This afternoon, Mr. Willoughby and I were making a verbal "bucket list". Well, sort of. We weren't so much making a list of things we want to do before we die, as much as places we would like to go if we had the time and money to travel. Our list included the typical places you'd expect; Paris, London, the pyramids of Egypt, Tuscany (where we would visit my friend Elvira), the Swiss Alps....you get the idea.
Next, we talked about places we would like to travel right here in the U.S., and from there, places we would like to go closer to home in Michigan. We tried to think of all the "must see" Michigan attractions so we could rule out any that we've already visited. Sadly, we couldn't think of very "must sees" in our own home state. We ended up resorting to a Google search.
Once we had a list of cities and attractions staring us in the face, we remembered how many great things there are to see and do, here. There were some surprises, too. Places we hadn't heard of that we added to our list. This summer, we're hoping to revisit our "Cheap Thrills" day trip challenge and, perhaps, include a few weekend trips. The term "camping" was even mentioned (remember me, the germophobe with minor OCD who hates spiders and bugs?).
My question to you, blog friends, is what are the "must sees" in your state? Whether the state you grew up in or the state you currently live in, what should I be sure to see and do if I visit? From restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions to natural wonders, I want to know so I can add them to our not-quite Bucket List.
Willoughby
Next, we talked about places we would like to travel right here in the U.S., and from there, places we would like to go closer to home in Michigan. We tried to think of all the "must see" Michigan attractions so we could rule out any that we've already visited. Sadly, we couldn't think of very "must sees" in our own home state. We ended up resorting to a Google search.
Once we had a list of cities and attractions staring us in the face, we remembered how many great things there are to see and do, here. There were some surprises, too. Places we hadn't heard of that we added to our list. This summer, we're hoping to revisit our "Cheap Thrills" day trip challenge and, perhaps, include a few weekend trips. The term "camping" was even mentioned (remember me, the germophobe with minor OCD who hates spiders and bugs?).
My question to you, blog friends, is what are the "must sees" in your state? Whether the state you grew up in or the state you currently live in, what should I be sure to see and do if I visit? From restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions to natural wonders, I want to know so I can add them to our not-quite Bucket List.
Comments
and you have to go over the Golden Gate bridge..and head up to Napa...wonderful any time of year...
Lake Tahoe...beauutiful...anytime of year too...
i'll let that soak in for now :-)
still hot here....we don't know why ...very strange
happy to visit here today, my friend
kary
So to answer your question-- Yosemite is the "must see" place in California... and if you happen to drive up the coast to get there, all the better :-)
Cheers, jj
My state...well I live in one of those areas...The Monetery Peninsula - the original capital of California (tons of history here), world class aquarium, amazing coastline, Big Sur (beyond amazing views of the Pacific and have a drink in the middle of the river), continue down the coast to Hearst Castle and then the central valley wine country...or go north from here to Napa and wine country.
Of course L.A. - a little bit of everything including the wacky!
...and you know, if ever you would go to Floence or Siena or Volterra or Siena or.......you just give me a call and I'll be there!!!!
Oh, dear; I travelled for so many years the whole entire big Globe; for work and not so much for fun and vacation; but it was so wonderful and travelling has enriched my life so much!
But I still have some dream-vacation in my mind: I'd love to discover more the north of Europe like Norwegen! Itìs spectacular; I've been there but I'd love to spend a real loooong time there: perhaps a month....but right now I am just dreaming...!
ciao ciao elvira
1) Drive the Big Sur Coast. Stop at the River Inn where you can pull a bent willow branch chair right up in to the river and eat lunch and sip your cocktail while your feet dangle in the cool water.
2) Explore Pacific Grove, the little Victorian village where I live. Take a walk along the rec trail that takes your from Pacific Grove to Monterey, right along the ocean.
3) Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea. Have lunch at Petals & Pastries, and be sure to visit The Carmel Cheese Shop in Carmel Plaza to stock up on a picnic dinner of cheeses, gourmet foods and wine. Pack your picnic basket and head to the Outdoor Forest Theater to enjoy some musical theater.
4) Take a tour of the historic adobes in Monterey.
5) Visit the Carmel Mission.
6) For a total splurge, that's 100% worth it, have dinner at Marinus, the restaurant inside Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley.
I'm sure I've left off a ton, but it's a start!
Right now the only thing on our list is a historic hotel in Windslow Arizona. Where I shall try to find a flat-bed Ford to drive for a few minutes!