This year has been a big one for us! A few quick highlights: we went to New York City, we got married, and we adopted two cats! We thought we’d do a year-end wrap-up post and a look into what we have planned for 2020. So without further ado:

Favorite Trip

Our favorite non-camping trip this year was our trip to New York City at the beginning of the year. We got to take a train and explore a city that neither of us had been to before. Of course, our reason for being there; we got to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. On Broadway! It was magical and the city was fantastic. One of the other highlights, for the romantics in us, was walking through Central Park in the snow.

Favorite Campsite

Without a doubt the campsite at Gulf Islands National Seashore. A lot of factors went into making this campsite so fantastic for us (middle of the week, not during summer time, crappy last campsite) but the whole campground was great. We were so close to the ocean and there was hardly anyone else around. It made for a really relaxing atmosphere. Plus an armadillo walked through it one morning!

Favorite Hike

Our wedding hike! It was freezing but so beautiful. We were there at dawn and also our wedding happened. Our photographers were fantastic and our families were troopers. Having a summer wedding with snow was a dream. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Favorite Gear Purchase

This one is close. Our kayak was an amazing find and we’re stoked to have it. We also bought our backpacking tent this year though and we can actually go backpacking now! We’ve used both pretty equally so far and are pleased. An honorary mention goes to our 2 person quilt we purchased this year but just shipped so it won’t be in our possession until January. We’re excited to get it and test it out this winter.

2020 Plans

This year is going to be a big one for us. If all things fall in place, we are going to be hiking the Continental Divide Trail! Doing a thru-hike has been a dream for us for 2 years now and it’s so exciting to finally have plans and an opportunity to do it. There will be posts coming in the lead up for it with more details about our plans and how we’re preparing to achieve this.

Besides hiking the CDT we have some travel plans for the first half of the year. We will be going to Colorado for a ski trip, St Louis for a hockey game, and Chicago just because. Our annual Memorial day weekend camping trip will be with friends this year!