Saturday, January 01, 2011 Road Junkies 0 Comments

After a full year living in an apartment, we decided to take better advantage of the "lock and leave" aspect afforded by having someone else in charge of maintenance and lawn care.  In 2011, we spent almost exactly half the year traveling with the other half at home.  We made good use of our passports with our travels split evenly between the United States and Europe.

Like last year, we began 2011 with  a laid-back sojourn at Perdido Key, renting a condo for the month of January for less than what a week would cost in the summer when the beaches are overcrowded.  In addition to visiting family nearby, we took time to do some travel planning.  Inspired by how much we enjoyed our two-month road trip up and down the East Coast in 2010, we decided to strike out at the beginning of March on a 90-day trip to Western Europe, primarily focusing on Italy, France and the United Kingdom.  It was a decision we celebrated.  We considered it our best travel experience ever, as we explored these countries at a relaxed pace, usually by car.

Our letterboxing hobby continued to intrigue us in 2011 and introduced us to more fascinating places we might have otherwise missed.  As always, we treasured time spent with family and friends.  

2011 Summary

Major Trips

  • A Shore Thing (January 1-31).  Another month-long respite at a Perdido Key condo
  • Euro Trek (March 1-June 1).  Three months of exploring western Europe, primarily France, Italy and the UK
  • Yaya Sisters in the Big Apple (July 11-16).  Full, fun days in Manhattan exploring with Jeanne, Pam, Marion and Heather (subs for teen yayas who bailed)
  • Boxing in the Heartland  (October 15-30).  Wandering around the Midwest looking for letterboxes and fall foliage
  • Digging for Our Roots  (October 31-November 4).  Traveled with Mother and Jeanne to Arkansas and Tennessee, still searching for Mama Wright’s ancestors

States We Visited in 2011

  1. Alabama
  2. Arkansas
  3. Florida
  4. Georgia
  5. Illinois
  6. Indiana
  7. Iowa
  8. Kentucky
  9. Michigan
  10. Minnesota
  11. Mississippi
  12. Missouri
  13. New York
  14. Ohio
  15. South Carolina
  16. Tennessee
  17. West Virginia
  18. Wisconsin

Countries We Visited in 2011

  1. Belgium
  2. France
  3. Ireland
  4. Italy
  5. Luxembourg
  6. Monaco
  7. Netherlands
  8. Switzerland
  9. United Kingdom (England & Scotland)
  10. Vatican City

Other Events in 2011

  • June - Uncle Joe’s 80th birthday in Jackson, AL
  • June - Princess Yaya Trip to Callaway Gardens
  • June, July & August - Transporting Steven to visit Nanamama & later letterboxing with Steven in Chattanooga
  • July - Sailing with Cathy and Ric from Fernandina to St Simons
  • August - Prager family week in Blowing Rock (first time without Grandma)
  • September - Visit with Knights and Robinsons in Nashville area + checked out Bowling Green sights
  • November - Erika’s birthday in Charlotte
  • November - Shingles outbreak for Dianne
  • December - Bought Acura MDX & said goodbye to Honda Odyssey
  • December - Jingle Boxing letterboxing event in Braselton, GA
  • December - post-Christmas visit to Millry & Vernon with Knights & Thorntons