From Idaho to China, 2009 was a fun year for traveling and writing
How can a year in which you got an action figure of yourself be anything but great?
Recently the Internet has featured an abundance of laments about the disappointment that was 2009. I disagree; 2009, you were a good one.
From Kamiah, Idaho (population 1,160) to Guangzhou, China (population 10,045,800), I experienced and wrote about some amazing places this year–and had a blast doing it.
Some highlights:
- In January I drove from my new home in Louisville to Las Vegas with my brother and then flew to Washington, DC for Barack Obama’s inauguration.
- For Valentine’s Day, I reviewed 10 engaging spots to pop the question for Budget Travel.
- Traveling to celebrate my grandmother’s 90th birthday with her, I drove through Idaho, one of the most beautiful areas in the United States.
- I discovered one of my new favorite American cities–Nashville, which I visited twice.
- I covered the running–and parties–of Kentucky Derby 135 (and got this hilarious voice message from a Paris Hilton flack in the process).
- I experienced my first music festival–Bonnaroo.
- Trips to Boston; Morgantown, WV; Charlotte, NC; and Washington, DC allowed me to spend time with family and friends, as well as do some exploring.
- My more than 100 articles for Louisville.com provided me with ample opportunities to investigate my new hometown.
- While in New York to officiate a friend’s wedding (yes, you read that right), I finally met in person many travel writers and editors whom I’d known only virtually before.
- I consumed delicious tacos, lattes, and cocktails in Austin, TX.
- I reviewed concerts by two of my favorite performers–Bruce Springsteen and Roger Daltrey.
- After a fantastic trip to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China, sponsored by the Ritz-Carlton, Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air, I wrote about the ethics of press trips for BlackBook.
- And I began contributing to Air Canada’s in-flight magazine, enRoute, and blogging about lodging for UpTake.
On a personal note, I’ll be closing out 2009 or beginning 2010 with a new daughter–my wife and I are expecting our first child any day now. Look for articles in early 2010 about traveling with an infant: we’ve already made plans to bring her to Milwaukee, Chicago, and San Diego.
Best wishes for a great 2010!
Tags: Barack Obama, BlackBook, Bonnaroo, Bruce Springsteen, Budget travel, Cathay Pacific, China, Dragon Air, enRoute, Guangzhou, Idaho, Kentucky Derby, Las Vegas, Louisville, Louisville.com, My work, Nashville, New York, Ritz-Carlton, Roger Daltrey, Shenzhen, Travel, Travel writing, UpTake, Writing2 Comments
Nancy D. Brown on January 1st, 2010
Hey Zach,
Congratulations on your soon-to-be new title; Dad!
What a Trip!
My writing focuses on travel and culture. I contribute to Air Canada's enRoute, BlackBook, Gridskipper, and UpTake. I'm also the editor-in-chief of Louisville.com.
divinityrose on December 30th, 2009
what an exciting year! I’m a little envious of the travel time