2022 was a busy year. Here’s where we went and how we got there.
February
Ellie, my brother, and I took a surprised trip to New York City for Ellie’s 13th birthday. A snowstorm tried to stop us—and it did delay our trip by half a day—but we made it in time for Hamilton on Broadway and a few days exploring the city. (more on that trip here)
March
We took a day trip to Louisville, Kentucky, for my dad’s birthday. We went to a record sale, did some antiquing, ate delicious food, and visited the Louisville Slugger Museum.
For spring break, we spent a week in Destin, Florida. My mom went with us on this trip. We got to introduce her to Buccee’s and lazy days at the beach. It was a little windy and chilly some days, but it beat a week in freezing cold Indiana, obviously.
May
We spent the long Memorial Day weekend camping with friends in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky. We stayed at the Renfro Valley KOA and while we had lots of traveling mishaps on the way there and back (towing a camper is always an adventure, sigh), it was a good trip after the chaos of the end of school.
June
We took our annual trip to Austin Lake RV Park with Chris’ brother and family. We got to meet our new niece for the first time. We spent 2-3 years trying out different spots to do our yearly trip, but last year we ended up here and decided it’s where we wanted to go back every summer. It’s such a fun place with so much to do, and I love the idea that we return every year together.
We spent a rainy weekend at Turkey Run State Park with friends. I love Turkey Run, but this trip was a wash, literally. We had fun, because camping with RVs means the rain doesn’t really bother you, but we definitely want to try again next summer with the hopes of better weather so we can hike and play outside. We did get one good day on the river, though, so it was still a good trip.
July
[This should be where I write about our annual 4th of July trip to Michigan. It’s my favorite trip of the year. Except this year we got COVID and had to cancel. *insert many sobs here* But don’t worry, I’ll make up for it in a few months.]
I spent a week in Columbus, Ohio for work. That doesn’t seem like a trip I should add to the list because work travel is exhausting in its own special way, but I slept in a king-size bed by myself for a week while other people made all my food and I didn’t have to care for anyone but myself. So it was definitely a vacation.
We ended up back in Louisville, Kentucky, with my dad for a Louisville Bats (minor league baseball) game. This was his Father’s Day gift. All gifts for my dad are baseball related.
September
For Labor Day weekend, we drove to southern Indiana to spend three days camping in Santa Claus, Indiana. We spent a day at Holiday World, did all the Christmas-themed stuff around town, and avoided the rain as much as we could. It was a fun trip, but I don’t feel the need to camp there again. That place is packed FULL of campers, and we like a little more space when camping.
[Fun twist: It was supposed to rain the day we planned to go to Holiday World, but the rain kept getting pushed back, so we ended up going and just bracing for rain. It came about 1.5 hours before close, around the time we were ready to leave. But guess what happens when there’s a threat of rain all day? Holiday World enacts their Worry-Free Weather Guarantee and, if you get rained out, they let you use your tickets for another day for free. An IG follower who works there shared this info with me, so now we get to return next season and use our tickets again. Sweet.]
October
A friend and I flew to Florida and boarded a very big ship for a 7-day cruise to western Caribbean. We visited Honduras and made a few stops in Mexico. It was fun and relaxing, even though I’m still not sold on cruises as a normal way to see the world. [more on that trip here]
Over fall break, we camped at Lieber State Rec Area and had the best time. I had no idea this place would be as great as it was and can’t wait to return.
December
We pulled the girls out of school a week early and drove to northern Michigan for skiing and playing in the snow. We’d been to Boyne Mountain Resort years ago when the girls were small, and it was summer. (details here) It was fun to go back in the winter when they’re older and have a whole different set of adventures and experiences. I wish we had introduced the girls to skiing when they were younger, but we’re not giving up yet. [more details on here]
2022 was an odd travel year. A May trip to Florida with a friend was cancelled the morning I was supposed to fly out because of fog delays at the airport and people we were traveling sick with COVID. Chris and I were supposed to fly to Oregon for a friends’ wedding in August, but had to cancel because it didn’t feel responsible to spend that much money with the rising costs due to inflation. And, of course, we had to cancel Michigan in July.
On the plus side, we got to do lots of traveling (masked the whole time because we don’t want to get sick again AND we don’t want to visit other communities and make them sick). It was not the year we planned, but it was still good. Lots of adventures. Lots of memories. Lots of new places with good friends.
I’m excited for 2023. We’ve got some fun trips planned. And I can’t wait to see what unexpected places we end up as well.
What vehicle do you drive to haul your camper? I drive a Subaru Outback, so I know that can’t handle it, but we’re vehicle shopping for my husband and we want something with decent hauling capabilities. We don’t have a camper yet, but it’s on our list of investments. Space for regular camping gear in the back is also a plus! We currently tent camp.
We tow our camper with a Nissan Armada. It’s basically an SUV on a truck frame. It seats 8 comfortably. Gas is a pain, but I don’t drive it as my every day vehicle anymore, so that helps a lot.