My Bucket List

MY BUCKET LIST Years and years ago, I made a bucket list. I looked everywhere and could not find it. I don’t remember everything I listed, so it’s time for a new one to be created or just to go by what I remember or take a trip down memory lane. One thing for sure is to go and explore the fifty states of the United States of America. So far I had gone to thirty five states, leaving fifteen states I still must wander. I live in California and had gone to the other Pacific states - Alaska, Washington, Oregon and the four major islands of Hawaii, as well as the Rocky Mountain states – Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Utah and Nevada and they are all unique. I had traveled to the Southwest states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and to the Midwest states of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Absorbing! I had seen some of the Southeastern states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. They are all captivating. I journeyed to the Northeastern states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania. Bewitching and charming! Our nation’s capital, Washington DC is fascinating, interesting, engrossing! It is not one of the fifty states; but the most important part of America. I had been to the highest buildings using the elevators, of course, the Empire State Building and Sears Tower. I climbed the stairs in the Statue of Liberty and in Washington Monument in Baltimore and felt I conquered the world for reaching the top without my knees giving out on me. I dined in Space Needle and in the top floor of Hyatt Regency, San Francisco while looking and being mesmerized by spectacular views. I rode the Monongahela Incline in Pittsburgh, the steepest incline, where you can see the unmatched view of the city at the top. The Cave of the Winds in Colorado and Crystal Cave in Springfield, Missouri are wondrous sights, extraordinary! The Natural Bridge in Virginia, a sacred site and a landmark. I am fortunate to see these wonders. The Newport Mansions in Rhode Island, the Hot Springs, Arkansas Bath Houses, the Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California are out of sight and enriched in history. Seeing the fifty states of the United States encompasses most of the items in my missing bucket list for it really kicked off most of the places, the views, the natural wonders, the attractions I wanted to see, explore and experience. Like the majestic sceneries of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Bryce Canyon in Utah, the Yellow Stone in Wyoming/Montana, the Glacier Bay in Alaska, as well as the excitement in riding the Hot Air Balloon in Albuquerque, New Mexico during the October Fiesta. Let me not forget the thrill of crossing the suspension bridges of Capilano in Vancouver and Yukon in Stikine Region of British Columbia, Canada and my adventures in Dubai, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands and Mexico. My feet are itching to go and step on other places; but for now, they are just rocking to the beat of Rock and Roll and will be ready to roll when it is considered safe to go or travel. 12/4/20 What Have You Kicked Off On Your Bucket List Chantelle Ann Cooke