It is so hard for me to believe we are already almost a week into March! Granted, it is a loooong month, but holy cow, it’s going to be summer before we know it!
It might sound silly, but I have been having a bit of a hard time lately as I realize how damn fast the months and years are flying by. We have lived in our house for almost 2 years (it feels like just yesterday we were house hunting), I have been working at my job for over 5 years, and Travis is turning 30 this year!!! It’s just hard to believe we are both rounding out our 20’s, and I bet it’s only going to keep speeding up! Does anyone else get anxious about time flying by, and then have to remind yourself that worrying isn’t going to help in the slightest?
This year, my New Year’s Resolution was to practice contentment. This was all in an attempt to enjoy this phase of our lives and not to worry too much or anticipate about the future. Now that our recent trials with miscarriage are all out in the open, it might make a little more sense as to why I am having to deliberately focus on living in (and enjoying) the now.
With that being said, something that is super important to me is traveling. I love it for so many reasons and I am the type of person that would always rather get to enjoy an experience rather than have material things. I am so routine based in my everyday life, that I almost crave a vacation to break me out of the everyday life. I feel like everywhere we visit gives us more of a unique perspective on life, plus it’s just fun to leave your worries at the airport! Of course, being away makes me appreciate my everyday life that much more and there is no place like home 🙂 Dare I be naive enough to say that even after a baby (hopefully) comes into our lives, I really hope that we can continue traveling and seeing new places…all we can do is try, right? 😉
This weekend, Travis and I were discussing possible ways to celebrate his 30th birthday, and I reallllly want to find a way to make it special. (We SO often totally overlook birthdays around here, but this one deserves a celebration!) It got us talking about all of the places we would love to visit. While some are totally not happening anytime soon, others are more realistic and plus, it’s just fun to dream!
Since we are still in the first quarter of the year, and there is still time to make travel arrangements, I decided to put together a “U.S. Travel Bucket List”. Organizing my “thoughts” via a list always makes me feel less anxious and more like “Hey, we can do this!” Any other Type-A list makers out there?
I had to start with just domestic travel, because things could really get out of hand if we start thinking international! We actually already have one trip booked from this list, and I am hoping to add one more before the year is over. We still haven’t decided on Travis’s birthday trip, but perhaps we will get to check another city off of our Travel Bucket List come May! 🙂
(Here’s the rundown, in no particular order)
We have had the opportunity to visit quite a few major cities in the U.S. and the trips are usually driven by visiting friends and family, which I love! So, it might look like some major, important places are missing! We have been to Seattle, Austin, Denver, D.C., San Francisco, New York, Portland, and Napa, to name a few, all because we have friends and family in those places. These places will be a little more of an adventure, because we won’t be staying with friends/family (although we would love if anyone cared to join us! 😉 ) So on this list are all places we either have never been to, or haven’t been to since we were super little and didn’t appreciate what we were doing!
Hawaii
Need I say more? I went when I was 11 or 12 and while I loved it, I just didn’t fully appreciate it. We stayed on Oahu, so I would love to venture out to any of the other islands, but really, I’ll take what I can get when it comes to a Hawaiian vacation!
Yosemite
Here’s the split personality in me: Part of me wants to be on the beach in Hawaii, perhaps with a cocktail, staying at a beautiful resort, and part of me wants to hike the Sierras and camp in Yosemite. We actually did this a lot as kids growing up, but I didn’t have to worry about any of the logistics (tents, sleeping bags, where to sleep, how not to get eaten by bears, etc). Hoping we can learn from some experts and make an experience out of it!
Chicago
This is the trip we already have planned for this summer! We have visited a lot of the major cities in the U.S. so Chicago seemed like a good place to check off the bucket list. We will be meeting my good friend there, and plan to watch lots of baseball and eat some deep dish pizza!
Grand Canyon/Sedona
This one is almost a joke at this point! Travis and his family talk about Sedona ALL the time and how beautiful it is, and I have yet to get a chance to see for myself! Believe it or not, Travis (a born and raised Arizonan) hasn’t been to the Grand Canyon. So that needs to happen!
New Orleans
Just seems like a super fun, rich with culture, yummy food kind of place! I’ve heard rumors that a good friend of mine will be celebrating her 30th here next year, so I am definitely looking forward to that!
Miami/Florida Keys
I think the Miami part of this trip is stemming from my current obsession with Dexter (which takes place in the vibrant city) but I also just think it seems like a cool place to visit! And then the Keys…count me in for any chance for a tropical vacation! I love visiting landmarks, and the southernmost point of the U.S. definitely counts!
North Carolina/Asheville
Ok, maybe I watch too much TV/ too many movies…because I recently became OBSESSED with North Carolina after watching a couple Nicholas Sparks movies (that are all filmed there). I was even trying HARD to sell Travis on the idea of moving there. But I think that for now, I’ll settle for a visit. I hear Ashville is the “Portland of the South” with lots of young people, microbreweries, and just a super fun vibe! Gotta get there one of these days!
Glacier National Park
This one actually comes from Travis. He doesn’t usually have the same desire to travel (aka plan a trip) as I do, but this is something he really wants to see, and understandably so! It looks sooo beautiful in pictures, and we both really want to get up to see Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, etc.
Nashville
We both love country music (the old school good stuff) and I think we would really enjoy the culture and general atmosphere of Nashville. I am thinking it is similar to Austin, but even more centered around live (country) music. Fun!
Cape Cod
Because why.not.? This one is probably my most far-fetched idea, but I just would love to experience that northeast beach in the summertime life. I picture the cape-cod style house walking distance to the sand, with our whole family enjoying the long days in the sun and grilling out every night. Just let me daydream, ok? 🙂
Honorable Mentions:
(I still want to and fully intend on visiting these places, but maybe down the line. I had to keep the list manageable at 10! 🙂 )
Tuscaloosa for an Alamaba Tailgate/Football game
(Or any major SEC football game)
(Or any major NFL game)
Redwood National Park
Mt. Rushmore
Alaska
Niagra Falls
What’s on YOUR travel bucket list? Have you visited any of these places I listed? If so, give me alllll your info. A little at a time, we will start marking these places off our list (and adding others, I’m sure!) Since time flies no matter what, why not cram in as many fun things as we can (or as our bank accounts will permit!)?
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