Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Bucket List

I was walking with my friend a couple days ago, and she asked me "What's on your Bucket List of things to do?

When you are young, the entire world is on your bucket list, because it's all there to be explored, enjoyed and learned about. But as you get older - you start sorting out things in your head that are still actually Do-able.

When I was younger, I always wanted to ride (horseback) the entire Pacific Crest trail from Mexico to Canada. Alas, it didn't happen, and at one point it started sounding like way more than I wanted to tackle, and I fondly crossed it off my list.

But what about now?

Well - off the top of my head, when my friend asked me, here's what I answered:

  • Meet the great race mare Zenyatta in person. Right now, she is carrying her first foal, so I'm sure public access will be limited. But maybe someday when she is older there will be a place where her fans and loving admirers can actually meet her and kiss her sweet nose. I hope I can be one of them.
  • Attend the Kentucky Derby. I always watch this on television, where I get a very good view, and I'm sure it's a logistical and traffic nightmare to actually go in person, but still - just to say I've been there - yeah, I'd like to do that.
  • And after coming home and thinking about this some more, I'd like to make a trip to Ohio someday and visit the grave of my great-great grandfather, who died from wounds suffered at Gettysburg where he fought for the Union. He was a prolific writer (hmm, runs in the genes?) and we have many actual letters describing his experiences.
So that is my Bucket List. What's on yours??

10 comments:

Natalie Keller Reinert said...

I want to kiss Zenyatta's sweet nose too!!

Okay here goes:

1. Ride sidesaddle.

2. Ride over a steeplechase course.

3. Hunting in Ireland.

4. Pony-trekking in New Zealand, Wales, Scotland.

Ride-ride-ride-ride!!!

Linda Benson said...

Natalie - my friends went horse-trekking in Ireland and had a grand time!

I was a little surprised how horse oriented my short list was. I don't think that passion ever dies. ;-)

Rachael said...

I like yours. :) I want to meet Zenyatta and attend the Kentucky Derby as well.

1. Gallop a horse on a racetrack
2. Own a Friesian
3. Visit England, Ireland, Australia, and Scotland
4. See the Spanish Riding School
5. Visit the restaurant where Rowling first started writing HP and the hotel where she finished
6. Adopt a mustang
7. Gallop a horse on the beach
8. Attend the World Equestrian Games

Susie Blackmon said...

I would love to:
Visit Zenyatta and her foal;
Work and travel with Bob Baffert as his assistant for a summer; and
Spend a summer learning about showing a cutting horse; and
Attend the NFR and the Western Market in Vegas.
;-)

Linda Benson said...

Ooh, I like yours too, Rachael, especially the shout-out to J.K. Rowling. Cool idea!

I've done #7, and would also love to visit everywhere in #3.

Good list!

Linda Benson said...

Hi Susie - *waves* Gosh a lot of people love Zenyatta, don't they?

And we're sure a horsey bunch.

Who else? Come on: Climb to the top of Half Dome? (my daughter's doing that for 2nd time tomorrow!)
Cruise the Caribbean?

Rachael said...

Wow, Susie. Working as Baffert's assistant would be incredible!

I've always wanted to own a Ford Mustang and take it out west where there are roads with no speed limits and find out how fast it can go. Safely, of course.

Laura S. said...

I want to attend the Olympics some day, either summer or winter, but summer is my favorite because I love the gymnastics and swimming events. Hopefully the Olympics will be held in the U.S. again in my lifetime! Less travel fees will help cut some of the astronomical costs, LoL.

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

I actually don't have a bucket list, but I'd love to visit Hawaii some day.

I'll add that I once went on a business trip to Lexington Kentucky where I got to watch the thoroughbreds work out at Churchill Downs one morning (early). Pure Heaven. I had plans to visit Secretariat that week, but sadly, he passed away before I could see him.

Linda Benson said...

Rachael - I've owned and driven several old Mustangs - great cars!

Laura - very cool! I'd like to attend the Olympics one day, too. I love watching them.

Cynthia - Hawaii is one our most beautiful states, and yeah, you've gotta go! Churchill Downs - wow I hope I make it one day. And that would have been quite a thrill to visit Secretariat - sorry it didn't happen.