22 of Our Favorite Photos of 2022

Another year has flown by, filled with the perfect mixture of quiet nights at home and adventures to new places. We opted for more day trips and local hikes this year because we live in the perfect place for that. While we have a backlog of detailed guides and posts we want to share, I figured I’d do a little year-end recap with 22 photos we loved this year. Allow yourself to be magically transported to these places.

2022 in Review: A Photo Journal

This snowy wonderland was in the middle of Oregon on a road trip. We got lucky that the pass was open because we had the most beautiful snow-covered scenery.

No matter how many hikes we do, I will never tire of the colors of the PNW.

The Columbia River Gorge was a new destination for us this year, and we fell in love. We spent a long weekend in a camper van exploring as many spots as we could fit in and can’t wait to get back soon.

Spring was incredible this year. Having a dog means we automatically go for four walks a day, and I was so grateful to have this excuse.

In addition to the daily walks, we made the effort to spend more time on our rooftop space. There were hours spent reading, writing, and watching the city go by. Thanks to that effort, we saw a lot of beautiful sunsets.

We made the trip back to San Diego to see some of our favorite people and say goodbye to a dear friend. Spending time in the sunshine surrounded by palm trees brought back tons of great memories, and I’m glad we could make the trip.

Smith Rock State Park was another Oregon highlight for the year. We did a hike there with the pup and enjoyed a beautifully sunny day with incredible views everywhere.

Multnomah Falls is one of the most popular spots in Oregon, and it’s pretty clear why. This waterfall is so easily accessible, and it should not be missed. We visited on a weekday morning and the crowds weren’t bad.

On our way back to Minnesota to visit family this year, we caught a mountain sunrise outside of Bozeman and the colors were incredible. I love driving across that state (even though it’s gigantic.)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is so underrated and off the main path for many people. It’s always a spot we stop when we have to make the drive back to the midwest, and it never disappoints. This year was especially wonderful because it was Marty’s first National Park. I missed getting him the Park Ranger badge, but I’m sure I’ll get another chance.

Lake Okoboji is a special place in Iowa and we were finally able to go and spend a few days soaking in the lake life. Justin’s parents have a cabin near his grandparents so we were able to catch up after a few years. Spending days on the boat was incredible and I wish we could make it happen every year.

Summertime in Seattle was absolutely perfect (until the smoky season set in.) We enjoyed the gardens throughout the neighborhood and the long days.

Our favorite hike this year, the Chain of Lakes Loop, gave us some breathtaking views of Mount Baker, and it wasn’t hiding behind clouds.

The Mount Baker scenic highway is one of my favorite drives in the PNW, and it’s perfect during late summer when the snow has almost all melted. It’s a great day trip from Bellingham.

We climbed to the highest point on Anacortes for incredible morning views of the San Juans and Whidbey Island with inverted clouds. It was one of my favorite mornings of the summer.

Deception Pass State Park was another day trip favorite for us this year. We explored different trails and found future campsites we wanted to stay at. Whidbey Island is one of my favorite places in the world, with adorable little towns and mountain/ocean views on all sides. It’s still the only place I’ve seen a whale in the wild.

We escaped the smoke for a weekend on the Olympic Peninsula in this perfect little cabin in the woods. I always say that I’m going to revisit AirBnBs, but this one has taken my top spot and I will probably book this for another trip this spring.

Once the smoke finally cleared, we ended up with a gorgeous autumn. Thanks to the late warmth in the PNW, the colors seemed to change slower than usual and last longer. Another season that I was incredibly grateful to have a dog to walk daily.

Justin’s sister and boyfriend came to visit this November. We had the best weekend, and on night one, we were gifted this incredible sunset from the rooftop bar of their hotel. After a rainy welcome, it felt like the perfect gift.

At the end of a long and rough December, Justin escaped to the mountains for a little backcountry touring with a friend. The Cascades are completely covered in snow, and I can’t wait to get up and do some more mountain exploring this winter.

Final Thoughts on 2022

Hands down, one of our greatest adventures this year was adopting a new dog. Marty joined us in January and has been the best little adventure buddy. We are still working on his ability to stay home alone and walk without pulling, but life is so much better with him in it, so I couldn’t end this without including a few photos of him.