Maybe not everyone actually calls it their "Bucket List" but I think most people have a mental list of the things they want to do before leaving this life for the next one... I know I have a huge list of "must do's" and
"must-see's", and the plan is for this trip to help me knock a few of those off my list!
Leah's Bucket List (abbreviated version - USA only):
1- Watch the sunrise in Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii and the Grand Canyon
2- Visit Wine Country, make my own wine
3- Experience a New Orleans Mardi Gras
4- Swim with dolphins
5- Go sky-diving
6- Learn to surf
7- Visit John Lennon's Memorial in Central Park
8- Graffiti a wall in any city
9- See the Northern Lights
10- Eat a "real" Cheese Steak in Philly
11- Eat at one of Eric Ripert's or Anthony Bourdain's NYC restaurants
12- Catch a fish at Pike Place Market in Seattle
13- Visit Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas
14- Go to a concert at Red Rocks
15- Collect a postcard from every state or take a picture in front of every state sign (I am only allowing myself to be totally cliche ONCE)
16- Visit the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado where Stephen King got his inspiration for "The Shining"
17- Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
18- See a broadway show
19- Go White Water Rafting
20- Get my travel stories published someday...............
I know it's missing many things, but I said abbreviated, folks. It was tough to narrow this down.
I'm also accepting suggestions, so feel free to throw some at me!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
rockin' and rollin'...
My traveling companions and I are HUGE music lovers (Vida is a big Bob Marley fan), and we want to make sure we incorporate that into our trip as much as possible and experience some great live acts. Although we plan on stocking up the iPods with as much "road trip" music as possible to keep us in the groove, we have plans to stop at music festivals here and there to camp, relax, take in the sights and more importantly, the sounds...
Fall 2011 Music Festivals on our radar:
North Coast Music Festival / September 2, 3, 4 (Labor Day Weekend 2011):
Independently produced, this festival takes place in Union Park, Chicago and features an eclectic lineup of local and international talent including jam bands, bass music, hip hop and straight-up rock and roll.
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival / September 16, 17, 18:
The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival takes place in Telluride Town Park, Colorado, a renowned outdoor music venue with breath-taking mountain peaks for a backdrop. Past performers include B.B. King and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (from Vermont!)
Voodoo Experience / October 29, 30, 31:
The Voodoo Experience is a multi-day music and arts festival in New Orleans, Louisiana known for its blending of high profile national artists from all genres with local Louisiana musicians.
...more to come once we figure out our route!
Fall 2011 Music Festivals on our radar:
North Coast Music Festival / September 2, 3, 4 (Labor Day Weekend 2011):
Independently produced, this festival takes place in Union Park, Chicago and features an eclectic lineup of local and international talent including jam bands, bass music, hip hop and straight-up rock and roll.
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival / September 16, 17, 18:
The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival takes place in Telluride Town Park, Colorado, a renowned outdoor music venue with breath-taking mountain peaks for a backdrop. Past performers include B.B. King and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (from Vermont!)
Voodoo Experience / October 29, 30, 31:
The Voodoo Experience is a multi-day music and arts festival in New Orleans, Louisiana known for its blending of high profile national artists from all genres with local Louisiana musicians.
...more to come once we figure out our route!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
upgrading...
During our many discussions about our "around the country adventures", we recently said to ourselves "we really enjoy showering more than once a week". Good thinking, right?
After this epiphany we decided to hop online and do some used RV and Winnebago research. Because it would be fun to shower in a moving vehicle, among MANY other things, such as:
1) More room for the dog
2) More room for US
3) More room for people or things we pick up along the way
4) No hotel/motel/hostel expenses
5) Less chances of going insane
We're discovering that it's not easy to find a well-maintained, used RV for less than $5,000.00. Cha-Ching! Add this to our list of "we need to start saving a lot of money for this stuff".
Since we want to make this a comfortable, long, safe experience, we think it'll be a good investment.
P.S. ~~> Now accepting donations.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
there's a better life...
I stumbled upon this article/quote/Dolly Parton song shout-out today and thought to myself "Guess I'm not the only one..."
"There's just something about the idea of studying, getting a "good job", then maybe a couple of others for 40 years, then retiring to start "living" that doesn't make sense to me. Or Dolly by the sounds of it."
9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you think that I would daunt you
Its a rich mans game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin money in his wallet...
Well said, DP.
"There's just something about the idea of studying, getting a "good job", then maybe a couple of others for 40 years, then retiring to start "living" that doesn't make sense to me. Or Dolly by the sounds of it."
9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you think that I would daunt you
Its a rich mans game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin money in his wallet...
Well said, DP.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
road dawg...
As I mentioned before, our new puppy Vida will be joining us on our road trip this Fall...
The other day I decided to google "taking your dog on a long road trip" and my my, did I find some seriously useful links with tips and tricks to keeping your dog safe, happy, and healthy while on a road trip. Everything from bringing bottled water for the dog to drink, to researching animal hospitals along your route, to getting anti-anxiety medication for your dog in case they grow tired and anxious from being in a moving vehicle for days and weeks at a time.
Since Vida is a rescue and she has shown some anxiety issues, this last one sounds like it might not be a bad idea. But puppy valium? Not sure if I can do that to our girl.
It's really important to us that she has a good time, since she'll be our precious cargo and 3rd traveling companion on this trek across the country. We are already starting to research areas that allow dogs to be off-leash without a license, since Vida-Long-Legs LOVES to run!
If any dog owners out there have any advice on how to create a comfortable road-tripping environment for man's best friend, we definitely welcome it!
The other day I decided to google "taking your dog on a long road trip" and my my, did I find some seriously useful links with tips and tricks to keeping your dog safe, happy, and healthy while on a road trip. Everything from bringing bottled water for the dog to drink, to researching animal hospitals along your route, to getting anti-anxiety medication for your dog in case they grow tired and anxious from being in a moving vehicle for days and weeks at a time.
Since Vida is a rescue and she has shown some anxiety issues, this last one sounds like it might not be a bad idea. But puppy valium? Not sure if I can do that to our girl.
It's really important to us that she has a good time, since she'll be our precious cargo and 3rd traveling companion on this trek across the country. We are already starting to research areas that allow dogs to be off-leash without a license, since Vida-Long-Legs LOVES to run!
If any dog owners out there have any advice on how to create a comfortable road-tripping environment for man's best friend, we definitely welcome it!
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