I hesitated to jump on the “23 for 2023” bandwagon, but I didn’t want to let the old year slip away without somehow acknowledging its passing. For those of us with way more “Before Times” than “Future Times,” I think it is generally better to keep our eyes forward with just the occasional glance in the mirror. But it is kind of fun to look back on the prior year before diving into the new one.

Just to be different, I skimmed through my Lightroom catalog and chose one photo from each month (except April – I took no photos in April, strangely. So I chose two from March). Not necessarily the best or most memorable photos, just one that would represent where I was and what I was doing.

In January, we welcomed Ben to the world. He was born in December 2022 but Kathy & I didn’t get to meet him until January. Ben is my grand nephew, my brother’s grandson and son of my brother’s daughter. Here’s Ben today:

We spent the month of February on cruise ships. It didn’t matter what photo I chose, but I like this one.

In March we visited Stanton, Virginia with friends. I made this photograph as well as the one below it which represents April.

This colorful character was maintaining contact with the outside world instead of enjoying the Conservatory at the Biltmore Estate.

We visited a lot of distilleries in 2023, including Bardstown Bourbon Company in June. I even made a few photographs. 😉

In July we made our first-ever visit to the U.P. of Michigan. I just had to stumble out our friend Jeff’s front door to make this photograph. Thank goodness for articulating LCD screens!

In August, we were visited by the world’s second heaviest gross weight production cargo airplane and heaviest operating cargo aircraft, the Antonov AN-124. It occasionally makes a stop in Charlotte to deliver aircraft parts, and I was fortunate to be able to catch a glimpse from the Airport Overlook at Charlotte Douglas.

September found us back in Bourbon Country again. I managed to make a few more photographs before a tour. We could almost give the tours, but they are always fun.

In October we ventured back to Europe for the first time in 5 years. I actually stink at candid photography but every once in a while even the blind squirrel finds a nut. I found this one during dinner at an outdoor restaurant in Prague.

November found us back on a cruise ship. This scene was a photograph waiting to happen. It was not our ship. 🙂

After our November cruise, we stopped by to visit some friends near Orlando. One evening we visited Disney Springs, and this scene was from the restaurant where we had dinner. A photograph was required.

We have lots of travel already planned for 2024, and I have a few more posts to make from our 2023 travels which I hope to have finished in the next week or so. For now, Kathy & I hope everyone has a joyful and enjoyable year in 2024. Thanks for sticking with us!