‘Tis the season for self-reflecting naval gazing. A time when every media outlet in the country goes overboard with annual retrospectives. We figured we’d pile on with one of our own.
In keeping with the spirit of the season, we selected 10 of our favorite photos taken during some of the 70 different stops we made over the course of this past year. Each photo headline links back to the specific blog post where we first published the image, all of which are definitely worth checking out if you haven’t seen them before or revisiting even if you have.
New Orleans
Why we love this photo: The festive Mardi Gras beads and the classic wrought iron work set against grey skies and cast in somber tones conveys many of the contradictions we find so fascinating in this great American city.
Monkey Jungle
Why we love this photo: I often think that amimals experience many of the same thoughts and emotions as we do, we just don’t recognize it because they can’t tell us. While it is impossible to know for certain what’s really happening in this image, it sure looks like a parent lovingly consoling a child.
Badlands, South Dakota
Why we love this photo: The stark contrast between forbidding badlands and lush pasture is fabulous.
Niagara Falls
Why we love this photo: A small looking boat sailing away from emerald calm waters and into an unspeakable tempest is exactly what Niagara Falls’ Maid of the Mist boat tour feels like.
Custer State Park
Why we love this photo: Getting stuck in a “bison jam” is a classic national park experience. Capturing a herd heading down the highway as if they’re rushing off to work is priceless.
Chimney Rock
Why we love this photo: An indomitable monolith waving the American flag. Hoo-Ra!
Louisiana Old State Capitol
Why we love this photo: This stained glass dome gives an improbable carnival feeling to the interior of the otherwise stately capitol building. This perspective makes me think of a circus tent.
Everglades National Park
Why we love this photo: Big, pink bird! We stalked this guy for several days before he’d give up a good picture.
Dale Chihuly Collection
Why we love this photo: The vivid colors and high contrast mostly captures the beauty of Chihuly’s wonderful glass sculptures. Mostly.
Watkins Glen
Why we love this photo: It’s freaking Rivendell! Enough said.
Have a happy new year everyone!
Everywhere Once 
I absolutely adore your photography. . .you guys are very, very talented. . .thanks for sharing.
Janice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.com
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OMG! I forgot about Watkins Glen….I need to take my family there!!!
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Wow, what a coincidence. I just posted some pictures of gray monkeys. I never thought that I would love them. BTW nice photographs! I am not quite familiar with some of them, but would very much like to visit them one day. Gosh, the world is filled with endless selection of amazing places.
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wonderful!
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photo are a wonderful adjunct to storytelling, and memories. this was a great look back on what must have been a wonderful year, thanks for sharing both your thoughts and your photos with us.
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I really like those too! Nice captures each and every one! Happy New Year to you too.
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Really impressive pictures, thanks for sharing! Happy New Year! 🙂
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Love your photos and the memories you share with the photos:) Have a Great New Year! Here’s to New Adventures in 2012!!!
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So many great places to see and experience in this country. We’re truly blessed.
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Excellent choices. My husband and I have talked of returning to Watkins Glen. It’s a couple of hours from where we used to live in New York. Gorgeous gorges. 😉
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Excellent choices! Your photos are great. I want to go to all those places and see all those things.
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Fantastic photos. You really picked some legendary images.
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Thanks everyone!
See Y’All in the New Year.
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I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogger award. You can read all about it on my blog for today. Looking forward to your photos and thoughts in 2012.
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I’m honored! Thanks.
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If I should decide which I like best, I couldn’t 😉
They are all absolutely amazing!
peace
xandi
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Wonderful pictures!!
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