Ernest Hemingway once wrote in his book, A Moveable Feast, “When the spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.” People often assume that this quote is about Heminway’s time in Paris, while others assume he is reflecting on the happy times at his home outside of Chicago in the Spring. But in either case, half of the quote is missing that perhaps reveals the truth: “The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”

Now if the idea of spending a long weekend in Chicago worries you due to the crowds, we get that! According to Lynn Osmond, the President & CEO of Choose Chicago, “The hotels were packed, the streets were full, the attractions were busy. And this fall we’re actually doing very well. We’ll probably end the year somewhere around 82% of 2019!” Since more than 60 million tourists visited the city in 2019, that is a lot of people to have to wade through.

So, what do you do if you have the amazing sports, incredible architecture, or cultural attractions on your Chicago Bucket list? Or paraphrase Hemingway, if “the only thing that could spoil a day” in Chicago “was people”, how do you manage crowds during a long weekend in the Windy City? 

Well, perhaps the answer is as simple as to visit Chicago in Spring!

The best weather for a less crowded Chicago

Now depending on what is on your Chicago bucket list will most likely direct you on when you will want to visit. For example, if you want to go swimming in Lake Michigan then Summer might be your only option since only then the average lake temperature is 70°F. But with warm summer days comes crowds of people looking to explore the various indoor Chicago Tourist attractions as they look to escape the heat.

Of course, the best season to visit Chicago is the beginning of autumn, from early September to mid-October. But with football season, the leaves change colors, & tons of food Festivals, the city becomes packed with visitors.

But if you really don’t care about specific events or seasonal outdoor adventures, then visit Chicago in the Spring, especially from mid-April to late May. Now the weather may be a bit unstable. For example, with an average of 59°, one day it might be a cold windy day and the very next day might be a sunny 86 °F. Perhaps, it is this unreliability in the weather that keeps the crowds a bit thinned.

How do you experience the incredible architecture, cultural attractions, or food experiences the Windy City has to offer while avoiding the crowds? Perhaps the answer is as simple as to visit Chicago in Spring! #ChicaGOandKNOW #Chicago
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The Best Activities when you Visit Chicago in Spring

When adding items to your Adventure Activities & Experiences Bucket List, Chicago has a lot to offer. From amazing museums and cultural activities to unbelievable food and drinks, it’s hard not to find something for any type of traveler. Plus, most of the popular items are easy to tick off during a long weekend in Chicago in Spring. So let’s dive into some of the best Chicago Bucket list items you can find.

The Wonderful World of Chicago’s Sports

With spring comes baseball! There is something magical about watching either a White Sox or Cubs game in the Windy City. But for those with a Baseball Stadium Bucket List, Wrigley Field offers a magical step back in time. Of course, catching a pre-season game is ideal in the 100+ year old stadium, but if the team isn’t playing, don’t fret. Wrigley Field tours take place regardless of the weather & is ideal for those wanting to avoid the crowds. Just make sure you check the weather and dress accordingly because being so close to Lake Michigan can bring cold winds.

The Amazing Art Scenes in the Heart of America

From major art exhibits to local history, there are tons to explore and see when you visit Chicago in the spring. With so many different types of museums you are bound to find something that piques your interest. But with fewer crowds, you can easily tick off some of the best the Second City has to offer. Plus, with a Chicago City Pass, you can gain admission to five of the city’s top attractions with priority entry like The Art Institute of Chicago.

Top Art to See in Chicago:

• The Art Institute of Chicago: With 2 gigantic lions guarding the entrance, this amazing art museum has over 300,000 artworks in its permanent collection from some of the greatest artists from history.
• Museum of Contemporary Art: One of the largest museums in the world, this gallery is packed with art from local and international artists alike.
• The Field Museum: Okay, so this isn’t an Art Museum. But this museum of natural history museum has tons to see from around the world. Make sure you see SUE, the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• Cloud Gate: Also known at the Bean, this outdoor sculpture was created by British artist Anish Kapoor between 2004 and 2006. On a perfect spring day in Chicago, it reflects the city’s famous skyline and those looking at it.
• The Crown Fountain: Nearby the Cloud Gate is an interactive video sculpture created by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The fountain is two towers at each end of a reflecting pool that projects video images of Chicago citizens.
• The Hemingway Birthplace Museum: Located about 1 hour via the Chicago L from downtown Chicago in Oak Park, Illinois, the once childhood home of Ernest Hemingway is now a museum that explore the author’s life.

The Incredible Architecture of the Second City

Known around the world for its beautiful designs and soaring skyscrapers, Chicago is an architectural delight. Of course, you can get lost amid all the amazing towering buildings. But throughout the Second City, you will find ornate fountains, wide European style bridges, & even a few gothic churches. 

Now when you visit Chicago in the spring, you should take note of the weather before you head out. Due to a mix of rain & cold weather on some days, some of the sights can be lost amid the fog. But overall, you will find  that most of the popular locations are open with little to no crowds.

Top Architecture to See in Chicago:

• Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower: One of the most famous buildings in all Chicago is the Willis Tower. Originally known as the Sears Tower, this building held the title of World’s Tallest Building for 25 years. Now, visitors can take in views of the city while sitting in a glass cube that hangs off the side of the building some 1,353 feet in the air.
• The Chicago Tribune Wall: Perhaps one of the coolest buildings in Chicago is that of the Chicago Tribune. Along the Magnificent Mile, this building humbly stands amid its taller brothers. But what makes it unique are the 150 fragments of famous world architecture embedded in the outside wall. They have stones, bricks, and just random pieces from places like St. Peter’s Basilica, Pompeii, the Hagia Sophia, & even the White House.
• Buckingham Fountain: Located in the center of Grant Park is one of the largest fountains in the world. Inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles, the fountain performs water shows and evening colored-light shows. Fair warning though, the fountain is only turned on from May to mid-October.
• The Holy Name Cathedral: For those who don’t know, most of Chicago was destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago fire and a great rebuilding occurred, hence the name the Second City. Perhaps one of the beautiful results was building of the Gothic Revival style Cathedral in 1875. Though seemingly flawless, it does bear a unique scar of bullet marks from the murder of North Side Gang member Hymie Weiss, who was killed in front of the church.

Take a private tour with a Local Chicago Guide

Where to Stay when you visit Chicago in spring

Now Go to the Paris of the Prairie

Architect & urban designer, Daniel Burnham, originally called Chicago the “Paris of the Prairie” since he developed major changes to the city’s layout in a style that is similar to Paris. Perhaps that is why Hemingway felt so close yet so challenged by the people of both cities. But, if you too have issues with crowds then springtime might very well be the best time to visit Chicago.

But what do you think about visiting Chicago in the Spring? Which of the activities do you think are the best for you and your partner? Are there other things to do in Chicago over a long weekend that we forgot?

Let us know in the comments below and help someone else plan out their own long weekend getaway or bucket list adventure in Chicago today!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Travel Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “How to Visit Chicago in Spring”, does contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post How to Visit Chicago in Spring appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

When most people think of traveling, they think of visiting popular tourist destinations and checking off items on their bucket list. While there is nothing wrong with that, sometimes it’s nice to do something a little different. So, if you’re looking for some unique activities to do while traveling, you’ve come to the right place! This blog post will discuss everything from the obscure to the bizarre. So, whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or just want to try something new, we have you covered. 

1) BASE Jumping 

BASE jumping is an extreme sport that involves jumping from a fixed structure, such as a cliff or bridge. It is one of the most dangerous activities globally.  However, that doesn’t deter many people from trying it! If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, BASE jumping is definitely for you. Just make sure you do your research and jump with an experienced jumper. 

Whether you're looking for an adrenaline rush or just want to try something new, there are many unique activities that you can do while traveling. Discover a few options from the obscure to the bizarre!
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2) Cave Diving 

Cave diving is another extreme sport that experienced divers should only attempt. It involves diving into underwater caves, which can be incredibly dangerous. There have been many fatalities over the years, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. However, if you’re up for the challenge, cave diving is a fantastic experience. 

3) Bull Running 

Running with the Bulls is a popular activity in many Spanish cities, such as Pamplona. It involves running through the streets while bulls chase you. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a unique experience, it’s definitely worth trying. Just be sure to stay safe and follow the rules! 

4) Town Tours 

Town tours are a great way to see a city differently. Most towns have some sort of tour that you can take, whether it’s a walking tour, a Segway tour, or even a boat tour. It’s a great way to learn about the history and culture of a place, and you might even discover some hidden gems! The amish tours in Lancaster, PA, are a great example of this. 

5) Zorbing 

Zorbing is a relatively new activity that involves rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable ball. It’s great for groups of friends or family, and it’s sure to get your heart racing! Zorbing is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for something fun and unique to do. 

6) Ghost Hunting 

Ghost hunting is a popular activity in many places around the world. If you’re a fan of the paranormal, there’s no better way to spend a night than by going on a ghost hunt. Just be sure to bring along some friends (for safety) and some equipment (to help with the hunt). 

7) Wine Tasting 

Wine tasting is an excellent activity for food and drink lovers. Most wineries offer tours and tastings, so it’s a great way to learn about the wine-making process. Plus, you get to sample some delicious wines! So, if you’re looking for a unique activity to do while traveling, definitely consider going on a wine tour. 

So, what Unique Activities Do You want to do?

These are just a few of the many unique activities that you can do while traveling. So next time you’re planning a trip, think outside the box and try something new! You might just have the time of your life. But we would like to know from you about what some of your favorite unique activities that you like to do while traveling. Is there an extreme sport, bizarre experience, or fun experience you think is bucket list worthy? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin these Unique Activities to your Favorite Bucket List Board!

The post Unique Activities to Do While Traveling: From the Obscure to the Bizarre appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Editor’s Note: How to Save Money on Airbnb was originally published January 2019 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

If you are actively pursuing your Adventure Travel bucket list like we are, then you know exploring the world can be truly amazing! But though the reward is immeasurable, the costs of traveling can sometimes be something of a hinderance. That’s why we’re constantly scouring the internet for travel hacks that give me the best value for my money.

One of the best money-saving techniques we often use when traveling is looking at places to stay on Airbnb. We love Airbnb for multiple reasons. But probably one of the biggest reasons is that we can save money on some of the best Airbnbs in the U.S. compared to hotels in a similar location. Plus, with a few extra travel hacks, we have developed a strategy to help anyone save even more money on Airbnb! Check out these 11 travel hacks that could save you hundreds of dollars on your next Airbnb booking!

1) Use an Airbnb Coupon Code

Sadly, Airbnb has stopped giving out Coupon Codes for Guests.  Before February 26, 2021, the easiest way to save money on Airbnb was to use a first-time coupon code. Essentially by accepting the Airbnb Coupon Code, you were immediately given $55 (USD) off your very first Airbnb booking! It was a great way to save money on Airbnb while testing out the numerous options they had to offer. 

Now, though they don’t offer new promos, some of you may still be able to save money.  See, according to Airbnb, “If you were sent a coupon prior to the shutdown of the program, you will be able to use the coupon on any booking made prior to the expiration of the coupon.”

So, log on to your account and see if you have pending coupons or credits. All you have to do is log on, click on your profile in the top right, select ACCOUNT, and then Referral Credit & Coupon. If you have a credit from a promotion waiting for you, USE IT before they cancel them entirely.

2) Book Early

Like with any sort of travel, whether you are trying to find a cheap flight or cheap lodging, timing can be crucial. Sometimes we wait too long to find a place to stay when travelling to a popular location or a specific event and it costs us. So don’t make that mistake. Booking early can really help you save money on Airbnb! Plus, we found that you can often find cooler locations in a more centralized spot if you start checking earlier before they book up. For example, we found a great Airbnb deal in Munich for Oktoberfest in 2017 near the festival grounds just by looking at places a few months earlier.

The Bucket List Project has developed a strategy to help anyone save money on Airbnb! Check out these 11 travel hacks that could save you hundreds of dollars on your next Airbnb booking! #travelhack #AirbnbCouponCode #SaveonAirbnb
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3) Try To Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates

Flexibility is often one of the biggest keys to travel hacking. If you are trying to save money on Airbnb, then being flexible with your dates can often help. Obviously, weekends may be a bit more expensive. But if you can stay mid-week in a desired location, you can possibly save some extra money on your place of choice. When you find a desired location, look at the host’s calendar and see the prices for different days before booking.

4) Save Money on Airbnb by Staying Longer

We can see it in your face right now, did they say staying longer would save money on Airbnb? They must be crazy!

Well, we are a bit crazy, but seriously, you may also consider trying to extend your stay.

See, many hosts on Airbnb will offer discounts for longer stays. For example, as seen in the picture above, it is actually $6.00 cheaper to book 7 nights versus just 6 at an Airbnb we found in San Diego, California.

So read all of the offers listed to see if adding a day may help you save money on the property. In general, we have found that many Airbnb properties offer anywhere from 10%-30% off depending on whether you are looking at weekly or monthly stays.

5) Pay Attention To The Extra Fees

One of the biggest mistakes we personally make is overlooking the extra fees involved with travelling. A place on Airbnb may have a great initial price but then with extra fees like cleaning or a service fee, you can get nickel and dimed up to a price you may not like. Therefore, look at the total price with fees and see if that matches your budget. Also look for places that don’t charge extra per person. The good thing about Airbnb is that all fees must be presented up front, so you won’t be surprised.

6) Search Better

Taking your time to really search better can save you money on Airbnb. It is easy to just search the city center for a place to stay. However, with a little research, you can find an awesome place that may be just outside of your desired location. For example, with a little research Darcee & I found a penthouse suite in Edinburgh, Scotland for $51 a night. The only issue was that was 1.5 miles away from the city center. But in our research, we realized it was an easy 5-minute walk to a public bus. So, every day, as our host Trevor put it, we were “whisked to Holyrood Palace and the Parliament buildings, to the city center, or down to the waterfront to visit bustling Leith, Ocean Terminal shopping mall, or the world-famous Royal Yacht Britannia” by bus.

