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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Bucket List

I was surfing blogs and came across someone's post about their RV'ing bucket list. There are so many places we want to go and things we want to do that twice I've wasted a whole snowy afternoon mapping out a first year on the road. This also had the advantage of figuring out mileage, camping costs, entrance fees and so on so that we could get an idea of what we might spend in an ambitious first year on the road. I was delighted to find out that we would actually spend less on gas and go less miles traveling the country than we do now! My husband has a long commute every day, so we currently average $400 or more a month on gas expenses between us. Between the 2 main vehicles we also travel 50,000 miles per year! At least when we're RV'ing we'll have something to show for all those miles we travel.

As for a bucket list...here's what I came up with:
  • Yosemite National Park - Wayne's top destination wish! I can't wait to hike Half Dome!
  • Hang gliding in San Francisco area - this one is all about me...Wayne plans to keep his feet firmly on the ground!
  •  Vancouver Island -  this one has been on our list long before I read Rick and Paulette's descriptions on their blog. We also have a few family members in the Vancouver area that it would be great to visit.
  •  The Wave - a photographer's dream!
  •  Glacier National Park - got to get there before there are no glaciers left.
  •  Joshua Tree National Park - another place in danger of losing its namesake feature.
  • Oregon coast - wasn't on our list before, but I've really enjoyed all the bloggers' descriptions and can't wait to see it for myself.
  • Hike to the Great Gallery in Canyonlands National Park
  • Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Mesa Verde National Park
  • Antelope Canyon
  • Mono Lake
  • beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans - I can thank my daughter for this one popping up on the list!
  • Snorkeling in The Keys
  • kayak Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve- got this idea reading the blog at Carolina Footprints.
  • The Freedom Trail in Boston
  • Albuquerque Balloon Festival
  • And if I get really ambitious...maybe the Other Half half marathon  in Moab!
The list could go on and on...and on, but the lyrics from "This Land is Your Land" say it best "...from the Redwood forests to the Gulf Stream waters, this land for made for you and me"! I'd love to hear about everyone else's bucket list destinations they haven't made it to yet, too, because there's always room for more great places on our list.
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5 comments:

  1. Travels with EmmaJanuary 17, 2012 at 7:34 PM

    That's a great list you have there. If I were you, I'd put Alaska on the list. I'm so happy I was able to do that trip. The memories last forever! It's on my bucket list to do again, but don't think I'll make it there. :(

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    1. Pam January 17, 2012 at 10:18 PM

      We considered Alaska...but Wayne is worried about damage to the truck and fiver on those roads. Maybe we'll reconsider, or maybe we'll just take the cruise! I would really like to see Denali but it sounds like most of it is inaccessible and I don't fancy spending hours on the shuttle bus either. We will travel through B.C. though, I'm sure. I hope their roads are better!

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    2. Pam and RandyJanuary 30, 2012 at 4:54 PM

      Do it! We took our 33 ft motorhome to Alaska in 02 (and the roads are probably better now), towing a Chevy Trailblazer and had no problems. We put about 10,000 miles on the MH and an additional 7,000 miles on the Trailblazer. Absolutely stunningly beautiful scenery!

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  2. Dennis and DonnaJanuary 20, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Don't be afraid of Alaska...Just DON'T DO anything above Fairbanks..We did it, but without a camper...all the way to Prudhoe bay..The Alaskan Hwy is paved almost all the way..you need at least 3 months...Why do I think you work for an Optometrist??? I did, for 12 years...just sayin'.

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    1. Pam January 22, 2012 at 6:40 PM

      Donna, I do work for an optometrist! What gave me away...possibly all the different pairs of glasses? ;) How small the world is! I've been an Optician part time for years, then 4 years ago I left the practice I'm at now to work full time for an ophthalmologist. The recession hit at the same time and I was so bored there I only lasted 3 years before leaving and going back to part time. I let myself be wooed back to my old office because they promised to work with me on my wish for lots of vacation time. My husband has worked for the utility company for over 20 years now and has 28 vacation days...that's hard for most employers to swallow when I ask for time off!

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