Category Archives: bucket list

January 3, 2017 · 4:19 pm

One 2017 Bucket List Item

Before we jump to the fun plans of each of our bucket list items for 2017, I wanted to share something more personal. 2016 was a very difficult year for me in terms of heartbreak and loss and I have felt the grief and despair that I believe Anita experienced too. Without the care, friendships and love from friends and family, I feel certain that she and I would have shared a similar fate. Those around me knew how much I was hurting and really pulled me through the darkness. It is my hope that anyone who feels helpless seeks the help they need. Life isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon and there’s always lessons to live through and learn from.

In 2013, the travel blogging world lost Anita Mac, and many of us lost a friend. Anita inspired each of us in different ways with her huge, welcoming smile, eagerness to help, colorful fashion sense, as well as a shoulder to cry on and a willingness to comfort and listen. For many of us, Anita comes to mind almost daily, but most often during our travels, so each year since her death, our goal has been to honor her in some way. We want to pick up where she left off, as her blog focused on bucket list travel, so we are going to dedicate an item from our own bucket list to her during 2017.

Beautiful Anita – you’re gone but not ever forgotten

We hope this reminds our readership of the wonderful world we live in, how we can all experience it, and how fragile life can be. For Anita, we pledge this for 2017:

Where in the World is Lola? (moi)

This past year I didn’t have a bucket list item for Anita but I guess my own personal yearly bucket list wish is to always travel somewhere new. I can happily say that did happen in 2016. I traveled to the Dominican Republic and was able to donate some of my time helping those in need there. Otherwise, 2016 was a pretty quiet year for me travel-wise. I’m hoping 2017 will be a bit more active.

Lola with Stay Adventurous and The World Wanderer on a cruise to the Dominican Republic

I am starting off my year headed back to New Orleans and cannot wait. Other than that, I have no firm travel plans as of yet. I think I would like to prioritize traveling with some of my travel buddies somewhere – new or old! Some thoughts I have are Scotland and Vietnam but I’m open to anything so long as it is with people who are near and dear to me. Anita would love this. She loved us all being together as a group. Her last trip was, in fact, a group trip with several travel gals to Montreal. So, I hope you’ll consider planning an adventure together with me (you know who you are!).

Montreal shenanigans – miss you Anita

Traveling Ted

In less than two months I will be traveling to Anita’s hometown. This is the second time I have visited since she passed away. When I met her at TBEX in Toronto, and I told her I might be skiing the Gatineau Loppet, she invited me to stay with her. When I finally did make it to Gatineau, which is right across the river from Ottawa, Ontario, Anita had already passed. I sadly spent most of my time alone. This year I will be returning to the region to ski in the Canadian Ski Marathon.

The fact that I am returning to Canada actually has nothing to do with my bucket list item for 2017. I am psyched to return to Anita’s homeland, but that is not my 2017 bucket list item. The Canadian Ski Marathon is an endurance race where participants partake in two days of skiing totaling 100 miles. If the number one travel experience I was looking forward to in 2017 was to ski myself into complete exhaustion, then I would be insane. I just needed a hook to tie in travel and Anita. Now that you are honed in on my bucket list, and wondering what the hell it is, I am going to switch gears from cross-country skiing and Canada, but not too far away.

Me after skiing the Gatineau Loppet near Anita's home, but this photo has nothing to do with my 2017 bucket list item

Ted after skiing the Gatineau Loppet near Anita’s home, but this photo has nothing to do with his 2017 bucket list item

Since I am quite sane, my 2017 bucket list item is to visit Maine, and I am pretty sure it is going to happen. I have signed up to join Bullmoose Patrol on a wilderness canoe trip in October on the Allagash River. I have never been to Maine, so I hope to see some moose, breathtaking fall colors, catch and eat some fresh fish, canoe a beautiful river, and drink some Allagash beer near its source. I am quite certain Anita would approve of all the above.

Adventure on!

Follow Ted’s travels on his blog Traveling Ted

The World Wanderer

In 2016, my bucket list plan was to hike Patagonia. At the time, I had only made tentative plans with friends, and those plans eventually fell through. Since I lived most of the year off of my savings, it wasn’t an ideal time to make the trek to South America, so last year’s bucket list item didn’t happen, although I did made it to Colombia in December.