Did you know that it's possible to travel hack Airbnb? See how you can save money on #Airbnb so that you can have more money for #bucketlist experiences wherever you travel! #travelhack
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7) Negotiate With The Host

One of the interesting factors about Airbnb is that the room prices are set by the individual hosts. So, you may not have to necessarily accept the initial price. If you are lucky, you might be able to haggle with a host and save on Airbnb. Here are the steps to successfully negotiate with your host:

• Do not click the red Book button. Instead, scroll to the bottom of the listing and click Contact Host.
• Here is where you can easily send a quick message to your host.
  • Share in your email any positive reviews you have on Airbnb from previous stays
  • Share how long you are planning on staying & why you feel their location is ideal for your travel adventure. Remember in general, many hosts offer discounts for longer stay and it will be noted. However, let’s say they only offer that for a 7 day stay and you’re staying for 6. Ask your host if they would be willing to give you the 7-day rate for your 6 days.
  • We usually check out multiple Airbnb locations and may send a counteroffer to several people. But if there is a place you really like, give them an idea of what you can possibly afford. Also share with them what nearby places are offering to see if they are willing to match those lower prices.
  • We like to look for places with zero or few reviews. I have found that places with zero or few reviews are often the best bet in order to save money on Airbnb. This is because they may be new or just a bit farther from the tourist areas. But reviews are very important to Airbnb hosts as they allow them to be found more effectively and can ultimately equal more visitors. Therefore, tell them that you will write a review for them after your stay in exchange for a discount.
  • If you don’t have a price point of nearby places, then just give them a price point 20 – 30% lower than their asking rate.
  • Ask them, if that price point sounds good to them, to “Send a Special Offer.” Special Offers allow the host to set a custom price for a guest who has sent a booking inquiry. A special offer is for those who are ready to confirm a reservation because it is only valid for 24 hours. Therefore, hosts may be more willing to offer you a deal if they know you are not just a looky-loo.

8) Search For Discounted Airbnb Gift Cards

One of the easiest ways to save money on Airbnb is to buy gift cards at a discounted rate. We have had some success finding Airbnb gift cards for sale for anything from 3% to up to 20% off. It is actually rather easy to just check when you start your travel planning. Several websites we use will even email us when Airbnb gift cards become available at a certain price we want or when they go on sale.

When looking for discounted Airbnb gift cards, we immediately search Raise! They make it easy to buy gift cards online at a discount so you can save on a wide variety of brands, retailers, and restaurants. In general, we save around 3% or more off an Airbnb gift card.

Another thing we like is that many of their gift cards are actually e-gift cards. So, once we purchase them, we can immediately use it to save money on Airbnb! Plus, you can join Raise today & get $5 to spend on any discounted gift card you want by CLICKING HERE!

HOT TIP: If you use Ebates, also known as Rakuten, login to your account before using Raise. Currently, users get 1% cash back on all Raise purchases through Ebates. So, you not only save on Raise but get an additional rebate. If you have never used Ebates, you can join for free and also get a $10 Welcome Bonus by Clicking Here!

9) Redeem Your Points For An Airbnb Gift Card

If you have a credit card that allows you to collect rewards points, you may be able to redeem them for an Airbnb gift card. For example, with American Express membership rewards, you can redeem $100 Airbnb Gift Cards for 10,000 points. Or if you have Chase Rewards, you can get a $25 Airbnb gift card for 2,500 points. So, make sure you are earning your rewards points on every purchase so you can snag a gift card.

However, if you are like Eric, you don’t use credit cards so earning memberships rewards may not be an option.  But don’t fret because, you can still find fun ways to earn points to redeem for gift cards. Personally, we participate in rewards points websites like MyPoints where we collect reward points by participating in miscellaneous free activities or making online purchases from certain retailers.

Now you can’t necessarily use your points on either of these sites for an Airbnb gift card directly. But we personally use our points for Visa Gift Cards or a Paypal redemption. Then we can easily use that cash redemption to purchase our Airbnb stay.

10) Refer Others To Become an Airbnb Host

So, we all know by now that there is no Airbnb affiliate program or even a simple referral system for earning on stays.  However, there is still a truly simple way to earn money on Airbnb.  The most popular way now is to invite anyone and everyone to become an Airbnb host.

After you introduce a friend to the Airbnb Host Program, then they’ll get an extra $10 after completing their first booking. But then you too will earn $220 for the one-time referral.

11) Search Outside Of Airbnb

In reality, sometimes Airbnb just isn’t the best priced option on a specific property you found. But in our research, we’ve found that often a host is renting out their space on Airbnb and using other booking services as well. This is even more of a probability if the Airbnb listing is a popular named place with tons of reviews. Therefore, we will often try searching for the Airbnb place we like on another site like Booking.com just to see if the price is lower.

So, as you can see, with a few simple and easy to use travel hacks, anyone save money Airbnb! Which one of these 11 travel hacks have you used to save money on Airbnb? Have you ever even stayed in an Airbnb? If so, did you love it? Let us know all about your personal Airbnb experiences in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board! 

Disclosure: This post, “How to Save Money on Airbnb” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post How to Save Money on Airbnb appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

When a person is dreaming of places to tackle bucket list adventures, I’m sure Germany tends pop up as an option. That’s because the country is packed with ton of fun and unique experiences. For most people, I am sure items like racing down the Autobahn, taking a river boat cruise down the Rhine River in Cologne, or dancing the Polka at Oktoberfest come to mind. But recently, we discovered a great activity you should add to your bucket list: to Bike Tour Germany.

Wait, you’re not 5, why on earth would you want to spend your day cycling in Germany? I mean aren’t you on Holiday?

Look, we get it! Exploring Germany by bike might sound hard but trust us riding German touring bikes are as easy as, well, riding a bike!

Cycling in Germany is Very Convenient

Travelling around Germany isn’t necessarily hard with countless trains, underground rails, and bus routes. Yet, when you bike tour Germany, you no longer worry about crowds or timetables. Not to mention, often when you arrive by public transportation, you still have to walk to your desired destination.

Of course, you could always rent a car in Germany. However, you still face the challenge of traffic and finding parking. When cycling in Germany, you can easily just ride up to your desired destination and not have to worry about spending hours looking for a spot to park.

Whether it's seeing amazing palaces, admiring the Berlin Wall, or exploring along the Rhine River, cycling in Germany can get you there. See why you should add BIKE TOUR GERMANY to your Bucket List! #DonkeyRepublic #biking
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When You Bike Tour Germany You Discover More

With over 45,000 miles of bike paths throughout the country, it is definitely easy to take a cycling holiday in Germany. Whether it’s something in the main tourist section of a city or a palace on the outskirts of town, using a German touring bike can get you there. Like in Berlin, a lot of the hot spots are near the Brandenburg Gate in former East Berlin. But the famous Charlottenburg Palace is on the other side of town in the former West Berlin. According to Google Maps, from the Brandenburg Gate, you would need to hop on the S Bahn or a bus, then transfer to the underground or another bus, and then walk 5 to 10 minutes totaling about 40 minutes. A forty-minute trip may dissuade you from visiting this beautiful palace. But with a bike, it is an easy 20-minute ride over there from Brandenburg gate.

Also, while riding a bike in Germany, you get to find the hidden gems like a unique historical site or local hot spot. For example, in Munich, riding bikes allowed us to discover a unique World War II historical site often missed by visitors, behind the Feldherrnhalle known as Shirker’s Alley (Drückebergergasse).

You Save Money When You Explore Germany By Bike

While travelling, getting around can be a rather expensive add on to any adventure. With a car rentals, gas, and paid parking, it can often total as much as the plane ticket to get there. If you decide to skip the car rental, then you are forced to use public transportation which is great in Germany but can nickel and dime you every time you use it.

However, when you bike tour Germany, cost becomes less of a factor. Generally, with bike sharing services like Donkey Republic, you can easily find a bike for about €10 ($12 USD) for the full day. That is, it!

Germany Touring Bikes Are Good For Your Body

It is hard to escape all of the sausages, schnitzels, pretzels, sauerkraut, and strudels in Germany. Then to top it off, there is a ton of great beer everywhere. This is why Germany is considered a food and beer heaven. However, all of that good food and beer can lead to some unforgiving vacation weight gain.

This is where exploring Germany by bike, may help. No sane person would deny a good beer and brat combo. So, riding one of those German touring bikes may help burn off some of those extra yummy calories you will be consuming. For example, according to myFitnessPal, a pint of pilsner is about 150-250 calories, and a typical bratwurst can be around 300 calories. Since most people burn about 500-600 calories an hour riding a bike like the ones offered by Donkey Republic, you just earned your lunch cruising around town.

Cycling Holidays in Germany May Relieve Stress

Vacations are supposed to offer you a much-needed break from life at work and home. But TSA lines at the airport, crowds of people bumping into you at Check Point Charlie, or dealing with jet lag can sometimes be very stressful. However, stress relief can happen in several ways when you bike tour Germany.

First, after an hour of any endurance exercise like riding a bike, hormones like serotonin and endorphins get released. This can give you a feeling of happiness while reducing anxiety and stress.

Second, riding a bike can help you get to sleep better at night and fight jet lag. Cycling holidays get you outdoors which exposes you to sunlight. This is great because that sunlight can help in resetting your circadian rhythms. With big, beautiful parks like the Englischer Garten in Munich or the Tiergarten in Berlin, you can set yourself up for a good night sleep as you soak up the vitamin D.

When people think of places with bucketlist adventures, Germany tends to offer a ton of opportunities. Perhaps that's why cycling holidays in Germany are so popular. But are they right for you? #Bikeshare #biking #donkeyrepublic
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You Can Bike Tour Germany Easily With Donkey Republic

It is extremely easy to rent a touring bike in many cities in Germany with Donkey Republic. Just Follow the instructions below and start exploring:

1. Visit www.donkey.bike and download the Donkey Republic app on iOS or Android.
2. Once the app is downloaded, open it and search for bikes in your city. If you are planning ahead, see where what cities in Germany or anywhere in the world Donkey Republic has bikes by visiting www.donkey.bike/cities
3. Then locate the bikes you want to rent. When you get there, choose the number of bikes you need and click “Rent Now”.
4. It will next give you Drop-off options. Then choose one of two options. Option 1 is where you return the bike to the original pick-up location. With Option 2, you can choose to return it to any other return location. This is great if you are just using your bike to get to a far-off location but don’t want to have to ride it back to your origination spot.
5. It then takes you to the payment page, where, if you want, you can purchase theft insurance for the day.
6. The payment page will also give you an option to add a Coupon Code. Don’t forget to enter BUCKETLIST to save an additional 15% off your rental!
7. From there it will tell you the Bike Number that is yours for the day. You can see number on the bike by looking at the cell phone holder on the handlebars.
8. Then make sure you turn on your phone’s Bluetooth. Then tap “Unlock” on your phone and the app will open the bike’s electronic lock. What is really cool is that you can lock or unlock your electronic bike lock whenever you want. So, if you are riding by the Chinesischer Turm beer garden in Munich’s Englischer Garten, you can easily lock up your bike and stop for a Beer and Brats. 
9. Explore Germany by bike and have an unbelievable day seeing the sites.
10. When you are done, return the bike, lock the electronic bike lock, and click end your rental.

Now “Get on your bikes and ride!“

Freddy Mercury’s command at the end of Queen’s famous song, ‘Bicycle Race’, always seemed pretty easy to follow. I mean, as a kid, who doesn’t want to ride their bike? So, it only makes sense that even as adults, cycling holidays in Germany sound bucket list worthy. But have you ever wanted to bike tour Germany before? Have you ever tried cycling in Germany on a bike from Donkey Republic? Which of the reasons why you should explore Germany by bike is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin “Why You Should Bike Tour Germany” to your Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: The Bucket List Project partnered with the bike-sharing company Donkey Republic in Germany. With that said, all opinions in “Why You Should Bike Tour Germany” are our own. This post may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Why You Should Bike Tour Germany appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

There is a famous quote that says, “You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character.” Boy does this ring true for us! In this day and age of polished Instagram photos and amazing stories on blogs and other platforms, we often only see the positive side to a story. But there are many benefits of failure. In fact, when chasing the numerous items on our bucket list we have found that failure is good. That is because in all the stupid mistakes we have made chasing various bucket list items something remarkable happened. We Learned! 

So grab your first aid kit & get ready to laugh as we share how failure leads to success by highlighting the many bloopers we have had chasing items on our bucket list. Hopefully, by admitting our faults, mistakes, and failures you too will learn so you can avoid these pitfalls as well.

Our Travel Failures that led to Success

When it comes to tackling travel bucket list items, preparation is always key! But everyone prepares differently. For example, we are more outliners. We like to have a good idea of where we are going and what we like to do but we don’t detail every aspect of our travel. Don’t get us wrong, we love the freedom of not being scheduled. But by being a bit loosey-goosey it has created a few problems while traveling. However, each time our failure led to success because we learned and improved. So what kind of travel fails have we had? Let’s dive into it.

Grab your first aid kit & get ready to laugh as we share how failure leads to success by highlighting the many bloopers we have had chasing the items on the Bucket List Project! #Failure #NeverGiveUp #AlwaysLearning
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1) We have chosen some lousy destinations

The Fail:

For those of you who know us, you know we love exploring great literary spots around the world. So we were very excited to see and hang out at The Petit Poucet in Casablanca. For those who don’t know this cafe was once where Saint-Exupéry, the French author of The Little Prince used to spend time between mail flights across the Sahara drinking with Albert Camus. But now no one there seems to care or honor that history.

We were also pretty disappointed when we visited Barranquilla! Don’t get us wrong, if you show up to this large city during Carnival you will witness one of Colombia’s most important folkloric celebrations, and one of the biggest carnivals in the world according to UNESCO. But when we arrived there was NOTHING happening in the massive city. Even our hotel hosts wondered why on earth we were visiting their city in April.

