MY "Bucket List"

Recently my son, Adam, and I have been working to develop some direction in his life. We've discussed the need to create a loose plan in life if you want to realize certain accomplishments or achievements. I was about Adam's age (16 in August) when I created my first list of some of the things that I wanted to achieve in life. At the time I was convinced that I would become a private pilot working for some corporation or wealthy family. Most of my goals were focused on that eventuality. For those who know me well, you realize that I never went that route in my life, but by making that list it forced me to investigate that path. I actually had the opportunity to take-off, land, and fly a private plane. After participating in these activities it became apparent to me that this was not the path for my future. I'd like to pretend that all the paths in my life have been well-thought out, but let's face it, many decisions that I did not think through have had the most significant impact on my path. I guess that's why I am trying to help Adam think through some of his choices. I digress a bit, but as the title of the post states I am going to discuss some of the things I would like to do before I die. This subject came up as Adam and I discussed what he would most like to accomplish in life.

Before I start my list it is only fair that I discuss, for a few moments, the things that I have done in my life that would otherwise still be on my list. I have flown a plane, visited Disneyland, spent a weekend on a sailboat, sailed on the Pacific Ocean (briefly), been to Vegas, seen a Vegas show, gambled, taken a road trip to Reno, been camping with family and friends, biked the Oregon Coast, and I have spent several days canoeing and camping the Willamette River. When I look back, I don't feel like I have gotten very far with my list, but a lot has to do with one other thing that I always wanted to do/be. I wanted to be a father and a husband. While I have achieved both of these things, I would have to say that so far I am disappointed with my success in both of these areas, but that will have to wait for another blog. I plan to make this a list that I can edit by adding new ideas and updating others as I accomplish them.

1. Live on a Sail Boat for at least a year
2. Tour the Mediterranean on a Sail Boat
3. Tour the Caribbean on a Sail Boat
4. Tour the Pacific Islands on a Sail Boat
5. Bike through Europe
6. Hike the Pacific Crest Trail
7. Bike the Pacific Coast from Canada to Mexico (working on this one in segments)
8. Drink Scotch in Scotland
9. Drink Champagne in the Champagne region of France
10. Drink Bordeaux in the Bordeaux region of France
11. Trace my Family's Genealogy and explore their origins.
12. Smoke a Cuban Cigar in Cuba
13. See a Broadway show in New York
14. Live in a foreign country for a whole year
15. Learn at least one foreign language fluently
16. Get a degree in a subject that has nothing to do with my career (i.e. Philosophy)
17. Read War & Peace
18. Drink Rum in Jamaica
19. Drink Mescal in Mexico
20. Complete a passage through the Panama Canal
21. Sail the San Juan Islands
22. Tour the Wine Region of California on a bicycle
23. Tour the Wine Region of Argentina on a bicycle
24. Take cooking lessons in Italy
25. Take cooking lessons in France
26. Take cooking lessons in Spain
27. Gamble in Monte Carlo
28. Bike New Zealand
29. Liquidate everything that I own with the exception of photos and memorabilia and live from a back pack for one year while traveling America
30. Drive America from coast to coast at least two different routes. Preferably in a Mustang Fastback
31. Tour the Wine Region of Australia on a bicycle
32. Drive a Harley
33. Build my own wooden kayak
34. Learn to Scuba Dive
35. Kayak (or Canoe) from the headwaters of the Missouri to the mouth of the Mississippi
36. Hike the Adirondack Trail
37. Learn to play the guitar
38. Re-learn to play the piano
39. Take voice lessons and learn to sing in public
40. Make Wine
41. Plow behind horses
42. Ride The Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul
43. Build a Beach House for my grandchildren to visit
44. Sail to Easter Island and The Galapagos Islands
45. Walk the Great Wall of China
46. Ride a Camel
47. Attend a Super Bowl
48. Learn to Ballroom Dance
49. Bar tend
50. Attend an America's Cup