Travel is not a contest, and it’s not something that should be accomplished by checking items off a list. However, I find it helpful to keep track of where I’ve visited in case I need to reflect on or reference a certain trip. Eventually, trips and locations do blend together, so it’s useful to have a log of where I’ve been. It’s also nice to keep track of interesting places others have been that I’d like to visit someday. There are so many wonderful places in the world!

Bucket List and Past Adventures

Perhaps these bucket list items will inspire your next trip. Items in italics have been visited already but are not an all-inclusive list.

Europe

• Sing in Chartres Cathedral outside of Paris, France (2012)
• See the fjords and midnight sun in Norway
• Explore the natural beauty and coasts of the Balkans Montenegro (2019)
• See the fairy chimneys, explore the underground city of Kaymakli, and ride in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia in Turkey
• Spend time on the Mediterranean
• Walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England (I did a report on this bridge in college!)
• Drive the ring road and see the Northern Lights in Iceland
• Attend a Formula 1 Grand Prix (Austria 2015, Austin 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021)
• Enjoy the castles, bridges, coastline, and culture of Portugal and get lost in windy pathways of picturesque towns - Lisbon and Porto (2022)
• Visit the chateaux of the French countryside (2007)
• See the ancient ruins in Italy (Herculaneum, Pompeii, Rome), Greece, or North Africa (Petra, Thebes, Carthage, etc.)

North America

• Explore the Aztec and Mayan ruins of Mexico and experience its architecture and cuisine (Mexico City and Oaxaca). Plus, practice my Spanish!
• Explore the national parks of Utah – Arches, Bryce, Zion, and Canyonlands (2010)
• Visit the hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone (2010)
• Go whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon or Utah
• Hike in Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas, Nevada (would love to camp someday!)
• Explore Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado
• Hike in the Rocky Mountains (2019) and go downhill skiing near Denver, Colorado
• Explore the Pacific Northwest, from Portland to Seattle
• Visit Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch (2018), Meow Wolf (2018), and Bandelier National Monument (2021) in New Mexico
• See the fall color in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (2014)
• Drive all of Route 66 with my dad (Made it from Los Angeles, CA to Winslow, AZ so far)
• See bears, puffins, and Mount Denali in Alaska (many times including 2010)
• Visit Volcano National Park in Hawaii and try surfing
• Explore the Canadian Rockies and visit Dinosaur Provinical Park in Alberta, Canada

Central and South America

• Visit Puerto Rico (part of the United States, I know!)
• Visit Machu Picchu and hike a portion of the Inca Trail
• Snorkel in the Belize Barrier Reef (May 2018)
• Explore ATM Cave in Belize (May 2018)
• Hike in the Costa Rican cloud forest (June 2012)
• Visit the Mayan ruins of Tikal in Guatemala (May 2018)
• Visit Patagonia in Argentina and Chile

Asia

• Explore the archaeological city of Petra in Jordan
• The ruins of Persepolis in Iran
• Ride an elephant in Thailand (December 2004)
• The Angkor Temples of Cambodia (December 2008)
• The Valley of 1000 Temples in Bagan, Myanmar (December 2008)
• See the cherry blossoms in Japan

Australia and the Pacific

• Attend the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix (the last of the three “AUS” Formula 1 Grand Prix Races – I have attended both Austin, Texas and Austria)
• Visit New Zealand and see Hobbiton (I have recently gotten into the Lord of the Rings series)
• See the Komodo Dragons in Indonesia

Africa

There are many incredible things I’d love to see in Africa, but much of the rest of the world is calling my name first. I would definitely enjoy the ancient ruins and civilizations, the wildlife, the beautiful scenery, and the people.

Countries I’ve Visited

As of January 2020, I’ve properly visited the following 21 countries. In my opinion, airport layovers don’t count.

1. United States of America – I live here!
2. Mexico – Walked across the border to Matamoros
3. Canada – Vancouver (2004) and Niagara Falls (2011)
4. Belize – Honeymoon in May 2018
5. Guatemala – Honeymoon in May 2018
6. Costa Rica – June 2012
7. Myanmar (Burma) – December 2008
8. Cambodia – December 2008
9. Thailand – December 2004 (during the Tsunami)
10. China – January 2010
11. France – June 2007 and Paris in January 2012
12. Germany – June 2007 and June 2015
13. Austria – June 2007 and June 2015
14. Italy – June 2007
15. Belgium – June 2015
16. Netherlands – June 2015
17. Czech Republic – June 2015
18. Switzerland – June 2015
19. Montenegro – September 2019
20. Albania – September 2019
21. Bosnia and Herzegovina – September 2019

States I’ve Visited

As of December 2021, I have spent quality time in the following 35 states. I have driven through or had a layover in a few other states but am not counting them as properly visited unless I at least ate a proper meal (not a rest stop) or visited a point of interest. 15 more to go!

1. Alaska
2. Arizona
3. California
4. Colorado
5. Connecticut
6. Delaware
7. Hawaii
8. Idaho
9. Illinois
10. Indiana
11. Louisiana
12. Maine
13. Maryland
14. Massachusetts
15. Michigan
16. Mississippi
17. Missouri
18. Nebraska
19. Nevada
20. New Hampshire
21. New Jersey
22. New Mexico
23. New York
24. Ohio
25. Oregon
26. Pennsylvania
27. Rhode Island
28. South Dakota
29. Texas
30. Utah
31. Vermont
32. Virginia
33. West Virginia
34. Wisconsin
35. Wyoming