I can’t believe it, the Casual Travelist is now two years old! When I started this blog two years ago I couldn’t imagine where it would take me. What began as a therapeutic and creative outlet after the passing of my Mom with early onset Alzheimer’s had helped me through one of the most difficult periods of my life and along the way I was pleasantly surprised to find that more than a few people enjoyed what I had to share. I started my little corner of the internet to share my travels both near and afar, that adventure can be had as near as the next town over as well as exploring the ends of the Earth. I continue to work full time as a physical therapist specializing in breast cancer rehab and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis, a career that while challenging at times provides me with a lot of personal satisfaction. This means, that like many of you, my travels are largely limited to weekends and the occasional longer trip. I hope I’ve been able to show that, with a little bit of planning, you can do more than scratch the surface of a destination during your 48 hours and that the dream trip that most of us put off for “someday” needn’t be out of reach.
At the beginning of 2015 I set a goal for myself to travel at least once per month, I was well on my way to reaching that goal when a surgery sidelined me for most of November. Aside from that little hiccup I had some great experiences over the last year. I visited New Orleans for the first time and immediately fell in love with the food, music and vibe of the Crescent City.
March took me to a snowy Boston where I attended the Women in Travel Summit (WITS), my first travel conference where I met a few of my favorite fab female travel bloggers. Multiple trips were made to Washington DC, which offers a wealth of unique neighborhoods to explore and a plethora of activities beyond the National Mall. Shenandoah’s late May blooms drew me out to the mountains for some hiking and wine tasting at a few of my favorite Virginia wineries.
Steve turned 40 this year, and if you ask me a landmark birthday deserves a landmark trip. I think that mission was accomplished in June when we ate our way through Copenhagen; including lucking into a reservation at Noma, named as the best restaurant in the world multiple times. From Copenhagen we spent a few days exploring the southern coast of Iceland, easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. Exploring waterfalls, hiking glaciers and taking a dip in the famed Blue Lagoon; we just scratched the surface of what Iceland has to offer (and we’ll definitely be back).
The rest of the summer found me taking a few quick trips throughout Virginia and Maryland where I found time and time again that I don’t need to venture far from home to find adventure. A business trip allowed me to explore Austin and Texas Hill Country in October before heading out to Ft. Lauderdale for TBEX, a premier travel blogging conference where I got to mingle with some of my favorite travel bloggers. As I mentioned before I was sidelined for the month of November due to a surgery but was up and running by the beginning of December to ring in the start of the holiday season in Alexandria, one of my favorite small towns in Virginia. I’m ending the year writing to you from Clearwater, Florida where Steve grew up and where we return every year to celebrate the holidays surrounded by family and longtime friends.
As we enter 2016 and another year for the Casual Travelist I’m excited to see what the coming months will bring. I thank each of you for joining me over the past two years and I wish you all another year filled with love, happiness and adventure.
Kelly says
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to a new year of adventure and joy! I look forward to seeing what comes next. Cheers!
Brianna says
Thak you so much Kelly, wishing you a year full of adventure!
Andi says
Congrats Brianna! Your blog is far more mature than 2 years, you have done a fantastic job building a great community with great content – I have certainly enjoyed it the last year+. I love the goal of traveling once a month, it is a good one for working folks, because those of us addicted to travel need something to live for! Keep it up and I look forward to your 20th anniversary!
Brianna says
Thank you so much Andi, that means so much coming from you! Hopefully we can meet up again sometime this year.
Jenna says
I love your commitment to both travel and a rewarding job that clearly helps a lot of people. Congrats on your second year, and I look forward to seeing where the next year takes you.
Brianna says
Thank you Jenna! As you know its a lot of work to balance travel, blogging, work and family but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Rebecca Bryant says
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to a new year of adventure and fun!! I so look forward to seeing what comes next as i just started following you. Here’s to a year of fun.
Brianna says
Thank you so much for joining my journey Rebecca! Any exciting adventures planned this year?
sabrina says
wow, your last 2 years look amazing! Keep on giving us shares of your travels!
