Tomorrow would have been my husband’s 51st birthday, had we not lost him in 2019. Thinking about his birthday, as well as Mother’s Day on Sunday, it really took my mind to things that he and I never got to do together. And things that I know he’d have never, ever done on a bet (however, he’d have sent me off with a friend and stayed home with the kids).
So, what’s on my bucket list?
First, if you haven’t heard this song by Mitchell Tenpenny, you should give it a listen. He’s one of my favorites right now and this song is just so good.
I’ve lived a pretty quiet, uneventful life. One that hasn’t included much traveling outside of a couple of cross country moves as a child and teen. Last year, I did manage to achieve a couple of list items. First, I was able to be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse last April. Which was one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring things I’ve ever experienced. After that, I left the US for the first time, ever, and visited Montreal. It was also a wonderful experience, and I can’t wait to see more of Canada eventually.
Last year, I also finally made it to the Utah Shakespeare Festival, something I think everyone should experience at least once. My friend and I also visited Bryce Canyon while we were there, which is gorgeous, even in the rain. But the biggest part of this was that I drove my first actual road trip! Prior to August, I’d always been the passenger.
What do I have planned for the future?
On a small scale, I’m finally getting to see Kenny Chesney in concert later this month. I’m really excited about this because my friend is a huge Kenny fan. It’s also her birthday, so we’ll be double celebrating.
I’d love to visit New Zealand and Australia. As long as nothing horrible happens between now and next year, it looks like I will actually get to go to New Zealand at least. But Australia is still on the list!
Out of the blue one day, my late husband made a suggestion that surprised me. He said that every year, on or around Halloween, there’s a dinner party at Bran Castle, aka Dracula’s Castle, in Romania. What surprised me was how willing he sounded to make the actual trip. We didn’t make it, but this is high on my list of things to do before it’s too late.
A more achievable, less crazy trip I want to make is to Chicago. Despite having been born in Illinois, I’ve never made it to Chicago. And, as a lifelong Cubs fan, a day game at Wrigley has long been on my bucket list. I’m sad that I never got to Wrigley while Harry Carey was still alive, but I did get to hear him sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at the Astrodome in Houston back in the late ‘80’s. Which was… an experience… to say the least.
There are more things I’d love to go and see and do, but I think this is enough for one post. What about you? What are some things you’d like to experience in the next few years?
Hmm – Travel wise, I’d like to go to Flam, Norway. I want to see the fjords. New Zealand has them too, and is on my list, but in NZ I want to see Hobbiton and they aren’t in the same direction. I’d also like to see Budapest and Vienna. I’d like to see England too.
Personal, I want to get a tattoo. I’ve wanted one for about 20 years and have never pulled the trigger because of my size. I know I shouldn’t keep putting it off. I’d also like to see an opera.
I’m proud that I’ve knocked a few things off my bucket list in the last 10 years.
Those all sound amazing! I’ve always wanted to take a boat ride through the Black Forest as well.
Oh, that’s something I’ve thought about for a long time, too, but my likes change so much that I’m hesitant. Worried that I’d like it now and hate it in a year. You should do it! An opera would be cool as well.
Yes, me, too! Here’s to more for both of us!
I know your husband would be so proud of you for striking out and doing all the things. You are inspirational.
Aw, thank you. I appreciate that.
Your husband would definitelybe proud of you!
Can’t wait to see you in NZ next year ad share my beautiful country with you and the rest of the gang. BTW, for your friend above, Hobbiton & the fjords are totally doable in the same trip, as while they are some distance apart, coming all the way to NZ from halfway across the world means it could take you 20+ hours to fly here, but no more than 3 to fly from Auckland to Invercargill, so if they’re the only 2 things you want to do, with a bit of extra driving at either end… yeah. If you come this far, do both if you want! Not that I’m suggesting that’s all there is to see!
My own bucket list is all about travel too. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of the UK, the US & Canada, but I’d love to see more places in Europe, Asia, Africa and get to South America – Macchu Pichu & the Nazca lines to name a couple of places in the latter. I’ve also always wanted to go to Florence in Italy for the art, and Greece for the architecture.
Thank you!
I cannot wait for next year! And I can’t hear the word fjords without thinking of Hitchhiker’s Guide and the guy who won an award for his. Haha. And seriously, after 20 hours in a plane, what’s a 2 hour drive?
Those sound like some fantastic places. My former boss used to go to Peru regularly and he said there was so much to see there. Oh, you also go to Greece for the food, but I know the architecture has to be amazing.
A dinner party at Bran Castle sounds so fun! I’d want to go there, too.
I want to spend a long weekend or week on Prince Edward Island someday. Visiting Stonehenge would be amazing as well.
And, of course, I still hope to become a famous author someday. haha.
I know, weird, but fun, right?
Prince Edward Island looks amazing. Amusingly enough, it popped up on Top Chef this week (they’re in Toronto this season!). And yes 100% to Stonehenge!
Hah! I know you’ll do it on some level!
Those sound like some really awesome goals–the castle sounds like so much fun. My bucket list for travel right now is San Diego Comic Con (which the plan right now is for the year I turn 50) and Ireland. I’m in the process of applying for my passport because I’m going to Ireland I decided once I graduate from my doctorate.
Which is the other part of my bucket list. I’m waiting to hear if I got into the program and should know by the end of the week.
Comic Con and Ireland both sound fantastic! And good luck with the program!