Highlights of 2013

We all love lists nowadays, don't we?

Best novels read:

• The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. (Adelle Waldman)
• Wonder (R.J. Palacio)
• The Fault in Our Stars (John Green)

Latvian novel I wanted to like but could not even finish:

• Latviesi ir Visur (Otto Ozols)

Loveliest state park visited:

• Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania

  

  One of 17 waterfalls seen during the 3.2 mile hike in Ricketts Glen SP

  
  

  
  

 Best new (to me) city visited:

• Greenville, South Carolina

Best "finally crossing off my bucket list" places visited:

• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton National Park

Sunrise in Grand Teton National Park.

Best family event attended:

• Youngest niece's baptism

 Best non-family event attended:

• Andra and Aleks' wedding
  

  

  Old Latvian summer high school classmates - Aleks in the middle was the one getting married

  
  

   

Most interesting and thought-provoking documentaries seen:

• The Stories We Tell
• Miss Representation (highly, highly recommended for everyone, especially those raising children; it's available on Netflix)

  Most off-the-beaten-path place visited:

• Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

 Best concert attended:

• TRIO: Smite Karkle Cinkuss at the DC area Latvian Center

 Trip that deepened my waterfall obsession:

• Shenandoah National Park, where two hikes included waterfalls

  

  Contemplating life at a waterfall in Shenandoah NP

  
  

  Best random find (although I cannot take credit for it):
• Mesa Falls in the Targhee National Forest, Idaho

  

  Upper Falls of Mesa Falls (view of Lower Falls is far less impressive)

  
  

  
  

  
  

Best random adventure I can take credit for:

• Visiting the Eastern Idaho State Fair 

New U.S. states visited:

•  Idaho
• Montana (although I definitely need to return to see more of it - particularly Glacier NP)
• Wyoming
• South Carolina (need to return to see Charleston and that side of the state)