Thinking about travel right now amid the pandemic is a strange bittersweet thing. I am thankful to be safe at home. I’m thankful that our home has a backyard where I can sit in the sun. I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had to travel up until now. But I’m also deeply missing exploring new places— both close to home and far away. My spouse and I had a trip scheduled for this April to Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, which, as everyone had to do, we canceled. Exploring new places has always been a way for us to bond with each other, but I haven’t always prioritized traveling with my friends in the same way that I do my spouse. After this Costa Rica trip, it’s safe to say I am going to start traveling with friends more often— once it's safe and responsible to do so.

I took this adventure with three amazing women— we all met in the art department at U of L a decade ago. Crys Ludwick is an exceptional photographer— she documents weddings, families, and almost everything else. She is a powerhouse, the most supportive friend, a huge nerd, and a very adaptable driver. Any photo you see of me in this post was taken by her and I'm hugely thankful to have some images of me running around with a camera in hand. KTB is the art handler and maintenance woman for KMAC and is possibly the most capable person I know. She is the first person you would want to pick for your apocalypse team, looks tough but has the biggest heart, and is my go-to hiking companion. Sara Pitt is an amazing developer at Mightily. Under normal circumstances, she is at my house for dinner or drinks at least once a week. She is incredibly open, loves very deeply, is notably goofy, and is obsessed with her dog Lucy who is a very good girl. Pitt & I traveled to Peru together two years ago and it was such an amazing time.

I didn't know how much this trip would mean to me beforehand, but it deepened our friendships in a way I can't really describe. When you travel together, you get to see all the sides of someone. It's a really special thing to be open and vulnerable and silly and still be accepted and loved. I’m really thankful to have friends in my life who challenge me, support me, love me, and make me laugh so hard I can’t swim. 

On this trip, we hiked 28 miles, climbed up 4,260 steps, & saw more than a dozen waterfalls. I tried canyoning, zip-lining, and surfing for the first time. We made it through random injuries, cold showers, and bird attacks. We got to go on a night hike, walked on the hanging bridges, and went horseback riding along the beach. As a plant lover, getting to hike through the rainforest was one of my favorite experiences....seeing my houseplants out in the wild felt like a celebrity spotting every time. I also loved the feeling of swimming in a cool waterfall after a long hike. I could go on and on, but I think I should get to the photos before I ramble too much more.