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

While these destinations were a complete disappointment they didn’t take away from our travel experiences. I mean to be fair, nothing could disappoint us about Casablanca since that is where we got engaged. But, when the main reason for visiting is a bust, you can either rue in disappointment or adapt. So for us, we learned to adapt and find something else to do which led to some fun experiences.

2) We have not packed well

The Fail: 

Nowadays we try to be minimalists when packing but it was not always this way. If you have read our review on the one bag travel system by Journey System then you saw us toting around a gigantic suitcase across all of the United Kingdom. See we thought that if we packed all of our gear together in 1 large suitcase it would not only be easier but save us tons of money on bag fees. But though it may have saved us a few dollars it was an absolute nightmare to drag around the old cobblestone roads of Scotland and England.

We have also failed to pack properly for the weather. For example, driving into Jaisalmer during the Rickshaw Run, we were freezing. This is because we had forgotten to pack warm clothes. So as we raced to the finish line, we were wearing everything we had packed, just to stay warm.

How this Failure Leads to Success: 

After nearly throwing out my back carrying around tons of clothes, we knew something had to change. We realized that though we want to be prepared for different weather issues and certain events, we need to learn to pack better so we can be prepared without extra items. So first we learned about ways to pack for the different environments we were possibly visiting. Then, we discovered the Journey System minimalist backpack and other bags which would allow us to carry all of our gear better and more efficiently.

3) ERIC often forgets to put on Sunscreen

The Fail: 

Perhaps one of the biggest travel fails that I have is getting sunburned while traveling. Likely, this is because growing up, I rarely got sunburned and never developed a good habit of lathering up. There is also something to be said about always backpacking outdoors, hiking in open areas with no real protection. But to be honest, there is no excuse for not taking better care of my skin. 

How this Failure Leads to Success: 

Now, I like my tan complexion. But to be honest, as I am getting older, this constant abuse of my skin and especially my face is worrisome. Plus, we all know that sunburns can lead to serious issues. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, 33,000 adults get sunburned every year so bad that they require emergency room visits. Plus, these burns can lead to future skin cancer or worse, melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. So, to prevent future damage, I have become an avid user of Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Travel Pack.

4) We have not planned well for ground transportation

The Fail: 

Perhaps one of the biggest travel fails we have is forgetting to plan out our ground transportation. I know this sounds silly. But more often than not, we have arrived at our destination airport with no clue how to get to our hotel. If you can imagine, we are sitting by the luggage carousel when suddenly we realize we have no idea if this city has Uber, a Metro, or a bus system.

This lack of planning also rears its ugly head when we go adventuring. For example, there have been several times when we spent the day at the beaches near Santa Marta or ended up exploring The Great Buddha sitting atop Nakkerd Hill in Phuket and realized we had no clue how to get back to our home base. In most cases, it was a bit nerve-racking.

How this Failure Leads to Success: 

We have made this mistake so often now, you might think that I love to fail. But, with each situation, we have followed a few simple steps to find success. First, we relax. There is no reason to panic or stress out because that just makes the situation worse. Secondly, we have learned to ask for help. Inevitably, people are good and will help you find a way back home. Now of course you should always be cautious and safe. But, we have learned by asking for help that often there may be options like a metro, taxis, Uber, tuk-tuks, collectivos, or even the occasional farm truck that will be glad to give you a ride to your destination.

Hot Tip: We truly feel that most places in the world are safe. However, as in any place you travel please use common sense and stay to main areas while exploring. We also strongly recommend that you consider getting Travel Insurance from World Nomads. It is a simple and flexible insurance to keep you safe while participating in any wild adventure.

Adventure Experience Failures that led to Success

Perhaps the easiest bucket list category to experience failure is your Adventure Activities & Experiences list. This is because more often than not, many of these items rely on physical ability which we may just not have. Now that doesn’t give you a pass to not give it the old college try. But, you need to be prepared because your goal may require a lot of training, effort, practice, and ultimately a little luck.  So is failure good when you strike out attempting an adventure activity or experience? We think so.

1) Eric can’t seem to Kiteboard

The Fail:

I remember the first time I saw kiteboarders cruising around Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It was back in the late 1990s and an outfit known as XL Kites had a van parked on the bay with a group learning how to float their kites. I was immediately awestruck and knew I had to try it. So, my mom bought me lessons and I learned the basics of launching and body dragging. But when it came to putting the board on my feet and actually surfing, I FAILED. I pretty much dragged around the bay face first, drinking up all the saltwater Florida had to offer. 

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

Of course, the scenario above was my first time so that was okay. I mean sports like that are not easy to learn. But I had to make some hard decisions and clarify my commitment to Kiteboarding. So a few months later, I took my savings and bought a board, a Cabrinha Switchblade kite, and a full rig set up. With my new gear, I would practice in Lake Pontchartrain, & the beaches of Gulfport. Often I would return to the XL Kites gang in Fort Walton and ask for help. To further my skills (or at least try to) I even spent a week in Tobago with the Radical Sports Tobago Kiteboarding School.

Now, I have to be honest, I still can’t stand on the board and kite at the same time. Even the guys at Radical Sports Tobago were a bit confused by my lack of ability. Though they were impressed by how much of the Caribbean Sea I could drink without drowning. But through all of this failure, my dream didn’t fade. Maybe it is because I love watching the graceful soaring of other kiteboarders or maybe it is because I am stubborn. But I know that hopefully with continued practice, I will succeed.

2) We can’t catch the Northern Lights

The Fail:

Have you ever felt like Eeyore with a raincloud overhead? I am not going to lie, I feel like that every time I go hunting the Northern Lights! Not because seeing the Aurora Borealis is depressing in any way. No, the fail comes in that even if the forecast of the location & intensity of the aurora is supposed to be perfect, by the time I get out there, a sudden stream of clouds appears. REALLY. This has happened to me in my attempt to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, Alaska, Northern Wyoming, & other places.

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

In order for this failure to lead to success, I had to first accept that the weather is out of my control. It seems pretty obvious but that doesn’t mean I can’t hedge my bets to find success. So in order to increase my odds of seeing the Northern Lights, I learned to research better by visiting sites like NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or the Aurora Hunter. So, with a little luck, planning, and a whole lot of patience, we will finally witness the magical display of lights, someday.

3) We have had run-ins with the law

The Fail:

When we sign up for different activities or adventures around the world, in no way do we ever attempt anything illegal. But that doesn’t mean we haven’t had issues with law enforcement or security forces. For example, while taking on the wild adventure of driving a tuk-tuk across India, Darcee actually got us stopped by the Indian Police! At first, we assumed they thought we stole the tuk-tuk or maybe Darcee was speeding (if that is even possible in that glorified lawnmower). But in reality, he just wanted to say hi and see if we had a $1.00 U.S. bill since had never seen one ever.

Now in Liechtenstein, things were a little different. Essentially the Swiss Guard came down on Eric after he accidentally tried to illegally re-enter the Schatzkammer which is the Princes of Liechtenstein’s Private Collection of treasures. 

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

When it comes to your failures, we truly hope that none of them require the assistance of law enforcement. But if they do, we have learned to always approach the situation respectfully and even with some positivity. For example, with all the things to do in Liechtenstein, being surrounded by armed guards shouldn’t be high on anyone’s list. But, accidents happen. So by being calm, respectful, and most importantly, apologetic, all was forgiven within moments.

4) We have bitten off more than we could chew

The Fail:

I vividly remember staring at the distance sign at the start of my pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. For those who don’t use the metric system, 790 kilometers is roughly 491 miles. Wait, what? That is like walking from New Orleans to Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida but with mountains in the middle! Plus, I was doing it alone and only had a guidebook and painted arrows on random walls and rocks to guide me. The start of the pilgrimage definitely filled me with a bit of doubt.

Another time I felt a bit overwhelmed is in preparation for our Climbing Devil’s Tower for ALS. I mean what kind of crazy person volunteers to climb 867 feet (265 m) from base to summit, with a summit 5,112 feet above sea level? I know it is for an amazing cause but I am not as young as I used to be.

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

Well with the Camino, I realized that my only way home was from Portugal, so no matter what, I had to head that direction. It was then that I realized that if I started to walk and either struggled, decided I didn’t like it, or flat out failed, that was okay. This is because I knew that I could always stop and catch a train or another way back. Now I know that this type of “safety net” thought seems a bit like a way out. But to be honest, sometimes people just need to know there are alternatives or a plan B to make them feel comfortable. 

Another thing I have learned that has lead to success is how to gather your support team. When you are taking on a bucket list item that seems a bit overwhelming, you have to stop and look for help. Inevitably, there are others walking that same trail or climbing that same mountain that share similar fears, challenges, or concerns. It is in those moments that you can find strength to accomplish your goals by doing it together! In many of our successes, we have made great friends who won with us!

Personal Growth Failures that lead to Success

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking, once shared, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” I personally love this quote because sometimes it is often hard to relay the benefits of failure to those who only see one final goal. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to pursuing your bucket list dreams, we want you to keep your eyes on the big prize. But there are so many great and positive side effects to failure especially with items on your personal growth bucket list. Let’s explore a few of our failures that lead to success.

1) I still can’t see my 6 pack abs

The Fail:

I can still remember the feeling of ripping my “fat boy” pants in the parking lot getting out of my car. See back in 2009, I was FAT! I was always husky but that summer as seen in the pic above on the left, I maxed out my 5’8″ frame to a weight of 245lbs. So, rather than buying new suit pants for my job, the year before I had gone to Walmart and bought a pair of those cheaply made black slacks with the elastic band. I mean I didn’t want to buy new expensive pants when I already had some and I could “easily” lose the weight. But I hadn’t. So one day, as I was getting out of my car to visit a client, my cheap Walmart pants tore at the elastic band because I pushed them to the max. It was too much and at the moment, #5) See my 6 Pack was added to my Personal Growth Bucket List.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Now I will be honest, I thought I would have had a 6 pack by now. I mean that was 11 years ago. But I barely have some details of a 4 pack at times – usually near the summer months. However, that is okay because even though I have yet to get shredded, I still found great success.

You see, in this pursuit for the ideal physique, I still lost nearly 90lbs and have maintained that 157lb weight for over 10 years. Now, it wasn’t easy and I learned that there isn’t 1 way that works for everyone. In fact, I probably have tried about 5 different eating lifestyles and over 45 different workout plans. But I never lost commitment to my goal and my health.

2) I still can’t fluently speak Spanish

The Fail:

So I don’t have many regrets about the choices I have made. But one of the biggest regrets I do have is not studying Spanish more as a kid. My mom tried to get me to learn and initially spoke to me in Spanish. But as I became a stubborn teen, I gave up on it and even rebelled by taking French in high school. However, in my pursuit to learn more about my Cuban heritage and travel more, I have attempted many of the best ways to learn Spanish. The only problem is that I am still nowhere near being fluent enough to have a conversation with my Grandmother.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

So, yes I am still a very long way from fluent conversational Spanish with my Cuban family. But, in this failure, I have had some success. For example, I have learned enough to easily tackle basic travel situations. I have long term traveled to Spain, Colombia, Peru and even parts of Morocco and successfully navigated situations speaking Spanish. Plus, in attempting various ways to learn Spanish, I also discovered better ways of learning subjects overall. That way when I take on future personal growth items, I can find the right resources to help me learn.

Failures in Louisiana that led to Success

In Louisiana, we like to say “laissez les bon temps rouler” which means “let the good times roll.” But we have missed the pirogue a few times by not paying attention. Now don’t get me wrong, we don’t take things too seriously or often live by a schedule down here in the Bayou State. But our lack of organization has led to a few failures. So grab your Mom ‘n ‘em and check out some of our major faux pas while chasing our Louisiana Bucket List!

1) We missed the fais-do-do

The Fail:

For those of you who don’t know a fais-do-do (pronounced fay DOUGH DOUGH) is basically a fun Cajun dance party. In general the best ones are based around food, music, and dancing and are found in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. So when looking for the best fais-do-do, the infamous Cafe Des Amis topped the list. We kept saying that we were going to take the drive over for a fun weekend. I mean it was barely 3 hours away. But sadly due to our hemming and hawing, we missed our chance and it closed in early 2018.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Cafe Des Amis WAS world-famous for their Saturday Morning Zydeco Breakfast. Visitors were greeted with spicy bloody mary’s and rich Cajun cuisine like eggs with crawfish étouffée. However, the real highlight was when the  Zydeco band started to play encouraging everyone to dance! So, when we realized that we missed our chance it was a big disappointment. But that didn’t deter us. Instead, we asked around, did a little research, and discovered there is a new kid in town, Buck and Johnny’s, that is offering zydeco music, dancing, and a world famous Zydeco Breakfast.

2) We’ve been a wee bit too close to some gators

The Fail:

It a very popular bucket list item to take a swamp tour, visit an alligator farm, or see them in the wild at Rip’s Rookery in New Iberia. So of course, there have been several times where I wanted to show my Wyoming girlfriend, now wife, some true Louisiana gators. But one of the first times I did this we kind of got a bit too close. While walking the lap around Rip’s Rookery on Jefferson Island we came upon several gators sunbathing. By that time, we had already walked all the way around the island and we weren’t sure we should go back. Needless to say, we RAN by them as fast as humanly possible!

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Outside of improving my time in the 40-yard dash, getting too close to alligators made me learn better safety protocols. So we turned to the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries website. According to LDWF, most alligators, if left alone, will move on and are generally not a threat to people. However, they do recommend that if you have a close encounter with an alligator, like we did, back away slowly. 

My Failure to Make Amends that led to Success

Asking for forgiveness is HARD! I have often said that my Making Amends Bucket List is easily the hardest list I have created. Perhaps because means I have to not only reach out to those I have hurt but then admit my faults to them. So how can someone fail when trying to say they are sorry? 

