Something new...

          A couple of years ago while doing our New Year's goal setting, we set a goal of visiting one new place each month.  We've kept this goal each year since.  The new place can be as simple as trying a new restaurant or as involved as traveling to a new place.  We keep a list of the new places that we visit on the goal board at our house.  The idea behind the goal is to keep us out of a rut.  For 2014 we were able to keep this goal and visit at least one new place or have a new experience each month.

January – Vandy Game

           In January we traveled to Nashville to see a basketball game between Vanderbilt and the Lady Vols.  I had wanted to do this for a couple of years, but the timing of the game hadn't worked out very well until this year.  One trip to Vandy was enough though.  Worst. Gym. Ever.

February -  Ijams Nature Center

          Sometimes I'm amazed at the things close to home that we haven't done.  In February we visited Ijams Nature Center.  I have no idea how we have both lived in this area our whole lives and missed Ijams.  The trail system and facilities are outstanding.  I strongly suggest that anyone in the Knoxville area give it a visit if you haven't already.

March – SEC Tournament

      In March we decided at the last minute to travel to Duluth, GA for the Women's SEC Basketball Tournament.  Traveling to the tournament was a neat experience.  I would definitely consider going again when it is somewhere that I want to go.

April – Big South Fork

    

  April took us on a day trip to Big South Fork National Recreation Area.  We hiked a few short trails (Needle Arch, Slave Falls, Twin Arches).  We also drove through the campground on a reconnaissance mission for a later camping trip.  We also drove to Hatfield Knob near Lafollette on this trip hoping to see the elk that were released there, but luck was not with us.  

May – Grayson Highlands

      In May we took a rather lengthy drive to Grayson Highlands State Park and the Mount Rogers Recreation Area in Virginia.  This was probably my favorite day trip of the year.  We hiked to the summit of Mt Rogers.  Along the way we saw some of the feral ponies and longhorn cattle that road the park.  The combination of the ponies, cattle and landscape made for quite a surreal hike.  This is one trip that I can't wait to repeat.  

June – Mesa Falls, Idaho

      June took us back to Yellowstone National Park for the fifth time in five years.  As usual, we were able to do lots of new things as well as revisit our favorites.  One of the new experiences we had this year was a side trip to Mesa Falls in Idaho on a circuitous route to Grand Tetons National Park and back.  Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are both spectacular waterfalls that are well worth the trip if you are in the area.

July – Gulf Shores

      

       July took me to somewhere I had been once before, but under completely different circumstances.  A bare bones college spring break trip took me there the first time.  This time was a 19 person whole family, week long trip.  Definitely a tale of two cities. 

August – Norris Campground

      August took us on a camping trip in the Tin Can to Norris Dam State Park.  It was the first time we had camped there and our first trip in the Tin Can with hook-ups.  Having the AC definitely expands our options for summer camping. 

September – McCloud Mountain

       September took us fairly close to home but WAY up on a mountain.  On our trip to Big South Fork we saw signs for the restaurant at McCloud Mountain.  It took us until September, but we finally made it back there.  The restaurant sits way above Lafollete, TN.  The views are spectacular.  The food was just ok, but the view more than made up for it.

October – Amaluna

       We were off to Atlanta in October to see another Cirque du Soleil show.  This time it was Amaluna.  While this was definitely not our first show, each one is so unique and mind blowing that its like the first time every time. 

November – Courtside LV seats

      We normally plan what our new experience will be each month, but occasionally the experience comes to us.  This was the case in November.  A routine trip to see the Lady Vols play in Knoxville became a new experience when a marketing team member offered us an upgrade to court side seats and hospitality passes to the Ray Mear's room.  The game experience reaches a whole new level when fast breaks end in your lap. 

December – Lipscomb Game & Acme Feed and Seed

     We completed our new experiences for 2014 the same way we began them for January.  We headed to Nashville to see the Lady Vols play.  This time we were headed to Lipscomb University.  We had great seats for this game.  We also had dinner at Acme Feed and Seed on Broadway while we were in Nashville.  It was quite good and we'll be making return trips there.

Setting the goal of doing something new each month has made us more aware of the places that we visit and helps to keep us out of a rut.  We already have some new trips planned for 2015 in addition to some ideas for more spur of the moment trips.

Happy travels!