Brianna says
THe last 2 years have been a whirlwind, I’m looking forward to what year number 3 brings! Wishing you a year full of adventure!
Noel Morata (@emorata) says
What a fabulous year, I need to travel more domestically during the new year. I loved the locations that you visited.
Brianna says
Noel, you had quite the year yourself! Any exciting travels for 2016?
Jackie says
Congrats on reaching such a milestone! Your commitment to travel once a month is certainly an inspiration to many people who think it would be too difficult to get away for a weekend or for a trip. It’s always memorable to travel for a big birthday and Copenhagen looks lovely. Thanks for sharing and wishing you continued success in the coming year!
Brianna says
Thanks Jackie, wishing you another year of adventure in 2016!
Holly says
Congrats on 2 years and Happy New Year. I had the same thoughts to try and travel every month, although that didn’t happen lol. Close enough. I made up for it.
Brianna says
Holly, I bet you can get it done in 2016, Happy New Year!
anna says
Iceland is high up on our list as well! There just seems to be so much to do and see there. Congratulations on turning 2! Wishing you more adventures and travels this year.
Brianna says
Thanks Anna! I hope you get to Iceland, its one of the most amazing places on the planet.
Rob Taylor says
Yes, great sights to see and explore. And can’t wait to keep following through this next year. We’ve got big plans too and are still working on more, so we may partially take our lead from your adventures.
Brianna says
Rob, I can’t wait to see where 2016 leads you. Happy travels!
Lance says
Congrats on your second year. We’d like to say that it gets easier, but I don’t know if that’s true. 🙂 Interesting to see how many of the same places we traveled this year (the same exact vineyard in Virginia, Texas Hill Country, DC, etc.). Here’s to hoping you have a great 2016!
Brianna says
Lance wishing you a great 2016 as well! Perhaps our paths will cross this year?
Becky says
What a year for both the blog and you! Congratulations on rounding out another year and great recap of the wonderful places you visited. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2016; if there are more Virginia articles from local travel I’ll be reading anxiously 🙂
Brianna says
You can be sure there will be quite a few Virginia posts, I have some big local things in store this year!
Carol Colborn says
Congratulations on reaching your second year of blogging, having fantastic domestic and international travels in 2015, and going to two travel bloggers’ meets! Here’s to a bigger and better 2016!
Brianna says
Likewise Carol, happy travels!
Alice Teacake says
You’re an inspiration! Apart from the kickass job you’re doing during the day, you’re showing others that you don’t have to have all the time in the world to explore this awesome planet. I’m happy you’ve had an awesome 2015. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got up your sleeve for 2016 🙂
Brianna says
Thanks Alice! It keeps me pretty busy but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Erica says
Cheers! To another year of writing and traveling. I say celebrate by booking another spontaneous trip?
Brianna says
That is brilliant! Travel is always a great way to celebrate:)
Rosemary says
Congratulations on successfully reaching your 2 year anniversary. Sounds like 2015 turned out to be a great year. Wishing you the very best and much success for 2016 and beyond. Love the pics!!
Brianna says
Thanks Rosemary, hoping 2016 brings you a year full of adventure 🙂
Jempi says
Congrats with the 2nd anniversary of your blog! Keep up the good work and may you complete all your goals for 2016. Cheers, Jempi.
Brianna says
Thanks Jempi, happy New Year to you !
arvin says
Congrats! Hope to see lots of amazing travel posts! What a great shot of Hamilton Pool, Austin
Brianna says
Thanks Arvin, happy travels!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
I remember all of your 2015 posts and look forward to more in 2016! Happy to hear that you were up and going in December, so quickly after your surgery. All the best for the coming year!
Elaine says
Congrats on 2 years, that’s incredible! You’ve covered SO much in that time. Looking forward to spending more time with you at the #DCTravelBlogger meetups this year 🙂
CzechPragueOut says
Dear Brianna, Happy Anniversary! So happy for you – you have wonderful and useful blog! If you are to come to Prague next year, please let us know. We will be super happy help you out with you itinerary! You can get in touch through our website http://www.czechpragueout.com
Ahoj! Tereza and Bety