This was a big year for me — both personally and professionally. Revisit the stops and relive the journey of 2016…
Solo Trip to Sydney, Australia
I kicked off 2016 with a solo trip to Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Having been to Australia twice before, I knew it was safe. Sufjan Stevens was playing Sydney and I had never seen one of my favorite artists perform live. It was time!
Flying Over Whitsunday Islands & the Great Barrier Reef
I had seen the Great Barrier Reef a couple times before, but never from the air. My inspiration point was a single Instagram photo of Whitsundays Inlet. Even though I got claustrophobic in the plane, it was totally worth it to seen the alien architecture of the Reef from above!
Releasing My First Documentary Film on Guam
This was a huge year for me. Primarily, because I directed and produced my first culture documentary on Guam!
If you haven’t seen it, watch now or go behind the scenes…
First Time in Los Angeles
My first destination when I left Guam was Los Angeles. Can you believe I had never been there? I met up with a friend to hit up speakeasies, shop, and take in the sights.
Girl’s Weekend in SoCal
In addition to Los Angeles, a local friend showed me her ‘hood in sunny SoCal. I loved every minute of it.
Hiking Otherworldly Arizona
Having explored remote parts of the world like Borneo and Iceland, it’s a bit weird to say I had never seen the Grand Canyon, which was only two states away from my home in Texas. That’s why, when I left Guam, I was on a mission to see the Great Southwest. It didn’t disappoint!
Broods Concert & Live Streaming in Chicago, Illinois
My work for Facet Travel by Tastemade takes me all over. In fact, I set the itinerary, then I live stream wherever I am on the planet. Because I was spending the summer in Michigan, I knew I wanted to hit up Chicago again and explore some new sights.
In addition, Broods were playing Chicago and I got to shoot the show from the pit.
Producing Three Travel Films in Dominican Republic
Months in the making, I knew my travel filmmaking would bring me to the Dominican Republic for client work. I had a blast creating three short films for Barcelo Hotels, which you can watch above.
Spending the Summer in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Having been to Ann Arbor several times to visit family, I always liked this artsy college town. I spent a whopping four months (in and out) and got to know the city better than ever.
Read my 21 things to eat, see and do in Ann Arbor, Michigan…
Roadtrip to Niagara Falls, Canada
A mere 4-5 hour drive from Ann Arbor, and we arrived in Niagara Falls for the second time. Having spent a whirlwind few days of our honeymoon in the place, I had mixed feelings about going back. However, with a new DJI Phantom 4 in tow, I knew I had to shoot the falls in a new way.
See what happened when I put my drone in the air…
Hitting the Road in My New Airstream Trailer
After seven months of planning and an entire of blood, sweat, and tears, we finally finished remodeled our ’85 Airstream Excella. In October 2016, we hit the road for a year of the Great American Roadtrip. Yes, we live full-time in it and we love it.
See more pictures of my Airstream trailer…
Visiting my Birthplace of Cincinnati, Ohio
I love Cincinnati and I always will. Sometimes I wonder if I’m partial because it’s my birthplace, but my last trip confirmed what I always suspected — that Cincy is a highly underrated destination.
See my live stream over Roebling Bridge!
First time in Asheville, North Carolina
Having watched every single episode of Downtown Abbey (and most of the other Masterpiece shows), I kind of new I’d love Biltmore Mansion. What I didn’t expect was to enjoy driving the Blue Ridge Parkway quite so much. We hit the parkways just when the fall colors were peaking. So gorgeous!
See all the photos of Asheville…
Being a Tourist in Washington, D.C.
I grew up near D.C., but only lived there for a year. I remember touring a few museums but I longed to go back. The Hubs and I hit the ground running and toured the Smithsonian museums until we couldn’t walk anymore. I loved them all, but it was a huge treat to see the newly opened National Museum of African American History and Culture. I’ll have a full post on that soon!
I also did a live stream from the awesome National Air & Space Museum. Check it out above!
Discovering Charming Charleston, South Carolina
Our original plan was to head westward towards the great national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite, but with freezing temps approaching we decided to sample the southeast instead. I’m so glad we did. I loved the antebellum charm and thoroughly hip Charleston, South Carolina! Full post coming soon…
Watch my livestream from a horse-drawn carriage!
Falling in Love with Savannah, Georgia
Not only did I stay on a farm, but I got to see my first supermoon in Savannah. I fell in love with Charleston, but I actually fell harder for Savannah, Georgia. It’s a grittier city, more lived in, but with a huge amount of European charm. Full post coming soon!
Watch my livestream from downtown Savannah and a tour of the farm (with a surprise at the end)…
Back Home to Dallas, Texas
I spent December in my former hometown of Dallas, Texas, revisiting all the food and places I love as well as catching up with friends and family. Watch the video above to see inside my Airstream!
More coverage of Cincinnati, Washington, D.C., Charleston, Savannah, and Dallas coming in 2017! Thanks for reading.
Comments 40
December 29, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Oh my goodness Jess, what a year!
