Hawaii

 I think my original post on Hawaii was accidentally deleted.

Anyhow - Hawaii is actually one of the tops on my chart - and it's hard to believe it took me all month to get around to posting about it!

Although, I've posted about many other tropical places.

I do love travel!

Monkeys

For some reason, I'm fascinated with monkeys.

And although I don't know exactly where this might be...

... I'd love to visit somewhere that monkeys run free and live with human-monkeys.  I just think that would be fascinating...

Olympics

We've been on a schedule of visiting the Olympic grounds, recently (Barcelona, Atlanta, and London are places we've been).

Somehow, though, we are there many years after the olympics (or in the case of London, before!)

One day, I'd love to catch up- and to see an Olympic event live!  Maybe gymnastics or ice skating, but I'd settle for swimming or running - - anything, live, would be pretty awesome..

It's like the ultimate sporting event.

It also doesn't hurt that the games often take place in areas and other countries that would also be worth visiting!

Maybe Brazil in 2016?

Barcelona	Spain	Europe	XXV	—	Summer	1992	July 25	August 9
Lillehammer	Norway	Europe	—	XVII	Winter	1994	February 12	February 27
Atlanta	United States	North America	XXVI	—	Summer	1996	July 19	August 4
Nagano	Japan	Asia	—	XVIII	Winter	1998	February 7	February 22
Sydney	Australia	Australia	XXVII	—	Summer	2000	September 15	October 1
Salt Lake City	United States	North America	—	XIX	Winter	2002	February 8	February 24
Athens	Greece	Europe	XXVIII	—	Summer	2004	August 13	August 29
Torino	Italy	Europe	—	XX	Winter	2006	February 10	February 26
Beijing[e]	China	Asia	XXIX	—	Summer	2008	August 8	August 24
Vancouver	Canada	North America	—	XXI	Winter	2010	February 12	February 28
London	United Kingdom	Europe	XXX	—	Summer	2012	July 27	August 12
Sochi	Russia	Europe[d]	—	XXII	Winter	2014	February 7	February 23
Rio de Janeiro	Brazil	South America	XXXI	—	Summer	2016	August 5	August 21
Pyeongchang	South Korea	Asia	—	XXIII	Winter	2018	February 9	February 25

I'm trying to clean up my blog, and I ran across this picture of Kiddo.

I am pretty sure this is from the "cold" trip we took to Texas (where the heater wasn't working)...

Kiddo was about 2 months old.

Although he only marginally looks like/reminds me of Baby G in this picture, I am reminded of all the hair he had from a very young age...Wow!

China

I have a friend from China, and the countryside there fascinates me.  As do the people, the economic and political environment, and more.

China is definitely a place I'd like to travel - and a place where I will likely do more "talking" about travelling there than actually going and doing.

For some reason, the prospect of travelling to China is somewhat intimidating.  Even though a large percentage of the population (particularly in the larger cities) probably know English.

One day, perhaps...

The West...

Recently, I had a friend move to Oregon.

If I traveled West, I think I would want to see at least one thing in several Western states.

Could I visit Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, North/South Dakota, and several others in a single trip?

Or would that be so much driving in a car that it wouldn't be worth it?

At least, perhaps, I should get my geography down of all these great states...

Africa!

 I'd love to visit all 7 continents, one day.  In Africa, I'd love to go on Safari!

I know someone who has been, and even though she had some bad luck while there- I want to go.

In another random thought, I have a friend from South Africa who raises boxers.

I'm sure the zoo pictures are somehow not quite "african safari" - but I'd love to see these animals at home!

Wordless Wednesday

BVI

It seems that every time I turn around, I here about someone else going to the British Virgin Islands.  Just today, I was hearing about St John's over lunch.

It sounds amazing.  Sailing, snorkeling, and walking in the sand... I can't wait!

One day...

Ireland

Recently, a friend/colleague of mine took a trip to Ireland.  I must admit - I was a bit jealous.  This person did mention that they went there for golf - and that's something that I'm not so jealous about - but I think it would be fabulous to visit!

