Happy new year friends!
Sorry I have been missing in action the last two months, here’s a quick update and a new adventure for 2026.
2025 brought me back to Maine where I had spent many holidays visiting cousins and even spent a summer working at a campground near the border of the white mountains.
It was wonderful to spend that time with my son Buddy and his wife Charlotte, her family and some cool air away from the hot, tropical summers of Florida.
My big solo trip last year was to Bali with the More Adventures group I have followed for years. Michelle and Keith organize such great trips and attract many widows who are feeling adventurous and looking for ways to heal that involve challenging themselves both mentally and physically. I have a trip planned with them again in April to Puglia, the southern boot section of Italy. I’m looking forward to exploring the less traveled part of Italy.
After spending a year working in California, my son Matt decided to take a year to travel, live abroad and pursue his passion for writing. I offered to fly out to California and drive across country to Florida with him. We visited friends in Southern California then planned a route through Utah to explore Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Monument valley. Check out our tour here: Cross Country trip Utah: Zion and Bryce National Parks.
If you have been following my page, you will notice that I got carried away with my new shell hobby this year!
It is so fun and relaxing and I love making new Coastal Creations by Kristin. I don’t have a store online, but people have been reaching out to me on Facebook or email. I’ve made special orders like crosses and magnolia flowers from oyster shells, and hydrangea trinket dishes for wedding favors.
Keep me in mind if you have a special occasion or need gift ideas using shells.
I packed the shells away just before Christmas as I was blessed that both my sons visited during Christmas week, then came back again in January, this time with my beautiful daughter-in-law Charlotte.
We celebrated my niece’s wedding with perfect weather last Saturday. Having a house filled with family has been an absolute joy. In fact, I even kept up all my Christmas decorations until January 26th – It’s been a wonderful holiday month over here in Florida!
Staying active in retirement is important and I hit the jackpot with the community we moved into 5 years ago. Playing pickleball regularly is a great way to make new friends. In fact, I have been on a several cruises with friends I’ve made here in Florida and even found places to play pickleball on certain cruise ships AND as a group excursion on islands in the Caribbean!
THE BIG NEWS:
For the past few years I have traveled extensively independently, with small group tours and on cruises. I love traveling to new places, exploring historic sites and enjoying the incredible natural environments around the world.
When deciding on my next travel adventure, I do a lot of research and often rely on my travel advisor with Cruise Planners to compare cruises or land tours, and to help with transportation challenges.
After all this time I thought, wouldn’t it be great to have this cruise and tour information available for me to plan my trips and help my friends and family as they look for amazing travel opportunities?
So, as of January 2026, I have officially become a travel advisor with Cruise Planners! As a travel advisor I can help you compare different itineraries and book cruises, hotels, tours, and more. I have the support of a wonderful team of advisors and look forward to learning more about the travel industry as I sail and fly around the world!
I’ll be sure to update the blog with the latest travel adventures and look forward to hearing about where you are planning to go this year!
Where are you heading to in 2026?
