2025 in Review: The 8 Most Memorable Moments of the Year

2025 was an incredible travel year, but for some reason, it also felt underwhelming to the core activities I truly love: Backpacking and hiking. A move from Seattle to Denver occupied a decent chunk of our summer, and then I unfortunately got hurt on a Fjallraven Annual Classic, which wiped out August.

This ended up being the lowest mileage year of recent memory, even including the years I had cancer, which is kinda crazy.

Still, the year had so many highs, from exploring our new state and visiting a new continent to wedding planning, working with incredible brands, growing my business, and much more. It’s also the year I really settled into wildlife photography.

There’s truly nothing like being in nature with animals, waiting patiently for them to move or react, and watching them live as they have for thousands of years.

These were the 9 Most Memorable Moments of the Year

Let’s dive into the moments that will stick with me for a while.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The highlight of my 10-day trip to Rwanda was also one of the most unique experiences of my life. Mountain Gorillas live in only one area in the entire world: the Virunga Massif, which straddles Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda.

There are fewer than 1,500 mountain gorillas in the world, and getting a chance to see the Tambara family up close (literally within feet) was thrilling. We were so close to the gorillas, I almost fell over one! Thankfully, I stayed upright. Granted, another from our group fell into a prickly bush.

My First Safari

On the final two days in Rwanda, we set out into Akagera National Park on the eastern edge of the country. It was my first safari. And it was incredibly unique, though, I might add, a bit dull in parts.

When you see videos on National Geographic, there are animals all over. My experience was a little different, but it was still a great time.

We went at the end of Rwanda’s dry season, so much of the park was brown, and because it’s hilly and bushy, it’s harder to spot animals when they’re off the road. We saw tons of animals down by Lake Ihema, but for a lot of our drive through the park, it was empty.

Still, we saw lions and giraffes, and the highlight was a morning safari when we watched a herd of 25+ elephants cross the road in front of us.

Seeing Polar Bears in Churchill

While Rwanda was a major surprise, I had at least discussed it previously. For Churchill, I was invited up there 10 days before I landed in the small subarctic town on the Hudson Bay.

Seeing polar bears has always been on my bucket list. And it was incredible – but also a whirlwind trip.

I was only on the ground in Churchill for 8 hours. This obviously made the trip feel rushed, and as someone who likes to settle into a place to truly understand it, it felt incomplete. Still, I’m viewing it as a warm-up trip to a longer, more intensive exploration of Churchill and polar bears.

Doors-Off Helicopter Flight Around Kauai

Back in April, Jaimie and I joined her family in Kauai for a week. It was better than I could have hoped. The island is absolutely stunning and a nice combination of ocean and mountain activities. One of the things that was high on my list was the famous doors-off flight around the island.

It was a beautiful experience, though it left me craving more as half the flight was in or near the clouds, dampening our experience. Literally.

We flew through the clouds on the Na Pali Coast and ended up temporarily wet.

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to change the weather, and in Kauai, the microclimates are so unique that it’s almost impossible to predict the weather.

While I enjoyed the flight, part of me selfishly wants to do it again for better photos.

Exploring Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher

In May, Jaimie and I headed to Ireland for a mostly work, but also fun vacation to explore the island. Somehow, the weather gods graced us with near blue-bird days on the Emerald Isle. I mean, we came back with a tan!

We circled the lower half of the country clockwise over the course of nine days, seeing castles, beautiful landscapes, enjoying pubs, and trying not to die on those small roads! But the highlight was a private tour along the Cliffs of Moher, where we got to stand literally on the edge and have unrivaled access to the coast’s beauty.

It’s not for those with a fear of heights or poor balance. But if you’re looking for epic views, this is it!

Na Pali Coast Boat Ride

I wanted a redemption to the Na Pali Coast, so we booked a sunset cruise on our final night in Kauai. It turned out to be a bumpy affair, and a few passengers decided to give their lunch to the ocean. But once we hit the famous spires, everything calmed down, and we got to enjoy gorgeous weather and scenery along this magical coastline.

In the springtime, this side of the island has choppy water, making snorkeling less likely. But if you visit in the summer, I’d recommend the sunset cruise + snorkel experience.

Flightseeing Over Yosemite

A visit to Yosemite in May was a perfect return to one of my favorite National Parks in the country. This time, however, I experienced something I didn’t even know was possible: a flightseeing tour over the park.

We took off from Mariposa and circled the park from the sky. (This is their custom package. The standard tour only reaches the park’s boundaries at Tunnel View.) Getting to look down on Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the valley floor was surreal.

With drones prohibited in the national park, this is the only way to see the area from the sky.

First time seeing Colorado’s Fall Colors

Growing up in Arizona, I’m not sure why I never left the state to chase fall colors in Colorado. It’s easily one of the best places to explore in the Four Corners states and offers MAGNIFICENT yellow aspens and mountain views.

For anyone thinking about September/October 2026, I recommend a trip to Colorado.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

Follow on social media: TikTok || Instagram || Facebook || Newsletter | YouTube