Erin road tripping the USA

This year, I am going to try to be a little more realistic with my goal, so my plan is to finish off my states in the United States. If I take two road trips or one major one, I will be able to check off 13 states in the contiguous United States. That will leave me with Alaska, which could be a more difficult one to finish up in 2017, but I am going to try. I think Anita would love this goal of seeing my home country, and she’d sure love the adventures to be had in Alaska. I think it’s the perfect way to honor her.

Follow Erin’s wanderings on her blog The World Wanderer

Stay Adventurous

Craig fly fishing in the Florida Keys

With a singular fly cast out into the flats of the upper Florida Keys backcountry, I smiled, not solely because I realized a dream, a bucket list item, but because I also completed my 2016 dedication to Anita. I really owe a lot to my friend Scott, who not only helped make it happen and also snapped the image I shared on Instagram (which has captured the most likes of the year for me). Next year he promised we will catch one.

Beaches of Central America

So now as I look towards 2017, I am staring at the snow falling in Lake Wallenpaupack and I am debating a winter adventure. Yet my recent trip Belize reminds me how much of the Americas I have still yet to explore. So for 2017, I plan to visit a NEW destination and a NEW place somewhere on one of the American continents. Maybe I’ll return south of the border, find my way to a winter adventure, or both. Wherever it takes me, this year I plan to discover (more of) the Americas.

Follow Craig’s adventures on his blog StayAdventurous

Closure:

We encourage you to join us in this quest and take on at least one Bucket List item in 2017, but more importantly, we also hope you take the opportunity to (re)connect with friends and loved ones during this holiday season and throughout the year.

The purpose for writing this post is not only to inspire others to travel the world and explore, but as a way for us to remind all of you who are reading this post to look around you, see who you can reach out to and possibly help reach their goals and feel supported and loved. Our friend and fellow traveler, Anita took her life because she didn’t see any other options, we don’t want anyone else to feel that way.

Please share the momentum.

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Filed under bucket list, dominican republic, florida, Maine, travel, USA

Tagged as bucket list, central america, dominican republic tourism, florida, florida keys, maine, ottawa, road trip, USA

January 6, 2015 · 11:53 pm

One Bucket List Item for 2015

I’ve never been into making a Travel Bucket List really but I am into setting travel goals and dreaming BIG of far-flung destinations. Whether you have a Travel Bucket List or not, let’s all try complete one travel goal or dream in 2015:

The travel blogging world lost Anita Mac, who took her own life, in 2013. Those of us involved in this post want to pick up the torch where Anita left off (her blog focused on bucket list travel) and pledge to accomplish one item from our own bucket lists during 2015.

We hope the posts reminds our readership, just like our 2014 One Bucket List item post did, how wonderful the world is and how we all can experience it.

Lola from Lola’s Travels

Well 2014 didn’t see me complete my one bucket list item for Anita but it sure as hell saw me complete a whole host of places I never imagined traveling to in 2014 or possibly ever in my lifetime. Capping off an epic year of travel, I spent the New Years holiday in Thailand and that was a bucket list item I didn’t plan on for 2014. The sweet happy smiles of Thai people is infectious and I was reminded how imperative beach time and sunshine are to my soul. Setting off floating lanterns saying farewell to 2014 felt right here. Anita would have approved.

For 2015, I wouldn’t mind my bucket list wish from 2014, Croatia, but somehow I think I’m destined for bigger travels. First stop of 2015 is a little taste of India. I’m thinking 2015 may be my Australia year as well, which I know Anita would love. And Asia, well Asia is my latest addiction. Happy New Year and here’s hoping you travel somewhere you’ve been dreaming of this year and remain open to the unknown possibilities of places you didn’t plan to visit.

Craig Zabransky of Stay Adventurous

I remain grateful for all the adventures and experiences each year brings me and 2014 was certainly special. Amazing actually. I am very fortunate to see and do so much in this wonderful world.

One thing I miss (and crave) is the opportunity to surf daily. My resolution is simple, to be able walk to the beach with a surfboard under my arm and paddle out for a daily surf session. And then follow each day with the opportunity to soak up a sunset on the beach with my journal, and maybe a cerveza too. Then repeat and repeat again; repeat for a week.

