National Park Bucket List

Where have you been? Where do you want to go? How do you keep it all straight?

I have a regret … I waited toooooo long to start my hiking hobby. In high school, a great guy at my church in Derita, NC (Charlotte metro area) took our young band of merry teens hiking and even little repelling/climbing. I totally enjoyed but didn’t get hooked. Maybe it was growing up in city life (DC area, Dallas, Charlotte, etc.) and it took some effort to get out of the city.

Years went by.

Part One of this Post …

Over a decade ago, I had my ‘Walk in the Woods’ moment. Decided to do Humpback Rock, and realized, this is something I want to do. Solitude. Nature. And so much more. I did adventure out and have done most of southern and middle Skyline Drive hikes in the Shenandoah Parkway. I’ve hit much of the north of Roanoke Blue Ridge Parkway.

Road Trips started with my son’s senior year in college. Several trips later, with him, one with my wife (now I have her hooked) and a few in solitude.

I have developed the great desire to visit the National Parks (NPS) and have several things to hep me accomplish that goal. I have NPS books, Books on Best Trails in America, and more. I have a scratch off map to mark where I have been. I have a water bottle that has spots for NPS stickers once I visit the park. These are great, and they remind me of how so much more there is for me experience.

Part Two of this Post …

Next year, my wife finishes her master degree. I am excited for her. However, she is putting off any road trip until her completion of this item on “her” bucket list. We have 12 months to plan a trip … often needed to get reservations and admission tickets.

But we are at a quandary. Do we go north to Glacier NPS or southwest to Zion and the Grand Canyon? Do we drive? fly? take the train? The train is appealing, more cost effective, but it is quite time consuming. 63 hours to go from here to Glacier. SIXTY THREE HOURS. Twice as long as a drive.

Did you know there is a website to assist in the planning … it even has bucket list in the title … https://nationalparkbucketlist.com … thank you Michelle Joy!

There is another site … https://eternalarrival.com/usa-national-parks-bucket-list/

I look at this and say there are other sources and they have many benefits. Ultimately, it comes down to desire and dreams. What do you really want to do? What will it take to fulfill the bucket list?

For now … a shorter bucket list. I want to do every trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway between Peaks of Otter and I-64. Let’s see how deep my desire is.

As far as Glacier NPS, if anyone out there has suggestions, feel free to pass them along to me.

Or maybe share with us what is at the top of your bucket list.
Where do you really want to go?
For me … Glacier is at the top (for now)!