1) I haven’t even tried yet

The Fail:

When it comes to making amends, I am a Failure! Why? Because, even though I think about the various people on the list that I have wronged, I have yet to take action. At one point, I tried to find one of the people on my list. But it was a struggle to connect with them and thus I just stopped trying.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

To be honest, it is hard to find success here. Now let me clarify that success will not be measured by obtaining forgiveness from those whom I hurt. Rather, success comes in admitting my faults to the person whom I hurt. Also, when I share here, it not only humbles me but reminds me that I need to try harder. So hopefully my failure leads to success by recommitting myself to try again. 

My Failure to Help Others that led to Success

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. But can you actually be a failure when you help others? Maybe. Now don’t get me wrong there is no better way to leave your mark on the world than by finding ways to help others. Plus, there are even studies that helping others can even help you live longer. However, sometimes you might do a bit more harm than good if you don’t plan properly or try to cut corners. 

1) Our Little Library made us ashamed of our-SHELVES

The Fail:

I am not a good carpenter! Not that it is beyond my skill set but I neither have the tools nor the patience to build something with my hands. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to build a Little Library to put out in front of my house. Of course in typical fashion, I had dreams of grandeur of the coolest looking little library packed with books where people would stop by to pick up or share. But rather than buying an official kit from the Little Free Library association, I came up with a “genius” idea to use an old wine crate! Of course, I had great intentions and it all started out great. But having it in New Orleans where it rains all the time or is humid most other days, it all became a big problem. Instead of helping my community with a fun book exchange, my cutting corners lead to a moldy science experiment!  

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Unless the goal was to spread black mold or test the relative breakdown rates of paperback novels, then it is pretty obvious that my little library was a bust. But throughout the whole process, I learned a lot about how to do it better the next time. I realized that if I wanted to create a unique little library for my Irish Channel neighborhood, then I need to figure out how to deal with environmental factors. It also reminded me that there are no short cuts when trying to do something right! Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t do it differently or better, but you have to do it right. Otherwise, you might be sending someone home with a book that even Dr. Who can’t fix.

2) I took my best friend on a Death March

The Fail:

One of my favorite Helping Others Bucket List items is by far #103) Fulfill 1 Bucket List Item for Anyone who helps me with 1 of mine! It is such an amazing feeling when someone gets to tick off a dream item because of your efforts. So, when my best friend Brian shared that he always dreamed of summitting Mt. Whitney and then backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, I jumped at the chance to make his dream come true. But there was one problem, Brian was a beginner backpacker and not 100% ready for the physical demands of the trail. Don’t get me wrong, he trained. But with all my personal hiking experience I should have directed him better when we planned out our trek. Instead of starting at a pace of 8-10 miles each day, and then slowly working upwards, we planned most days at 15 or more. This wouldn’t have been too bad except that we had to cross over a million peaks of the Sierra Nevada from the Whitney Portal. 

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Luckily we took care of summitting Mount Whitney by day 2. So at least we were able to succeed at standing at the highest point above sea level in the lower 48 states. But by day 5, Brian was done and I was pretty beat up as well. It was a pretty humbling as we sat at the Twin Lakes about 23 miles from Lone Pine. But in that moment of humility, we learned that when life throws us obstacles we can easily change course. Even though we hadn’t made it to Mammoth Lakes we could still enjoy the moment. Instead, we relaxed, met some friends who let us fly fish with them, and recovered in some of the most beautiful parts of California. 

My Failure to keep this post short leads to Success

If you made it this far, congrats! You survived another session with little Eric-Talks-A-Lot! But hopefully, you had a great laugh as we shared our different types of failure. I am sure by reading all the bloopers we have had chasing the many items on the Bucket List Project, you realize that we obviously Love to Fail! But, also, I hope you learned that there are many benefits to failure and that it isn’t always a bad thing.

So now it is your turn! Do you think failure leads to success? Have you ever botched something so bad but still found success? What are some of the best bucket list fails you have ever seen or experienced? Share with us in the comments below and maybe help someone who may be dealing with a similar failure.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Personal Growth Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, the “How My Failure Leads to Success” contains a few affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

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When travelling, any trip is always a trip made better by going with the guys. Going away with your friends can turn your average trip into an unforgettable experience.

Going on a group getaway is always a welcome experience, as it is a chance to unwind and relax. You can forget about the stresses and strains of family life, work, and everything else, and just relax. The only stressful part of planning a group trip is picking a getaway that suits everyone.

Don’t panic, because we’ve got you covered! If you’re looking for some ideas and inspiration, the ideas below should give you some ‘food for thought’.

Take a fishing trip

Fishing is usually seen as boring and you do need to have patience for it but it can be a really fun trip. Having a few drinks while trying to catch some fish, can give the trip a more relaxed vibe. Then after, you could even cook up some supper while you fish, and sit around a campfire. If you want a slightly more active trip, fly fishing in places like Sheridan, Wyoming is always amazing. Another cool options would be to book a fishing trip abroad! This would not only offer you bonding time but also give you a chance to visit a new place.

Take a trip interrailing

If you and the guys want to go travelling, then a great way to do so is by InterRailing. InterRailing can be a great way to see multiple locations. You buy a ticket which allows you to travel on most of the major trains in Europe, and off you go. You can hop from country to country across Europe, taking in city after city. It is a great way to see a lot without having to worry too much about travel costs, while on a long trip. If you’re planning an extended trip, InterRailing could be the ideal option to choose.

Planning a trip away with the guys but aren't sure where to go or what to do? Don't fret. Here are some of great ideas for a guys trip away! #GuysTrip #TripIdeas #Wanderlust
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Golf trips

What could be better than a golf trip? Whether you’re good at golf or you simply enjoy playing for fun, a golf trip could make the ideal guys getaway. You can get your mates together, sink some drinks while also sinking some putts. What’s great about golf is the range of locations you can visit and the views and landscapes on offer. There are some wonderfully iconic golf courses to choose from.

When it comes to planning your golfing trip, there are lots of sites to book from. You will find sites like https://www.mtievents.com/personal-and-leisure-travel/group-golf-trip-planning/ are ideal for planning your next trip. There are lots of courses on offer, as well as trips designed to suit various budgets. Golf trips are great for all levels, so even if you are not very good at the sport, you will still have a great time.

Now Gather Your Guys & Go!

If you’re planning a trip away with the guys but aren’t sure where to go or what to do, this guide should help. Whatever you and your friends enjoy doing, be it fishing or golf, there’s a trip that’s perfect for you. But what are some ideas you and your friends like to do? Are there some awesome destinations you and your guys love to visit? Let us know in the comments below with some of your favorite ideas for a guys trip away!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Travel Board!

The post Great Ideas For A Guys Trip Away appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Your travels are undoubtedly filled with plenty of fun activities and trying new things, but although you want to spend some time to yourself and enjoy your travels, your followers and audience will need updates, too. This is a crucial part of maintaining a following no matter what you do, so it’s vital to know how to stay engaged, even when you’re doing something different from your usual routine. 

You can’t expect people to stay interested; you need to give them a reason, so consider these useful tips to keep your audience engaged while traveling and maybe bring some new followers to your accounts. 

Open Up Your Account

Those who embrace the Private Account can often encounter some problems when trying to build a following. Unless you’re a certified name, people will be unwilling to follow someone whose content is not viewable. 

This is especially true when traveling. While you don’t need to make your account permanently open (especially if you value privacy when you get home), opening your account during your vacation will help people engage with your content. It will make it easier for people to find you and see what other posts you make, which can encourage them to give you a follow and see more. 

If you're an influencer or a small biz, it can be hard to detach while your away. But these useful tips can keep your audience engaged while traveling so you can enjoy your trip! #TravelBlogger #InfluencerTips #EngagementRates
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Keep Posting

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of travel, especially if you’re someone who loves to do as much as possible every single day. This can cause some problems, though. You may get so busy that you forget to post something. Although one or two days off isn’t bad, anything longer could cause people to disengage. 

Knowing how to upload photos to iCloud from iPhone can ensure you save the most important snaps from each day. From here, you can schedule posts to upload whenever you like. You can do this during your downtime before going to bed, as it means you won’t need to disrupt the next day to make a post.

Research Hashtags and Trends

It doesn’t matter how good your photos are or how witty your captions will be, engagement is all about the hashtags, locations, and trends. Because of this, you’ll need to know how to find relevant hashtags about your destination. 

This will help you connect with other people in the area, as well as anyone interested in visiting. You can provide a front-row seat to everything there is to do, which can help people get excited about their next chance to travel the world. 

Know The Key Places

Similarly, you should also know which are the most popular spots for tourists and travelers, as this will increase your views and engagement. Every country has its own Eiffel Tower or White Temple, so you should find this place to ensure people find your content. 

This will give them a great introduction to your page and help build engagement. If it’s somewhere people recognize, they will be more interested in looking. But, as much as knowing the key places is important, you can’t rely on this forever. 

But Also Do Something Unique

With travel so easily accessible compared to 30 or 40 years ago, it might feel like everything has been discovered. Everywhere that you can reach likely has been reached by someone other than you. 

Despite this, you shouldn’t feel like you don’t have anything new to offer. Once you have touched base with the most popular places, think about other locations that aren’t as well-known. This can provide something different for your content and show people you’re not just someone who follows trends but instead embraces the mysteries of the world. 

Make Sure You Reply!

Depending on the size of your following, you can get anywhere between five and five hundred comments (if not more) on any post. While traveling, it’s tricky to keep up with these comments, but you must make sure you respond to as many as possible. 

But why should you do this? Well, not only is it polite, it is the easiest way to engage with others. Responding to comments will put you directly in touch with your followers, which they will love. You can build better connections and relationships with others in your niche, which could open up doors for collaboration and further exposure. 

Staying Connected

Your social media accounts have allowed you to connect to anyone anywhere. If you want to build a following as an influencer or travel blogger, you must consider the best ways to keep people engaged and ensure your content maintains its quality even when you’re doing something different. 

But what are some ways you stay connected while on vacation? Do you find it hard to keep your audience engaged while traveling? Or do you feel like it is a great idea just to digitally detox with the hopes that your audience will understand? Either way we would love to know what you other travel bloggers, influencers, or other businesses do to keep your audience engaged while traveling. Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Marketing Board!

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Recently, there was an article in the National Review that declared “American Men are Suffering a Friendship Recession!” Now, at first, I had no idea what they were talking about. But the article showed that the percentage of men with at least six close friends fell by half since 1990, from 55 percent to 27 percent. Now that may seem crazy but it isn’t too far-fetched! The question is, why is this happening? What is going on with guys that our friendships are dropping like flies?

The article gives some ambiguous answers, but perhaps one of the biggest reasons is that we just aren’t putting in the time to connect with each other. So how can we remedy that? How can we find ways to connect more with our old pals & create stronger bonds? Well, the answer may be as simple as the classic guy’s trip to a place like Sheridan, Wyoming!

What Makes a Guys Trip?

Now, I am sure many of you guys are reading this and thinking, “Why on earth would I want to take a guys trip to Sheridan, Wyoming? Isn’t that just a big old cowboy town with cows and horses?” Well, to be fair, Sheridan is historically known for its ranchers, pioneers, and definitely its cowboys along the Westward migration trails. But there is so much to do there for men of any type looking to bond during a guys trip.

So what makes a good bonding event?  No, the answer is not to end up in the famous Clearmont Jail as seen above! Rather, it is just spending time together.

Now of course this can be a bit tricky because you will also want to find activities to match the personality of your crew. So, whether you love active adventures like sports, backpacking, and fishing or you prefer a more classic gentleman-type event with art, food, and cocktails, Sheridan is the place to go on your next guy’s trip because it is packed with things to do.

Let’s dive into all the things to do for a perfect guy’s trip in Sheridan, Wyoming!

Can men find better ways to connect with their pals & create stronger bonds? Well, the answer may be as simple as a guy's trip to a place like Sheridan, Wyoming! #VisitSheridan #ThatsWY #WYCountySheridan @VisitSheridan
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Go Fishing with the Fellas

What better place to go fishing than to one of Hemingway’s favorite locations! That is right, Big Papa loved Wyoming and would often head out on trout fishing expeditions in the Big Horns! That is probably because Sheridan has such an avid fly fishing scene.

When going on a fishing trip with the guys, start out at the Fly Shop of the Big Horns in Downtown Sheridan. These guys are great because they stock the store with the largest selection of flies and fly-tying materials around. Plus, if you and your crew want to actually hit the water, their guide services can create the perfect guys trip for any skill level of fly fishing!

Now of course you can always go on your own into Big Horn National Forest or other areas. But make sure you get your licenses in order at the Wyoming Game & Fish Department before you leave. The agency makes it really simple for you, plus they have some really fun fishing challenges to kick up your guy’s trip! For example, out of their 10 major fishing challenges, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department has their famous Cutt Slam where you attempt to catch their 4 native cutthroat trout species! If this is all confusing to you, perhaps you should start your guy’s trip in Sheridan by visiting the Fish Hatchery in nearby Story, Wyoming. Here you can explore one of the oldest fish hatcheries and feed the various trout at the base of the Bighorn Mountains!

Go Hiking with your Homies

There is something truly amazing about a guys trip where you go hiking and camping. So, it is a no-brainer that Sheridan, Wyoming is a major destination for male bonding while getting outdoors. That is because the Bighorn National Forest is absolutely beautiful and packed with tons of things to do. 

Now, if all you want to do is set up camp and make s’mores then the beauty of the Bighorns alone is inviting. But if you and your crew love to hike then get ready for some amazing things to find and explore. That is because the park consists of over one million acres of scenic canyons and mountains. 

Plus there are some cool things to do in the Bighorns like finding the 5 “secret” waterfalls scattered throughout the park. For the most part, finding these waterfalls make up a day trip type of adventure with your gang. But don’t let that fool you because even though it is barely a 1-mile round trip, even the amazing Porcupine Falls drops down 440 feet! Other nearby falls that are a bit longer to get to but definitely worth the trek are Paradise or Bucking Mule Falls!

