• Acadia National Park, Maine
    Rugged coastlines, Cadillac Mountain, and lobster rolls nearby.

    •  

    This is just the beginning! In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into each destination, share personal stories, and refine the list with your suggestions. What’s on your bucket list? Let me know, and we’ll keep this adventure growing. Stay tuned for Part Two!

    1. Route 66 by Bike (my personal dream)
      There’s something iconic about cruising the historic Route 66, and doing it on a motorcycle adds an extra layer of freedom. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, this 2,448-mile journey takes you through small towns, desert landscapes, and quirky roadside attractions.
    2. Salmon Fishing in Alaska
      Head to Alaska’s pristine rivers for a world-class salmon fishing experience. Whether it’s the Kenai River or Bristol Bay, you’ll be reeling in king, sockeye, or coho salmon amid stunning wilderness.
    3. Yellowstone National Park
      Geysers, hot springs, bison, and grizzlies—Yellowstone is a natural wonderland. From Old Faithful to the Grand Prismatic Spring, it’s a bucket-list must.
    4. Casino Boat on the Mississippi River
      Step aboard a riverboat casino for a mix of gambling, Southern charm, and river views. Popular spots include Baton Rouge or Biloxi.
    5. Slow Train from Chicago to Cincinnati via the Rockies
      This one’s a dreamy, slow-travel adventure. While there’s no direct Chicago-to-Cincinnati route over the Rockies (you’d likely mean a broader western journey), let’s tweak it to the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver, with stops in charming mountain towns.
    6. South to North Western USA Road Trip (Including Utah)
      Start in southern Utah’s red rock country (think St. George) and head north through Salt Lake City, Idaho, and into Montana’s Big Sky territory.
    7. Monument Valley
      The iconic desert landscape of Monument Valley, straddling Utah and Arizona, feels like stepping into a John Wayne movie.
    8. Best Skiing Options (Park City, Utah)
      For world-class skiing, Park City offers powdery slopes, luxury resorts, and a vibrant après-ski scene.
    9. Grand Canyon South Rim
      A jaw-dropping natural wonder, perfect for hiking, rafting, or just soaking in the views.
    10. New Orleans French Quarter
      Jazz, beignets, and Mardi Gras vibes—New Orleans is a cultural gem.
    11. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
      Witness active volcanoes and lava flows on the Big Island.
    12. Savannah, Georgia
      Historic charm, oak-lined streets, and ghost tours.
    13. Denali National Park, Alaska
      Home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali is a wilderness paradise.
    14. Key West, Florida
      Sunsets, conch fritters, and laid-back island vibes.
    15. Niagara Falls, New York
      A thundering spectacle best seen from the Maid of the Mist boat.
    16. San Francisco to Big Sur Drive
      The Pacific Coast Highway offers cliffs, redwoods, and ocean views.
    17. Asheville, North Carolina (Blue Ridge Parkway)
      Artsy vibes and mountain scenery along this iconic drive.
    18. Sedona, Arizona
      Red rock hikes, vortexes, and spiritual energy.
    19. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
      Crystal-clear waters and year-round outdoor fun.
    20. Acadia National Park, Maine
      Rugged coastlines, Cadillac Mountain, and lobster rolls nearby.

     

    This is just the beginning! In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into each destination, share personal stories, and refine the list with your suggestions. What’s on your bucket list? Let me know, and we’ll keep this adventure growing. Stay tuned for Part Two!

    by SIMON BARKHUYSEN

    Part One

    Welcome to the first instalment of Our Bucket List, a series where we’ll explore the most incredible, awe-inspiring, and downright fun places to visit across the United States. The idea here is simple: create a running list of must-see destinations and experiences, share some practical details like the best time to go and estimated costs (now in South African Rand, ZAR), and offer tips on how to plan each adventure. This isn’t about ranking the “best” spots in some definitive order—it’s just a collection of amazing ideas that spark excitement and wanderlust. So, let’s dive in and start building our bucket list together! Here are the first entries, including some of my own suggestions, plus a few more to round it out. We’ll aim for a list of 20 to kick things off.

