Domestic Travel Bucket List

I'm not very well traveled. I've never been outside the continental U.S. I didn't cross the Mississippi until I was 23 years old. I've never been further northeast than Charleston, WV. In my defense, I've lived in five states, been to both oceans, and been physically present within the boundaries of 28 of them. A couple of years ago I received a stipend for a work anniversary and so I had to go through a bunch of ideas and pick something. I wound up choosing Chicago, which turned out to be an excellent choice. But what about all the runners-up? Will I ever get to do those trips?

Anyways, here's my list of U.S. destinations:

Upstate New York. I actually sketched out an itinerary so basically the trip is already planned. Lots of church history sites so of course places like Palmyra and the Sacred Grove would be a priority, along with the Baseball Hall of Fame. Niagara Falls could be part of it. And the Finger Lakes! My wife was born in Binghamton. And Oneida seems like an interesting place. It would just be a lot of driving and spectacular scenery, is how I imagine it.

Nauvoo. I've actually been here once before. But it was more of a "passing through" thing when we were moving to North Carolina 18 years ago. We only stayed for a few hours - it was July, it was sweltering, and we had a two-year-old. So not the funnest time we've ever had. I'd like a chance to do it right someday - experience everything - Carthage Jail, the Temple, life on the Mississip, etc. 

New York City. Also was on my short list for my stipend, but kind of chickened out. Chicago seemed less threatening and more affordable. But you can't go through life without having experienced The Big Apple. . . right? I'd want to go in the late summer so I could attend the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows. I'm not a huge tennis fan or anything, but for some reason it calls out to me.

Olympic Peninsula. When I was a missionary I did get to take a day trip up through Port Angeles to Neah Bay, so technically I've been there already. It was amazing, but also it was January and I was wearing a shirt and tie. I didn't really get a full experience. I also did a lot of research on this area when I was making my trip selection. My dear wife (who served in the same mission) sort of pooh-poohed it, however.

Palm Beach County. Speaking of my wife pooh-poohing things, I've always wanted to visit some place where she grew up. We've been together for 22 years and I've never visited a single place from her childhood. Not one. She lived here from about sixth grade until she went to college, but her family moved and she's never been back. She insists there's nothing to see and nothing is the same. What is she hiding? I must find out.

San Francisco. Early fall is the best, I've read. I'd want to go see the giant trees and for some reason visually the Oakland Temple has always been one of my favorites. But I guess neither of those has anything specifically to do with San Francisco. Steep streets, history, and a golden bridge though.

Alaska. I've never been that interested in a Carribean cruise - they seem gross. But the Alaskan version intrigues me. They were doing an ad campaign several weeks ago and I was ready to go. Except for the paying for it part. I believe it's considerably more expensive than most cruises. 

Ozarks. It looks amazing plus I have some family history interest in the region, so you could always justify a fun trip in the name of genealogical research! I'm not sure about Branson, though. What is that about?

Mt. Rushmore. We're getting down to the more doable portion of the list. It's only six hours from our house. I've always wanted to go. We really should be able to check this one off.

Grand Canyon. My wife really wants to go and take the kids. Also, something that should fit in the budget a little more easily. We could also hit Mesa Verde and Four Corners on the way.

So there you have it, my top 10 list, in no particular order. I could definitely come up with a few more to fill it out should we ever start crossing some of these off. Of course, maybe we will never go anywhere again due COVID-19 and we will all eventually die in our houses.

Z List: Favorite Breakfast Cereals

Ten. Cocoa Puffs. Am I cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs? Not exactly, or else it would be number one, but probably the quintessential "sugar" cereal. Often referenced in the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip as "Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs" and that pretty much sums it up. Just crunchy, sugary balls, and in the end you have chocolate milk. Brilliant.

Nine. Frosted Flakes. I mean, Corn Flakes are okay. And nothing more than okay. But coat them in sugar, and they are. . . well, grrrrrrreat! And try to think of another cereal mascot who could defeat Tony the Tiger. You can't, because there isn't one. Imagine what he would do to the Trix Rabbit. I can still remember the jingle from my childhood: The taste of Kellogg's Frosted Flaaaaakes....brings out the tiger in you!

Eight. Fruity Pebbles. I'm taking these over other "fruity" cereals such as Fruit Loops or Trix because of their light, airy goodness. And so pleasing to the eye with the rainbow of colors. I mean, something that flaky and fruity can't be bad for you, right? Gobble up heaping spoonfuls of the pebbles and you're ready for the next bowl, because there is no way you are going to be able to fish out every stray flake until all the milk is gone. . .

Seven. Cheerios. Lest you think I'm some sort of sugar addict (which I am, but I don't want you to think it, that's all), I'm putting classic Cheerios on here for their versatility. And because at some point the Honey Nut version became nasty. Anyways, start with the simple, flavorless o's and add bananas or blueberries or whatever you want. I always add sugar. I'm sure it's still figures out to be less than the sugar content in other cereals. Right?

Six. Apple Jacks. No dang bee or leprechaun or toucan needed to sell these. You know why? It's that good of a sugar cereal. It's like a classier version of Fruit Loops. For people with a discerning taste.

Five. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Most of the cereals on this list date back to before I was born. But I can remember when the notorious CTC burst onto the breakfast scene in the mid-80's with the cinnamon toast crunch bakers and their cinnamon toast crunch shakers. And while many cereals have come and gone since then, these little square delights sprinkled with cinnamon sugar have become a General Mills juggernaut.

Four. Corn Chex. Like their General Mills brethren, Cheerios, these score extra points for their adaptability. We all know the endless variations of the Chex Mix, whether you make it on your own or buy it prepackaged. They are also the key ingredient to the famed "muddy buddies" snack. But they couldn't be on this list if they weren't also good in a bowl with milk (and of course, a sprinkling of sugar), and they ace that test.

Three. Special K with Red Berries. A lot of cereals delved into the freeze-dried berry arena during the era these hit the supermarket shelves. But no one did it quite as well. The Special K flakes were just the right amount of crunch to complement the tasty strawberry chunks, with nothing else added to detract from the combination. I don't need any almond slivers or granola clusters. Just flakes and berries. Flakes and berries. The only complaint I ever had was that the berries weren't well distributed throughout the box so by the time you got to the bottom it was mostly flakes.

Two. Frosted Mini Wheats. Pour some milk over these and give it a few minutes to penetrate these sugary biscuits, and you have a delightful treat. It's the polar opposite of Fruity Pebbles, as you can savor each and every one individually. And even though they are covered in sugar, you still walk away without too much guilt because it has wheat right in the name.

One. Quaker Oatmeal Squares. Is it cereal perfection? Maybe. Just the right amount of sweetness added. . . not as bland as the Cheerio but not as loaded with sugar as the Cocoa Puff. Can be eaten with or without milk. The right amount of crunch, even with milk.  A box is a little more expensive than some of the others on the list, and there are no generic or bagged versions, so they feel a little more special. And of course, the healthiness implied in the name leaves you feeling like you've just saved a life. Yours.