Fun Fact: When visiting the Big Horns make sure you check out the Tongue River Canyon! It is perhaps the most beautiful canyon in all of Wyoming. Within the canyon is of course the Tongue River where it is said that to beat traffic, loggers would ride the 11-mile Tongue River Tie Flume down the mountain and through the Box Canyon tunnels to reach the town of Dayton. (source: Tall Tales by Sheridan Board of Tourism)

See some Art with your Amigos

When you travel to foreign countries like Colombia, you almost expect to spend a day exploring street art in places like Cartagena. But if you and your friends like walking around checking out murals and pieces of western art, then Sheridan won’t disappoint. In 2001, the Grinnell Plaza project funded and then displayed over 100 permanent pieces of art throughout the downtown. So it is a treat to walk around with your crew amid what is known as the Sheridan Public Arts! Then afterwards as you are walking around downtown at night, be sure to check out the amazing display of neon lights. The glow from neon upon all of the classic buildings alone is an art lover’s dream.

Now for those guys who prefer walking amid various styles of art in a gallery, you can find some amazing displays at the Brinton Museum in Big Horn. Here you will be greeted with some of the finest art and artifacts from American Indians in the region. Plus, the original owner, Bradford Brinton collected beautiful works. Inside you will find pieces from Western American Artists like Remington, Reiss, and Kleiber as well as many others.

Fun Fact: In nearby Clearmont, the UCROSS Foundation is a 20,000-acre working cattle ranch in northeastern Wyoming. But what is really cool is that it also operates as a retreat for visual artists, writers, composers, and artists in all creative disciplines. Plus for those of guys who love Longmire, the author, Craig Johnson, uses the hills of his Ucross home as inspiration for his crime drama novels.

Play some Games with the Gang

As you can see there is no shortage of things to do in Sheridan, Wyoming. But perhaps one of the coolest things to do with your guys is to and play some fun games. Now of course you can always go shoot pool or throw darts in the Rainbow Bar or toss corn hole at some of the beer halls.  But if you want to have a real adventure you should bring your gang over to the Big Horn Axe to throw axes! Since early 2020, they have been “throwing blades” as they put it and it is truly an event. The staff will set you up with their computerized scoring which is much like a bowling game. Then, off you go to test your skills at throwing various hatchets!

Now for those who are into more bizarre-type activities, nearby at the Koltiska Distillery, you can test your skills at Butt Darts! From what we gather, you drop as many quarters from your rear into a shot glass placed on the floor in order to “Win!” So have fun trying to win Butt Darts on your next guy’s trip. At least at the distillery, there is no shortage of Cowboy Coolaid!

Go Biking with your Brothers

There is something truly iconic about riding a motorcycle across America and there is no shortage of amazing motorcycle rides in and around Sheridan, Wyoming. So whether you are riding the winding roads towards Bighorn National Forest or you are hitting the open road down towards Clearmont, you’ll love the views. But perhaps some of the most fun rides are those heading to Dayton and Ranchester. Here you will cruise through small communities that time forgot and stop at some iconic bars and restaurants. For many, a stop-off at the Historic Dayton Mercantile for lunch is one of the best bucket list experiences ever. The old Mercantile is still operational and offers amazing plate lunches inside at their old counter. Fair warning though, make sure you and your boys are respectful. The ladies working the counter at the Mercantile take no flack from any road warrior!

Attend a Polo Match with your Pals

It may sound weird to attend a real-life polo match in Wyoming. But it is truly an awesome experience for any guy’s trip. The Big Horn Equestrian Center has been in operation for more than 100 years now and allows people to come in and watch both training and matches during the season. Set upon 60 acres, the beautiful grounds are well-groomed beneath the Big Horn Mountains. But the highlight is seeing some of the most beautiful horses in the world as their riders play to win! Then to boot, there are a plethora of events on the grounds. Depending on the time of year, you can enjoy music festivals, soccer matches, or even an epic fireworks show. 

Fun Fact: It is said that many famous people can often be seen at the Polo Grounds during the official season. For example, Joan Rivers was a long time fan of Wyoming & the sport of Polo. In fact, it is said that she loved both so much that after she died, she gave a last request: “please have my ashes scattered where the buffalo roam and where the polo mallets whirl…” (source: Tall Tales by Sheridan Board of Tourism)

Get your Chums Classed Up

Sometimes you want to roll out like the Rat Pack on a guy’s trip. So if you need to turn your guys from Neanderthals to high-class gentlemen, then head to downtown Sheridan. Here you will find a plethora of stores like King’s Ropes & Saddlery, where they can purchase some nice clothes or find great accessories. But perhaps one of the neatest things to do is to head over to the White Swan Barber Shop where you and your gang can get a haircut and a classic straight razor shave in one of the oldest continually operating barbershops in the country!

Afterward, you and your gang of gentlemen can hit the town. So, of course, that would mean a stop at the historic Mint Bar. Founded in 1907, this timeless bar is laden with historical pictures and various animals mounted on its walls. Even Hemingway himself ponied up to the bar drinking while writing A Farewell to Arms. To boot, during prohibition, the Mint Bar pretended to be a cigar company and soda shop in the front while they ran a speakeasy out of the back.

Take your Friends to the Fort

There is something about learning American History that just seems to fit a true guy’s trip. That is why a trip to Fort Phil Kearny just south of Sheridan is a perfect day adventure to go on. It is an interesting interactive site. What is really cool is that you can learn about the Indian Wars. Plus they offer insights into the struggles of the early pioneers traveling along the Bozeman Trail. On a beautiful day, you can walk the original grounds amid the reconstructed stockade and imagine the battles the army had with the local Native American tribes while living there. 

Enjoy Adult Beverages with your Brothers

Ernest Hemingway once said, “I drink to make other people more interesting.” Hopefully, this isn’t the case when wanting to celebrate with your friends on an epic guy’s trip. But just in case, there are a ton of great options for the guys to meet up for adult beverages. 

For those of you who love beer, then look no further than downtown Sheridan. With major establishments like Black Tooth Brewing you are bound to find a beer you enjoy. Plus they are right around the corner from the Big Horn Axe company. However, you may want to wait to toss back a few before tossing sharp weapons near your boys. If you are willing to try something new and a bit smaller, the local style brewery of Smith Alley Brewing and Public House offers not only excellent beer but a great menu of food to pair with your suds.

For the guys who consider themselves cocktail connoisseurs, you don’t have to fret. Of course, Wyoming is known for its beer but the cocktail scene in Sheridan is growing nicely. Of course, you can always sit at Frackleton’s bar and enjoy their Happy Specials on drinks. But perhaps the best secret in Sheridan is at McGregor’s Bar & Grille. This place has some of the best cocktails in all of Wyoming. But what is also awesome is that you can sit outside beneath the most beautiful views of the Bighorns!

Where to Stay in Sheridan, Wyoming

There are plenty of places to stay in Sheridan, Wyoming that will fit your guy’s style and budget. Whether you are looking for a simple motel, an active hotel and event center, or a quiet luxury hotel, you won’t be disappointed with your options.

• Basic: There are several bargain franchise-style hotels and motels in Sheridan. For example, there’s a Holiday Inn, Quality Inn, Econo Lodge, or a Super 8 by Wyndham to name a few. Of course, these typical bargain hotels don’t come with many amenities. But with all the things to do in Sheridan, you won’t want to spend much time in your room anyway. To find the best budget hotel in Sheridan check here.
• Quiet & Easy: If you are looking for convenience and a good price then check out the Best Western Sheridan Center. This hotel is located near many great sites of Downtown Sheridan and offers a clean, furnished, and quiet guest room. Plus what we liked most of all is the various food options! First, they offer an amazing breakfast with your booking that they brag offers PROTEIN! There is nothing worse than getting one of those crappy continental breakfasts. You know the kind that is basically an old bagel, a cup of yogurt, and some watered-down juice. Not at the Best Western Sheridan! Plus, if you and your guys are wanting an easy dinner, the Bistro 307 is attached to the hotel. There you and your crew can snag a hearty dinner, local beers on tap, or just watch your favorite sports on the many televisions inside. 
• Historic & Luxurious: For those looking for a bit of luxury mixed in with history and fun, look no further than The Historic Sheridan Inn. Once the stomping grounds of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his Wild West Show, the inn was considered the “finest hotel” between Chicago and San Francisco. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964, this hotel is absolutely beautiful inside with a large wrap-around porch. This way you and your guys can sit right across from the restored train depot plotting your next adventure. 

Book Your Stay in Sheridan, Wyoming Today

Now Gather up the Guys & Go!

There are many things to see and do, in Sheridan. That is why it is the perfect destination for your next guy’s trip! Whether your boys like history, sports, getting outdoors or just relaxing, you’ll find it all around Sheridan, Wyoming. What do you guys think? Is Sheridan the kind of place you would tell your mates to meet you? Would your long-time buddies enjoy all the different aspects and things to do in Sheridan? Or is there something else that we totally forgot to mention? Maybe you think there is a must-see in or around Sheridan that should be on every guy’s bucket list! Let us know in the comments below & help inspire some men to build better bonds with the guys in their life!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Travel Bucket List Board!

Disclaimer: The Bucket List Project was a guest of the Visit Sheridan Tourism Board & the Best Western Sheridan Center. With that said, All opinions in “The Ultimate Guide to a Guys Trip in Sheridan, Wyoming” are our own. Also, this post may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post The Ultimate Guide to a Guys Trip in Sheridan, Wyoming appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

When thinking about a romantic getaway, I am sure places like Paris, Rome, and even Buenos Aires come to mind. So it was quite a shock when we discovered a friend added Visit Casper, Wyoming to our Couple’s Bucket List at our wedding. Now don’t get me wrong, Wyoming is a beautiful place with tons to do. But it doesn’t really spring out as having one of the top 10 most romantic cities in the world.  However, after spending a few days there, it is evident that the second-largest city in Wyoming is packed with romantic things to do for any type of couple.

So let’s dive into all best activities for couples to do in Casper, Wyoming.

Where to Go in Casper for Couples who Love History

Now if you are anything like us, then exploring the history of a travel destination is always a fun thing to do. We are the type of couple that loves to read all the signs and interact with all kinds of exhibits as we learn about a location. Plus, it is a great way to play and be goofy with each other which can often kindle romance. Thus, a trip to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center needs to be added to your itinerary.

There are tons of cool exhibits about pioneers who came together along the Oregon, California, Mormon and Pony Express Trails. But what we loved was all the fun, interactive activities for “kids” of all ages. For example, we got to ride in a virtual covered wagon, send a letter by Pony Express, and even throw a real atlatl! 

Fun Fact: The National Historic Trail Center Foundation is FREE to enter. Of course, they are a non-profit so if you were to make a donation here it is tax- deductible! But it also makes you look extra sexy to your partner when you donate money to a good cause. Just sayin!

Where to Go in Casper for Couples who Love Art

Perhaps one of the most fun memories we have ever had was exploring Cartagena street art. So, we were especially excited when we discovered a remarkable art scene in Casper, Wyoming. Throughout the downtown area, you will see many amazing murals created by Casper Mural Project that will leave you speechless!

Now for those couples who prefer walking hand in hand amid something a bit more modern, you will want to visit the Nicolaysen Art Museum. Located in downtown Casper, this is Wyoming’s only contemporary Art Museum. Now of course you can find works by Picasso, Dali, and Matisse. But what we really loved was all the works from regional artists like Bria Hammock and her “Notable to Notorious Women of the Wild West” exhibit or Mimi Fenton and her “Holding in Common” exhibit.

Fun Fact: The building that houses the Nicolaysen Art Museum was once a lumber warehouse and is absolutely gorgeous inside. Also, one of the coolest things to do in Casper is to check out the antique pendulum clock hiding in the lobby!

Places to Eat in Casper for Couples who Love Breakfast

For those couples who love breakfast foods, Casper may be your heaven. Whether you love the fun coffees & exotic shakes at the Metro Coffee Company or you prefer the classic breakfast fare at the famous Eggington’s in downtown Casper, there is no shortage of options. But perhaps one of the best breakfasts to be had in all of Casper and perhaps even Wyoming is at Sherrie’s Place!

Sherrie’s Place may look small but it makes up for it with gigantic portions & an unbelievable staff. If people-watching is one of your favorite activities this is the place to do it! We loved watching Sherrie walk around talking to all the locals who entered as if every one of them were her extended family. Plus, if you’re okay with sharing food with your loved one, we highly recommend you get their gigantic Cinnamon Roll for dessert. To be honest, we are not sure how we fit it in our bellies after the big breakfast. But it was so good we couldn’t stop eating it!

Casper doesn't really spring out as one of the most romantic cities in the world. But discover how the 2nd largest city in Wyoming has tons of romantic things to do for any couple. #VisitCasper #ThatsWY #couplesgetaway #romanticgetaway
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A Romantic Activity in Casper for Outdoor Loving Couples

For those who love being active with their partners in the great outdoors, get ready for the ultimate playground! That is because there is a plethora of outdoor activities in Casper, Wyoming for all seasons and all skill levels! But perhaps one of the most romantic outdoor activities to experience is a simple hike to Garden Creek Falls! We absolutely loved finding this amazing site located at the base of Casper Mountain. Plus, the walk to get to the waterfall is an easy and from there you can set out along the Bridle Trail Loop in Rotary Park. So even if you aren’t in the best of shape, don’t fret because this walk will be relatively easy while offering an amazing reward!

 Hot Tip: There are tons of benches to sit and have a picnic along the Bridle Trail Loop beneath the Garden Creek Waterfalls. So, we recommend you pick up lunch at Grant Street Grocery & Market! They have amazing sandwiches & wraps that are easy to take to go! Besides, what is more romantic than a picnic lunch beneath a waterfall?