There is something about Ireland that screams luscious landscape, rolling green hills, countryside, and people with funny accidents.  Oh, and beer.

All things that would make it worth a visit- and one of the places I'd like to go!

Aruba...

Just saw an add for Aruba.  It's "One happy island".

I like islands.

I like happy.

Aruba is on my list of places to one day travel!

Whales

I've been to the west coast a few times, but I've never seen whales - in the ocean.

One day, I'd love to do a whale watching boat trip!

Bora Bora

I would love to go to Bora Bora.

Mostly, it's just fun to say.

But the idea of being on an island in the middle of nowhere is appealing (Guam was another travel spot mentioned this month!).

And after all... Who wouldn't want their own little private cabana over the water?

Yogi Bear

Did that title make you think Yellowstone?

That was the goal!

I'd love to play in a hot spring (as long as it's not too hot), see some wildlife... actually in the wild (and not a zoo)... and watch old faithful.

I have been to Yellowstone before- but I still want to go back!

The only thing I really remember from the first visit there was giving backrubs to other people that I was travelling with.  I was in highschool, and with a church choir group called "The FREE".

Train

Another trip I'd like to take with the kids?  A train trip.

Several years ago, I did a train trip from Austin to Chicago, for a wedding.  I vividly remember this trip, because my sister had a baby while we were on the train!

Anyhow- with my kids, I'd love to do this trip (or something similar).

Kiddo loves trains, and plays them almost daily!  He doesn't watch too much on TV with regard to trains, but it is definitely one of his favorite toys currently.  Thanks to his cousins, there are a ton to play with!  We even got some on a recent visit to IKEA...

Friends

One thing I would love to do one day is to visit my friends from college to introduce our kiddos!  I have good friends in St Louis and Minneapolis with kids.

Instant playmates for my kiddos!

New Orleans

Although New Orleans is not exactly a place I've "never" been, it is definitely a place I'd like to head back to!

I was there on a famed day in history... September 11th.

In fact, I had a flight scheduled for that day.  So, I was among those with interrupted travel plans.

Luckily, since I was living in texas at the time, I was fortunate enough (through a bizzarre arrangement which included me sitting in the middle back of a car) to make it home that day.

I definitely have not had my fill of the food the area is famous for!

I also visited the area once on a cruise with family, and spent time in Louisianna with the Crew team when we rowed in Nachitoches - where Steel Magnolia was filmed - and I did learn how to pronounce the name of the town correctly.

Although a bit of a digression... One of the hardest names I've ever learned to pronounce is in the North East -

Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg

I even have a key chain with the name of the lake on it!

Boundary Waters

In college, I missed the opportunity to take a boundary water trip with my youth pastor.  Since then, however, I've always had in the back of my mind to one day take this primitive camping type of trip.

The Boundary Waters are named because it is in Minnesota, but on the boundary between the US and Canada.  It's a common past time to take a canoe trip in the area - where you pack in and pack out everything you'll need.  No bathrooms and/or running water, no electricity.

I'm a huge fan of the concept of doing a week-long trip, where you get to spend time outside and bond with the natural world.  I think this would be an awesome type of trip to take.

For the time being, however, with two young kids, it's likely this is temporarily unrealistic.

But one day...

OBX

OBX means something - but mostly only to those who live and are familiar with North Carolina!

OBX is short for Outer Banks - that is, a strip of island land just off the mainland!  Beaches that are famous and notorious - but an area where we have not spent much time!

One day, I'd like to do more travel in this particular area.  I think it may require a ferry to get to the road in the area, but just seeing this area would be pretty cool.

I like beaches.

Ohio

This is one state that I know quite a few people from, but have never spent much time in, myself.

I'm not sure what is there- other than Ohio State - but I'd like to visit one day, anyway!

Adventure!

Once the kids are old enough, I would LOVE to do an ADVENTURE vacation!

