Favorite Places of 2021

Today's trip down memory lane has some to do with travel and some to do with some of my general favorite places from this year - and the reasons I love them so much!

* We don't get to do this nearly as much in the cold weather...not so much because of the cold itself, but more because of the abbreviated daylight hours...but oh how I loved our walks through the meadow this year. Because the walls are thin in our building, Ryan and I have always found it easier and better to have our deep talks/processing conversations while out on walks. We spent a lot of time in this meadow in ALL seasons of the year, and it has become so dear to both of us!

* On our 100th monthiversary, we visited the Botanical Conservatory in downtown Fort Wayne, and it was SO beautiful! They switch up their themes a few times each year (we were there at the end of their Easter theme) and I'd love to go see some of the others! 

* That same day, we also explored downtown Fort Wayne. It's such a pretty city. The skyline...the river...the park...it's lovely. 

* Maybe it's because it was our first destination in Abby...maybe it's because the lodge was shaped like an A-frame...I'm not sure, but I really did enjoy visiting Hueston Woods State Park this spring. It's in Ohio, and we didn't get to explore the park really at all, so this absolutely on the list of places I'd love to go back to when I can actually see the park. (I was there to speak at an event, and when it was over, the weather was not conducive to exploration...just in case you missed why I would be at a state park and not actually exploring the state park.) OH wait! Maybe it was the double rainbow I saw there?

* For Ryan's birthday, we visited the RV Museum/Hall of Fame in Elkhart, and that was a fun place to see! They have actual campers and RVs from days of yore, and they were SO MUCH fun to see. It's crazy to see how they began way back in the day and how far they've come!

* For my birthday, went hiking at Eagle Marsh on the south side of Fort Wayne. All those many years I worked at the station and drove right by this all the time...I had no idea how huge it was! Bonus of seeing deer? YES PLEASE! I'd love to go hiking here again! (There were parts we couldn't explore because it was too wet. I'd love to see those areas if we found the dry season!)

* Throughout this week, I've mentioned our trip to see our friends, the Bromptons, in Colorado. Not only was their place a joy to see, stay at, and explore, but it was also the first time either of us had ever been to Colorado, and we loved it! We were just over the eastern line into the state, so we didn't get to the mountainous areas. This whet our appetite to visit Colorado and see even more of it!

* Speaking of places that made us want to see more...Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park (in Kansas) made me want to revisit my ideas for visiting the Badlands. I had friends who went there a few years ago and their pictures sold me on putting it on my list! This stop reminded me why!

* My sister's little town in Kansas is always one of my favorite places to go - not just because we get to see our family, but because it's so cute!! Its resilience (post-tornado) always inspires me, and the rebuilding they've done is top-notch.

* Two of my favorite places this year were getting to visit the Little House on the Prairie sites in Independence, Kanas, and Mansfield, Missouri. I can't wait to see all the rest of them and finish getting stamps in my Little House passport!

* The small town of big things in Casey, Illinois was a favorite stop for us this year. Small towns are admittedly my jam, and this one was cute enough to make me say I'd want to live there! (Not just for the coffee shop, but there was that...)

* Ryan surprised me with a trip to Beef and Boards to see The Sound of Music, and it was one of my favorite places this year! Even better? Our friends Jon and Julie came along for a double date! I absolutely love The Sound of Music, and this was a great performance. This was supposed to be my birthday gift in 2020, but it was postponed. (And then Ryan sprained his ankle 2 days before we went and had to ice bath his foot all the way to Indianapolis and back!) 

* One of my favorite places this year? ABBY!!! When we were shopping for an RV, we actually looked at some camper vans and one of the things the salesman noted to us was that in inclement weather, vans can be a little cramped. We were so glad he mentioned that and that we chose something a little larger. Whenever it was rainy/buggy/too hot/whatever - Abby was perfectly comfortable, and we enjoyed EVERY minute we spent in there. (Except the one where I busted the water pitcher by accident and flooded the entire floor.)

* And though we aren't big-city enough to want to live there, we did love the treasures of Nashville! The parks, the Opryland hotel, the pedestrian bridge...it was all really wonderful to visit!

* And last but not least...I don't have a photo of it, but one of my favorite places this year, oddly enough, has been the WillowBridge basement. I've spent hours there, walking laps, talking to friends on Marco Polo, praying, listening to worship music, and enjoying some quiet and respite. It has meant so much to me to have that one space away from everything and everyone when I need some time!