2013: The State of the Bucket List
As 2013 approaches many people are starting to formulate new year's resolutions. I suppose I'm not immune to the idea that it's a good time to start over and learn some new habits. Still, I'd rather not dwell too much on self-improvement projects. Self-improvement should be a lifetime endeavor, not a once-a-year goal.
What I'd rather do is start focusing on what I haven't done with my life and what I'd like to do. It's 2013. I've been on this earth almost 43 years. There is much of the world I still haven't seen yet. What are my priorities? What do I still want to do?
The top item on my Bucket List is simply to travel more. I can't think of a time in my life when I didn't want to go out and explore the world.
Growing up I did very little traveling. Going on vacation meant packing a bag on a summer weekend and getting into the car with my grandparents to either go visit my uncle in Vermont or perhaps take a trip to Cape Cod with a side trip to visit my grandfather's family in the Boston area. Some summers we made both trips and some summers we did only one. It also meant Mom taking my brother and me to some resort or inn in the off season with a large group of her friends. For a few years my father had a girlfriend whose family had a house in the Poconos and we sometimes went there. I had the privilege of going to a sleepaway riding camp in New Hampshire one summer, but my regular "big vacation" all throughout my teens was a week at Bible camp. It doesn't sound too thrilling, but it was an entire week away and it was a week without the rather stifling influence of my family. (You know you're being suffocated by your family when Bible camp feels like a break.) I had my big break in high school when I boarded a plane for the first time and took my first trip abroad for a tour of Italy.
I don't mean to disparage any of the trips I took. I enjoyed my trips. I have all kinds of good memories from many of them. I just realized by the time I was in junior high that the world was full of interesting sites and I wanted to see all of them and was frustrated that I wasn't seeing any of them.
Since I met Kevin I have definitely been more places than I ever expected. We have taken two Caribbean cruises. We have spent a Christmas or two in Florida. We have been to five national parks and three foreign countries together. I watched Old Faithful erupt and kissed my husband at the top of the Eiffel Tower all in one year. I fulfilled a lifelong dream of galloping across the Irish countryside and also satisfied my burning desire to return to Italy (and doing it even better than the first time by seeing it on horseback as well).
I find the more I travel, the more it feeds my desire to keep traveling. The more I see of the world, the more I want to see. When I was younger traveling did intimidate me a bit. I had a fear of navigating airports and losing luggage. I have done it enough times that I am far more confident. It helps that I did a fair amount of business travel in my old job and had to make my way through various transportation systems alone.
One of the major reasons why I made the decision to be child-free was that I knew children would impede my goal of seeing the world. They eat up resources. They require time. Children tend to not appreciate museums, historical sites and natural beauty until their ages are in double digits (and how far into double digits can vary wildly). Vacation destinations need to be kid-friendly and on a budget. Traveling is limited to when they are off from school, which means peak travel times, which makes them more expensive. When I think of the trip Kevin and I took in the spring of 2012 to the Canyonlands, I know it was something we never could have done with kids. The cost of the trip would have been prohibitive for more than just the two of us. Only fit teens would have been able to deal with some of the hikes Kevin and I did in places like Bryce and Zion. It would not have been wise to have children along on our wine-swilling Italy trip (and what if the children were not good enough riders to handle the sometimes difficult horses we rode?)
Many of my friends and acquaintances with kids will point out that you are supposed to do those things before you have kids. Well, I was pretty broke in my twenties and didn't have the money to take exotic vacations. Throughout my twenties the only place I went all year was Chincoteague (which is ironically a very kid-friendly destination) and that was just once a year. I didn't have the vacation time or the money to see the world before settling down and having kids.
I suppose I have a little mid-life crisis going on. My life is roughly half over and there wasn't much happening in the first half. I need to make up for lost time. I also need to prioritize. What places are most important to me? Here is the list.
United States
I will start my US wish list by saying that this list is going to focus mainly on cities. I do want to see the many many natural wonders of the US. However, my husband has a wish list of his own, and that consists of seeing every national park in the US. I am just as eager to see these places, but I'll just tag along on his bucket list with those.
San Francisco - I definitely want to check out the food and the sights here. This one has a high likelihood of happening since Yosemite is next on the list for national parks visits. Kevin promised me some time in San Francisco when we go to Yosemite.
