Since I’ve announced that I’m moving on here I’m EVEN more excited for what lies ahead in 2017. If you haven’t heard the basic outline of our plans click here and watch my most recent youtube video. Whilst we haven’t got any concrete plans, I have been thinking about things I’d like to do and achieve over the course of our Canada and America road trip.
When Cheapflights asked me about my 2017 bucket list I thought it was a great excuse to do a little bit more research and jot down all the things I’m hoping to do in one place. Let’s see how many I manage to tick off before the end of the year!
Finish MOMAR
I found out about the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race towards the end of last year and after a month or so of umming and ahhing I’ve actually signed up to do it. Now that I’ve paid the registration fee there’s no getting out of it! The race entails 50km of kayaking, biking and trekking on Canada’s Victoria Island. I’m going to have to learn to kayak, mountain bike and navigate but I do love a challenge. Finishing this will be widtha big accomplishment.
Visit Arches National Park
The scenery of Arches National Park in Utah looks like something from space. The red rock looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to explore some of the 2,000 arches across the park.
Listen to Jazz music in Louisiana
I don’t know a lot about Jazz music but I do know that I want to listen to some in Louisiana. Surely there’s no better place to hear some sweet jazz than here.
Eat lobster in Maine
Maine is renowned for its fresh lobster and lobster rolls and I’ve got my eye on a few of these lobster shacks in the state.
See the Grand Canyon
I’d bet pretty much every American bucket list includes the Grand Canyon. How could it not?
Camp under the stars
This ought to be achievable given that we’re hoping to buy a campervan but I wanted to add it to this list anyway just to make sure.
Take a kayaking course
I’ve been thinking about what I want to do for work and I’m pretty certain future jobs for me don’t include sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day. Taking a kayaking course will not only help me for the MOMAR race, but it could be the first step to something new.
Find our dream campervan and live the #Vanlife
I’ve been looking at all the campervans on sale in Ontario for months now. I’m pretty set on a Dodge campervan as they’re reasonably spacey and not too expensive. Here’s hoping we find one come February!
Speak French in Montreal
Montreal is the city that made me fall in love with Canada before and I can’t wait to go back.
See the geysers at Yellowstone
The incredible colours of Old Faithful have been on my list for years. I’ll definitely be visiting Yellowstone at some point!
Learn to deal with a Canadian winter
Us Brits think we get cold weather but it’s nothing compared to Canada. Learning to deal with the sorts of temperatures they get in Toronto is going to be a challenge but it’s one I’m excited by.
Ski lots
And lots. And lots.
Visit the Everglades
Florida’s Everglades look incredible although I’ll be steering well clear of any angry crocs in the water!
See the White House
Despite the fact someone less than favourable will be president, I’d like to get a few scrapbook photos in front of The White House.
Hike a mountain
Any mountain, any trek – got any suggestions?
Go Celeb spotting in Hollywood
I don’t follow the celebrity goss but I do love some people watching and I’d love to do some celeb spotting while in Hollywood.
Trek to the Hollywood Sign
I’m on the hunt for the Hollywood sign. Hopefully I won’t get lost!
Learn to Snowboard
I’ve had a few snowboarding lessons before. My first one was pretty much disastrous, the second was a bit better. I’d love to give it another go.
Learn to skateboard
I also want to give skateboarding a go. Not tricks and things I just think it’d be cool to skateboard down the promenade somewhere.
Run a marathon
We have this grand plan of training for a marathon while we’re travelling. Who knows if it’ll happen…
Watch an American Football game
I might not understand the rules but I’m willing to try and learn. It’s all about the entertainment and the cheerleaders anyway!
See Big Sur
One of the world’s most gorgeous stretches of coastline?
Swim in the ocean
Either the Pacific or the Atlantic. I don’t mind!
See whales in Vancouver
Vancouver’s Victoria Island is home to killer whales, or Orcas, I really want to go and see them!
See the Golden Gate Bridge
Adding to this I’d like to walk or cycle over it.
Visit Banff
For some skiing, camping, trekking and general exploring!
Win a few dollars in Vegas
We probably wouldn’t win but we did manage to double our money in Macau!
Experience the Calgary Stampede
I don’t know much about the Calgary Stampede but I’d like to soak up the atmosphere.
Eat a Philly Cheesesteak
Yum.
Listen to live country music in Nashville
Because where else can you enjoy a little bit of country?
Drive Miami to Key West
Look at that bridge!
Watch Baseball
Again, I don’t really know the rules. It’s just like rounders, right?
Swim in one of the Great Lakes
America’s Great Lakes look absolutely gorgeous and I’d love a wild swim in them!
Stroll on Venice Beach
Or skateboard with my new found skills…
Visit Glacier National Park
Up in Montana’s Rocky Mountains is Glacier National Park and it looks gorgeous!
Get lost in Redwood National Park
Because I don’t think I’ll ever see trees this impressive elsewhere!
See Mount Rushmore
One of those sites you really have to tick off!
Go hipster in Portland
More of a hipster’s paradise than Shoreditch I want to see what all the fuss is about in Portland.
Find a flat in Vancouver
One with a little balcony please?
Eat a proper slice of New York pizza
It’s got to be done! A nice big slice of Italian New York pizza has my name on.
Eat fried chicken in Memphis
I’ve read that you should forget all about healthy eating in Memphis. Fried chicken it is then.
Meet cowboys in Montana
Our cowboy experience in Uruguay was one of the best things we did. I’d love to find something similar in Montana.
Watch ice hockey in Canada
I’ve seen a few ice hockey games and always really enjoyed them. I’ll definitely be finding one to watch in Canada and adopting a team for a few years.
Stay in a log cabin
Yes please.
Explore Yosemite
One of America’s best known National Parks, Yosemite had to be on this list. I want to explore the waterfalls and find some wildlife.
Try snowshoeing
Given that there’s so much countryside to explore and a likely a lot of snow, I’d love to strap on some snowshoes and go adventuring.
Drive through the desert
Because you can’t do that in many places.
Go back to New York
I went to New York when I was about 12 or 13 and I’m really looking forward to going back again.
Practise mountain biking
I want to ride the trails in Canada and practise for my adventure race in Canada!
See the Northern Lights
Is this the year we catch sight of the mysterious lights?
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