Happy New Year 2026

Well, we survived 2025 and that's a really low bar, but it feels like a major accomplishment. If you're reading this, then you survived too, and I'm proud of you. Congrats. 2026 looks to be another tough year with the tanking economy, people having a hard time being able to afford basic necessities, like food and gas, but here's hoping it gets better instead of worse. 

Last year felt sort of normal for the most part, until we hit mid-October, then it was crazy rollercoaster. I took an unplanned road trip with my mom, had some good and bad times, dropped her off at the airport a few weeks after coming home and she, unexpectedly died 3 days later, so I then had to make another unplanned trip to take care of her body and possessions, and after coming home, I've just spent the last 2 1/2 months trying to wrap up her things, clear out her apartment, and then do all my other obligations, like work and planning/putting on a huge fundraiser. 

I'm now planning a small celebration of life, while trying to also start anew in 2026. Is it working? Well, it's only the 3rd, so we'll see. Let's also look at what I wanted to get to this year:

Do More Local Activities

I think we actually achieved this. We have a group of friends who we do brunch stuff with, so we have been tacking on activities to these like walking around town to check out stops on the Sidewalk Joy map, alternatives to free little libraries, and ornament making at a holiday pop-up.

Meet Up with More Friends On My Travels

I didn't get to do this, because I didn't really travel anywhere I had friends like I did the last year. I was able to meet up with friend who were visiting here though. Hopefully, this is something I can do more of this year.

Try Something New

We did quite a few new things this last year, like driving in Europe. I've been saying yes to a lot more things that I know I'll like once I get there and do it. 

Bring Back 48-Hours Posts

Yeah, I 100% dropped the ball on this. We'll see if I get to any of them this year, but I'm not sure if anyone cares about them besides me.

Do More holiday-/month-specific Posts

I did pretty good on this until October, and I only got Halloween posts on Facebook out because I scheduled them way ahead of time. This year I'm going to try to think further ahead to do more of this.

Create More Reels for Instagram

I feel like I did really well on this, but I would like to post more on Instagram and Threads in general, so if you're on either of those, please follow me. I'm also sorry for dropping the ball on Facebook, but I don't feel like I get too many people interacting there either. If you're still on Facebook, let me know if that's something you're interested in continuing, and please interact with my posts if you do.

Support More Local Artists/Businesses

I went to a lot of local markets this year and I also visited a ton of independently-owned coffee shops, so I want to continue to do this, because giving money to big corporations isn't that rewarding, even if it is instantly gratifying.

All the Coffee Shops

I slacked on my Portland Coffee Shop Tour series once summer hit and I got incredibly busy. 2026 is going to see a return of my series, there just might be only 2 per month, instead of 3-4, but we'll see how that pans out. Of course, you can always see what shops I visit in real time if you follow me on Instagram.

Bringing Back Destination Date Nights

Yeah, I did none of these this year. We had a Destination Potluck though, where we "traveled" to Ireland and all brought a potato dish and solved a fun mystery while learning more about Ireland. Perhaps this year we can do at least one more. I'm open to country suggestions. I have been wanting to do a Romanian one for World Dracula Day in May though, so we may still do that one.

Visiting New Places

Last year we still went to Las Vegas. I went twice. We also returned to France, but this time we explored the Normandy region, which was entirely new to us. Eric moved jobs within his company, so we didn't get to go back to Denver to explore more of that area. 

This year the Travel Goods Show has been moved to Salt Lake City, maybe permanently, so I'll be exploring more than just the airport, possibly with Eric and the dog. We're also going to visit Providence, RI and Boston in the fall, and probably another trip to Burbank late winter/early spring.

Start a Paid Subscription Service

I didn't really do this, but I'm going to try to work more on it this year. 

2026 Additions

Try out more salt rooms

People are resolving to do more self-care while they travel, but I feel like travel is self care for me, so I really just want to find more salt rooms on my trips to visit to relax and get some much needed ionization in my life. 

Have a unique dining experience

Maybe this is eating in a Michelin restaurant or getting coffee from a (literal) wall hole cafe or anything in between. I just want it to be interesting, different, and, hopefully, fun.

Spend more quality time with family

We already have a family trip to the beach planned for August, but I also plan to visit my uncle more this year when no one is dead or in the hospital (fingers crossed!), and maybe visit other family, and do more with our niblings (nieces/nephews). My uncle has a goal of going on a train ride through Canada with me, and I hope he realizes that this year, not just because I would love an extra trip, but because that means he's healthy enough to get around again and because he never got to do it with my mom like he planned. 

Travel more with the dog

This last month, I did an overnight at the hotel we through our annual Yule Ball at. Eric had hurt his leg, so dancing wasn't really in the cards for him at that time. I already had the hotel room and they didn't charge extra for a dog and I figured it was as good a time as any to give Eric and Pippa a little staycation while I was working. She did really well and I think more travel would benefit her.

Now that we don't have my mom as a dogsitter, it gives me an excuse to take the dog with us more places, where we can. She's really well behaved, but we also can't take her if the flight is really long or when we stay at our timeshare, so we'll also be looking for a trusted person to take care of her while we're out of town and can't take her with us.