Congratulations on your documentary, it looks amazing… you are an incredibly talented filmmaker I can’t wait to see more of your stuff!
January 30, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Thank you so much for the kind words, Kirstin!
December 29, 2016 at 10:52 pm
Glad you enjoyed SoCal, I live in Orange County! Sydney is high on my list, I hope to make it there soon. Great travel year for you!
January 30, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Oh cool. What part of OC?
December 30, 2016 at 3:09 am
Solo trip to Australia sounds so inspiring! I must admit you had a really amazing year, full of different experiences and adventures. Keep rocking! 🙂 I need to make my list today, it is nice to come back to all those precious moments 🙂
January 30, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Thanks so much, Milena!
December 30, 2016 at 3:29 am
Fantastic. Have similar plans to take an Airstream across the US and up to Canada next year!
January 30, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Cool! I hope you love the Airstream lifestyle as much as I do, Cameron.
December 30, 2016 at 3:41 am
That was indeed a big year for you! I’m in healthcare but I think THE perfect job for me has to do with traveling and writing. Glad to know your work takes you places!
January 30, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Thanks for reading, Del.
December 30, 2016 at 3:53 am
Just discovered your blog and WOW your photos and video are incredible! Going to look around a bit more. 😉
January 30, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Glad you like it. 🙂
December 30, 2016 at 4:08 am
I can’t believe you did this all in one year – amazing! I will now watch all the films can’t wait. I look forward to read more of your adventures next year!
January 30, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Thank you for watching my films, Nadi.
December 30, 2016 at 4:56 am
Wow, you’ve been very busy indeed! I’ve never been to the Dominican Republic; you’ve produced THREE films there? I should probably check them out, plus your documentary on Guam 🙂 Hope you have a great and equally rewarding 2017 too!
January 30, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Thanks so much, Joseph. Best wishes to you as well.
December 30, 2016 at 5:30 am
Amazing.. you seem to be living a dream of many travellers. Loved your videos even more.. Looks like you have had a handful for 2016. I wish you all the very best for 2017. Happy new year!
January 30, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Thank you, Sindhu!
December 30, 2016 at 6:35 am
What an amazing year. Glad to see my hometown of Sydney on your list! Your airstream looks amazing and no doubt will see lots of miles in 2017!
January 30, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Yes, I want to live in Sydney!
December 30, 2016 at 3:01 pm
What an eventful year for you, Jessica! Congrats on releasing your first documentary on Guam! My sister and I both went to University of Michigan (she’s still a student there right now) so Ann Arbor has a special place in our hearts! Let me know if you’re back in Chicago anytime and I’d love to show you around!
January 30, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Thanks so much, Diana!
December 30, 2016 at 4:53 pm
Looks like you had an amazing year! I have to get to Arizona soon. It looks like another planet! Your photos from Georgia are beautiful.
January 30, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Thank you, Cliodhna!
December 30, 2016 at 6:53 pm
What a year you’ve had! It sounds amazing! And congratulations on all the films that you produced this year. It was my first time to LA too and I loved it – such a fun city. Ohhh and flying over the Whitsundays – just stunning! I have been up there, but never got to fly over it the way you did – would love to do this one day. Cheers to the end of 2016, and cheers to an amazing 2017 to come!
January 30, 2017 at 5:48 pm
I’m looking for recommendations of stuff to do in L.A. if you have any…
December 31, 2016 at 2:35 am
Wow, you had a busy year! Which trip did you like most?
Anyway: I wish you a similarly busy and nice 2017! 🙂
January 30, 2017 at 5:49 pm
I really loved Sydney!
January 1, 2017 at 9:35 pm
It has been quite an eventful journey for you! Wishing you the very best… let this travel continue to 2017! Excellent captures.
January 30, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Thank you, Indrani.
January 2, 2017 at 1:01 am
Happy new year and hope that 2017 brings even more amazing travels. Loved the pics of the Great barrier reef among all these pics.
January 30, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Thanks, Ami!
January 2, 2017 at 2:31 am
It’s super inspiring to see how much you have seen in 2016! Your photos are so amazing too! Wishing you all the best for 2017. 🙂
January 30, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Thank you, Jackie.
January 9, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Wow, you’ve really done a lot in a year! I see that you went to Upper Antelope Canyon, I was just there and did the Lower Canyon! Did you do the lower? I was having trouble deciding which one to do and didn’t have time to do them both…
January 30, 2017 at 5:49 pm
I didn’t see Lower, but I’d love to go back to AZ and explore.
May 16, 2017 at 12:34 pm
You have definitely had a full year! Congrats on releasing your first film. I think I could spend forever hiking around that scenery in Arizona. P.S. I love the Broods:)
June 12, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Cool, thanks Jenn!
May 18, 2017 at 3:56 am
Looks like you had a blast of year exploring those wonderful destination. Flying over the Whitsunday islands and the Great Barrier reef must be an amazing experience with those incredible views below.
June 12, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Thanks. I truly did!