Best Happy Hour in Casper for Cocktail Loving Couples

If sipping a cocktail with your partner gets all those romantic feels moving, then you will have some choices to make in Casper. Whether you want to go dancing at the Beacon Club or go cheer for your favorite sports team while playing some classic video games at Gaslight Social, you both will have fun.

But if you are looking for a more intimate night of amazing cocktails, then head to the Backwards Distilling Company. With its fun circus theme and unique craft cocktails based on spirits created in house, you are bound to have a night both of you will forever remember. 

Fun Adventures for Active Couples in Casper

If you are one of those couples that loves active travel, then you won’t be disappointed in Casper, Wyoming. This is especially true during winter months where you can go skiing, snow shoeing, or other fun winter sports. But if you are there in the warmer months, you and your partner will definitely want to check out their water adventures. With the North Platte River rolling through Casper, there are many options to get on the water. For example, with 307 River Sports, you can go Canoeing, Kayaking, River Tubing, or even fly fishing on drift boats. But if you really want to have some fun soaking & splashing with your loved one, check out their 3-hour whitewater rafting tours!

Hot Tip: Water sports on the North Platte River are very safe. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice proper water safety & listen to your guides. Also, we strongly recommend that you consider getting Travel Insurance for Rafting & Kayaking from World Nomads. It is simple and flexible insurance to keep you safe on your next water adventure.

Activities in Casper for Couples Who Love Weird Stuff

For those of you who like us, love strange phenomena, bizarre myths, or just plain weird stuff you’re in luck! (We think?) That is because there is plenty of weird things to do in Casper that will be fun to discover. Perhaps one of the neatest things we searched out was the infamous Gravity Hill. According to the 7 Wonders of Casper, along Casper Mountain Road headed to Garden Creek Falls, there is a spot where your car can actually roll uphill while in neutral. Not going to lie, we tried it several times with our stick shift car and never rolled uphill. Though while in neutral we didn’t roll backwards either which was a bit bizarre and a lot of fun just testing it!

Another fun activity to try is the Echo Chamber located behind the Natrona County Public Library. Also known as the Center of the World, this unique architectural site is built to echo whatever is said by the person in middle of the circle. Just simply say something fun, silly, or better yet, romantic, to the plaque in the middle of the wall & see if it echoes throughout Casper!

Hot Tip: Just a few blocks away from the Natrona County Public Library is perhaps one of the best lunch places in all of Casper, Wyoming. The Cottage Cafe is an unassuming hidden gem in what looks like a neighborhood house. However inside the blue and white exterior you will find a truly romantic restaurant with great wraps, sandwiches, and salads. Make sure you get the tequila lime chicken soup because it is amazing!

Meet Your Date for a Beer in Casper

Perhaps there is a stigma about Casper, Wyoming being predominantly a beer city. But with amazing breweries like Frontier Brewing Company, Skull Tree Brewing, Mountain Hops Brewhouse, and Oil City Beer Company to name a few it is easy to see why. However, one of the more romantic spots for couples to grab a beer in Casper is Gruner Brothers Brewing.

Of course, they have an amazing selection of beer like their Devilito, Hell’s Hef Acre, and their Ben Light Pilsner to name a few. But what makes this a great place for a date night in Casper is their tasting room and restaurant. Here you can share a flight of your favorite beers in their beautiful dining room or outside amid the amazing views of Downtown Casper from their outdoor deck. 

Hot Tip: Of course the beer is amazing at Gruner Brothers, but make sure you arrive hungry. Inside the brewery is Ludovico Farm To Flame which has some great Italian food. But we recommend you split their “Big Dave” pizza because it was amazing! 

Explore Downtown Casper for Those Who Love to Shop

I can see it now, some of you are rolling your eyes at the whole idea of shopping. But don’t fret because downtown Casper actually has an awesome variety of shops for all types of people. Of course there are a bunch of amazing local clothing shops, boutiques, and craft stores. But along East 2nd street and the side streets, you will also find great toys stores, a local book store, and even a real-life soda fountain in the Rialto Soda Fountain.

But perhaps the two best spots to tuck into during your romantic downtown stroll are Donell’s Candies & Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters. With Donell’s Candies, you will find amazing handmade chocolates, popcorn, and ice cream. Now if chocolate isn’t your thing, or maybe your still full from lunch, then you will definitely want to explore the gigantic Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters. Here together you can find some of the best boots, hats, and western clothing.

Other Tours Available in Casper or Nearby in Wyoming

Where to Stay when you Visit Casper

There are plenty of places to stay in Casper, Wyoming that will fit any couple’s style and budget. Whether you are looking for a simple motel, an active hotel and event center, or a quiet luxury hotel, you won’t be disappointed in your options.

• Basic: There are several bargain franchise-style hotels and motels in Casper. For example you can find a Motel 6, Econo Lodge, or Travelodge by Wyndham to name a few. Of course, these typical bargain hotels don’t come with many amenities. But with all the things to do in Casper, you may not be spending too much time in your room anyways. To find the best budget hotel in Casper check here.
• Quiet & Elegant: If you are looking for convenience and a good price then check out the Candlewood Suites Casper. This beautiful hotel is located near many great sites of Downtown Casper while offering you an elegantly furnished and quiet guest room.
• Fun & Luxurious: For those looking for a bit of luxury mixed in with fun, then the Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center may be what you want. The hotel features a water playland pool with slides and games, a spacious pool deck, and even a hot tub.

Book Your Stay in Casper, Wyoming Today

So is Casper What the Love Doctor Ordered?

As you can see, there are so many things to do for all types of couples in Casper, Wyoming. We personally loved ticking this fun city from our Couple’s Bucket List. But what do you think about this unique destination? Which of the activities do you think are the best for you and your partner? Are there other romantic things to do in Casper that we forgot? Let us know in the comments below and help someone else plan out their own romantic weekend getaway or date night in Casper today!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Travel Bucket List Board!

Disclaimer: The Bucket List Project was a guest of the Visit Casper Tourism Board & Candlewood Suites Casper. With that said, All opinions in “Romantic Things to Do in Casper, Wyoming” are our own. Also, this post may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Romantic Things To Do in Casper, Wyoming appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Watching or taking part in sports can be a great way to pass the time. But during the Olympics we often see some unique sports that intrigue us to try something new.  But are there some of the underrated sports that are bucket list worthy? We think so! Read on for some of our favorite underrated sports.

Rugby

If you are a fan of American Football, you will love rugby. This full contact sport is loved all over the world for being intense and messy. The game is so intense, some people have questioned if there are rules in place. The 6 Nations is one of the most popular competitions which takes place every year. Teams from Ireland, England, France, Italy, Scotland, and Wales compete to win the 6 Nations trophy. 

From standard sports like Golf & Rugby to Extreme Ironing or Wife Carrying, there are all kinds of sports for any type of athlete. Discover 10 underrated sports that should be on your bucket list! #BucketlistSports #WeirdSports
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Golf

People tend to be put off the idea of trying golf because golf courses are confined to Country Clubs. This means a lot of people are priced out of joining the sport. However, there is a rise of clubs that don’t cost an arm and a leg to join. Places such as Premier Mountain Golfing in North Carolina are opening the door to people who want to try golf with their vacation packages.

Formula E

With fossil fuels and oil going out of fashion, electric car sports are the way of the future. As far as sports go, this a new one as it was founded in 2011, with the first races taking place in 2014. With 12 teams and 24 drivers, there is plenty of action on the track. There is the added bonus of “fan boost”, a voting system that can give a driver a power boost during the second half of the race.

Ice hockey

This sport is affectionately known as the only time that you will see a Canadian get violent. And we aren’t joking! Ice hockey fights are known for being bloody and where fighting is encouraged. But what did you expect from a sport that was allegedly arranged by a bunch of rugby players? If you can get past the violence that can erupt on the ice from time to time, you will see a fast-paced contact sport that gets your blood pumping, even as a spectator. 

Running

Since the pandemic forced a lot of people to stay at home, a lot of people finally discovered the benefits of running. Professional running encompasses a variety of speeds and distances. From the quick dash of the 100 meters to the long haul of the marathon, there is a level for everyone to enjoy. Marathons are held all over the world but if you aren’t ready for the full 26.2 miles, check out your local area for park runs.

Cheerleading

Long gone are the days of cheerleading being about swinging some pom-poms about. You need to have nerves of steel to take part in cheerleading these days. Routines are filled with complex gymnastics and dance moves that can break bones if performed incorrectly. Cheerleading schools are available around the country but they are very difficult to enroll with them.

Extreme Ironing

This sounds like a joke but extreme ironing is just as the name implies. This is a dangerous sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt. The aim is to take your ironing board to an extreme place, for example, the top of a mountain, and iron a shirt. This sport is not for the faint hearted because there are opportunities to do it anywhere, including bungee jumping. 

Rowing

This is another one of those sports that gets overlooked because people think it is for posh people. Rowing can be enjoyed by anyone, but it is particularly fun to watch the elite universities of Britain battle out on the River Thames. Rowing clubs can be found all over the world, and many of them are actively looking for new members.

Wife carrying

This is one of those sports that sounds insane because it is! There aren’t many sports that you can do as a couple. The idea is based on an old legend of a robber that used to steal everything that a man owns, including his wife! Although this sport is slightly strange, it is fun to watch the lengths people will go to in order to win.

MMA

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the biggest growing fighting sports in the world. Once it was illegal but the popularity of the no-holds barred cage matches has brought it to mainstream attention. Fights are known for being brutal, and fighters have been known to die in the ring. If you can stomach it, some of the greatest fights have been between female fighters.

Get Warmed Up Cause Your Up Next!

As you can see there are all kinds of sports for any type of athlete. Some of these underrated sports are pretty “normal” depending on where you live. But there are definitely some quirky sporting events out there. So, our question to you is what is your favorite underrated sport? Is there a sport or contest out there that you feel need to be on everyone’s adventure activities bucket list? If so, let us know all about it in the comments below & start stretching cause Coach says your going in! 

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board!

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For those who don’t know, on July 17, 2021, I (Eric) along with Chris Nolan will be Climbing Devil’s Tower for ALS. It is a daunting bucket list item that to be honest, kind of makes me nervous. But despite my apprehension, this climb will hopefully be a way we can educate others about those with ALS. Plus, we are doing it to honor Chris’s brother Sean. Back in 2016, Sean was diagnosed with ALS. But in talking with Chris, we also wanted to find a way to do this for others. So, we came up with an idea to Climb and to Pray Devil’s Tower.

A History of Praying while Tackling a Bucket List item

A few years back, I undertook perhaps one of my greatest bucket list adventures, the Camino de Santiago. To tackle this pilgrimage, I took the traditional and most common route, known as the Camino Frances. Essentially, it is a 490-mile walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The purpose was to walk to a holy site where it is believed that the remains of the Apostle St. James the Greater are buried.

Now people embark on this adventure for many personal reasons. Some walk as part of a spiritual retreat and others to discover themselves. There are even some people who spend the 30-day walk in hopes that a miracle touches them or someone they love. For me, it was a combination of it all because I had kind of lost my “way” with my life.

So, I wanted to find my way back and the idea came to me to Walk and Pray.

To do this, I had decided to commit a portion of my daily activity to prayer while walking The Camino. But I didn’t want to make it all about myself. So I asked for the personal intentions of others. Essentially, every morning at the start of my walk. I would focus on my personal intentions for that day. Then I would focus on the intentions of another and then pray the novena for both our intentions. As I continued to walk, I tried to stay in reflection of that daily prayer and intentions of the day.

Why we want to Pray while we Climb Devil’s Tower

Now, of course, we are raising money for two different ALS foundations to donate in Sean’s name. We are raising money to donate in Sean Nolan’s name to both The Steve Gleason Foundation and The Tennessee Chapter of the ALS Association.

But while promoting something strange happened.

People kept sharing how ALS has affected their lives. Whether it struck them personally, ravaged a loved one, or affected a friend, countless people have been telling me their “ALS Story!” In telling me their story, they would passionately thank Chris, Darcee, & I and say how they felt like we were doing it for them too.

It was then that we realized that our climb was bigger than us and perhaps even Sean. We were going to need to climb and to pray Devil’s Tower in our task to summit the nation’s first National Monument.

Discover how two men want to climb and to pray as they summit the first National Monument in the United States at Devil's Tower, Wyoming. #DevilsTower #RockClimbing #ThatsWY
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Let us Carry your Intentions up Devil’s Tower

Of course, we would love you to donate to our GoFundMe page for Climbing Devil’s Tower for ALS. But if you can’t, you can help us in 3 other ways:

1. Please pray for us as we Climb Devil’s Tower on July 17th. Like I have said before, it is a bit scary. So if you can on July 17th, please pray for us to physically finish.
2. We want to carry your intentions with us up to the top of Devil’s Tower. It can be anything you want. Whether you need prayers for yourself personally, your family, or anything weighing on you.  This intention can be asking for help or perhaps even thanking God for recent Blessings. 
3. If you know anyone who has been diagnosed with ALS, share their name with us. As an ALS Research Ambassador, Sean has spent his last few years trying to help and educate others with ALS. Plus, he is asking us to donate money to help others. So we would like to carry those others as we attempt to climb and to pray up Devil’s Tower.

The logistics of carrying your intentions up Devil’s Tower

So, I am not going to lie, I have no idea exactly how we are going to be able to climb and to pray while tackling all 867 feet (265 m) from summit to base. I mean we don’t really want any excess weight during this nearly 7-hour climb. But what we would like to do is to write down all the intentions, prayers, and names on a sheet of paper and safeguard them in my pocket.

Before we climb, as a family we will read all the private intentions, prayers, and names of those affected by ALS. Then, safely tuck them into our pocket. Then if possible, at the very top, as we look upon the amazing views of Wyoming, we will repeat the process. However, if this isn’t possible when we finally return to the ground safely, we can then repeat the process in thanksgiving for a great experience that we shared with all of you.

