The Tasty Escape in 2018: A Year of Transition and Adventure

Another new year has arrived on our front doorstep. And this year, we literally OWN that doorstep! The year 2018 was a long and winding road for me and Tom, but that’s just the way we like it. Here’s a look back at how it all went down.

We Moved to Oklahoma City

It’s weird to think that we still lived in Washington DC this time last year. We started 2018 out much like we did this year – watching the OU Sooners lose in the first round of the College Football Playoffs (but I’m not at all bitter).

We already knew at that time we were moving to OKC, but hadn’t told many people yet but made a point of soaking up our last week’s in the district with loved ones. Leaving was hard, but we knew it was the right decision. There’s a season in life for everything, and after 7 years together in DC, we felt more than ready for something new.

We packed up my Uncle’s trailer (which he drove to DC just to help us move) and were on the road in early February. We quickly settled into our new city, checking out new restaurants and making new friends. And of course, spending time with friends and family I’d been away from for so long.

We Reached a Long Time Goal of Becoming Location-Independent Workers

Part of our reason for moving to Oklahoma City was to embrace a remote-work lifestyle and step up our travels. I’ve had a remote-friendly job since 2012, but when Tom landed his new remote job we were ecstatic. While we definitely spend the majority of our days holed up in our individual offices at home, being able to take our work on the road is something we’ve wanted for years.

We didn’t end up traveling quite as much as expected in 2018, but we’ve set ourselves up for many years of flexible work and travel in the future.

This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but if it’s something you’re interested in doing I would encourage you to work toward it. Things that seem impossible can become possible if you just keep at it.

We Played Tourists in Our Own City

Thanks to Visit OKC, we had an action-packed staycation in Oklahoma City. We ate ALL the things, went whitewater rafting, zip lined and so much more. Keep following along as we continue to show you why OKC should be on your 2019 travel bucket list!

We Went on Solo Trips with Friends

Tom and I have a bit of a reputation for being tied at the hip. What can we say? We just really like each other. But this year we both took trips without each other, something we plan to do more of in the future (absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all).

My ladies’ trip to San Francisco and Sonoma was a highlight of the year. I miss these amazing women and hope we can do it again soon!

Tom went to Austin for a bachelor party, but there is little photographic evidence. I hear there were tacos and axes were thrown. Good times were had by all.

We Explored Arkansas, Multiple Times

Tom’s new job is based in Little Rock, Arkansas. While not a destination that had been high on our bucket list we quite enjoyed getting to know a new city. We also took a side trip to Hot Springs, one of my favorite destinations of the year. I’d love to go back again for more spa time, maybe in the Fall when the weather isn’t quite to sweltering.

We Had Wonderful Family Visits in Virginia

We only made it back to DC/Virginia twice this year, but both trips were amazing. Spending quality time with family and our sweet niece fills my heart with joy. If teleportation ever becomes a thing, we’d be back at least once a month. I hope 2019 brings many more visits.

We Took a Working/Housesitting Trip to Puerto Vallarta

Our first real remote work trip was to Puerto Vallarta, and it was amazing! It was also our first international housesit. I didn’t expect to like PV as much as I did, but after nine days in that little slice of paradise I could see myself moving there one day. (A girl can dream!)

We Celebrated Five Years of Marriage in NOLA

New Orleans was our second housesit of the year, and the best way for two foodies to celebrate an anniversary. I can’t believe it was our first trip to The Big Easy, but it definitely won’t be our last!

We Attended our First Travel Blogging Conference

TravelCon is Austin was a great learning experience for us. Unfortunately we have yet to put much of what we learned into practice on the blog. But the hope is to really focus more on this site throughout 2019! Plus, we met a bunch of awesome like-minded people while there which made the experience more than worth it.

We Bought a House

Okay, unless you live under a rock you know we bought a house. We’ve been shouting it from the rooftops ever since. It’s been an amazing, stressful, wonderful, crazy experience!