A vacation where we are actually trying to get from Point A to Point B (and maybe even back), but we do it by horse back riding, biking, canoeing, hiking, zip-lining, kayaking, white water rafting, camping and/or all of the above!

There is something that just seems pretty awesome about combining a vacation (to a lake, a foreign country, or anywhere) where you do some fun activities along the way!

Yes, I am game for an adventure!

New England

One day, I'd like to visit each of the 50 states.  I'm not there yet, although I'm fairly close!

One area that warrants a trip, particularly in late summer/early fall?  New England.

Wordless Wednesday!

Yellowstone

Although I went on a "Free" tour in High School (note: The Free was a high school church choir), I still want to go back.

My experience at National Parks has been awesome.  The places in nature that are truly inspiring.

From water falls to Old Faithful to the hot springs - this is definitely somewhere it would be awesome to take the kids.  One day!

Peru

Another future destination? 

Peru.

The Mayan ruins and Maccu Piccu are among the items on my list, even though I'm fairly sure I'll never quite "get" how to spell Maccu Piccu.

Oh well!

I still want to visit Peru!

Germany

Another destination on the list?

Germany

I'm not always a huge history buff, but there is something that mesmerizes me about Germany.

In fact, one good friend (now expecting a baby boy!) married a german after living there for some time.  And another friend (whom I've always affectionately called Rebecca squared) is living there currently, teaching English!

Yep, one day... to Germany I will go!

Austraila

The very top of my travel list includes AUSTRALIA!

I don't know what it is about Kangaroo land that entices me - the funny accent or the ocean or the distance it takes to get there - but I am enchanted by Australia - and one day, I will go!

I want to see the opera house, and walk over the top of the famous bridge.

I want to see the olympic area, the skyline, the bush....

In college, for one of my english credits, I took an Australian literature class.

I've always been interested in Australia!

Prague

Okay, I'm going to admit- I'm a huge fan of the reality TV show the Bachelor - or, at this point in time, the Bachelorette!

And one of the places they recently visited?  You guessed it (or maybe just read the title of the post...) - Prague!

Although I'm certain I'll never have the "luxury" of going on "fantasy" dates with six potential suitors in the area, I may one day go with my lover.  And even that would be cool.  Even though a TV show wouldn't be footing the bill.

Parks

There are so many parks and monuments and the like that I'd like to visit.

But one of the ones that tops my list - at least for now - is Niagra Falls.

I've never even been, but I'm still mesmerized just by the pictures I've seen.

One day!

Guam

My parents spent some time on Guam, and often told stories about their two years there.

Although it's expensive to get there, not very big, and likely fairly boring - it's another place I'd like to go.  One day.

Patriotic

So - I'm not sure where I could go in the US to be "Patriotic" that I haven't already been.  I've spent time in New York, Washington DC, and Chicago.  I've visited Boston and Philadelphia. My kids have an "Uncle Sam" in Kansas - literally!

So, I pulled up "Patriotic Travel destinations" on my favorite web browser.

The top six included one place that I would like to go (and five places I'd already been).

So today's travel wish-list destination?

Colonial Williamsburg

You'd think, now that we live in the middle of the east coast, we'd have gone to several of the nearby places.

I'm finding, however, that there are plenty of places to go/do/see - it just takes a little digging around and investigating!

The other five on the list I scouted out?  St Louis (really? yes, really.) - Washington DC, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia

And I actually lived in St Louis one summer, working as an intern with a big actuarial consulting firm.

Cambodia

There are many countries I would like to travel to - and one of those is Cambodia!

I'm not quite sure what the draw is - except, perhaps, I have a friend from there.

I went on my first trip across the big ocean shortly after meeting my DH.  I look forward to many more!

Alaska

One of my "goal" trips for the near future?  A cruise to Alaska!

A cruise because I love being on the water (and the "floating hotel" concept) - and Alaska because I've never been!

In fact, one day, I hope to have travelled to all 50 of the United States.  I've lived in four, so far!