New Orleans - I want to indulge in restaurants and see the historical sites and the architecture. I want to get a taste of the voodoo culture, which I find fascinating. I would probably rather not do Mardi Gras though.
Salem, MA - This is a fascinating historical city due to both its seafaring past and its more infamous history. It's close enough for a long weekend sometime. Kevin and I really need to make plans to go here.
Hawaii - I dreamed of going to Hawaii ever since I was a little kid. It always seemed like the most beautiful, glamorous paradise in the world. Kevin would never go to Hawaii without seeing Pearl Harbor, which would be the first priority when we get there. Once we have seen the major sites of Oahu, I want to move on to Kauai. The natural beauty there looks spectacular from what I've seen in the media, and it looks like the perfect place for outdoor activities like hiking, riding, and kayaking. Maybe it's the place where I'll finally learn to surf.
Charleston/Savannah - I would like to get a feel for southern hospitality and good southern food in these charming-looking cities. Thesre are cities with great historical and architectural sights.
Florida Keys - My ultimate trip here would start with Key West where I can take in the galleries, shops, and restaurants. Then I'd like to do as I would do in Hawaii and head to one of the less busy islands like Key Largo and enjoy the nature side. I'd do some snorkeling and beachcombing and kayaking/paddleboarding.
There are nice places to go without even leaving my home state. I would love to take a weekend here. Unlike other vacations that would take us away from the horses for the weekend, we can drive to the barn in reasonable time from here. We can just take a ride down Route 94. It would give me a feel for how the 1% lives.
I think I might like to take a road trip all over my home state. New York is a big state and I have seen so little of it. I'd visit the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, Niagra Falls, Lake George, and Seneca Falls. I need to make a road trip just to the Hunter Dinerant!
Europe
BeNeLux Region - Well, really more BeNe than Lux. I really want to go to Amsterdam. It looks like a fun city with lots to see and do. I would rent a bike and ride through the park. I would take a boat ride through the canals. This is the homeland of Rembrandt and it provides ample musuems and artsy opportunities. I would see the Anne Frank house. I would take a tour of the countryside to see the windmills. Brussels and Bruges look equally charming (and let's not forget the chocolate). I have been told the city of Luxembourg is filled with many historical treasures that would likely be worth seeing, but it's just not as big a priority. If I can make it there, I'll go, but I won't cry over the loss.
I have tried to get Kevin to agree to a BeNeLux trip for our 15th anniversary, but he won't commit.
Copenhagen - I know Kevin would love to aim his camera lens at the fjords of Norway and the hydrothermic wonders of Iceland, and those are worthy destinations, but when it comes to Scandinavia, my first priority is Copenhagen. Why? Well, when I was a kid I had this book called, Leisie, a Danish Girl from Dragor. It was some hand-me-down book that a relative gave me. It was a photo essay type of book showing pictures of a real girl from a little town in Denmark and what her life was like. She would go to Copenhagen with her friends and family for outings. It looked like such a charming city, like one of those places that could exist in a fairytale. Yes, I know Stockholm, Oslo, and Bergen have charms of their own and I would like to experience the midnight sun sometime, but not until I see Copenhagen.
Vienna - Do I need to say anything beyond The Spanish Riding School? Well, yes. I do want to see the historical sites and architecture as well as the parks - and of course indulge the desserts.
Greek Islands - The only reason I watch the Mamma Mia movie is to take in the scenery of that gorgeous Mediterranean paradise. I want to explore those whitewashed buildings and blue water beaches.
Horseback Riding Trips I Want To Take
I rode a horse through County Clare in Ireland and through the vineyards of Tuscany. A horse is the best way to see the countryside. A horse can go where cars and bicycles can't, but can cover more ground than you can on foot. Best of all, your horse becomes an extra, and very special, traveling companion throughout the journey.
California Wine Country - I did some rides to wineries in Italy, but there are trips in California that focus solely on riding to wineries. I can't imagine how great the food would be on trips like this in addition to the beautiful countryside.
