The Best of What's Around

First, a qualifier - this is only going to be half of what I had anticipated sharing this week. I simply haven't had enough time to give this as much thought as I'd like, so feel it best to pace my efforts and therefore be able to focus on what I can realistically pull together for this week's entry. Consider it Part 1 of 2.

While some may jokingly turn 29 multiple times, this Sunday is the only time I intend to do it. As such, these couple weeks leading up to the big 2-9 I'm spending reflecting on the places I've been and the things I've done over the past decade (or so) as I approach my one year milestone mark to the big 3-0.

This week, Part 1 - Oh, the places I've been! To quote the one and only Dave Matthews Band, "Turns out not where but who you're with that really matters...". I couldn't agree more. Looking back over pictures and thinking about memories of spring breaks, road trips, work trips, and the like, I can't help but reflect on how lucky I've been to have so many great opportunities in my life thus far. (Granted, I give myself some credit for seizing the crap out of those opportunities and doing what I can to make the most of them, but still...) It's really been the company I've had along the way that's made these memories worthwhile. Therefore, this week I wanted to share a list and a couple collages of the many places I've had the privilege to travel over the past few years and thank each and every one of you who helped to make them special. I'm sure I've left out a few, so feel free to help me add to my list if you know of one I've missed!

And if you have a favorite or a "must see" place that's not yet on my list, feel free to let me know that too. It'll give me good ideas for a future Operation 40 Before 40 list. ;-)

Missouri! Rolla, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Kansas City, Branson, Hermann, and more…
Nebraska! Omaha, Kearney, Gothenburg, Grand Island, Pleasanton, Hildreth, and more….
Houston, Texas – More than five times
Chicago, Illinois – More than five times
Tulsa, Oklahoma – More than five times
Jacksonville, Florida – More than five times
Fort Collins, Colorado – More than five times
Cartersville, Georgia – More than five times
Williamsburg, Virginia – Roughly five times
Panama City Beach, Florida – March 2001, March 2002
Destin, Florida – March 2001
Tulum, Mexico – July 2002
Indianapolis, Indiana – June 2003, August 2009
Denver, Colorado – 2005, 2010
Estes Park – March 2005
Las Vegas, Nevada – August 2005, January 2006, October 2009, February 2011
St. Augustine, Florida – December 2005
Los Angeles, California – 2007, June 2010
Columbus, Ohio - 2007
New York City, New York – July 2007, May 2010, June 2010
Sacramento, California – August 2007, September 2007
Napa Valley – August 2007, May 2009
San Francisco, California – August 2007, May 2009
Memphis, Tennessee – June 2008
Gatlinburg, Tennessee – October 2008

Cancun, Mexico – May 2009
Iowa – Ottumwa (and other fun cities along RAGBRAI) – 2009, 2010
Toronto, Ontario – August 2009
Hoover Dam – October 2009
Leuven & Brussels, Belgium – October 2009
The Bahamas (Nassau and Coco Cay) – October 2009, December 2010

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – May 2010
San Diego, California – June 2010
Clearwater Beach, Florida – June 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana – July 2010, October 2010
Washington DC – August 2010

All in all, lots of good times. No doubt about it.

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