I realized with sadness that my visit to Austin for The Blathering was the first trip I’d taken to somewhere new since 2007. SINCE TWO-THOUSAND-AND-SEVEN. In four/five years, I had not been anywhere new.

That is SERIOUSLY a travesty.

(Also? Austin proved to me HOW MUCH of a travesty because I loved every minute there.)(Except the airport, obviously.)

Since we’re back at work after the holiday, and we’re looking down the barrel of a couple of months that are going to slam us against a wall, I’m looking forward to spring time and to the possibility of traveling somewhere new. You can see that I’ve got a couple of goals for 2012 that I could knock out if I buckle down and focus on it. And because I prefer realistic, achievable goals, I tend to focus on getaways that we can drive to in a day or less.

Atlanta

Sure, I’ve been to Atlanta a few times (my in-laws are there), but because we go solely to visit family, we don’t do much other than family-stuff there. I went to the Coca-Cola Museum when I was twelve and HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO BACK. Seriously, I remember thinking that place was the coolest place I’d ever been. (.. I like Coke, what of it?) Also, we haven’t been to the new Aquarium and I’d just like to go putter around town. Also, I’d like to go eat at Woodfire Grill, cause we loved Kevin on Top Chef.

Savannah

I know very little about Savannah, other than I find myself sighing to go there. No, literally, if you mention the word, I will sigh. I know I’d like to dine at Sapphire Grill and want to wander the cemeteries, as that’s what I do. I want to visit City Market and take a ghost tour. I’d basically like to just stay in plush, comfortable surroundings and I hear Savannah’s kind of got the lock on that thing.

The Beach

I leave this open to interpretation because I care very little as to which beach we visit, but I am craving the ocean and the sand and the breeze and the sun and the NAPS. Oh, Beach Naps, how I long for you. Our last trip to the beach with with my family, and honestly, I’d love to do that again. I could see us renting a large beach house for a week and all trekking down there. I’d really, really like for that to happen this summer prior to someone‘s wedding. (Not mine.)(OBVIOUSLY.)

New Orleans

Well, obviously, THAT’S ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF.

Nashville

Considering it’s only a couple of hours away, it’s tragic how rarely I get up to Nashville. But Nashville is such a great getaway for a weekend! Great food, great shopping, cool vibe, and the music! Oh, the music is awesome. And not only do they have about a dozen farmer’s markets that are routinely available, they also are a foodie town, with a list of food-related events that are more than even I could handle. AND I HEAR THEY HAVE A TRADER JOE’S.

Considering I’m based in Huntsville, Alabama – is my list missing a weekend getaway?