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!
My writing focuses on travel and culture. I've contributed to The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Air Canada's enRoute, BlackBook, Budget Travel, Deadspin, and Louisville Magazine. I'm also the editor-in-chief of Louisville.com and BlackBook's Louisville City Editor.