2021 In Review: The Good, The Bad, The Beautiful
2021 had many highlights. Here is our Year in Review. Looking back can offer a new perspective on where we have come from these last 12 months.
I was in a meeting the other day, and our host asked us to conclude by saying something positive about 2021. Silence followed as the group members searched for bright spots through the last 12 months. Crickets.
I spoke up and said, “It was a lot better than 2020!” And it was. Hurray for this!
Looking back can allow us to focus on gratitude. What went well, despite the fact that I still have to wear a mask in the post office?
Today, I’ll take a moment to consider how we have grown this year at Bold Spirit Travel. Many of you have made 2021 special for us and you may see yourself reflected in the summary below.
Enjoying the snow in February on Whidbey Island in Washington in the Pacific Northwest. It does not usually snow much in this part of the world, at least not close to the Sound, but this cold winter weekend we got lots of powder.
January 2021:
We were mostly hosting online events a year ago with no in-person tours happening (this January we are going to Costa Rica, so that’s an improvement). This was way back when most of us were not vaxxed, remember?
We presented two wonderful Word of Intention Mandala Workshops. Maybe you participated in one of them? Maybe your Word of the Year is still hanging on your wall?
My word was “Flow,” as in “go with the flow,” and I sure did get to use it in 2021.
February 2021:
February is always a notable for me because it is my birthday month and I usually try to celebrate in some way. Some do not believe in celebrating a birthday once a person is an adult. I think you should celebrate anything you can, as much as you can, because life is super short. Let’s party.
But during the “COVID Winter,” when the vaccine rollout was still in its infancy, I was definitely not hosting any parties. Instead, I went to Whidbey, one of the many islands in the Puget Sound near Seattle. There was an epic snowstorm and we were socked in with our chihuahuas as the powder fell. It was magical in its own way, albeit cold.
We hosted several online events in February. Maybe you attended a few of them? Luca led a session on Michelangelo and Silvia explained Carnival celebrations in Italy. Sonia took us to El Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, one of my favorite places in the city. (FYI: We will offer a trip to Barcelona in 2022, which will be amazing.)
In April, I spent some time on the lush pathways of the Olympic Peninsula. This National Park includes the mossy Hoh Rainforest which NEEDS to be on your travel list.
March 2021:
It was International Women’s Day on March 8th, and we celebrated it with a session on Extraordinary Women of Barcelona with the talented guide, Anna Luisa. We are a woman-owned, women-led tour company, and we host all-women trips...of course we always want to highlight International Women’s Day. What will we do in 2022? TBD.
I left Seattle and took a road trip to La Conner, a sweet little town on the Swinomish Channel about 90 minutes north of Seattle. I recommend it. I especially like it for the bulb season: daffodils first and then all those gorgeous tulips later.
I went to La Conner for the daffodils and hit it a little too early, but they were still there, a golden blanket against a mostly gray March sky. If you choose to go to see the flowers this spring, here are my tips for you:
Book a hotel early.
Go later in March or early April for the daffodils (I went around the 12th, which was too soon).
Eat dinner at Nell Thorn.
April 2021:
Finally, the vaccine. I sought out the vaccine early in the month, waited in line, and received my first dose of Moderna. This was before they were enticing people with free doughnuts and lottery pots. It’s funny to think that not even a year ago many of us got the first jab, and here we are getting our boosters. At the moment, the United States population is about 60% vaxxed. I thought our vaccination numbers would be higher, but here we are.
I also went on a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula. If you have not visited this spectacular part of Washington, I urge you to make summer plans. In fact, you can come with us. We will offer a trip to the Olympic National Park where you will experience the Hoh Rainforest and some truly HUGE trees. It’s a remote and rugged place and we spend some time on the wild shores of the Pacific Ocean.
Or, you could go on your own.
Just go because it is incredible, and you will be glad that you did. During my April road trip, I spent time at the Alderbrook Lodge on the Hood Canal, went north to Port Townsend to eat well and sit on the beach, and then drove west to Kalaloch Lodge on the ocean, not far from the Hoh Rainforest.
It did not rain much, which was lucky. I could not get deep into the mountains because they were still snowy, so keep this in mind if you choose to visit in the springtime. The summer is busier, but you will be able to hike farther into the Park. (P.S. The tour we lead to the Olympics is in the summertime.)
In June, a group of very BOLD women came together to hike in Leavenworth, Washington, a Bavarian-themed village in the Cascade Mountains. Caroline was our leader and we had a fabulous, albeit hot, time of it! We will return to Leavenworth in May ‘22.
May 2021:
This month is a showstopper in the Pacific Northwest where I live. Pink trees and fat tulips crowd the sidewalks. After a long, gray winter it’s heaven to see so much color. May is another fab month to visit La Conner and check out the famous Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley.
May was an important month for Bold Spirit Travel because we finally came together for an in-person trip to Deception Pass. It was possible because so many people were vaxxed at that point. Guests came from Oregon, Washington, and even Colorado to join us on a day trip to Deception Pass, Whidbey Island, and La Conner. It was a blue-sky day and our vistas were magnificent.
