Top 10 Travel Memories from 2012

In 2012 we traveled about 30,000 miles across America's highways and backroads, and boy was it an adventure!  The miles went by super quick and so did the great food and great memories so we wanted to recap our year with this post.  Getting this list down to just 10 things was an chore and we hope it inspires you to explore the world around you and get out on the open road.

1. Watching fighter jets at Boca Chica.  This has to be Joe's top memory for the entire year - by far.  Boca Chica Key is approximately 8 miles north from Key West, but if you love fighter jets, you probably already know Boca Chica is home to Naval Air Station Key West.  You can see the fighter jets up most mornings from the airport side of Key West, but you can get up close and personal if you are feeling a little adventurous. We love jet noise.
2. Eating real BBQ in Kansas City.  Rosedale BBQ in Kansas City served up a plate of burnt ends we're not soon to forget, and the smoked corned beef at Papa Bob's in Bonner Springs was a real treat.  Proof positive that getting off the beaten path every now and then can be a big reward.
3. Seeing the harvest moon come up over Key West.  We hardly ever miss a sunset while we are in Key West, but this past fall we had a chance to see the harvest moon rise over the water and it was truly spectacular.
4. Going on the haunted history walking tour of downtown Louisville.  River towns are always cool and we love Louisville, so you won't be surprised to find out how much we loved going into old hotels and being led around old historic downtown Louisville by an experienced tour guide.  And the ghost stories we're pretty good, too.
5. Our annual trip to the Moon.  Our annual Kansas City road trip wouldn't be complete without a stop at Moon Marble in Bonner Springs.  From the one-of-a-kind handmade marbles to the incredible selection of toys, it always feels good when you set foot on the Moon.
6. Walking and shopping on Bardstown Road.  If a true pedestrian lifestyle with great shopping and dinning is calling you, meet us on Bardstown Road in Louisville.  We go here often, and if you know us at all you'll know where to look for us for lunch.  On our most recent trips we couldn't help but walk the neighborhoods and check out property listings.  Yep, we love Bardstown that much.
7. UIndy Volleyball winning the regional division II championship.  While the IUPUI Jags have our hearts, UIndy is our neighborhood university and coach Jody Rogers has a team we hate to miss when they play at home.  Sometimes our shortest trips take us to the best places.
8. Photographing Miss Georgetown Fair Alexandria Hannan.  Our year with Queen Alex was truly incredible and we were so happy to share pictures of her appearances and adventures right her on this blog.
9. Watching the KDF Balloon Glimmer not happen...again.  The Kentucky Derby Festival has several balloon events which draw photographers out of the woodwork.  Yes, we are shamelessly holding up our hands.  But spring weather doesn't always cooperate.  A few years ago we got a nice skyline shot, but thanks for nothing 2012!
10. Ending the year in such a different place than we started.  When the other shoe dropped on Duval on New Year's Eve, we were just propping up our feet at our new landing pad.  With a brand new set of tires and an eye on the map, we can't wait to show you what we do next!