In 2015 I plan to make a one-week surf holiday happen. It will be the perfect holiday for physical, mental and spiritual health too. I know it will help me focus on what is important, and that is such a critical aspect to travel and the adventure we call “our life.”

Erin Marie Musich of The World Wanderer

India is a country I have longed to visit for some time, and in 2014, I vowed to make that dream a reality. Tickets were booked, accommodations and plans were made, but after CKGS lost my passport, that dream eventually fell apart. What upset me most was that I vowed to visit the subcontinent in Anita’s honor. Still, I am a believer that all things happen for a reason and know that I will get to India when I am supposed to be there.

Of course, I’m hoping that 2015 is the year that I can finally make this dream a reality. My hope is to spend some time volunteering with children, as was my original plan, but I would also love to work on getting my certification to teach yoga. This year, yoga has had a profound effect on my well-being and I would love to take my practice deeper. India is a place of deep spirituality and I know that it is the ideal country for this journey. Nothing is set in stone, but I would love for this to be my bucket list destination for Anita once more in 2015.

Ted Nelson of Traveling Ted

Each year in February, I ski the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski Marathon in Hayward, Wisconsin. The Worldloppet Federation lists this race as the marquee Nordic competition in the United States. The number one race across the border in Canada is the Gatineau Loppet in Ottawa, Quebec.

The race takes place each year in February one week before the Birkie in Wisconsin. I have for many years now wanted to do both races in the same year. It has also been a bucket list item of mine to compete in other Worldloppet races. This year I am finally going make both of these goals a reality.

This bucket list has a very personal tie with Anita. When I met Anita at the TBEX in Toronto she mentioned that she lived in Ottawa. I told her about my desire to ski the Gatineau, and she invited me to stay with her as she lives not too far where the race takes place. I am really excited to make this trip, but it will be with a heavy heart knowing that Anita will not be there.

Join Us and Also Reach Out to People to Share Some Love

We encourage you to join us in this quest and take on at least One Bucket List item in 2015, but more importantly, we also hope you take the opportunity to (re)connect with friends and loved ones during this holiday season.

XO – Lola

One Bucket List Item for 2014

The travel blogging world lost one of its own this past year. To remember Anita Mac, who took her own life, those of us involved in this post want to pick up the torch where Anita left off (her blog focused on bucket list travel) and pledge to accomplish one item from our own bucket lists during 2014.

BUCKET LIST Items:

Lola’s Bucket List Wish

Although I’m a list maker, I’m not a bucket list maker. Having said that, my yearly goals often include going somewhere I’ve never been before. I almost love everywhere I travel and since I’m never anywhere for long, I always want to return. That can make it difficult to squeeze in a new destination or two every year if I’m spending my time repeating. But I’ve made it a priority of mine now to always go somewhere new too. 2013 saw me spending time in Switzerland, Copenhagen, Canada, Seattle and Amsterdam – all firsts for Lola. Both of my trips to Montreal were with my dear friend Anita. The first, in the winter (my birthday) and the second, in the summer (her birthday). I really love Montreal and it will always be dear to me beyond the fact that it’s an amazing city because of my time there with Anita. On my radar for a few years now is Croatia – a place that Anita really loved and definitely inspired me to want to visit even more. I hope to go to Croatia on a luxury 7 day yachting trip this summer with SailingHR. I think Anita would approve and be happy I made this bucket list dream come true in style.

Craig Zabransky of Stay Adventurous

I receive quite a few inquiries about Mexico including a few from Anita when we talked travel destinations. Many people tell me they’d only go to Mexico if they travel with me. Well this year, they can. I am deciding to fulfill a dream and tackle a bucket list item by leading a tour to Mexico and offer people the chance to visit the country with me.
Yes, friends, readers, sunset lovers prepare for the chance to see Mexico the way I see the country. In 2014 prepare for StayAdvenTours’ first trip to Mexico.

Mary Anne Been of Jetset Extra

Having a bucket list has never been my thing. I want to go and do everything, everywhere so why make a list? But in honor of my friend Anita and her dream of completing her list, I have chosen hiking in the outback of Australia for my bucket list item of 2014. Not only has it been a dream of mine since I can remember, but Anita loved Australia and lived there for many years. She and I talked at length about how she thought she might move back someday. This is my tribute to her and her list. Love and light to a dear friend, of whom we miss very much.

