Why 2024 has still been great despite calamity

A few months ago I wouldn't have said that 2024 was a good year. It was tough then the politics got gross, and now next year is looking sketch, but...

I haven’t sent an update for a few weeks because it’s simply that time of year that everything is stacked up and it’s sink or swim. We’ve had lots of family visiting and we’ve been wrapping up the school year. I’m excited to share all the updates for what we’ve been working on though, because it’s what’s maintaining a good, happy distraction is the final season of America.

Yes, I’m still holding onto hope that the USA snaps out of its bassackwardness before inauguration day, but the days are passing and it feels like we are just being left to fend for our futures. I’m not trying to start off as a downer, but forcing a smile when hope is drying up sucks. Stay tuned though because if things turn around for the better (if you know what I mean) then there’s going to be lots to share and I’m never going to shut up, so we’ll see. But here’s an update on life and all the fun things I’ve been working on.

Lots of New Travel Articles!

I’ve been really pouring a lot of thought and work into our destination websites and it’s been awesome. The last month has seen more than 40 new articles!!! Can you tell I’m both really enjoying writing and am overflowing with enthusiasm these days?

I would love for you to check out the sites and use the resources we’ve created. You can subscribe to the individual sites if you like to get updates and inspiration from each one specifically.

I’m getting lots of questions from readers and figuring out what sorts of things to write up and will hopefully have each of the websites mostly done by the end of January. Here’s what’s new:

2TravelDads.com - Westward Look Resort in Tucson AZ - Two Week Alaska Road Trip Plan - UPDATED Yellowstone NP Guide

TheKeysExplored.com - Things to do in Key Largo - Tips for a Budget Friendly Keys Trip - All About Key Deer on Big Pine Key - Historic Sites in Key West - Fun Things to do in the Middle Keys - Trip to Historic Pigeon Key - Fort Zachary Taylor State Park - African Queen Boat Tours - Visiting the Audubon House in Key West

MyAlohaTrip.com - Ka’awa Loa Plantation B&B - Lavaloha Chocolate Farm - Maui Ocean Center - Kauai’s Hindu Monastery - Kamakahonu Historic Site - Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkeling - Lapakahi State Historical Park - Kaloka Honokohau National Historical Park - the Lanai Cat Sanctuary

MyAlaskaTrip.com - Getting Around Alaska - Alaska Trip Planning Tips - Baranof Hotel in Juneau - Highliner Hotel Anchorage - Guide to Denali NP

SavannahExplored.com - Things to do on Tybee Island - Guide to Forsyth Park - Guide to Savannah’s Districts and Historic Areas - Fort Pulaski National Monument

StAugustineExplored.com - Ice Plant Bar and Scratch Kitchen… and then I have a bunch more that I’m nearly done with

MaineExplored.com - Maine Glamping Guide - All About Lobster Rolls - Whoopie Pies in Maine - 3 Day Acadia NP Itinerary - the Samoset Resort - Where to Stay at Acadia NP

Taylor Family Cat UPDATE

If you know our family or have been following our life journey this year, you know it’s been a bumpy one with our furry friends. We lost our best buddy Bijoux back in May in welcomed Rocky in June. We are Rocky’s third home and I get it; he’s a big cat and he’s been very difficult to get to know and make feel safe or at home. We had a lot of bites, slices and full on attacks. But we had a major breakthrough.

In October we introduced two kittens from our local shelter, Bruce and Pistachio, and they didn’t know any better so forced their way into Rocky’s life. That’s what he needed. Pistachio is very bold and he wouldn’t take no for an answer from Rocky. He required Rocky to play with him, and in turn Rocky started to become more gentle. The kittens taught Rocky how to meow (he only growled before) and now they all play together and give each other group baths. They’re best friends.

With Rocky learning from the kittens, he’s become a friend to us humans too. We can now pick him up, we can pet him without fear (but still with caution) and he’ll even sit with us when we watch a movie. It’s a slow process, but the kittens have absolutely changed him and the dynamic of our house. I’m so thankful for them all, even though none of them can replace our friend that we lost.

Travel in 2025 - Taylor Family Adventures

I’m pretty excited about what we’ve got on the calendar in the coming months. It’s become more and more complicated as the kids have gotten older to plan trips when school is in session, but it just means that we have to be more strategic and try to do work trips w/o the kids and FUN trips with them. The two types of travel will still overlap, but knowing how life is going to change with our oldest, Oliver, going into high school next year, we’re already adjusting how much time we take off.

Here’s what we do have planned though, and I think it’s pretty exciting:

• Winter Park, Colorado - family skiing, which is NOT our norm. It’s going to be so much fun and such a different experience

• New York City - this year Elliott (youngest) is going to come with me for my January trip. We are climbing the Statue of Liberty, seeing Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway and visiting the Met.

• The Big Island of Hawaii - I love that there’s a trip to Kona and Hilo on the books. Bestie Kelly and I are heading back with a laundry list of things to see and research. It’s going to be a fun, busy, exhausting and wonderful trip.

• Fairbanks, Alaska - that’s right! We’re heading to Fairbanks for an Alaskan winter experience. There’ll be lots of details to share closer to our trip, but it’s going to be cold, beautiful and a great life experience for our Florida kids.

• The Florida Keys - one of my favorite work trips: driving the Overseas Highway. Diving into State Parks, visiting Dry Tortugas National park and snorkeling three different reefs, this is another trip that is going to leave us tired and full of things to write about!

There’s more on the calendar too, but those plans are waiting to be finalize. I can tell you that there may be a journey on the Alaska Marine Highway, hiking on the NaPali Coast and some time enjoying Washington State this summer. More to come…

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Thank you for following along through the year or years. Even when things feel dark and ambiguous, I’ve always found comfort and stability with getting to travel and write. I appreciate all the people who help make that possible for my family and I, even if you don’t realize that you’re positively contributing our lives. I like to think that we’re being helpful or encouraging with the things we share, and that we’ll have much more to share in the years to come!

Have the happiest of holidays, whether that be celebrating the 58th birthday of the Grinch show, ringing in the New Year, or celebrating any of the 29 holidays that occur from November to January. Keep the hope, keep the adventures and we’ll see you in 2025!