I do have some reservations about trips like this. All of the trips offered of this type are strictly Western saddle. I learned a rather painful lesson after a four-hour trail ride in Arizona that Western saddles and I don't get along for long periods of time. The long-held belief by many is that Western saddles are more comfortable on long rides than English saddles. I find the opposite to be true.
However, a trip like this might not be too bad if we're frequently dismounting for the winery visits. If we're drinking wine along the stops, the discomfort might be eased even more. ;-)
Kevin has suggested doing a trip up the west coast by train instead. I'll certainly consider it.
Scotland - When I first learned about Irish riding holidays as a kid I knew I had to take one. At the same time, I also learned of similar trips in Scotland. I would love to ride across windswept highlands and along the shores of lochs, staying in old castles. I'll just have to accept that I won't always love the weather conditions.
France - Provence/Mediterranean Coast - Imagine galloping through the picturesque lavender fields or down a beach with blue water. If lavender makes you sleepy, will riding through the fields make your horse lazy? I'm willing to find out. I'd love to ride through Carmauge and also visit the rustic French farms and tiny villages.
France - Loire Valley - I imagine this as the opposite of the farmlands of Provence. The rides offered in the Loire Valley consist of stately mansions and castles with fine food and fine wine. It would be a different ride, with a different type of charm. I'm all about woodlands and castles.
Germany - Rhine River Valley - I don't have the same burning desire to see the cities of Germany but I would love to see the castles on the Rhine. Riding a horse along a castle-dotted river valley would make me feel as if I'm living in a fairytale.
Places I have been that I would like to return to
Memphis - Was here just one night for Kevin's cousin's wedding. We liked it and now want to see more. We would explore Graceland, the duck round up at the Peabody, and Beale Street. Some good Memphis barbecue would be a must for dinner.
London - I have been here three times, but only on business. I did manage to see many sights while I was there, but I would like to go with Kevin and be able to spend all of my time touring rather than just some of it. Ideally we would start our trip in London and then head to the southwest of England to visit the area where Kevin went to school.
Come to think of it, there is much more of England I'd like to see in general. I haven't seen other cities or the countryside. That all has to be rather high on the bucket list.
Paris - You can never get enough of this place.
Costa Rica - I was here just for a few hours via cruise ship. I rode a horse through a beautiful rain forest and saw some interesting fauna. I know there is so much more to see. I want to see the volcano and the cloud forest. I want to relax on the gorgeous beaches.
Grand Cayman - Out of all of the Caribbean islands Kevin and I saw via cruise ship, I think we liked this one the best. Granted, I really haven't spent nearly as much time in the Caribbean as I would like, and I am very open to trying other islands as well. I really just crave the same thing in any Caribbean destination: warm weather, clear blue water for swimming and water sports, white sand beaches for relaxing, horseback riding in beaches and rain forests, and general tropical outdoorsy-ness.
Italy - Doesn't matter where. I just love Italy. I think my next priority there would be the Amalfi coast though. I would also like to return to Venice.
Chincoteague - And so I return there every summer. I hope to do so for the rest of my life.
Second Tier Destinations
If I manage to do all of the above. Where would I go next?
Seattle
Austin
Portland
Prague
Budapest
Madrid
Barcelona - I'm not sure how I would survive in Spain. Everyone is a "night person" there and people stay up all night and sleep in. That is so not me.
Croatia - How do you spell the name of that city where everyone goes these days?
The Rest of Scandinavia that Isn't Copenhagen - See above - midnight sun, fjords, hydrothermic wonders, and interesting cities
Bavaria - Munich and some of the other cities of that region look like fun spots.
Switzerland - I know it's my ancestral homeland, so I should want to go there more, even if it's just to be in a place where there are lots of other people named Zenhausern. I'm just not all that clear as to where I would want to go in Switzerland. If I were a skier, it would be easier, but I'm not a skier.
Quebec and Montreal
Lake Louise
Vancouver
The "Dream On" Destinations
Will I ever be able to afford to go to these places? Would I be able to sit through the long plane rides? Time will tell.
Bali
Phuket
Bora Bora - I want to stay in those huts on stilts in the water where someone brings you your breakfast by boat.
Beijing
Tokyo
African Safari - Botswana, Namibia, or Tanzania. I'll figure out where if the time ever comes.
