Summer Travels 2021

Summer is coming to a close and let me tell you, this has been one for the books. I’ve seen more of this country this year than I have in my entire life. My family and I decided, after a year of quarantine, we were going to see as much as possible while the country was open, just in case we ended up back on lockdown. As soon as we could, my husband and I got our vaccines, packed up the car and headed out.

We started our travels in March with a cross-country road trip to the Grand Canyon and California to celebrate my Naomi’s 12 birthday.

View from our front door of the desert in Page, AZ

Views from our hotel in Santa Monica

First views of the Grand Canyon from the Painted Desert

Of course we couldn’t do something that big for one girls birthday and not go big for the others. So next we made our way to Miami for Noelle’s 8th birthday. We stayed at the Faena hotel and it was the absolute BEST hotel experience I’ve ever had!

A happy Naomi at the pool cabana

Unfiltered bliss

Noelle excited about dinner.

Next was my mom’s turn. My brother and I made it a point to get her up the coast to Boston and Maine. It’s something she has been talking about for the last two years and I thank God that this year we were able to make it happen. We started our trip in NYC per my request and let me tell you, there is nothing like summer in New York. I fell in love with that city and will most definitely be back without children. Next we headed to Boston and took a day trip to Plymouth, Massachusetts. We ended our trip in Portland, Maine.

Bagels at Bryant Park

Views from Plymouth, MS

Underdressed for Maine’s weather

After the trip up the coast, I was able to get away on a girls trip to Puerto Rico to celebrate my best friend of 20 years’ completing her dissertation and officially earning her PhD in Education.

At El Moro in Old Sa Juan

My Best Friend and I at Barrachina

Enjoying my last moments on the beach in San Juan

Finally, my husband and I have been blessed with the opportunity to go to Accra, Ghana for a friends wedding anniversary. Travel to Africa did not cross my mind until recently and I never thought I would be making the trip to the Mother Land so soon. I know this trip is going to epic and so I’m planning on dedicating an entire blog post to the experience. 

I know everyone has been itching to get away after being cooped up in the house for over a year. Have you had the chance to go on vacation yet this summer? Let me know where you went in the comments! I’m not finished traveling. Where should we go next?

Wherever you end up, whether traveling abroad or enjoying a staycation, I hope you have the very best time! I love you!