Francesca Mazurkiewicz of The Working Mom’s Travels

I wrote my first bucket list a few years back and revised it once or twice. But since having my second child earlier this year, I’ve been thinking a lot about my bucket list and thought it more appropriate to consider it a list of “travel priorities”: still including things I want to do, places I want to see, but without the sense of finality of it all – more like a list of ongoing experiences. My children are still young (4 ½ years and 5 months) and we have some travel plans for 2014. Instead of focusing on exact things and locations, my priority is to travel as much with my family as possible, whether we’re flying to Europe or spending a weekend in Wisconsin. My priority is to teach my children about this wonderful world and to let them know just how much they are loved, and for that, there is no end.

Lance Wiedower of Trips By Lance

I’m a big list maker, but I’ve never written out a travel bucket list. I’m just not a fan of this all-powerful list of places I want to see before I kick the bucket. Anita and I discussed many times why I should create a list. She was very passionate about it. True to my own form, I’m still not creating a bucket list, but in Anita’s honor I’m happy to share a dream destination that I hope to make a reality in 2014. I want to eventually visit all 50 U.S. states, with Alaska at the top of my most-desired list. I always thought an Alaskan cruise would be the best way to see the state, but a coworker who formerly lived there has convinced me how easy it is to see much of Alaska’s greatness if you’re willing to drive. So I’m thinking a summer solstice visit would be fantastic. Gazing at Mount McKinley in the evening sun, checking out glaciers, fishing for salmon, enjoying lots of great Alaskan beer, hiking the beautiful landscape and so much more. I’m also tempted to train for the Anchorage marathon June 21. I retired from competitive running a couple of years ago, but I think it would be fun to run a race in beautiful Alaska.

The Romantic & The Wino of The Lazy Travelers

As two girls with an extreme case of never-ending wanderlust, we’re constantly revising and adding on to our bucket lists. Though we could name an infinite amount of places and destinations we wish to travel to in 2014, our newest bucket list item is a bit more personal. Now that we live on separate continents, our number one bucket item in 2014 is to simply spend more time together. In spite of all the obstacles in our way—budgets, limited vacation time, and the mere logistics of landing somewhere on the same continent at the same time—we’re determined to spend as much time together as we can manage, which hopefully means a longer trip than we’ve ever been able to take in the past. If there’s one thing Anita’s passing has taught us, it’s that our love of travel is not only a result of the destination, but of the people we share the experience with.

Erin Marie of The World Wanderer

This year is all about big adventures and pushing myself to any limit to make my dreams come true; I think living this way would make Anita proud. One country that has been on my list of places to visit for sometime now has been India, and in 2014, I vow to make this happen. Between culture and food, India is a place I have been intrigued with for as long as I can remember. I know that visiting will push me to my limits in certain areas, especially because I will most likely be taking the trip solo, but I am hoping to experience similar feelings to the ones I had in Africa. Anita was always one for traveling solo, and not letting anything or anyone get in the way of her dreams; I’d like to think of my trip to India as a tribute to her in that way.

Chris and Tawny of Captain and Clark

Chris and I have both kept respective bucket lists since the time we could write. One of our favorite past times is to talk about our love of travel and what beautiful adventure we want to take next. We appreciate that Anita’s blog inspired others to go after their own hopes and dreams. Not only did Anita make it seem attainable, but she encouraged everyone that she came across. We want to honor Anita by ticking off one of our travel bucket list items this year. Here is our vow, to our readers and to beautiful Anita, that we will venture to Iceland in 2014 and, God willing, see the mystifying and majestic Northern Lights.

Gerard and Kieu of GQ trippin

Kieu & I have a never ending bucket list when it comes to travel. Seeing and experiencing the awesomeness that the world has to offer is something that we deeply shared with Anita. Even though we are back home with ‘regular jobs’, travel has remained a big priority to us. Our tribute to Anita in 2014 is to check off her #1 bucket list item and head to Kenya to go on an African Safari.

Join Us and Also Reach Out to People to Share Some Love

We encourage you to join us in this quest and take on at least one bucket list item in 2014, but more importantly, we also hope you take the opportunity to (re)connect with friends and loved ones during this holiday season.

