Shalee Wanders

Shalee Wanders

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One Year of Travel: A Photographic Journey

May 14, 2017 By Shalee 8 Comments

It’s officially been a year since I declined a full-time job after graduation to embark on a life-altering adventure. I could write a book (actually, I am writing a book…eek!) about everything that has happened in the last year alone.

From the Cies Islands off the coast of Spain to stranded at border crossings between Greece & Bulgaria, to the beaches of Italy and the mountains of Utah, I have experienced some incredible highs, and of course some incredible lows. There were tears, and laughs, and bruises, and swear words, but there isn’t a single moment I would trade. I wish I could’ve brought you all along on the adventure, but I hope you felt like you were there with me along the way.

Below is a series of black and white photographs from my journey in chronological order. 25 countries, 20 states, and one giant adventure.

Lisbon, Portugal: Europe day one. June 1, 2016

 

Madrid. June 12, 2016

 

Barcelona, Spain: Feet meet Mediterranean Sea. June 15, 2016

 

Chamonix, France: Dinner overlooking Mount Blanc. June 23, 2016

Brno, Switzerland: Unenthused cat. June 25, 2016

 

Cinque Terre, Italy. July 3, 2016

 

Viareggio, Italy: Our Italian home. July 4, 2016

 

Venice, Italy. July 5, 2016

 

Standing on the border of Italy and Slovenia. July 6, 2016

 

Bohinjska Bistrica, Slovenia. July 7, 2016

 

Lake Bled, Slovenia. July 7, 2016

 

Zagreb, Croatia: Sleeping in the train station after becoming stranded. July 8, 2016

 

Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovnia: Bathroom with flickering lights. July 11, 2016

 

Sofia, Bulgaria: traditional Bulgarian dinner. July 15, 2016

 

Border of Greece: stranded at the Greek border crossing due to train strikes. July 16, 2016

 

Mount Olympus, Greece: Summit of highest point in Greece. July 19 2016

 

Craiova, Romania: street art. July 23, 2016

 

Craiova, Romania: Romanian home. July 23, 2016

 

Prague, Czech Republic: street art titled “Two Peeing Men”. July 28, 2016

 

Auschwitz. July 30, 2016

 

Cheb, Czech Republic. Josh and I’s second anniversary. August 7, 2016

 

Quedlinburg, Germany. August 14, 2016

 

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Red Light District. August 12, 2016

 

Braunschweig, Germany. August 15, 2016

 

Ringsted, Denmark: sunset along country roads. August 17, 2016

 

Coopenhagen, Denmark: Nyhavn. August 18, 2016

 

Ostersund, Sweden: traditional Swedish crayfish party. August 22, 2016

 

 

Oslo, Norway: last day in Europe. August 31, 2016

 

Michigan: home after three months in Europe. September 2, 2016

 

Traverse City, Michigan: beginning of a road trip around the United States in a renovated van. October 30, 2016

 

Austin, Texas. November 14, 2016

 

San Antonio: taken at almost the exact time our van was being broken into. November 16, 2016

 

Salt Flats, Texas: shortly after climbing the tallest peak in Texas (pictured on horizon). November 19, 2016

 

White Sand Dunes National Monument, New Mexico. November 22, 2016

 

Valencia, California: Christmas Day and a visit from my brother. December 25, 2016

 

Big Sur, California: Bixby Bridge. December 29, 2016

 

Half Moon Bay, California: Pacific love. December 30, 2016

 

San Francisco, California: my brother overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. December 31, 2016

 

Pacifica, California: the spot we were nearly struck by lightning. January 20, 2017

 

Santa Cruz, California: a best friend visit. January 25, 2017

 

Carson City, Nevada: sunset over the mountains. February 14, 2017

 

Salt Lake City, Utah: paragliding with our Couchsurfing host. March 1, 2017

 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. March 10, 2017

 

Arches National Park, Utah: Delicate Arch. March 13, 2017

 

Zion National Park, Utah: Angel’s Landing. April 8, 2017

 

Zion National Park, Utah: summit of Angel’s Landing. April 8, 2017

 

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah: reflections. April 30, 2017

 

Ogden, Utah: searching for a summit. May 2, 2017

 

Odgen, Utah: final van day. May 10, 2017

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Filed Under: Adventure, Budget Travel, Europe, Get Inspired, Travel, United States, Wanderlust

Comments

  1. MJ says

    May 14, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    Really cool photos!

    Reply
    • Shalee says

      May 26, 2017 at 10:43 am

      WHAT KIND OF EMAIL IS THAT? ;)

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Kathy says

    May 14, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    Great pic, cant wait to read your book!

    Reply
    • Shalee says

      May 26, 2017 at 11:04 am

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply
  3. Sabretoothed Chickens says

    May 14, 2017 at 11:04 pm

    These are so wonderful. These memories will stay with you always <3

    Reply
  4. Katherine Twichel says

    May 15, 2017 at 3:03 am

    Beautiful Photos Shalee! Can’t wait to read your book.

    Reply
  5. Kathy H. says

    May 15, 2017 at 7:53 am

    Wow. Can’t wait to read your book also!

    Reply
  6. Willene Tanis says

    May 17, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    Spectacular recording of the experience of a lifetime.

    Reply

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About Me

Hiking, backpacking, and road tripping my way around the world. Previous #vanlifer who probably doesn’t take as many showers as she should. Roadside bathroom expert. Ice cream gold digger. Nature lover. 30+ countries and I still have no idea what the hell I’m doing. Hi, I’m Shalee, and welcome to my world.

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 Will the snow ever leave Northern Michigan and will we ever witness another warm summer sunset? The world may never know. • I haven’t been home in a few months and usually I miss it quite a lot, but right now I think I’m glad to be in warmth. I send sun and warm vibes, Michigan!  “Last one to the top of Greece is a rotten egg!”  Chasing the sun even when it’s gone.  I struggle with routine. I hate it. I absolutely hate waking up in the morning knowing exactly what I’m going to do that day. It triggers a weird anxiety that I can’t seem to grasp sometimes. I’m human. Life isn’t always easy. We’re all real. Some days I need an overdose of coffee to survive, others the day itself is my caffeine. On bad days remember the world is pretty fucking cool. On good days remember it might be hard for someone else. Balance is important. It keeps you stable on the edge.  During my story Q&A the other day someone asked me the top three places I’d like to live in Michigan. I chose Houghton, Charlevoix, and Marquette. It got me curious and I want to hear your answers! So all you lovely Michiganders, what would you include in your top?  Last weekend we hit the road for a side trip to St. Augustine. The oldest town in the country, it’s rich with history and beautiful architecture. It made even a nature girl fall in love.  If you could travel to one place anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?  I spy a wild Petoskey stone! Happy Thursday adventurers!  Comfort. A simple word with varying meaning, yet the one word that determines our story. Within comfort, that story will never be more than an essay. Beyond it, an unwritten novel of broken limits. When’s the last time you stepped beyond your comfort zone?  Today’s foggy and moody hike, complete with falling ice from frozen branches above.  Hi my name is Aspen and I’m seven months old and I have a gimp leg and I’m a little bit fat but I like rivers, rock hopping, and treats (obviously). I also like hiking on set paths. I’m not a fan of bushwhacking yet but I’ll get there. One day my hoomans will bring me to the top of a peak and it’ll be great ok bye.  Find love and take it everywhere.
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