Zanzibar
Seychelles
Maldives
Australia and New Zealand - Haven't figured out the specifics of exactly where yet. Again, it's so unlikely that I'll go that I don't have to worry exactly where.
What I'd rather do is start focusing on what I haven't done with my life and what I'd like to do. It's 2013. I've been on this earth almost 43 years. There is much of the world I still haven't seen yet. What are my priorities? What do I still want to do?
The top item on my Bucket List is simply to travel more. I can't think of a time in my life when I didn't want to go out and explore the world.
Growing up I did very little traveling. Going on vacation meant packing a bag on a summer weekend and getting into the car with my grandparents to either go visit my uncle in Vermont or perhaps take a trip to Cape Cod with a side trip to visit my grandfather's family in the Boston area. Some summers we made both trips and some summers we did only one. It also meant Mom taking my brother and me to some resort or inn in the off season with a large group of her friends. For a few years my father had a girlfriend whose family had a house in the Poconos and we sometimes went there. I had the privilege of going to a sleepaway riding camp in New Hampshire one summer, but my regular "big vacation" all throughout my teens was a week at Bible camp. It doesn't sound too thrilling, but it was an entire week away and it was a week without the rather stifling influence of my family. (You know you're being suffocated by your family when Bible camp feels like a break.) I had my big break in high school when I boarded a plane for the first time and took my first trip abroad for a tour of Italy.
I don't mean to disparage any of the trips I took. I enjoyed my trips. I have all kinds of good memories from many of them. I just realized by the time I was in junior high that the world was full of interesting sites and I wanted to see all of them and was frustrated that I wasn't seeing any of them.
Since I met Kevin I have definitely been more places than I ever expected. We have taken two Caribbean cruises. We have spent a Christmas or two in Florida. We have been to five national parks and three foreign countries together. I watched Old Faithful erupt and kissed my husband at the top of the Eiffel Tower all in one year. I fulfilled a lifelong dream of galloping across the Irish countryside and also satisfied my burning desire to return to Italy (and doing it even better than the first time by seeing it on horseback as well).
I find the more I travel, the more it feeds my desire to keep traveling. The more I see of the world, the more I want to see. When I was younger traveling did intimidate me a bit. I had a fear of navigating airports and losing luggage. I have done it enough times that I am far more confident. It helps that I did a fair amount of business travel in my old job and had to make my way through various transportation systems alone.
One of the major reasons why I made the decision to be child-free was that I knew children would impede my goal of seeing the world. They eat up resources. They require time. Children tend to not appreciate museums, historical sites and natural beauty until their ages are in double digits (and how far into double digits can vary wildly). Vacation destinations need to be kid-friendly and on a budget. Traveling is limited to when they are off from school, which means peak travel times, which makes them more expensive. When I think of the trip Kevin and I took in the spring of 2012 to the Canyonlands, I know it was something we never could have done with kids. The cost of the trip would have been prohibitive for more than just the two of us. Only fit teens would have been able to deal with some of the hikes Kevin and I did in places like Bryce and Zion. It would not have been wise to have children along on our wine-swilling Italy trip (and what if the children were not good enough riders to handle the sometimes difficult horses we rode?)
Many of my friends and acquaintances with kids will point out that you are supposed to do those things before you have kids. Well, I was pretty broke in my twenties and didn't have the money to take exotic vacations. Throughout my twenties the only place I went all year was Chincoteague (which is ironically a very kid-friendly destination) and that was just once a year. I didn't have the vacation time or the money to see the world before settling down and having kids.
I suppose I have a little mid-life crisis going on. My life is roughly half over and there wasn't much happening in the first half. I need to make up for lost time. I also need to prioritize. What places are most important to me? Here is the list.
United States
I will start my US wish list by saying that this list is going to focus mainly on cities. I do want to see the many many natural wonders of the US. However, my husband has a wish list of his own, and that consists of seeing every national park in the US. I am just as eager to see these places, but I'll just tag along on his bucket list with those.
San Francisco - I definitely want to check out the food and the sights here. This one has a high likelihood of happening since Yosemite is next on the list for national parks visits. Kevin promised me some time in San Francisco when we go to Yosemite.
