What’s the Real Story Behind a Bucket List?
Last week I read a blog post called Wanderlust is More Than Just a Bucket List on The Wanderlusters that really struck a chord with me. It was about how the idea of a bucket list reaches far beyond the “things” on it.
How many times have I jotted something down or bookmarked it to visit someday? Probably a million. But, get this – sometimes I even visit them! 🙂 And as I add ticks the visited column, there is usually a story that surrounds that trip.
What often starts as just I’d like to see that, turns into something bigger and richer than I could have ever known at the time that I scribbled it down. That’s the beauty of a bucket list. As it turns out, it’s often less about the thing… as it is about the doing of the thing. It’s more about the unexpected sights along the way, the people you meet, the unplanned experiences you have while you’re seeking out the goal.
Do you keep a wish list of places to visit?
What do you use to keep track of everything – Paper & pen, app, map, something else?
Your post is spot on! That is the exact reason I love to take back roads trips. And, ultimately, every backroad is somewhere on that bucket list.
The key to a good road trip is flexibility, an open mind, an absolute desire to deviate from the path that was scheduled, and the “always have your eyes peeled” philosophy!
My last trip, which I completed last week, totaled 4600 miles to Montana and back, had a number of “bucket list” spots to visit including Carhenge in Nebraska, the Beartooth Mountains in Wyoming, and a drive down US Route 2. But along the way, there were numerous “pleasant surprises” including a collectibles shop that looks like a junk display case, numerous murals, some amazing scenery, and recommendations from people that I had met. Along the way I found a place that did chainsaw carvings in Wisconsin, and interviewed these guys and will have some excellent blog material. But the better part, was learning about the process from them.
No different then a trip I took into thousand eight from Woodstock, Ontario to Sparta, Ontario. Along the way, I went through a small town called Mapleton. Lo and behold, I saw the “Mapleton taxidermy and cheese shop” sign and stopped in for a visit there. While noshing on cheese I got to watch the taxidermy side clean a bear hide and witness something I had never seen before.
So, as I said, you were spot on! And this is what travel is all about and this is what brings me loads of joy!
Thanks for the post Fuzzy!!
I sometimes speak of my bucket list, but I’ve never sat down and made an official one.
I’m a travel writer, though, and I actually *do* have a Texas To Do list, a big messy list of places I want to check out, restaurants to eat at, etc… here in the Lone Star State.
Nice post! I found you via Sumoflam’s Facebook recommendation. 😀
Glad you enjoyed my post! 🙂 Thanks for sharing
I’ve learned the same lesson. We fill our lives with unexpected delights when we actively pursue dreams. Most of what results cannot be predicted. Some of my fondest experiences came out of the blue.
I am not sure that I have a specific bucket list, but I know that when we ride on our trips, if I had one written down, I could mark a lot off… 🙂 Working on our latest 3400 mile trip…Mount Zion is in this one. Thanks for reminding us all that if we dream we all have bucket list to complete!!
So great to hear that Carmen’s post struck a chord with you! Thanks for sharing here!
I have never kept a list but seeing this I feel like it might be worth doing now……..thanks for sharing Fuzz!