How to Send us Your Intentions & Names

There are several ways you can send us your intentions or the names of those who you would like for us to carry up Devil’s Tower as we climb and pray:

1. You can leave a comment on this article below.
2. You can leave a comment for us on the Bucket List Project’s Facebook Page by Clicking Here.
3. If you would like to send it to us privately, You can fill out our Work With The Bucket List Project contact form.
4. You can always call, text, or message Darcee, Chris, or me (Eric) on our phones or social media channels.

We would like to have all the intentions & names of those affected by ALS collected and solidified by Wednesday, July 14, 2021, if possible. So please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Of course, it goes without saying that any private intentions will always remain private. We will also try to reach out to anyone who shares their info with us a day before the climb to remind you so that you can join us on the climb in spirit.

Thank you for your Support

Lastly, we just want to say how much we appreciate all who are supporting us on this Climb for ALS. Without your thoughts, prayers, and support, it would definitely be harder for us to climb. So for that, Thank You!

Of course, we would also love donations because, without your financial help, we may never find a cure for ALS. But know that you don’t have to donate any money in order to ask us to pray and climb Devil’s Tower for you or your intentions. But, if you would like to help in our raising of funds you can visit our GOFUND ME PAGE directly. There you can see exactly which 2 ALS foundations Sean Nolan asked us to send all funds and exactly how we will distribute your donation. 

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board!

The post To Climb and to Pray appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

I can still remember the excitement! It was Sunday night and my sister, parents, and I would set up the T.V. tables, turn on the Magical World of Disney, and sit down for dinner and a movie. Sometimes we would have leftover seafood from Friday night or other times my dad would make us “quesadilla sandwiches” and pop fresh popcorn. Occasionally, he would even grill up shish kabobs and make fresh hummus or baba ghanoush. But perhaps one of the best memories I had growing up of this Sunday night family tradition was when he made us Grandmom’s Pizza Pie!

Restoring a Family Tradition 

I was reading a story about Michael Strahan and he was describing his favorite memory. He said, “I have the best memories as a kid eating ice cream. It was a family tradition that I had with my father. It was nice.” 

This got me thinking about my own past while creating my Personal Growth Bucket List. Whether I wanted to make them for myself or give them to my future family, I wanted to create amazing memories.

See, growing up, we lived pretty far from family. Therefore, it was up to my parents by themselves to find ways to create memories for our family. It couldn’t have been easy doing it somewhat alone. That is why our Sunday dinner was often my favorite family tradition looking back. It was during those nights that we laughed, talked about what was coming up, and just relaxed together. It was a memory I will carry for all time.

Therefore, it became quite evident that in order to accomplish my goal, I needed to restore a family tradition. I needed to learn how to make Grandmom’s Pizza Pie!

Some of the best memories growing up often occur around Sunday Night Dinner. But nothing was more magical then when we made the family tradition of Grandmom's Pizza Pie! #PizzaPieRecipe #FamilyTradition #FamilyDinner
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How to Make Grandmom’s Pizza Pie

So let me start of with some disclaimers about myself! In no way am I, or do I consider myself a chef, a cook, a food blogger or anything of the sort. I do like to make good tasting food, but in all reality, I am a recipe follower who needs to go down the list and check all the boxes off as I complete them! I mean seriously, what do you think this whole Bucket List Project thing is but one giant check list!

The second disclaimer is that no one in my family is Italian, including my Grandmother, Armen Gamble. She was actually Armenian so if you want some Baklava or dolmades she had some amazing recipes. Plus, to be honest, I am not 100% sure this was an actual creation of hers or just something she found and shared with my dad and thus we called it Grandmom’s Pizza Pie.

Now, I am sure some of my best Italian friends will have better recipes for a deep dish pizza pie. They may even have ways to help or improve this one. However, this is the recipe that was passed down to me as part of my family tradition. It is the one I can vividly remember smelling in my house and to be honest, it makes my heart happy.

So without further ado let’s discuss how you too can make this recipe for your next family dinner! 

The Ingredients

Like I said, when making dinner, I am a check list, recipe follower. So if you are like me, then you will be quite happy with this recipe for pizza pie because it doesn’t need much, anything unusual, or anything expensive. Personally, it drives me nuts when I see a recipe online and it asks for some bizarre ingredient that you can only find at one store in a mountain in Tibet that is only sold at $523.00 per pound yet you only need a teaspoon! 

If this is truly my Grandmother’s recipe, then I am sure you can find most if not all of these ingredients at your local grocery store. We were able to obtain everything we need from our local Walmart. So if you like to shop online or like to pick up curbside, then click here to get your ingredients from Walmart Grocery online!

So here are ingredients you will need for this recipe:

• • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • ¼ lb grated Mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ tsp Minced Garlic
  • 1 tsp Parsley or Italian seasoning
  • 6oz can Tomato Paste
  • 8oz can Tomato Sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups Bisquick
  • 5-6 TBSP Milk
  • Salt and Pepper

Instructions on making the Pizza Pie

When it comes to making my Grandmom’s Pizza Pie recipe, most of the prep work before baking is pretty easy to follow. First, you are going to want to preheat the Oven to 400°.

Then in a large non-stick skillet, brown your beef. As it browns, add garlic, parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Now, while your meat is browning, make the pie crust by adding milk to Bisquick. You should stir it with a fork until dough forms into ball and it should not be too sticky.

Now after the dough has been made in the pan, roll it out on a floured dusted board or table. You are going to want to shape it to fit a 9” pie dish. 

Learn from our mistakes: So as you see in the picture above, I originally spread out my dough on a wax paper covered in flour. I thought this would be less messy but in reality, it was a disaster. The dough got stuck to the wax paper and essentially, I had to try it again on just the table. Growing up, my dad just used our kitchen table. He would dust 1/3rd of the table with flour and then roll out and knead the dough. So that is what I did the 2nd time and it came out perfect. 

Then when the dough is kneaded, add it to pie pan or baking dish. My family tradition was always to add the dough to a glass pie dish but I am not sure if that was a true tradition or just because that is what we had. As seen above, we used a very classic pie tin and it still worked perfectly.

After meat mixture is ready, place it in the crust covered pie pan. Then you will cover the top of the beef with grated Mozzarella cheese. Make sure you spread the cheese evenly over all meat.

Now here comes the tricky part, if you are messy like me. Next you are going to need to spoon tomato paste over meat. Of course tomato past is kind of thicker so go slowly and try to spread it everywhere. We used one of those plastic cake icing type spatulas and it worked great. 

Then after you have spread the tomato paste over the whole top, pour your tomato sauce over that. You are going to want to make sure that the tomato sauce completely covers the meat.

Then when you are done, take your pie over to the hot oven and bake at 400° for approximately 25 minutes. This of course is the time when you clean up the kitchen table that you now have turned into a science experiment gone wrong!

Fun Addition: Growing up, my dad often had or perhaps even made extra dough. He would then take that little bit of extra dough, flatten it out onto a flat pizza pan. Then he would cover it with any remaining sauce, cheese, and Italian spices and bake it up for about 5 – 10 minutes. He would then offer us little deformed pizza appetizers while the full deep dish still baked. So if you have extra, don’t waste it…have a snack!

Now with all things that come out of the oven, the insides of this pizza pie are really hot! I am sure it is not part of your family tradition to burn the insides of your mouth! So please let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. You will know when it is fully done when not only the pie crust becomes golden but pie inners are set.

While the pie cools, this is often a great time to get your sides ready like salad or peas or whatever your family enjoys. But we recommend to grab all family members together, set the table, pray, and get ready to create some wonderful memories with your new family tradition.

Now Get Baking Your Own Family Tradition

Ronald Reagan once said, “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” It is quite evident for me that some of my best memories were created at family dinner. Of course, there are other amazing ways to create memories and unique family traditions. So what is of your favorite family tradition? Is there something that you have carried down from generations? Or like someone shared in for Couple’s Bucket List item #261, have you created your own tradition together with your spouse or family members?

Either way, let us know in the comments below. Perhaps you will inspire someone to create a new tradition with their family!

Print Grandmom’s Pizza Pie Recipe

Yield: 4-8

Grandmom's Pizza Pie: A Family Tradition

Print

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef
• ¼ lb grated Mozzarella cheese
• ¼ tsp Minced Garlic
• 1 tsp Parsley or Italian seasoning
• 6oz can Tomato Paste
• 8oz can Tomato Sauce
• 1 1/2 cups Bisquick
• 5-6 TBSP Milk
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. Pre Heat Oven to 400°
2. Brown beef in large skillet, add garlic and parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. While meat is browning, make crust by adding milk to Bisquick, stir with fork until dough forms into ball – should not be too sticky.
4. Roll out on floured dusted board or table to fit a 9” pie pan. Then add dough to pie pan or baking dish.
5. After meat mixture is ready, place it in crust in pie pan & top with grated cheese spread evenly over meat.
6. Next spoon tomato paste over meat, and then pour tomato sauce over that. Tomato sauce should completely cover meat.
7. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees) for approx. 25 minutes when the pie crust becomes golden & pie sets.
8. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post, “Grandmom’s Pizza Pie: A Family Tradition” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Grandmom’s Pizza Pie: A Family Tradition appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

When I created my personal growth bucket list, I never had buying a house as part of my financial bucket list. Don’t get me wrong, I had always assumed that one day I would own a house. I guess it was just never a priority for me compared to other financial goals. This may be because I always considered myself somewhat nomadic. However, now that I am a married and a bit older, buying a house seems to be a new priority.

With mortgage rates being so low, many may feel this goal even more urgently than before. The question is, is buying a house worth it?

According to a recent survey from Forbes Advisor, the answer seems to be “yes!”

In the survey, Forbes asked about two dozen financial and real estate experts if the American dream of homeownership is still a good long term investment. The result? Nearly 57% said that buying a house is definitely a smart long term investment.

Should buying a house be on your financial bucket list? Well, let’s dive into reasons why it should be!

Buying a House is often Cheaper than Renting

Don’t get us wrong, saving enough money for a down payment can be difficult. Also, a lot of your monthly costs will depend on where you live. But by using the Renting vs Buying Calculator from MortgageCalculators.info you can easily see if this is a benefit for you. When doing your research also remember to think long term. In most places, landlords seem to increase rent about 7% a year. So though it may seem like you are saving money now, in the long run, this might not be the greatest deal.

For many people, buying a house is a big item on their financial bucket list. But is it still worth it? Let’s dive into reasons why it should be! #FinancialBucketlist #BuyingAHouse #AmericanDream
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It will help organize your other Financial Bucket List items

It seems weird to say this, but setting the goal to buy a house can help you with your other finances too.  Just like when you start a Travel Savings Account, buying a house takes organization, focus, and tasks to help you complete your goal. In fact, Realtor.com came up with a 12 point checklist to help get you organized. But what we found interesting was that before even talking to a realtor, you need to take stock of your own personal finances. Then they offer ways to improve your situation so that when you are financially ready, you can obtain that dream home.

Buying a House is Tax Deductible

To paraphrase Ben Franklin, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” 

Every April, most people scramble to figure out their taxes and in general how much they owe. It can often be quite a stressful time. But one of the financial benefits of buying a house is that several of the expenses are tax deductible! This can be seen, especially in the beginning, when you’re able to deduct things like your Mortgage Interest and possibly your property taxes. Therefore, with the added savings, you might receive a bigger tax refund to put towards other financial bucket list items.

Your Credit Score will Improve

Now, don’t get us wrong, initially when you buy a home, your credit score will drop. Of course this should make sense as you just took out a pretty big loan. But this is only temporary while you prove that you can pay it back. According to an article from the SFGATE, paying on time should increase your credit score. In fact, according to their research, making regular payments is “the single most important factor influencing your credit rating.” So, just be organized and diligent on paying on time to help that credit score grow.

It is a Good Investment for your Financial Bucket List

When we are little and play Monopoly, one of the first things we learn is that owning houses and hotels is the best way to increase the rent of a property. In fact, the more houses equals more rent paid, leading you to becoming the richest player and thus the winner.

Now, in real life, buying a house isn’t always about collecting rent and sticking it to your friends on game night. But there is no doubt that buying a house can be a great financial bucket list investment. This can easily be seen when you check out CoreLogic’s home price index to review the year-over-year changes of different home markets around the country.

So is it Time to go Shopping?

As you can see, buying a house can be quite beneficial to most people these days. This can be especially true after exploring all the costs involved when using an Advanced Mortgage Calculator. But everyone’s financial bucket list is different. So, is buying a house on your personal growth bucket list? Do you equate home ownership with financial success? Or is there more important goals that you have to accomplish first financially? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to Your Favorite Financial Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “Should buying a house be on your Financial Bucket List?” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Should buying a house be on your Financial Bucket List? appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

If you are reading this, congratulations, you survived 2020! But now we have all started a new year and that means setting new bucket list goals for 2021! 2020 was a hard year for us as it was for many of you! Between losing my mother, Lilian Madan Gamble, in March and then being hit with a global pandemic, not much happened with our Bucket List Project. But now we are gifted with a new year and that means hopefully new hopes and goals!

So what are our new bucket list goals for this year?

When reflecting on our 2020 bucket list goals and looking back at our 2020 Completed items, we realized that we kind of dropped the ball. We could make a lot excuses and most were legitimate. But to be honest, perhaps one of the biggest failures was that we just didn’t prioritize our bucket list goals.

To remedy that, I busted out my old Bucket List Project notebook, sat down with Darcee, and together we decided on some key points that we wanted to tackle this year. Now, when deciding on what to do we looked at all the different categories and essentially decided to try and tackle 3 items per list.

So, without further ado, I present our Bucket List Goals for 2021! We hope that this list will inspire other members of Gen X and Gen Y to reflect and hopefully prioritize their own goals for this year.

Congratulations, you survived 2020! But now we have all started a new year and that means setting new goals for 2021. Discover what the Bucket List Project hopes to tackle this year. #2021bucketlist #Bucketlistgoals
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January’s Goals

• 203) Read Classic Adventure Books:
  •  9) The Boy & Going Solo by Roald Dahl

Febuary’s Goals

• ???

