Happy New Year to everyone! I trust everyone had a pleasant time sending 2008 off to the history books.

When I think back to the past year, I’m reminded of the video we shot while camping on the Gulf of Mexico. We actually shot this video right around New Year’s Eve 2007, so it’s an interesting snapshot of our lives at that time. It also captured one of our favorite beach front campsites in a cool wintry atmosphere.

So, did we make the most of 2008? My honest answer is that for us, it was a good (but not outstanding) year. For a moment, let’s put aside the obvious screaming headlines that the media tells us we should be worrying about. Let’s table discussion of the global economic crisis, the election, and other macro issues that all too often dominate our thoughts.

One final look back at 2008...

The new year offers a chance to learn from our mistakes, while taking stock of our successes. What did we achieve as individuals? What did we learn? What new experiences did we pursue? How did we grow?

Here at The Long, Long Honeymoon we enjoyed some memorable experiences. We covered some new ground with our Airstream, spending more time in the great American Southwest. We also ventured into the world of TV by appearing on HGTV (a show that will air in March 2009).

But if I have one criticism of our journeys in ’08, it’s that we didn’t do enough. We didn’t branch out to try more. At times, we chose comfort and the known over taking risks on the unknown.

Now we look forward to new adventures...

For the coming year, I hope we shake things up a bit. I’d like to see The Long, Long Honeymoon begin to include overseas experiences. I’d like to experience camping and RV travel on different continents. I’d also like to see us grow this humble website into something more than it is today. When I look at our website, I see potential. But much of it is unrealized potential. In the new year, I want to see some of these fruits begin to ripen.

Best wishes to everyone in 2009. Here’s to new experiences.