Document travel more and better

I know I take a ton of photos, but they aren't always something other people want to see, so I'm hoping to take more videos and intentional photos in order to document more of our travels and also have better options for Instagram reels, stories, and carousels. 

Actually practice my French and/or start learning Japanese

We're hoping to make it to Japan in the next year or two and I want to be somewhat prepared in that. I know I'm never going to be great at reading Japanese, but conversing well is a big goal of mine. I am also determined to plan out our trip way ahead of time, so we can budget accordingly.

Here's to a prosperous 2026 in every way possible. Let me know what your travel resolutions are in the comments.

Goodbye 2025

You may have noticed I've not really been around the last couple months. I apologize, but the end of this year has not been great. I'm still trying to get back into a normal routine, but early last month, my mom unexpectedly died, so I had to make a very short, exhausting trip back to Burbank to deal with her cremation details, make sure my uncle was okay and got home from the hospital alright, and try not to have a nervous breakdown. 

I spent a lot of time at the hospital, time sorting through my mom's belongings that she took with her, and gave myself a half day off to go to Universal, because if I was going to be sad, I might as well do it on a roller coaster. My mom and I had talked about going to Universal on our previous trip in October, but we never got to go, so I hope she was with me in spirit. 

Once home, I spent much of my free time clearing out her house and also planning for Yule Ball with my nonprofit. 3 of the 5 of us had disastrous year ends. One's grandma got pneumonia and passed away and the other bought a house and got laid off the next day. I'm pretty sure this year has not been great for many of you, so I'm sorry if that's the case. If not, I'm happy for you. Either way, I hope your holidays were relaxing and this new year is a restart and refresh you need.

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So, while there were some really good times in 2025, I will not be sad to see it go. I'm going to hang on to those good memories and try to wrap up what I need to as quickly as possible, so I can go fresh into 2026 by the end of January. that means you may not see regularly scheduled posts from me again until February, but I'll do my best now that they holidays are over and I have more time to dedicate to things I need to do outside of travel blogging. Thanks for understanding.

I'll be back with my look ahead of what 2026 might look like. One of those things will be to find a trusted petsitter for when we travel, but we also might be traveling more with our dog when she is able to go. Remember, you can always follow things I'm doing on Instagram, because it takes a lot less effort for me to post a reel or story while I'm out and about. 

Have a great end of year celebration, if you're into that sort of thing, and let me know in the comments what you loved most (or least) about 2025 and what you are looking forward to in 2026. 

Let's go to some fun places this year!

Buying An RV: What to Look For Before You Hit the Road

Recreational vehicles (RVs) are the ultimate ticket to freedom, providing both comfort and adventure. From touring national parks to waterfront camping trips, investing in an RV requires a lot of research. Not all RVs are the same and finding your ideal match requires understanding your needs, preferences, and features that matter. Let's look at some of the important things to help choosing your RV:

Photo by Paul Kansonkho on Unsplash

Size Matters: Choose the Right RV Type

RVs come in various classes and sizes, from compact camper vans to sprawling fifth wheels. To find your ideal vehicle, first assess how much space is necessary based on whether or not you will be travelling alone, with family, or hosting other travelers. Class A motorhomes are luxurious and spacious, perfect for travelers who desire all of the amenities of home while traveling. Class B camper vans provide versatile seating arrangements ideal for couples or solo travelers, while Class C motorhomes provide adequate living space without being excessive. Towing options include travel trailers or fifth wheels, depending on your towing capacity and desired living space needs. RV parks, campsites, and boondocking spots are readily available for all kinds of RVs, making planning your trips easy.

Your Budget

An RV is an expensive financial commitment, so choosing one within your budget is very important for stress-free travels. New RVs that have all the latest features but may come at a high price point while pre-owned options might need additional maintenance costs or repairs down the line. Also keep in mind costs like insurance, fuel, maintenance and campsite fees to make an informed decision that fits with your long-term finances.

The Floor Plan Says It All

Your RV’s floor plan can make or break your camping experience. Take time to assess its layout to make sure that it fits with your lifestyle and daily tasks. Is there enough kitchen space for meal prep? Are the sleeping areas comfortable enough? Where will you store gear and groceries? Look for one with a lot of storage, living space, privacy as well as possibly slide out sections for additional space when parked.

Don't Scrimp on Comfort Features

From weekend getaways to months-long road trips, comfort should always come first. When choosing an RV, get one equipped with quality heating and cooling systems as well as insulation walls suitable for various climates. A reliable bathroom (wet bath), kitchen appliances and amenities as well as features like convertible dining tables, comfortable seating arrangements, adequate lighting can significantly enhance your travel experience.

Tech and Safety Features

RVs nowadays have an assortment of tech features designed to make life on the road more convenient, such as smart controls for lighting and temperature, connectivity features like Wi-Fi boosters, backup cameras, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers. Being proactive about safety can save you from serious hassle down the line.

Finding the right RV is less about finding gadgets than it is about meeting your practical needs and travel aspirations. When you plan, pay close attention, and you are patient, you're well on your way to find one that embodies your spirit of adventure.