March’s Goals

• 257) Return to Mineral Wells, TX & explore the town with ME (Recommended by Susan Mallory)
• 242) Learn to cook gumbo, jambalaya, boiled crawfish, & boudin together (Recommended by Andrew Dawson)

April’s Goals

• 200) Know my home State of Louisiana:
  • h) Brunch at Buck & Johnny’s (Café Des Amis) in Breaux Bridge
• 203) Read Classic Adventure Books:
  • 2) Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
• 118) Geocache in 5 Different Cities (do city 2 in Chicago, Illinois)

May’s Goals

• 200) Know my home State of Louisiana:
  • i) Friday “Business” Lunch at Galatoire’s
• 209) Build a “Little Library” version 2.0, stock it with great books, and put it in front of my house to Share

June’s Goals

• 285) Climb Devil’s Tower in Wyoming
• 256) Come to Casper, WY & explore our city with US (Recommended by Holly O’Neill)

July’s Goals

• #5) See my 6 Pack Abs

August’s Goals

• 61) Learn to Dance Salsa & Merengue

September’s Goals

• 203) Read Classic Adventure Books:
  • 4) Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

October’s Goals

• 130) Eat weird things:
  • 9) Escamoles in Mexico (Ant Larvae)
• 167) Celebrate Dia De Muertos in Mexico
• 179) Swim in the Cenote at Ik Kil, Yucatan, Mexico
• 180) See the Mayan Temples of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
• 219) See a Real Lucha Libre Wrestling Match in Mexico
• 298) Swim with Whale Sharks in the Mexican Caribbean like near Isla Mujeres

November’s Goals

• ???

December’s Goals

• 36) Learn to Speak Spanish Fluently

Whenever Possible this Year

• Try to Make Amends with 1 Person on my List
• 94) Go Moonlight Skinny Dipping
• 103) Fulfill 1 Bucket List Item for Anyone who helps me with 1 of mine!

What do you think

Les Brown once said, “Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.”  As you can see, our bucket list goals for 2021 are pretty aggressive. But nothing on the list seems impossible with a little planning and focus. But what do you think about our hopes and goals for 2021? Do you think it is doable? What is one favorite bucket list goal on this list that you would like to also do? Or is there something else that you think we should tackle? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite 2021 Bucket List Board!

The post Prioritizing Our Bucket List Goals To Get The Most Out Of 2021 appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Editor’s Note: The Bucket List Guide to Iceland’s Outdoor Adventures was originally published October 2016 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

As I shared in my previous article, The Bucket List Guide to Reykjavik, Iceland is a land of unbelievable adventure, great food, and amazing beauty!  There was an overwhelming sense of discovery everywhere I went. It was weird because every time I saw a waterfall, the coastline, or some other landmark, it was as if I had never seen anything like it before. That is why it was so easy to create our Bucket List Guide to Iceland’s Outdoor Adventures.

Originally I went to Iceland in April of 2015 to complete the following 3 Bucket list items:

95) See the Northern Lights (aka: Aurora Borealis)

134) Swim in the Thermal Blue Lagoon in Iceland 

Now, despite my valiant efforts, I failed seeing the Northern Lights.  However, what I did discover was a geothermal land of unbelievable adventure and incredible beauty! So, if you love outdoor adventures, this guide will offer you some new ideas to add to your Iceland bucket list.

Iceland’s Bucket List Outdoor Adventures

With the tourism slogan, “Pure. Natural. Unspoiled. Iceland. The Way Life Should Be!” you can assume that Iceland is going to be a clean, natural, unspoiled destination.  Though Reykjavik is phenomenal, make sure you get out and explore everything the country has to offer in the outdoors!

Iceland is a land of unbelievable adventure and amazing beauty! With an overwhelming sense of discovery everywhere, see what outdoor adventures need to be on your bucket list! #inspiredbyiceland #AmazingIceland #Iceland
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You’ll need a car to conquer Iceland’s Outdoor Adventures

There are no trains in Iceland and though there are cheap public buses in the city, there really isn’t a decent public transit system for travel around the country. That doesn’t mean you have to subject yourself to expensive restrictive tour buses. Iceland is an easy country to navigate.  It is an island with one major highway, Route 1, also known as the Ring Road. The Ring Road is about 831 miles long, extends around the entire coast of Iceland and offers the freedom and unrestricted views you will be craving!

So if you want to tick off the many items on our bucket list guide to iceland’s outdoor adventures, you will want to drive yourself. We found that DISCOVER CARS offer the cheapest car rentals in the country.

Here are a few driving tips you should know ahead of time:

1. Most of the rental cars are stick shift
2. Speed limits in Iceland are 50 km/h (30mph) within cities & 90 km/h (55mph) on all other paved roads
3. Off road driving is illegal in Iceland
4. There are Speed Trap Cameras everywhere & the fees can be very expensive

Visit the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is one of most popular must see places in Iceland and for good reason. It is a 200 mile road outside of Reykjavik and it includes 4 natural sights that should be on everyone’s outdoor Iceland bucket list:

 1) Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)

The national parliament of Iceland was established at Þingvellir (Thingvellir) in 930, and held sessions there until 1798. The area became a national park in 1930 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004. In addition to its historical importance, Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is also the location of the separating North American and Eurasian continental shelf plates, causing a visible rift in the valley.

2) Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfalls)

Gullfoss (the Golden Falls) is a 3 tier stair case waterfall that will take your breath away! The waterfall is formed as the Hvítá river rushes southward flowing over Gullfoss at an average rate of 109 cubic meters per second. While enjoying the beauty of these magnificent falls, make sure you read the monument devoted to Sigríður Tómasdóttir of Brattholt, who is considered the savior of Gullfoss.

3) Geysir -The land of Strokkur

The world renowned geothermal hot spring area around Geysir includes several mini geysers and 2 big ones, Great Geysir and Strokkur. Although the original Great Geysir is not currently active, its neighbor, Strokkur, erupts every 5 to 10 minutes.

4) Kerið Volcanic Crater

Kerið is a crater formed some 5,000 years ago, with a pretty deep lake in the bottom.  While I was there, in April, the lake was frozen. So visitors were allowed to climb to the bottom of the crater which was cleaner than when we were thrown into a Mud Volcano in Colombia.

If you are headed there during warmer months, it is said that the lake is a mesmerizing blue surrounded by gorgeous colorful vegetation! Please note that it does cost about 400ISK (About $3.50 USD) to enter the area, but it is worth it.

See the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

Perhaps one of the most popular items on the Bucket List Guide to Iceland’s Outdoor Adventures is seeing the Northern Lights.  But even though I totally struck out seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, that doesn’t mean you will! The best chance of seeing the Northern Lights is when the sky is clear. Often, when it’s cold and dark outside – the aurora activity is high. Take a drive away from the city lights of Reykjavik for an unobstructed view of the night sky. It is said that the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is from October to March, however there is no guarantee. Vedur is the national weather website that forecasts predicted visibility of the lights.

Visit with the Icelandic Horses

These small, pony-sized horses are a majestic breed.  According to Wikipedia, the breed is used for traditional sheepherding work, as well as for leisure, showing, and racing. They are everywhere, but I found many of them lined along fences on the Golden Circle.  Bred to carry adults smoothly and willingly over difficult terrain, Icelandic Horses bring their cheerful demeanor and sensible attitude to each ride.

Visit a “Foss” or Iclandic Waterfall

In Icelandic, the word “Foss” translates to “waterfall.”  Iceland is enveloped in waterfalls of all shapes and sizes.  Each one offers a unique beauty that is unrivaled anywhere else. Gullfoss in the Golden Circle is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland.  However, there other waterfalls that should be part of your Iceland Bucket List.

1. Gullfoss (The Golden Waterfall): See above
2. Skogarfoss: Located in the village of Skogar, Skogarfoss is a beautiful waterfall that you can walk up to. It is a popular destination and easy to find if you follow the tour busses.
3. Oxararfoss: Located in Þingvellir National Park, you can walk along the continental rift wall which flows into the river Öxará.
4. Ensku Husin Area Waterfalls: Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are two waterfalls in the Ensku Husin area. These were the 1st waterfalls I encountered along my drive into the northwest.
5. Detifoss: Is the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of water flow, and is said to be the most powerful as well. It falls 150 feet down.

Explore the Land of Fire and Ice

Iceland is home to beautiful glaciers and active volcanoes.  When out east, you can also visit Jökulsárlón ice lagoon. It is filled with large chunks of ice crashing about in the darkness of the Atlantic ocean. You may recognize it from the movies, including two James Bond films. From there, make time to visit Vatnajökull National Park.  It is the largest glacier cap in all of Iceland.  You can climb a path along Skeidararjokull glacier, while doing so, you will see the amazing blue glacier ice along the side.

Please note that glacier climbing is considered dangerous and should not be done without professional assistance.

Along the same trek, you will see Grímsvötn above you, a basaltic volcano which has the highest eruption frequency in all of Iceland. In May 2011 it erupted, causing major disturbances, not only in Iceland, but to air travel in the United Kingdom, Greenland, Germany, Ireland and Norway.  On beautiful days, you will even see lenticular clouds hovering over Grímsvötn.

Explore the Beaches in Iceland’s Suderland

Driving along the Ring Road (Rte 1) in the southland of Iceland is an adventure in itself and you’ll pass many of the popular tourist attractions. However, the road along the southern coast offers beautiful views of the coast line and will take you to the black beaches. To get there, head to Dyrhólaey or the city of Vik.  Nearby you will find two popular destinations:

1. Kirkjufjara Beach: Kirkjufjara beach offers gorgeous views, where the Atlantic ocean comes ashore, powerfully crashing waves onto the black sand beach. You can hike leisurely along the top of the cliff or make your way to the bottom and the beach. However, please note all signs. In 2015, authorities regulated the area due to loose rocks.
2. Reynisfjara Beach: Reynisfjara Beach is a natural black sand and pebble beach with large boulders. However, the highlight is the interesting basalt caves. The basalt columns resemble a rocky pyramid and form an extraordinary cave, Hálsanefshellir.

Go Swimming!!

Whenever I go to the beach I want to go swimming!  However, please note that swimming at any of the beaches listed here or anywhere connected to the Atlantic is not recommended or considered safe. Swimming in them is ill advised due to the temperature and severity of the ocean.

With that said, Iceland is full of geothermal pools that offer the chance to soak in warm waters all around the island. Water from these geothermal hot springs can range from 37–39 °C (98-102°F).  Here are several pools that you should definitely explore:

1) Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach:

Nautholsvik is a small beach in Reykjavik open for several months of the year. To find out more about when you can go, check it out in Part 1: Reykjavik

2) Seljavallalaug (the Secret & the oldest pool in Iceland)

Seljavallalaug, also known as the Seljvavellir pool was built in 1923 and is the oldest pool in Iceland.  However, it is not on any tourist guide list or main tour map.  To find this hidden pool, drive the Ring Road until you see a sign that says Seljavellir. Pull to the back right of the area until you find a newer pool where you can park. From there, walk about 30 minutes towards the bottom of the valley. There are worn paths that are easy to follow. You will have to jump over a little waterfall (be careful), but it’s an easy walk. After you cross the waterfall, follow the river, you’ll come to pipes pumping hot water – they will lead you to the pool – just around the corner.

3) The Famous Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is probably the #1 item on everyone’s Iceland Bucket List.  It is spa is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula – southwestern Iceland, near the airport. Although this is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, its definitely worth it. The drive is easy and there is ample parking. Another option is finding the ticket center in Reykjavik, there you can pre-purchase your tickets and get a bus pass to the Lagoon. The bus runs hourly. The Lagoon offers general entry, but you can also purchase various spa services. Entry includes a wristband, which acts as a key for your electronic changing room locker and allows you to keep an electronic tab if you partake in the outdoor bar or restaurant.  To learn more or purchase cheap tickets online visit The Blue Lagoon Online

Who would have thought that Swimming in Iceland would be a top Outdoor Adventure to add to your Bucket List! Discover the best places to swim in Iceland. #inspiredbyiceland #AmazingIceland #Iceland #BlueLagoon
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Find the crashed U.S. Navy Plane Crash

In 1973, the United States Navy was flying a DC 3 over Iceland when they ran out of gas and crashed on the beaches of Sólheimasandur. Everyone survived the crash, but apparently they just left the plane there and went home. The plane has been there ever since.  Unfortunately, it is stripped clean, but the shell of the plane remains at its final resting spot on the black sand beach.

There are no signs or much information readily available when trying to find the plane, you just have to do some research. When you park on Ring Road, please remember that off roading in Iceland is illegal. Park your car on the highway and hike 4km in to the plane.

To locate this hidden piece of history, use these GPS coordinates: 63.459523, -19.364618

The easiest thing to do is to plug these coordinates into the search bar of the Google Maps app. Once entered, you will see a marker on the Google Maps titled, Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck.  If you are in Iceland, hit the 3 lines at the top of the search bar to open the menu and select “start driving.” This will give you directions to the spot on the Ring Road where you park and start your journey.

Take a Formal Outdoor Adventure Tour

We get that not everyone wants to tick off the many amazing outdoor adventures from this Bucket List Guide alone. So, if you prefer a more formal tour check out one of these amazing options we found to help you tick it before you kick it!

Grab Your Gear & Go!

All in all, there is a reason that Iceland is at the top of everyone’s travel list recently. The unparalleled beauty, friendly people, unspoiled landscape and opportunity for adventure make it a fantastic travel destination. Whether you want to spend time in the city or take an outdoor adventure, Iceland is right for you. Give it a try – you many be surprised!

But what is the one outdoor adventure on this list that you are excited to experience? Or is there anything in this Bucket List Guide to Iceland’s Outdoor Adventures that we missed? Let us know in the comments below so we can have more outdoor adventures in Iceland when we return!

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