New Orleans - I want to indulge in restaurants and see the historical sites and the architecture. I want to get a taste of the voodoo culture, which I find fascinating. I would probably rather not do Mardi Gras though.
Salem, MA - This is a fascinating historical city due to both its seafaring past and its more infamous history. It's close enough for a long weekend sometime. Kevin and I really need to make plans to go here.
Hawaii - I dreamed of going to Hawaii ever since I was a little kid. It always seemed like the most beautiful, glamorous paradise in the world. Kevin would never go to Hawaii without seeing Pearl Harbor, which would be the first priority when we get there. Once we have seen the major sites of Oahu, I want to move on to Kauai. The natural beauty there looks spectacular from what I've seen in the media, and it looks like the perfect place for outdoor activities like hiking, riding, and kayaking. Maybe it's the place where I'll finally learn to surf.
Charleston/Savannah - I would like to get a feel for southern hospitality and good southern food in these charming-looking cities. Thesre are cities with great historical and architectural sights.
Florida Keys - My ultimate trip here would start with Key West where I can take in the galleries, shops, and restaurants. Then I'd like to do as I would do in Hawaii and head to one of the less busy islands like Key Largo and enjoy the nature side. I'd do some snorkeling and beachcombing and kayaking/paddleboarding.
There are nice places to go without even leaving my home state. I would love to take a weekend here. Unlike other vacations that would take us away from the horses for the weekend, we can drive to the barn in reasonable time from here. We can just take a ride down Route 94. It would give me a feel for how the 1% lives.
I think I might like to take a road trip all over my home state. New York is a big state and I have seen so little of it. I'd visit the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, Niagra Falls, Lake George, and Seneca Falls. I need to make a road trip just to the Hunter Dinerant!
Europe
BeNeLux Region - Well, really more BeNe than Lux. I really want to go to Amsterdam. It looks like a fun city with lots to see and do. I would rent a bike and ride through the park. I would take a boat ride through the canals. This is the homeland of Rembrandt and it provides ample musuems and artsy opportunities. I would see the Anne Frank house. I would take a tour of the countryside to see the windmills. Brussels and Bruges look equally charming (and let's not forget the chocolate). I have been told the city of Luxembourg is filled with many historical treasures that would likely be worth seeing, but it's just not as big a priority. If I can make it there, I'll go, but I won't cry over the loss.
I have tried to get Kevin to agree to a BeNeLux trip for our 15th anniversary, but he won't commit.
Copenhagen - I know Kevin would love to aim his camera lens at the fjords of Norway and the hydrothermic wonders of Iceland, and those are worthy destinations, but when it comes to Scandinavia, my first priority is Copenhagen. Why? Well, when I was a kid I had this book called, Leisie, a Danish Girl from Dragor. It was some hand-me-down book that a relative gave me. It was a photo essay type of book showing pictures of a real girl from a little town in Denmark and what her life was like. She would go to Copenhagen with her friends and family for outings. It looked like such a charming city, like one of those places that could exist in a fairytale. Yes, I know Stockholm, Oslo, and Bergen have charms of their own and I would like to experience the midnight sun sometime, but not until I see Copenhagen.
Vienna - Do I need to say anything beyond The Spanish Riding School? Well, yes. I do want to see the historical sites and architecture as well as the parks - and of course indulge the desserts.
Greek Islands - The only reason I watch the Mamma Mia movie is to take in the scenery of that gorgeous Mediterranean paradise. I want to explore those whitewashed buildings and blue water beaches.
Horseback Riding Trips I Want To Take
I rode a horse through County Clare in Ireland and through the vineyards of Tuscany. A horse is the best way to see the countryside. A horse can go where cars and bicycles can't, but can cover more ground than you can on foot. Best of all, your horse becomes an extra, and very special, traveling companion throughout the journey.
California Wine Country - I did some rides to wineries in Italy, but there are trips in California that focus solely on riding to wineries. I can't imagine how great the food would be on trips like this in addition to the beautiful countryside.
I do have some reservations about trips like this. All of the trips offered of this type are strictly Western saddle. I learned a rather painful lesson after a four-hour trail ride in Arizona that Western saddles and I don't get along for long periods of time. The long-held belief by many is that Western saddles are more comfortable on long rides than English saddles. I find the opposite to be true.
