It’s been quite some time since my last post — life has been a whirlwind since we left Norway, and the past several weeks have been packed with family time, food worth traveling for, unexpected turns, and a whole lot of sunshine. As I write this from the Curaçao Airport lounge, headed back to the States for a brief holiday visit, I wanted to finally sit down and share everything we’ve been up to.

Halloween at Home: Mermaidman, Barnacle Boy, and Family Laughter

After returning from Europe, our first stop was North Carolina, where we celebrated Halloween with the family. Casey and I channeled our inner childhood heroes and dressed as Mermaidman and Barnacle Boy — and honestly, we nailed it.

We spent the evening at Jennifer and Jason’s house, playing games, sharing drinks, laughing until our sides hurt, and catching up on life. After months of constant travel, it felt grounding to be surrounded by familiar faces. Home really does reset the soul.

Savannah → Flagler Beach → Orlando: A Road Trip Full of Food, Friends & New Worlds

From NC, we hit the road for a multi-stop southern road trip.

Savannah: A Culinary Revelation at Common Thread

We stayed one night in Savannah and dined at what is now officially one of our favorite restaurants in the city: Common Thread
🔗 https://www.commonthreadsavannah.com/

Casey started with oysters he insists were the best he’s ever had, while I went with a bright, perfectly balanced ceviche. The surprise standout? A butternut squash second course recommended by our server — unbelievably scrumptious and the perfect hint of fall. Our mains (pork for Casey and fish for me) were excellent, but dessert stole the show: a deconstructed s’mores masterpiece. Drinks? Also perfection.

If you’re visiting Savannah, this is a 10/10 recommendation.

Flagler Beach: Friends Who Feel Like Home

Next, we made a quick stop in Flagler Beach, our former home, staying with our dear friends Matt and John. Dinner with them and our friend Lee was filled with storytelling and laughter. Their pups, Lucille and Jefferson, were as adorable as ever. These quick reunions always fill my cup.

Epic Universe in Orlando: Immersive Magic Meets… Lots of Screens

From Flagler Beach, we continued to Orlando for a much-anticipated visit to Epic Universe, Universal’s brand-new theme park that opened just weeks after we moved away.

The lands are stunning. Universal outdid themselves with:

• The Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic
• Super Nintendo World
• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
• Dark Universe (Universal Monsters Land)

Each world was immersive and incredibly detailed. We loved exploring them — though we both wished the park offered more true thrill rides. Universal, like many parks now, leans heavily toward screen-based attractions.

The highlights:

• ⭐ Stardust Racers — easily the best ride of the park. High-speed, thrilling, and just pure joy.
• 🐺 Curse of the Werewolf — short but exciting.
• 🪄 Ministry of Magic Queue — breathtaking. Universal absolutely nailed the atmosphere.

After a quick but magical visit, it was time to head to Miami for something we’d been excited about for months…

Virgin Voyages: Celebrating Dustyn on the Brand-New Brilliant Lady

We boarded the Brilliant Lady, Virgin Voyages’ newest ship, to celebrate Dustyn’s birthday — and wow, what an experience.

🔗 https://www.virginvoyages.com/brilliant-lady

Why Virgin Voyages Is Different

• Adults only — which creates a completely different energy onboard
• Incredible food (no main dining hall, no buffets — all restaurant-quality venues)
• Elevated entertainment
• Gorgeous design and social spaces
• Inaugural-season sparkle: the ship was pristine, modern, and stylish from bow to stern

Some standout restaurants onboard:

• The Test Kitchen — experimental, elevated, and delicious
• Razzle Dazzle — playful, modern, beautifully balanced dishes
• Gunbae — the only Korean BBQ at sea (and a drinking game or two…)
• Extra Virgin — handmade pasta heaven

Hurricane Reroute, Snorkeling in Grand Cayman, and Duty-Free Finds

Due to a recent hurricane, Jamaica was canceled and we were rerouted to Cozumel, which we skipped since we’ve been many times.

But we definitely got off the ship in Grand Cayman, where we went snorkeling in some of the clearest, brightest, most vibrant water imaginable. Afterward, we did a little shopping — Casey picked up sunglasses and earrings, and I scored a new watch thanks to duty-free pricing.

We also stayed onboard during the Bimini stop and basically had the pool deck to ourselves. Bliss.

Of course, the best part was spending quality time with Dustyn, Brittney, and their partners, Nick and Patrick.

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A Beachfront Reset in Melbourne, FL

After the cruise, we retreated to a beachfront hotel in Melbourne, where we mostly lounged, caught up on laundry, walked the beach, and treated ourselves to massages.

