New Year’s resolutions most often seem to take the form of numbers, lists and steps. But so often this goal-forming process leads us to focus on the trivial rather than the significant. Wbether we set out to lose ten pounds, clear our clutter or get a new job, these goals keep us sequestered squarely in the mundane. This year I decided to do just the opposite — to set my sights on rising above the ordinary. And the best way I know how to do this is to visit places that set my spirits soaring.
Here’s my top 12 list of places I hope to visit this year. They range from famous landmarks and world heritage sights to a peak I’ve never climbed before even though it’s less than an hour from my home.
1. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
2. The Ancient City of Ayutthaya, Thailand
3. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
4. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
5. Mount St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
6. Canyon de Chelly, Northeastern Arizona
7. Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada
8. A Native American petroglyph
9. The Tufa Formations of Mono Lake, California
10. The Perseid Meteor Shower Somewhere in the Sierras
11. Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, Nevada
12. Moon Setting into the Pacific, Northern California or Anywhere It’s Not Foggy
What all these trips and experiences have in common is a change in perspective. I want to go places and see things that take me out of my small little everyday world and help me feel that sense of wonder that’s so easy to lose as we get older. I’m also looking to test myself a bit and expand my horizons, to feel myself part of something larger and more important than my own enclosed world of thoughts and concerns. This is the route Buddhist teachers prescribe for getting beyond what they call “the small sense of self” and awakening to a larger, hopefully more enlightened, sense of awareness.
Me, I’m not aiming for anything so exalted. I’ll be content if every month or so I can find a few hours to climb a mountain, wander the aisles of a cathedral, or contemplate a work of art. Will I really make it to Egypt or Prague this year? Probably not. But if you don’t articulate for yourself the things you really want to do, those dreams can stay so deeply buried you don’t even know they’re there. Many of my fellow travel bloggers, like Kate Hamman of Smarter Travel, and Andrew Hickey of The Brooklyn Nomad, have been making such lists; some, like 501 Places, have even designed their entire blog around the concept. (In case you don’t read travel books, the title is a poke at the bestselling book 500 Places to See Before You Die.) And of course the movie The Bucket List cemented the whole concept in the national consciousness.
What are your top picks for places you long to see before too much more time has passed? Add them to the comments list below and they may make their way into the list, or perhaps I’ll get an early start on 2011 as well. I made this list off the top of my head and am sure to revise it many times as the year goes on, and I’d love to hear your suggestions.
After all, when all’s said and done, it’s those moments I’m going to remember; not whether we kept our offices organized or fit into our skinny jeans.
Okay, Ms. M, there are a couple in there methinks I may be able to do with you. Red Rock Canyon, yes please. Climbing Mount St. Helena, why not?
My own list is so long it's absurd and I'm unlikely to get to many, if any. Here's one pretty modest one: I'd love to travel somewhere outside of the U.S. besides returning to Oz, my homeland.
Can I come along? What a fabulous list! Mine includes Montana, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Prague…on and on.
I realize this marks me as an oddball traveler, but to me, it's more important who I travel with than where we go. Something about traveling together forges a closer bond (unless, of course, you don't travel well together and end up contemplating violence the entire trip). Anyway, I hope to travel with my sister and only sibling, whom I haven't seen in more than two years.
My husband wants to see Rome and do excavation in Turkey. I prefer friends with my travel, rather than new places. Since I lived in France, that's where I'd like to go once the opportunity presents itself.
Wow–you really get around. I'd like just one of those.
Here in CA every once in a while you still see bumper stickers that say "Save Mono Lake." I've never been but would love to go – I think a trip might be in order. I'd love to read your post on that destination.
I've been to Lake Louise in Banff. It's a glacier-fed lake–incredible color!
How about the northern lights? I saw a muted display in Alaska once. I'd love to see them in their full glory.
I still haven't hiked the Tongariro Crossing here in NZ. Maybe my health will let me do that in the next year.
Good luck on your travels. Prague has to be one of my favorite places on earth. Make sure you spend some time meandering on Charles Bridge.
Wow! What a list!
Pleased to say I've been to four of these. And you can combine the Indian petroglyphs with Canyon de Chelly, because you will find them there, but for a special experience take a jeep tour out of Sedona that goes to spectacular petroglyphs hidden away on Forest Service land. OR go to Monument Valley (belongs on the list, anyhow) and take an Navajo-guide jeep tour into the boonies to see sensational petroglyphs on cave walls.
I can't wait to hear about these places WHEN you go to them, Melanie. Fantastic! In the meantime, I don't even want to get on an airplane these days… Maybe I'm all traveled out. Or just still postpartum…
I don't think it's in the cards for this card, but I've always wanted to visit Italy and Greece. Maybe in 2011?
I'm boring and really just want to return to Italy. I've been dreaming about it for 10 years…
Are you less than an hour from St. Helena? I grew up in Sonoma County, and my folks can see St. Helena from the porch of their house. Never climbed it, though!
I'm happy to say that I've already made it to 5 of the locations on your list. You should also add Valley of the Gods, the non-touristy answer to Monument Valley and only a couple of miles up the road from the iconic Western location.
As for me, Antarctica is at the top of my long list. I want to go before travel is banned, more ice melts and I'm still spry enough to climb in and out of zodiacs.
Wow, I'd be happy to make it to one of these places this year! The top of my list is going back to Rwanda.
Great list. For your number 12 – you might want to check out the view from the beach in La Jolla – San Diego's most beautiful neighborhood. In addition to the beach, the moon view is really dramatic from the top of La Jolla's Mt. Soledad, which is dominated by a dramatic war memorial.
BTW, Melanie – if you do decide to look at the moon from La Jolla, I'd be happy to provide other suggestions for your stay in my hometown. I am always on the lookout for new dining options, things to do, etc., for my blog http://www.LaJollaTravelInformation.com
Hey everybody! The May 5th 2012 full moon is a Super Moon! In case you don’t know the Super moon is a moon that is full at the point in its orbit at which it is closest to the earth – AKA perigee-syzygy.
The Perigee of course is the term for being closest to the earth and the syzygy is the term for the alignment of the Sun, the Earth and The Moon (in that order) creating the full moon!
The moon appears about 16% larger but its relative as you don’t have anything to gauge it against.
Just a fun FYI!
Mark