After several years of mostly domestic travel, we decided to expand our horizons in 2014 and explore a bit more of the world beyond our borders this year. A window of travel opportunity opened in the spring, but we needed to be back stateside by early July to help celebrate cousin Hans' 90th birthday.
Taking inspiration from Jules Verne, we decided to go "Around the World in 80 Days." Unlike Mr. Phileas Fogg in the story, we had the modern advantage of air travel, significantly easing the transportation logistics for our journey. Yet in the end, it was also our undoing. Too many flights in a short period of time exposed us to too many germs in confined spaces. After we both became ill and did not respond to local medical treatment, we bagged it at 30 days and returned home.
Familiar medications had us quickly back on our feet, so in June we flew off to Newfoundland for a glorious two weeks during iceberg season. July found us in New York City to celebrate Nanamama's 85th birthday, and in early September, we took off to wander down under, spending six weeks in Australia and New Zealand.
Between the longer trips, we still managed to rack up another 22,000 miles on our vehicle as we took numerous trips around the Southeast for time with family and friends, including a celebration of Marion's 70th birthday in October. We finished the year spending the last two weeks chilling at Perdido Key, the beginning of a month-long stay.
The year was scarred by Woodie's death from cancer in March. His loss left a gaping hole in our family and in our hearts.
2014 Summary
Major Trips
- Around the World in 80 Days (April 21-May 20). An aborted attempt to travel around the world and return before Hans' July birthday.
- The Big Chill (June 14-26). An exhilarating two-week exploration of Newfoundland and eastern Labrador.
- Big Apple Birthday Affair (July 14-18). A whirlwind tour of the New York landmarks and hotspots for Nanamama's 85th birthday with her and Jeanne and Steven.
- A Wander Down Under (September 4-October 12). 6 weeks of road tripping in Australia and New Zealand.
States We Visited in 2014
- Alabama
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
Canadian Provinces We Visited in 2014
- Newfoundland
- Ontario
space
Countries We Visited in 2014
- Australia
- Canada
- Czechia
- Iceland
- Italy
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- United Kingdom (England)
Other Events in 2014
- January - Blowing Rock with Pragers
- January - Scanning party for old family photos in Mobile with Jeanne and Nanamama
- February - Shoe Shoppers to Callaway Gardens (Dianne)
- March - Woodie's funeral
- May- Rachel's high school graduation
- July - Hans' 90th birthday celebration
- July - Letterboxing trip to Cincinnati
- October - Franklin for Steven's performance in Music Man
- November - South Florida to discuss Weeping Angel monument & Thanksgiving in Tallahassee
- December - Millry for cemetery landscaping project
- December - Two weeks in Perdido Key (continuing through mid January)