A cold front moved in, so we didn’t get as much beach time as planned, but honestly, the slower pace was exactly what our bodies needed after the indulgence of the Brilliant Lady.

Atlanta for Thanksgiving: Opera, Football, Grief, Healing & Family Traditions

Our next stop was Atlanta, where we stayed for over two weeks — a mix of celebration, unexpected loss, family bonding, and holiday traditions.

La Traviata, Kennesaw Mountain & Falcons Football

We kicked things off with tickets to La Traviata at The Atlanta Opera, thanks to our friend Matt (creative director), and were surprised by how much we loved our first opera experience.

We also:

• hiked nearly 7 miles at Kennesaw Mountain
• attended a Falcons vs. Panthers game (my first Atlanta game in 25+ years)
• laughed our faces off at the Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
• attended an early screening of Wicked: For Good

While the movie didn’t quite hit the magical bar we’d hoped for, the company was phenomenal — Lucas, Daniel, Angel, Mary Kate, and my sister.

A Sudden and Devastating Loss

What began as a lighthearted trip took a heartbreaking turn.

Late one night, my mom called sobbing. She had found my great aunt Sherry unresponsive at her kitchen table. It was sudden, unexpected, and deeply painful — especially for my mom and granny, who were incredibly close to her.

The days that followed were filled with grief, support, reflection, and celebrating Aunt Sherry’s life. She was laid to rest beside her mother, just two days before Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving, Healing, and Family Moments That Matter

Thanksgiving itself was beautiful — full of incredible food, nostalgic photos shared by my Aunt Sharon, and moments of reconnection, including an important step toward mending the relationship with my brother.

We also enjoyed:

• Drag Bingo
• A night of arcade chaos at Dave & Buster’s
• Dining out with a variety of of friends
• Game night with Stephanie, Robert, and the girls
• Plenty of quality time with mom, her cat Taz, Granny, and extended family

One thing I’ve always cherished: the unique bond my dad’s family maintains with my granny, even without blood ties. It’s one of the most meaningful dynamics in my life, and I’m endlessly grateful for it.

Curaçao: Caribbean Blues, Dutch Charm & A Much-Needed Reset

After the emotional weight of Atlanta, Casey and I flew to Curaçao for 10 days of warmth, rest, and Dutch-Caribbean charm.

Willemstad: Colorful, Historic & Full of Energy

We stayed first in an Airbnb near Willemstad — the island’s vibrant capital.
Think pastel Dutch architecture, floating bridges, waterfront promenades, and a multicultural food scene rooted in Afro-Caribbean, Dutch, and Latin influences. My only complaint: In most places, nothing can be flushed in the toilets. Nothing. Not even toilet paper. But, what are you going to do? Adapt. Overcome. Get over yourself!

Beachfront Bliss at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort

Then we checked into the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort:
🔗 https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/curpb-curacao-marriott-beach-resort/overview/

Highlights:

• a private white-sand beach
• pools overlooking turquoise water
• nightly live music
• warm ocean temps and unbelievably clear water

As travel writers who’ve seen our fair share of beaches, let me say this plainly:
The water in Curaçao is unreal — warm as bathwater, clear as glass, and shimmering in every shade of blue imaginable.

We intended to rent a car and explore, but relaxing at the resort felt perfect.

Dinner at Kome: Caribbean Cuisine, Perfected

On our last night, we walked 30 minutes to Kome — and I’m so glad we didn’t skip it.
🔗 https://www.komecuracao.com/

I ordered the best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had. Yes, in the Caribbean. And yes, they were absolute perfection.

After dinner, we wandered along the waterfront admiring the Christmas decorations — Curaçao takes the holidays seriously, thanks to its Dutch roots. The city was glowing.

We will absolutely return to this island — next time to explore more of its caves, beaches, ostrich farm, and outdoor adventures.

What’s Next: A Quick Holiday Stop & Then… Africa and Southeast Asia

As I finish this up from 7 miles high, we’re flying back to Atlanta for two nights before heading to North Carolina to spend Christmas with family.

We’re not ready for freezing temperatures after 10 days of tropical weather, but we are ready for one last holiday season with family before our biggest adventure yet:

On January 6th, we leave the U.S. for five months.

First stop: Africa.
Then: Southeast Asia.
We’ll return in June for a family cruise.

2025 has been full. Emotional. Beautiful. Chaotic. Transformative.
And 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest chapter yet.

Thanks for coming along for the ride. 🌍
More stories soon — I promise not to wait so long this time.