I Need a New Bucket List

6/28/2019

There are many aspects to bucket lists, and some of those are morbid to contemplate. Literally a bucket list is a checklist of things to do or see before you die. It’s sad to think finances and circumstances probably won’t allow me to complete my list. I have always wanted to spend quality time in Tuscany, the Greece Islands and Australia. Speeding through the Italian countryside in a bright red Lamborghini won’t happen. Ditto a month-long cruise through the Panama Canal. I’ve always wanted to vacation in a hut sitting over the water in Tahiti. It is extremely unlikely that my lyrics will ever be recorded by a famous singer.

That all said, sad as that might seem, I’ve done most of the rest of the items on my list. I drove down Lombard Street in San Francisco (check). I took photos of the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park (check). I’m living full-time in an RV (check), photographed the Oregon coast (check) and walked through Times Square in New York City (check). Next week we will be on our bucket-list cruise to Alaska and I have been to Hawaii twice (check). I wrote and published a novel (now seven of them- check) and was the number one best-selling author for a day on Amazon (I’ve done that a few times now- check). I bowled an 800 series (check) and have sat in or near the front row at concerts by the Moody Blues, Crosby Stills & Nash and the Alan Parsons Project.

Possibles on my bucket list include visiting Kilauea on the Big Island in Hawaii, camping in our RV in the Florida Keys, taking photos in Yellowstone National Park and experience a full lunar eclipse in person.

The way I see it, unless I come up with a new bucket list, I’ll have done everything on my list that I can possibly do with many years of life ahead of me. The problem is that there are common things on many bucket lists that I just don’t have that much interest in, if at all, or if I was interested, it just wouldn’t disappoint me all that much if I never did them. Examples might be skydiving or zip lining. I have no interest in the former and don’t care all that much about the latter.

So, I could use some help. What are things you would suggest to add to my bucket list that won’t be overly expensive and that I might not have considered before? Many items on “amazing” bucket lists online just don’t seem all that interesting to me. Explore a cave? Maybe. Airboat on the Everglades? Done it. Start a company? Done it. Ditto going on a Caribbean cruise. Be a guest on a talk show? I’ll probably do this but I'm not really looking forward to it. Learning to play the piano or become a private pilot are not options either.

What am I missing?

6 Comments

Karen Emery

6/28/2019 10:54:53 pm

This is awesome, Jack. You have done and gone a lot of things and places and adventures. Most people likely have not done half of this stuff without being multimillionaires! I really can't think of any other suggestions. Maybe just wing it and go wherever you and Nadyn feel like...no list required.
I would love to travel pretty much anywhere but I need to just accept that it won't happen. I can still decide to be happy.. Take care and have fun mb

Jack Huber link

6/30/2019 03:31:20 pm

Thanks, Karen. It's just fun to have something to look forward to.

Paul Goldberg link

6/30/2019 03:04:56 pm

My bucket list consists mostly of travel destinations. Driving to Alaska is very different from cruising, the road through Whitehorse to Dawson City is very empty most of the day with smaller gatherings of RVs at campsites in the evening. We spent 2 weeks doing this 3 day drive. This leads to Top of the World Hightway and much much more. Spend 6 weeks at it, take your time. For another "corner" consider New Foundland and Labrador (that's one province) the ferry ride may be pricey, but it is in Canadian. We allotted 3 weeks and really wanted at least two more while there. Learn how the people have lived and governed (or not governed) themselves.
It seems every time we achieve a bucket list item we find two more to add. Here is one that is less obvious, Pick a US Highway (NOT an Interstate) and drive its length to see what hidden gems are along the way. US 20 would be a start, Newport OR to Boston Commons on one road. There amazing sights hidden in plain sight along that road - O and it is the East-West highway through Yellowstone NP.

6/30/2019 03:38:19 pm

Thanks for the comment and suggestions, Paul. It's funny because we just talked about the US 20 a few weeks ago when we were staying near Newport, OR, and noticed the beginning signpost for it. We lived in Western NY for a few years and took the 20 there throughout the state on a whim once. So, that might be a nice item for our list.

This Alaska cruise will hopefully not be the only time we visit Alaska, but we are very hesitant to take the RV there, since so many people we know have either broken down or greatly aged their rigs on that drive. We'll see.

7/1/2019 10:11:07 am

The only damage we suffered to the coach - a 36' Southwind - was the broken receiver welds. I would suggest that any time you drive over 75,000 miles you are likely to experience a failures or two. Our coach had over 75 K miles on it during our AK trip. there was no direct damage to the coach from the trip and we covered essentially all of the paved highway in the state and several hundred miles of dirt/gravel which we elected to drive, Top of the World Highway is definitely optional but great fun. It is 120 miles of dirt and gravel.
I hope we can do it again.

Kathi or Burkhart

7/1/2019 09:42:40 am

Well, you already have one of my suggestions. Camping in the Florida Keys. I want one of those spots right on the ocean I have seen on the KOA website.

Snorkeling with the Manta Rays in Kona on the big island of Hawaii. You do it at night when they are feeding.

You are right. The drive to Alaska is rough on your rig. Our neighbors had to put some big bucks in their class C two years ago when they drove there.

Ride in a Hot Air Balloon. Drive the Canadian Rockies. That's paved. Banff and Lake Louise are beautiful. .

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