’t all bad. I took weekend trips to places like Yellow Springs, a hippe enclave near Dayton.
A street in Yellow Springs
August
August was the month of the road trip for me. My sister and I took off for 3 weeks to explore more of what our country had to offer, and traveled more than 6,500 miles across more than a dozen states. We visited big, famous sites like the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, and also some lesser-visited spots like Sedona, Monument Valley, and the Cadillac Ranch. We had a ton of adventures, and made plenty of memories that we’ll never forget. I’m so glad we did this, and would recommend it to anyone.
Big skies of Texas
Sunrise at Monument Valley
Desert View at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
October
I rounded out my 2011 travel with another trip to Chicago at the beginning of October for a wedding with my whole family. Along with checking out Grant Park, celebrating Oktoberfest at Navy Pier, and admiring the Chicago Cultural Center, we also took an architecture boat tour up the Chicago River, something I’ve wanted to do ever since my first visit in March.
Taking photos of the Willis Tower on an architecture boat tour
Yes, 2011 was a pretty fantastic, travel-filled year for me, and I’m so thankful for all the adventures I was able to have. Here’s hoping 2012 is even better!
Wow what an amazing year! Beautiful pictures!
Claire recently posted..Peruvian Mini Bar
It was indeed an awesome, travel-filled year! Thanks!
Awesome photos, hope 2012 is even more amazing for you!
Lauren recently posted..Visiting The Dog Cafe in Seoul
Thanks so much, Lauren!
It’s been fun following your adventures this year. Wishing you lots more for 2012!
50+ and on the Run recently posted..Go Ahead, Ring the Bell
Thanks so much! Happy holidays!
I like your idea of 12 months in photos. Maybe I’ll steal it for next year
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..What Exactly Is An Elephant Seal?
Feel free to steal away, Stephanie!
Great pictures – you had an amazing year! Awesome that you went to Chicago three times
Merry Christmas!!
Dani | Globetrottergirls recently posted..Tops and Flops of 600 days of travel: Days 501 – 600
I did indeed have an amazing year! And I’m hoping 2012 will be just as great! (Though, I can’t say I expect to visit Chicago quite so many times again! Lol.)
Merry Christmas to you, too!
Merry Xmas! These pictures are GORGEOUS, especially the turtle one
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..France & Italy With Trafalgar Tours: Day 5 (Part 3)
Merry Christmas to you, too, Andi! And that turtle photo was definitely a popular one this year! Glad you liked it.
It was great year. I wish even more trips for you next year
Vi recently posted..Christchurch struck by earthquake again
Aww, thanks, Vi! I’ll certainly do my best to travel as much as I possibly can!
I love your photos. Looks like you had a successful year, can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2012!
Claire recently posted..Buildings of London
Thank you, Claire! I have some really great things cooking for 2012!
That photo of Lanterman’s Mill is fantastic. How great is it when you end up travelling more that you thought you could or would, it’s the best. Hope you have a great Christmas.
Thanks, Sam! I really love that mill photo, too. Definitely one of my favorites from this year! And yes, it’s always nice to travel more than expected!
Happy holidays to you, too!
Lovely photos. You have skills.
Tom Bartel recently posted..10 Things I Learned from Traveling
Aw, thank you, Tom! I appreciate that.
Dont you love Chicago?! I’d live there (downtown) in a second if I wasnt such a chicken of the cold winter winds. So glad you mentioned the Cultural Center, I found it so beautiful when we were there in August, more ppl should go see it.
I DO love Chicago. I can totally understand why so many people choose to live there — lots of people I went to school with live there now.
And my cousin actually had his wedding reception at the Cultural Center, underneath the Tiffany dome! It was beautiful. I agree that everyone should stop in to see it!
It’s cool to see the year laid out like this! And the idea of an architecture tour in Chicago is brilliant – I never would have thought of it, but I’m sure it’s a lot of fun.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Monthly Travel Costs for November: Prague, Budapest, Chiang Mai
The architecture tour was great! I’m waiting until spring to write about it since they don’t run at this time of year. It was really informative and a fantastic way to see all the cool buildings Chicago has to offer.
Amazing photos!
The World Stroll recently posted..Evening Eyeball Tacos
Thank you!!
What a journey and what extraordinary photographs in this collection. I just love the street shot in Yellow Springs and the sunset in Monument Valley not to mention practically all the others as well. Wonderful!!
Jeff Titelius recently posted..ArtSmart Roundtable: Tintoretto’s ‘Sistine’ Ceiling at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice
Thank you so much, Jeff!! It sure was a great year.
Absolutely beautiful photographs!
I love the picture of the temple.
Fidel @IHarTravel recently posted..I’m not Obama, Lil Wayne, Kanye West or Kobe
Thanks, Fidel! The one of the temple is one of my favorites, too! It was such a pretty spot.
Hi! Just found your blog – wonderful pictures! I’m looking for some inspiration for travelling in 2012 and those pictures of Chicago and Monument Valley sure look appealing. So far my experience with the US is limited to New York and California, but I’m sure that’s going to change in the coming years.
Just reading travel blogs like yours make me look forward to upcoming adventures.
Welcome to my blog, An! So glad to hear that you found some inspiration in these photos. The U.S. is indeed much more than just New York and California — it’s chock full of really amazing places! Hopefully you’ll get to explore more of them soon!
Wow….stunning pictures, you have been a very busy traveler….I hope 2012 is even better and I’ll bookmark your blog to see what you get up too. Happy travels Amanda from sunny (well cold at the moment) Spain.
Yes, 2011 was certainly a busy year for me! Hopefully 2012 will be just as full of travel. Happy travels to you, too!
Awesome year, A. I’ll be the first to admit Gerard and I haven’t explored much within the States. So much to explore in our own backyard, but we’re hoping maybe a road trip across America one day to see it all. Ohio seems like a beautiful place. Great year and cheers to a greater 2012!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..GQ Trippin’ from A to Z
I definitely recommend road tripping across the U.S.! I think sometimes we forget how huge and diverse our own country is. There really is a ton to see/do here!
February is definitely my favorite..
happy new years!
Trvl8dintern recently posted..Walking in Rome
Hawaii was so great; I really want to go back soon!
Happy New Years to you, too!