The purpose for writing this post is not only to inspire others to travel the world and explore, but as a way for us to remind all of you who are reading this post to look around you, see who you can reach out to and possibly help. Our friend and fellow traveler, Anita took her life because she didn’t see any other options. We don’t want anyone else to feel that way. Please share the momentum.

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Filed under bucket list, croatia, travel

November 15, 2013 · 4:44 pm

It’s #Movember – That Means Mustaches & #ManlyMoments

BIG SURPRISE that Lola can get behind mustaches… you know my love of wearing faux ones around the world. I’ve even got my friends wearing them because being ‘stachey is FUN!! But in all seriousness, November and #Movember are important! It’s a time where people participate in growing mustaches to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer. I rejoice because I feel I’m amongst kindred mustache spirits on top of the good deeds it represents.

My adorable friend Raymond from Man on the Lam is doing a HUGE campaign that is quite enviable if you ask me about #Movember. Thanks to Leah Travels for asking me to participate in making my own #ManlyMoments bucket list to support this worthy cause. So here it goes, some will happen and some will never! I’m ok with that – are you?

1) SWIM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL

Lola, once upon a time, did a sprint triathlon and thought to myself, wouldn’t be amazing to be so fit you could swim the English Channel. Let me just say, that 1/2 mile swim was the hardest part of my race. I cannot imagine ever being able to do this feat but am super impressed by all those that make this a goal and set out to achieve it. Very manly indeed.

2) ISLAND HOP SAILING THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN

I wish I could say I can sail. I cannot. I’d like a decent size sailboat along with a handsome crew to do the dirty work for me. I promise to entertain them with my pirate-like antics and rum drinking. I’m buying, so I say let’s taste all the different rums out there in the turquoise Caribbean!

3) COLORADO RIVER RAFTING IN THE GRAND CANYON

This one I actually think will happen. It’s been on my list for a while and based on what I’ve heard and read, you can have quite the adventurous yet glamorous experience in just a few short days. I like a little action packed activity on my vacays so this sounds really perfect for Lola.

4) PARTICIPATE IN THE MONGOL RALLY

Happily, I can report this #ManlyMoment will get ticked off Lola’s list this summer. It may seem anti-Lola to want to do the Mongol Rally but I think it sounds like an adventure of a lifetime. Yes, it will be challenging for this poshaholic but I look forward to roughing it. It will make the post-rally rewards that much sweeter. And, that’s the way I roll.

5) DO A CATTLE DRIVE IN WYOMING/MONTANA

So, as you may know, I’m a Texan. And as a Texan, I love the idea of participating in an organized cattle drive tour. I have 3 pairs of cowboy boots and a belt with a ginormous buckle so I’d say I’m pretty much ready to go. Can’t you just see it now?! Pink cowboy hat and boots…me tossing a lasso and capturing a cowboy err I mean roping a cow. Let a girl dream 😉

Now for the serious stuff. The goal is to raise awareness of Movember and men’s health issues. Whether you are a blogger or a reader, you can participate in this great cause.

Read along as Raymond attempts to complete his Manly Bucket List at MadeMan.com/Movember
Follow along on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtags #Movember and #ManlyMoments
Go to Movember.com to find out more about men’s health issues, support a Mo Bro or Mo Sistah, or to register to become one yourself.
Check out the schedule for the Made Man Movember Mo’asis Bus Tour and come on by if you are in the neighborhood for free shaves and tons of great activities.
Last but not least, DONATE!

OR can make your own #ManlyMoments Bucket List! All you need to do is:

Choose five activities you’d like to do and create your own #ManlyMoments Bucket List – they can be something you commit to do during Movember, or simply something you’d like to do before you kick the bucket. (Ladies, this is open to you too!)
Nominate five bloggers to create their own #ManlyMoments Bucket List.
Include a link to Movember to encourage people to register or donate.
Tweet and share your posts with the hashtags #Movember and #ManlyMoments

Also, every time you send a tweet, Vine, Instagram, or post to Facebook with your manly photos, or text using the hashtag #ManlyMoments, the folks at Made Man will donate $1 to the Movember cause. You’ll also be entered into a draw for a Trip for Two to Las Vegas to experience your very own Mancation, which includes the Top Gun Experience from Sky Combat Ace. Sounds good to moi!

I’m tagging a few of my favorites to play along and I know they will come up with clever posts for their #ManlyMoments!!