Highs and Lows of April 2017

April 2017 Highlights: The Highs + Lows

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I’ve come to love writing these posts more than any others as they offer me a chance to fill you in on what really goes on behind the scenes in my life (it’s not all fun and games and gorgeous beaches, I swear). They also serve as a forum to share exciting upcoming things, trips that you can be a part of.

With that said, who wants to join me in Utah in May?

Adventure Photography Workshop in Zion National Park, Utah

Remember when I went to St. George and Zion National Park last year for an Instameet? Well, the fine folks who put that on are doing something similar, only they’re inviting all of you, too. That’s right: You can come participate in an adventure photography weekend in Zion with me for free. OK, you do have to get yourself there and figure out your lodging, but the itinerary itself is at no cost! You can read more about it here.

Adventure Photography Workshop in Zion National Park, Utah

Now, onto what I’ve been into this month!

Highlights of April

Highs

A visit from Semester at Sea friends. Our Minneapolis favorites Emilie and Nicole, along with Nicole’s fiance Mitch, came down for a long weekend in early April during which we drove Franklin’s new Masters & Makers whiskey trail, went hiking up at Sewanee, and of course ate our way through Nashville.

I Believe in Nashville sign

A super awesome project with Fairmont Hotels. I got to channel my inner Eloise and stay in a suite at the Plaza Hotel while in New York for a Fairmont project, which you’ll be reading about very soon. In fact, this month I spent 16 nights in hotels or Airbnbs—that’s quite a lot!—but the Plaza was by far my most memorable stay yet.

The wedding of my college suitemate. I just left South Carolina this morning where I’d been since Tuesday for the wedding of my dear college friend Ashley. It was also the first reunion I’d had with our fellow Sewanee girls—Katy, Muguet and Lemon—since we were all together for Lemon’s Austin wedding three years ago. Needless to say, it was a lot of fun and now that we’re all married off, who knows the next time we all might be together again? *tear*

Wedding in Charleston

Completing another half marathonSo what if I haven’t laced up my running shoes since then (lol), I challenged myself to a goal and I met that goal, despite minimal training.

A redesigned section of my site. It’s always funny to me how many people seem to think that blogging is my job (or rather, my only job). Au contraire. I have more than a decade’s worth of experience in publishing (print and online), in addition to wearing various other hats. If you’re interested, you can check out my new work page here that breaks down what SVV and I do by category. Hat tip to Further Bound for getting this up for us!

A new contract with PCMA. SVV and I have started writing the native ads for the professional organization that services the meetings and conventions industry, and it’s been a crash course in another side of travel with which we weren’t overly familiar. It’s also been a lot of work and even more writing than usual, but we both enjoy it a lot and hope it will be a long-term deal.

New writing gigs. On top of doing more consulting and marketing this year than ever, I’m branching out and taking on less magazine assignments due to declining rates and more regular writing for awesome companies like Marriott and Kimpton.

Highs and Lows of April 2017

Lows

Being away from Ella so much. Does leaving your child behind ever get easier? It sure doesn’t seem like it to me. I wish we could take her everywhere, but even in the pet-friendly hotels, we get stressed leaving her behind while we go out and do our thing during the day. Lucky for us (and her), my parents just live down the street and Ella gets her own version of an Eloise stay by being spoiled by my mom every time we’re away.

Highlights of April

What was good for you in April? Are you looking forward to summer as much as I am?

COMMENTS
  • May 1, 2017

    Love to Read Highlights! Beautiful Pictures and Post.

    Thanks for Sharing!

  • May 1, 2017

    Awesome highlights of South Carolina! Kristin, you have shared stunning pictures of your memorable days.

  • May 1, 2017

    Ugh, I hear you on leaving the dog! I love mine to death, but will seriously think twice before getting another dog. That said, my summer will be spent compiling dog-friendly destination guides…first up, Minnesota’s Twin Cities!

    • May 7, 2017

      I’ve honestly turned down some big opportunites (like 3-4 weeks abroad) because I can’t bear to leave Ella! Even though she’s with my mom (and also her birth mom and brother, and big doodle sister) every time I travel, I feel just AWFUL. We’re on the go the entire month of May for projects, though, and only leaving her for four days—she gets to come with us to both Atlanta and the Smokies/Knoxville, and I can’t wait!

      And YAY, Minnesota! I need to go back there…with Ella in tow, clearly 😉

  • May 1, 2017

    Can’t wait to spend time together in Utah!

    • May 7, 2017

      Jennifer, I’m SO excited about that! Word on the street is we’re co-leading one of the hikes together 😉

  • May 2, 2017

    ‘Sounds like April wasn’t too bad and the summer months are going to be rocking! Yay!
    Now, what did I do last month. Honestly, when the month runs by so quickly, I can’t even remember what I did yesterday!

    At the beginning of April, I got featured in a lifestyle magazine in the Philippines, and then we went to the Balkans for the first time – 10 days in Croatia. It was very nice!

  • May 3, 2017

    I like writing these kinds of posts as well, they are cathartic. April ends our period of hibernation – my hubby has had his head down studying for a professional certification and it is over. So now we can get out and do some more exploring.

    • May 7, 2017

      You’ve inspired me to do these monthly highlights with your Project Discover, as well as you’re what I’m reading/eating/loving/watching posts. Those are always my favorite! Funny that we run travel blogs and prefer reading and writing more of the mundane, isn’t it? 😉

  • May 4, 2017

    I turned 30 in April and I visited my home away from home Edinburgh to celebrate it! A trip to Scotland always cheers me up! 🙂

    • May 7, 2017

      30! You’re such a baby 😉

      Sorry I missed messaging you on your big day, but Edinburgh sounds dreamy (you know it’s also my home away from home and favorite city in the world!).

  • May 9, 2017

    We love your articles!! Your April 2017 HIGHLIGHTS are excellent!! We are waiting for next article. P.s. First photo is the best pic for April. Keep it up..

  • May 11, 2017

    Good in April: an amazing trip to Belize!

    Up for May: Southern Utah, baby! Eeep! 🙂

    xox

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