However, a trip like this might not be too bad if we're frequently dismounting for the winery visits. If we're drinking wine along the stops, the discomfort might be eased even more. ;-)
Kevin has suggested doing a trip up the west coast by train instead. I'll certainly consider it.
Scotland - When I first learned about Irish riding holidays as a kid I knew I had to take one. At the same time, I also learned of similar trips in Scotland. I would love to ride across windswept highlands and along the shores of lochs, staying in old castles. I'll just have to accept that I won't always love the weather conditions.
France - Provence/Mediterranean Coast - Imagine galloping through the picturesque lavender fields or down a beach with blue water. If lavender makes you sleepy, will riding through the fields make your horse lazy? I'm willing to find out. I'd love to ride through Carmauge and also visit the rustic French farms and tiny villages.
France - Loire Valley - I imagine this as the opposite of the farmlands of Provence. The rides offered in the Loire Valley consist of stately mansions and castles with fine food and fine wine. It would be a different ride, with a different type of charm. I'm all about woodlands and castles.
Germany - Rhine River Valley - I don't have the same burning desire to see the cities of Germany but I would love to see the castles on the Rhine. Riding a horse along a castle-dotted river valley would make me feel as if I'm living in a fairytale.
Places I have been that I would like to return to
Memphis - Was here just one night for Kevin's cousin's wedding. We liked it and now want to see more. We would explore Graceland, the duck round up at the Peabody, and Beale Street. Some good Memphis barbecue would be a must for dinner.
London - I have been here three times, but only on business. I did manage to see many sights while I was there, but I would like to go with Kevin and be able to spend all of my time touring rather than just some of it. Ideally we would start our trip in London and then head to the southwest of England to visit the area where Kevin went to school.
Come to think of it, there is much more of England I'd like to see in general. I haven't seen other cities or the countryside. That all has to be rather high on the bucket list.
Paris - You can never get enough of this place.
Costa Rica - I was here just for a few hours via cruise ship. I rode a horse through a beautiful rain forest and saw some interesting fauna. I know there is so much more to see. I want to see the volcano and the cloud forest. I want to relax on the gorgeous beaches.
Grand Cayman - Out of all of the Caribbean islands Kevin and I saw via cruise ship, I think we liked this one the best. Granted, I really haven't spent nearly as much time in the Caribbean as I would like, and I am very open to trying other islands as well. I really just crave the same thing in any Caribbean destination: warm weather, clear blue water for swimming and water sports, white sand beaches for relaxing, horseback riding in beaches and rain forests, and general tropical outdoorsy-ness.
Italy - Doesn't matter where. I just love Italy. I think my next priority there would be the Amalfi coast though. I would also like to return to Venice.
Chincoteague - And so I return there every summer. I hope to do so for the rest of my life.
Second Tier Destinations
If I manage to do all of the above. Where would I go next?
Seattle
Austin
Portland
Prague
Budapest
Madrid
Barcelona - I'm not sure how I would survive in Spain. Everyone is a "night person" there and people stay up all night and sleep in. That is so not me.
Croatia - How do you spell the name of that city where everyone goes these days?
The Rest of Scandinavia that Isn't Copenhagen - See above - midnight sun, fjords, hydrothermic wonders, and interesting cities
Bavaria - Munich and some of the other cities of that region look like fun spots.
Switzerland - I know it's my ancestral homeland, so I should want to go there more, even if it's just to be in a place where there are lots of other people named Zenhausern. I'm just not all that clear as to where I would want to go in Switzerland. If I were a skier, it would be easier, but I'm not a skier.
Quebec and Montreal
Lake Louise
Vancouver
The "Dream On" Destinations
Will I ever be able to afford to go to these places? Would I be able to sit through the long plane rides? Time will tell.
Bali
Phuket
Bora Bora - I want to stay in those huts on stilts in the water where someone brings you your breakfast by boat.
Beijing
Tokyo
African Safari - Botswana, Namibia, or Tanzania. I'll figure out where if the time ever comes.
Zanzibar
Seychelles
Maldives
Australia and New Zealand - Haven't figured out the specifics of exactly where yet. Again, it's so unlikely that I'll go that I don't have to worry exactly where.
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