Our BUcket List
Our Bucket List is a result of brainstorming what we would do if we could do anything. We removed real-life barriers, such as cost, logistics, and practicality. We dreamed big, very big.
American Museum of Natural History
I grew up with fond memories of visiting the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The memories of the dinosaur at the entryway and the Hall of Gems and Minerals are getting a bit hazy, so it would be great to re-experience it as an adult and share that experience with my family. The Planetarium would give us a chance to rest our feet and learn something new. A New York City street vendor pretzel and a hot dog would be a tasty way to end the day.
Colorado State Parks
There are 42 parks in the Colorado State Park system. Colorado State Parks offer a low-cost way of spending time together as a family. I am excited about the opportunities for camping, viewing wildlife, nature photography, and connecting with nature. The parks are a great day or weekend trip from our home base in Colorado. We can be local tourists and discover the hidden treasures in our own backyard!
Check out the parks we have visited so far on Our Colorado State Park Bucket List.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands is the ultimate dream trip! I envision being surrounded by animals, such as land tortoises, finches, and sea lions. The chance to go SCUBA diving with a whale shark and ray brings excitement to my fingertips just typing this. I read the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin many years ago. Making this trip become a reality would be amazing!
Kennedy Space Center
A NASA Launch is a scene out of movies, news clips, and books. The Kennedy Space Center offers a range of experiences, including watching a launch, Astronaut Training Experience, and bus tour. Despite my years living in Florida, this has always been on my list of things to do. Sometimes it is easy to forget how small we are in the universe, but space can quickly remind us.
Legoland
There is a new Legoland opening in New York. There is just something magical about Legos. I have seen my kids’ faces light up when getting a new set. Even more captivating are those moments when their fingers and minds go to work constructing a new “invention.” A trip to Legoland would be more than just a trip to someplace cool – it would be a way to ignite their imagination, creativity and understand that, yes, anything is possible.
National Parks
There are 423 parks in the National Park System in the United States. I am not sure how possible it is to visit all of them or if I want to. I would be most interested in going to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, Biscayne National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
SCUBA Diving
Many of the places on our bucket list include places where SCUBA diving is possible. I hope to have my family SCUBA diving certified. We can take lessons locally, as well as complete four open water dives. Colorado isn’t exactly known as the SCUBA diving capital of the world. We can complete two of the dives at the Denver Aquarium. The remaining two can be completed at Chatfield Park. SCUBA diving can be a healthy way to explore a world of fish and corals.
Statue of Liberty
Almost 14 million immigrants saw the Statue of Liberty upon arriving in the United States [NPS.gov]. I believe there is a difference between seeing a photo in a history book and seeing it in real life. Our family has descendants who were immigrants. The Statue of Liberty holds meaning for us in many ways. Thanks to technology, we have been able to find naturalization papers and census details. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hope, strength, and struggle to us. It is also the ultimate demonstration of teamwork and perseverance.
Treehouse
The Treehouse Masters TV Show has inspired this goal on our bucket list. I think staying in a treehouse would be a unique experience. I imagine laying in a bed that looks out to the views and sounds of nature. Perhaps we can find one that overlooks a lake or stream. We could spend the day exploring the forest, fish, draw, or maybe just taking some time to daydream. The show has a few that they rent out for stays. There are also some treehouses right in our state.