Reflections on My AMAZING Birthday Adventure!

There must be something to celebrating milestone birthdays outside the United States. This is now the second decade birthday I have spent overseas—my 40th was in Ireland, and my 50th was in Europe. By my logic, since I wasn't in the U.S. on either birthday, they don't officially count...which means I'm actually younger than my driver's license claims!

This past month, Matt and I, along with a few adventurous friends, set off on a trip that had been on the calendar for over a year. Our journey began in Munich before boarding a boat on the Danube River for a cycling adventure through Europe.

Mother Nature, however, had other plans.

Much of Europe is experiencing an extreme drought, leaving water levels on the Danube unusually low. While Austria's system of locks helps maintain navigable waterways, other sections of the river—particularly through Hungary—have become too shallow for larger boats. After we boarded the Vivienne, we learned that our ship would not be able to complete the entire itinerary to Budapest.

Surprisingly, this change turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip.

Instead of a brief stop, we were rewarded with two and a half days in beautiful Vienna. It quickly became one of my favorite cities, with its incredible history, delicious food, and one of the most bike-friendly communities I have ever experienced.

Each day brought another unforgettable ride along the Danube—through charming villages, vineyards, castles, and breathtaking countryside. The slower pace allowed us to truly appreciate the landscapes and the rich history surrounding us.

After an amazing week of cycling, we continued our adventure in the enchanting city of Prague, where we wrapped up what can only be described as a magical vacation.

As wonderful as the destinations were, the greatest gift was the opportunity to experience them with Matt and dear friends while celebrating a milestone birthday. The memories we created together are ones I'll treasure for a lifetime.

Of course, no trip is complete without taking far too many photographs (1,032 – after heavy editing!)! Below are a few of my favorite images from the journey. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed capturing them.

And, as always, don't let your travel memories stay hidden on your phone or camera. Your adventures deserve to be organized, preserved, and shared—because every photograph tells part of your story, and those stories are worth saving.