Later, I had a couple of emotional moments thinking about what we had all been through in 2020 and the fact that we were finally able to gather (cautiously, and with masks on in the van) together to travel. It was just a day trip. It was local. It was a baby step after months of isolation. But it was bliss.
In late May, I also discovered a place called Whiskey Creek Beach. I want to mention it in case you’d like to go there, too. It’s remote but right on the water. The views over the Strait de Juan de Fuca are endless and you will see bald eagles fishing, otters scampering, and deer wading around on the beach. The cabins are rustic but charming and this could be a smart getaway for you if you need some time to reset and reconnect with nature.
June 2021:
Six months into 2021, many people were optimistic because the vaccine rollout was going pretty well and the weather was improving. Summer was on its way. We hosted an online Walking Tour of Venice, Italy, and maybe some of you joined us for that fun event with Luisella. Megan led us in a SoulCollage Workshop online, and we read Tracks in our Women’s Travel Book Club. (An aside: If you want to join our Travel Book Club, get in touch here.)
We met for another in-person tour in June, this time in the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth in Washington’s Cascade Mountains. Remember when I wrote that my word for 2021 was “Flow”? Well, it came into play in a big way in June as the temperatures for our hiking weekend soared into the 100s.
For those of you who live in hot places like Arizona or Southern California, you may not think much of a 100-degree day. For us, up here in the soggy Northwest, 100 degrees is a freak occurrence, although more common now thanks to the climate crisis.
And so it was that our hike was scheduled for a day when a record heatwave hit our part of the world. Some called it “The Death Ray.” We pivoted, because if there is one thing I know how to do really well thanks to the pandemic, it’s to pivot. We chose to start the hike much earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day. Our group of badass hiker women did the ascent in the cool shade of the canyon in the morning and descended as the afternoon warmed up.
I provided iced bandanas for the group as we trekked to keep body temps down. Our group made it to the summit and lounged in the shade to indulge in a healthy meal created by Caroline, our guide and cook extraordinaire. Some guests scrambled up another hilltop. The views over the valley were worth the sweat.
We will do Leavenworth again in 2022. It’s a bit different this time. Firstly, we will meet earlier in the year over Memorial Day from May 27th - 29th, 2022. Secondly, it’s a longer tour with hotels and meals included in the rate. The wonderful Caroline Hinchliff will still lead us on this adventure. Learn more about how to join us for the all-women Leavenworth Weekend.
I spent some time at Takhlakh Lake, a remote spot ideal for kayaking. There are outhouses and that’s about it. The setting is unbeatable, with campsites circling the lake and Mt. Adams looming large just beyond the water.
July 2021:
One of the best months to be in the Northwest and Seattle, July arrived, and it finally looked like real summer. The days are longer, not just here but also in Italy, allowing us to offer several live stream walking tours with Luca. He took us to the Vatican, and we virtually followed him around St. Peter’s Square. If you want to learn from Luca face-to-face, remember that you will meet him in person during our tour to Rome & Tuscany in April 2022. He will be there and so will Silvia. We are excited.
In July, I spent some time at Takhlakh Lake, a remote spot ideal for kayaking but not so great if you want running water and plumbing. There are outhouses and that’s about it. The setting is unbeatable, with campsites circling the lake and Mt. Adams looming large just beyond the water. If you are up for roughing it, this could be an excellent escape for you to book in advance (like, now, these places fill up fast).
I also spent some time in Mt. Rainier National Park preparing for our August tour. Many of Rainier’s most well-known trails were still covered in snow and not accessible in July. The mountain has a very short period when visitors can get into the alpine zone and hike. Keep this in mind if you are planning a trip. Late July, August, and September are the best months to go. (We will lead a Bold Spirit Travel all-women Mt. Rainier tour from August 21- 24, 2022.)
Perhaps the best surprise that July brought was a flurry of visitors. Did this happen to you, too? Suddenly, it was summer, people were vaxxed, cases were down, and friends were ready to get the hell out of Dodge. Several sets of visitors came up to see me in Seattle and I took them kayaking on Lake Washington and off Alki Beach. We walked in the parks and along the shoreline of the Puget Sound. We ate at restaurants and drank rosé in the garden. It was almost “normal,” and it made my heart full to reconnect with people I love.
August 2021:
We hosted two tours in August. Maybe you were among the fabulous women who joined us for our Wine & Waterfalls day tour in the Columbia River Gorge? We had a blast! Or perhaps you came with us on our Mountain Mama Rainier National Park tour and saw the glaciers, the white mountain goats, and the fat marmots?
These were wonderful trips, and we were fortunate to have sunny weather and participants who were ready to have FUN. We are doing both of these tours again in 2022. You can learn more about the Mt. Rainier National Park Tour here and the Wine & Waterfalls Tour here.