    The Bucket List (In No Particular Order)
  • Acadia National Park, Maine
    Rugged coastlines, Cadillac Mountain, and lobster rolls nearby.
    • Best Time to Go: Fall for foliage.
    • Estimated Cost: ZAR 9,000 – ZAR 18,000 (lodging, food).
    • Planning Tips: Book early for Bar Harbor stays; hike or bike the trails.

    •  

    This is just the beginning! In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into each destination, share personal stories, and refine the list with your suggestions. What’s on your bucket list? Let me know, and we’ll keep this adventure growing. Stay tuned for Part Two!

  • Acadia National Park, Maine
    Rugged coastlines, Cadillac Mountain, and lobster rolls nearby.

    •  

    This is just the beginning! In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into each destination, share personal stories, and refine the list with your suggestions. What’s on your bucket list? Let me know, and we’ll keep this adventure growing. Stay tuned for Part Two!

    1. Route 66 by Bike (my personal dream)
      There’s something iconic about cruising the historic Route 66, and doing it on a motorcycle adds an extra layer of freedom. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, this 2,448-mile journey takes you through small towns, desert landscapes, and quirky roadside attractions.
    2. Salmon Fishing in Alaska
      Head to Alaska’s pristine rivers for a world-class salmon fishing experience. Whether it’s the Kenai River or Bristol Bay, you’ll be reeling in king, sockeye, or coho salmon amid stunning wilderness.
    3. Yellowstone National Park
      Geysers, hot springs, bison, and grizzlies—Yellowstone is a natural wonderland. From Old Faithful to the Grand Prismatic Spring, it’s a bucket-list must.
    4. Casino Boat on the Mississippi River
      Step aboard a riverboat casino for a mix of gambling, Southern charm, and river views. Popular spots include Baton Rouge or Biloxi.
    5. Slow Train from Chicago to Cincinnati via the Rockies
      This one’s a dreamy, slow-travel adventure. While there’s no direct Chicago-to-Cincinnati route over the Rockies (you’d likely mean a broader western journey), let’s tweak it to the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver, with stops in charming mountain towns.
    6. South to North Western USA Road Trip (Including Utah)
      Start in southern Utah’s red rock country (think St. George) and head north through Salt Lake City, Idaho, and into Montana’s Big Sky territory.
    7. Monument Valley
      The iconic desert landscape of Monument Valley, straddling Utah and Arizona, feels like stepping into a John Wayne movie.
    8. Best Skiing Options (Park City, Utah)
      For world-class skiing, Park City offers powdery slopes, luxury resorts, and a vibrant après-ski scene.
    9. Grand Canyon South Rim
      A jaw-dropping natural wonder, perfect for hiking, rafting, or just soaking in the views.
    10. New Orleans French Quarter
      Jazz, beignets, and Mardi Gras vibes—New Orleans is a cultural gem.
    11. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
      Witness active volcanoes and lava flows on the Big Island.
    12. Savannah, Georgia
      Historic charm, oak-lined streets, and ghost tours.
    13. Denali National Park, Alaska
      Home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali is a wilderness paradise.
    14. Key West, Florida
      Sunsets, conch fritters, and laid-back island vibes.
    15. Niagara Falls, New York
      A thundering spectacle best seen from the Maid of the Mist boat.
    16. San Francisco to Big Sur Drive
      The Pacific Coast Highway offers cliffs, redwoods, and ocean views.
    17. Asheville, North Carolina (Blue Ridge Parkway)
      Artsy vibes and mountain scenery along this iconic drive.
    18. Sedona, Arizona
      Red rock hikes, vortexes, and spiritual energy.
    19. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
      Crystal-clear waters and year-round outdoor fun.
    20. Acadia National Park, Maine
      Rugged coastlines, Cadillac Mountain, and lobster rolls nearby.

     

    This is just the beginning! In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into each destination, share personal stories, and refine the list with your suggestions. What’s on your bucket list? Let me know, and we’ll keep this adventure growing. Stay tuned for Part Two!

    Share