Adventure and Travel Goals for 2017 and a Look Back at the Best Adventures of 2016

I know many people are so looking forward to saying goodbye to 2016. There were certainly some dark moments collectively as a nation and for many people close to me in their individual lives. However, I’m happy to share with you my adventure and travel goals for 2017 and take a look back at all that I’ve been blessed to see and do and experience and smile with gratitude.

Adventure and Travel Goals Recap of 2016

1. Get scuba certified – Fail
2. Visit Discovery Cove – Fail
3. Stay in a houseboat – Fail
4. Visit 3 national parks I’ve never visited before – Pass. This was ambitious and I knew that.  I did visit 2 new national parks and 1 that was sorta kinda new.  My son and I went to Cache National Forest in Utah/Idaho. We visited Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia, a first for my son but a repeat visit for me.  We also went to Cumberland Island National Seashore.
5. Travel to Key West by boat – Fail
6. Stay in a treehouse – Fail but not for lack of trying.
7. Plan another solo international trip – Pass….I planned one. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to take that trip and had to cancel it. I was all booked to fly to Paris and Germany to visit the Christmas Markets. Real tears over that one.
8. Visit the UK – Pass. I went to London and Wales and added Ireland to that itinerary. It was an epic trip and I still have so much content to share with you from that trip.
9. Stay in a castle – Pass. I stayed in the Chateau Rhianfa in northern Wales. Definitely a highlight of the year!
10. Swim with manatees – Pass. My son and I were able to do this in January and I’m hoping we will be able to squeeze in another one in 2017.
11. Visit Devil’s Den Prehistoric Underwater Spring – Pass. I checked off this one on New Years Day!
12. Go Luxury Glamping – Pass. Not once but 3 times! I did luxury glamping at a dude ranch, in Utah at Conestoga Ranch, and in Texas hill country.
13. Visit at least one other European country on the UK trip – Pass. I went to Ireland
14. See Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Pass. It glorious and a must do for any true Harry Potter fan
15. Zip Line at a new location – Pass. My son and I zip lined in Texas hill country over springbreak.
16. Explore at least 6 new local parks – Fail.
17. Visit more Florida beaches I haven’t visited before – Pass. I went to Anna Maria Island
18. Tent Camping trip – Pass. We camped in Cumberland Island Georgia with Outdoor Afro
19. Visit California again – Fail.
20. Travel internationally with my son – Fail. But….it will definitely happen in 2017.

I also had quite a few adventures I didn’t plan.

• paddle boarding for the first time
• eating ostrich for the first time
• playing with baby kangaroos and baby lemurs
• doing an overnight backpacking trip
• watching a sea turtle necropsy
• clay shooting
• watching a rodeo
• riding a horse through a field of rodeo bulls
• visiting a nudist resort
• seeing the bog bodies of Ireland
• seeing the Rosetta Stone
• visiting a Texas vineyard and winery
• Doing a rib ride in Wales
• Rode a jet ski for the first time
• Won best local blogger in Tampa
• Went to Mall of America
• Visited a 2  new waterfalls
• Did my first Dapper Day at Disney

Not bad, not bad. 60% of the adventures I set out to have I was actually able to accomplish. I work 40+ hours a week and I’m a mom to a high school football player that keeps me pretty busy so being able to get that many adventure and travel goals completed is doing pretty darn good. I get emails and messages all the time from people who are baffled that I’m able to do this. Many say they want to but they just don’t have the time.

My advice is that you have to be intentional. I made a very intentional list of things I wanted to see and do for the year and I planned to do them. There are only 2 things on my list that I planned but wasn’t able to execute due to circumstances I couldn’t control.  As opportunities were presented, I also looked at how they fit in with my goals. Is it something I really want to do? Is it worth my time and energy because doing this may take time and money away from my ability to do something else that was on my list.

Choose your where you place your money and energy wisely. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of spending energy doing things that honestly don’t add any value to our lives. If you don’t plan you can guarantee that you won’t do any of the things you say you have the desire to do. So, if your goal is to have a family trip next year start planning now!  Whatever your goals for next year, your first step is a plan of action.

Adventure and Travel Goals for 2017

1. Get scuba certified
2. Visit Discovery Cove
3. Visit Dry Tortugas National Park
4. Visit 3 national parks I’ve never visited before
5. Take a cruise
6. Stay in a treehouse or a houseboat
7. Plan another solo international trip
8. Visit Maine
9. Swim in a cenote
10. Visit a new Florida spring
11. Visit 3 new Florida State Parks
12. Glamping Trip
13. Take a cooking class in Paris
14. Ride the London Eye with my son
15. Zip Line at a new location
16. Explore at least 3 new local parks
17. At least one tent camping trip
18. Go on college visits with my son
19. Travel internationally with my son

Ain’t nothing to it but to do it!! I’m entering 2017 with an open heart and an open mind. I’m ready for the adventures and travels that lie ahead for me this year.  It’s going to be bitter-sweet because this year will also bring about the beginning of my son’s senior year of high school so in a way it’s the beginning of the end of his childhood. I’m not sure how prepared I am for that, but I’m determined to make the most of the time we have left together.

I wish you and your families a prosperous and adventure filled new year! Now go and be great.

Happy Adventure Year!