Apart from leading tours, I also spent a few days on the Oregon coast. Some of you know that I am originally from Oregon, although I live in Washington and spent many years in Spain and Central America. I love the Oregon coast. While Washington has the Sound and the islands, Oregon has miles of rugged coastline with pristine beaches where waterfalls crash directly onto the sand. I recommend Manzanita if you are looking for a beachy getaway.
What a great group of pilgrims! We walked the French Way on the Camino de Santiago together. I love the passion these women brought with them. They were ready to explore and have fun in Spain.
September 2021:
I’ve mentioned to some of you that I am married to a man from Spain. The last time my husband and I were able to return to Spain was in 2019, so it was a big deal to travel to Barcelona in September. I am incredibly grateful for this. What made 2021 a better year? Spain. And many other experiences, but Spain is very high on the list.
My husband was able to spend time with his family. We had the opportunity to explore Barcelona again and see what life is like there now. What we found amazed me. I was surprised by the crowds after such a long period of isolation, and I was stunned by how efficient locals were at dealing with COVID. I wrote more about all of this here.
From Barcelona, I went on to Santiago de Compostela and Lugo to lead our Camino French Way Tour. I often think of the wonderful women I hiked with on the Camino. Everyone says the Camino changes you, and I know this is true. It’s a magical experience and I encourage everyone to do it if possible. Yes, you have to walk a lot. But what a gift to be able to walk!
We spent nine days traversing this ancient pilgrimage pathway and got to know each other well along the way. We will offer the French Way Camino again in 2022, and you can learn more about it here. You can also come to one of our Info Session on the Camino. Email me here to learn more.
October 2021:
I spent over a month leading two tours in Spain. The first was the aforementioned French Way Camino. The second was the Portuguese Way Camino which I started in early October with a dynamic group of women and our globetrotting Spanish guide, Olga.
We laughed, we cried, and we tended to blisters on our toes (okay, that was mostly me with the blisters). We ate well and drank albariño wines on sunny plazas after long days of walking. We told each other stories. Also, we had a burst of warm summer weather. It often rains on pilgrims in October, but instead, each day was in the 70s. I am grateful for those sunny days with those fun women on the trail. Spain felt safe, and no one got COVID.
My colleague, Mary Jane, spent the month of October in Italy and got to spend time with both Luca and Silvia in Rome. October was a good month!
And finally, Bold Spirit Travel was featured in the Seattle Times in October. There’s a gorgeous picture of our group of Mountain Mamas at Rainier in print. I love the smiles on our faces.
Stopping at Caldas de Rei along the Portuguese Route on the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage pathway. This is a hot springs where pilgrims soak their feet. The water is HOT! Dipping a toe in is all part of the experience.
November 2021:
Thanksgiving was the star of the show. If you celebrate Thanksgiving, maybe it was better for you this year than in 2020. I know it was for me. We felt safe enough to gather with some of my family and share a meal this year. This is an improvement from the deli takeout I heated up in a microwave in 2020.
The biggest gift is this: community. Seeing each other again, reuniting with old friends, and forging new connections. I am thankful for this. There were so many challenges in 2020, but I know isolation was one of the biggies for lots of us.
We are not out of the woods yet, and it’s a whole different kettle of fish if you have little kids, but I feel safer venturing out and seeing people now than a year ago. Little by little, improvements. Life gets better.
December 2021:
So here we are at the end of the year. It’s a time of tying up loose ends and looking forward to the New Year, hopefully, with optimism. It’s a festive time. I saw a menorah up at my doctor’s office, and the tree in our central square is heavily festooned.
Maybe you joined us for our Christmas in Italy Virtual Visit with Silvia? Or perhaps you cooked with Chef Andrea during our Italian Christmas Cooking class? Were you there for our Women’s Travel Book Club to discuss Among the Flowers by Jamaica Kincaid this December?
This month I am thrilled to spend Christmas with my family. We skipped it last year, and I made another trip to the microwave to heat candied yams prepared by someone in the Metropolitan Deli. In 2020, I was sequestered in a cabin at the coast with my dogs and my husband. We Zoomed (it’s a verb now) with my family over crappy cell reception. It was fine, nice even in its own way, and we were fortunate enough to be able to do something special. But the real treasure is time with family/friends if you are lucky enough to have them near. So this year, all vaxxed and boosted, we will be together.
What does it all mean? I look over the last 12 months, and I see HOPE scribbled along the pages of my calendar. I see some movement away from isolation and fear into grappling with a distinct reality and exploring within its confines. Is it easy to travel now? No. Is it safe everywhere? No. But travel is not impossible. It just requires a few extra steps than it did before. For me, it’s worth it.
I like to review my year because it offers perspective. Look at all we’ve done!
Look at all the ways we have come together despite the pandemic and other woes.
Maybe this exercise in looking back will be cathartic or revealing for you, too. Take a moment with a piece of paper and your calendar and consider where you have been and who you have spent time with over the last 12 months.
Ask yourself if you like what you see.
Show yourself just how far you have come. Then celebrate it in your own way. After all, you are still here, and that is no small achievement.