the 5th Annual Bucket List Dedication Post

Hello January 2018 an image from the (Stay Adventurous 2018 Travel Calendar)

Anita Mac

Craig Zabransky of Stay Adventurous

Dropping in on 2018 and continuing my annual bucket list dedication

For my 2017 bucket list post, I wanted to explore more of the Americas and visit new destinations in my own back yard. And I am happy to report I did. The year included a new country Honduras, multiple new destinations in Mexico including a visit to the “adventure capital” of Chiapas –Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and I even took a new route on my north-south New York to Florida road trip drive stopping in Asheville, NC and Gatlinburg, TN. A successful year that also reminded me how many more adventures still await in the Americas.

So for 2018, I decided to continue my mission and discover more of the “New World” for a second straight year. I’d like to visit a new state in the US and continue my quest to visit all 50 (I still have 6 to go – Hawaii, North Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa) and also visit a new state in Mexico – as I am dreaming of a visit to Zacatecas or even Campeche. Ultimately, I want to get myself back to South America with a visit to Peru or Ecuador.  I know when traveling to these new places and continuing to learn about my own continent will make Anita smile. 

the city of Zacatecas

Erin of The World Wanderer

Last year, my goal was to finish up my states and see more of my country. Well, in March, I was able to reach that goal, at least partially. On one epic, month-long road trip, I was able to finish seeing the contiguous United States. The plan was to visit Alaska later on in the year, ideally on a road trip, however, when I returned home from the trip, I realized that I brought home an unexpected souvenir – I was pregnant! Which meant, my plans for adventure were replaced with plans for a baby. Alaska was going to need to wait.

Sure, I’d love to get to Alaska in 2018, but I think that this year, the focus will be on my little souvenir, Emerson, who was born on November 28^th. Before he was born, we would call him the Little Wanderer, and this year, I’d like to start his wandering. While I am sure traveling with a baby isn’t going to be easy, I am excited for the challenge. This year, I think we’ll start off with places that are important to our family heritage. We’ll take a road trip to visit family in Iowa and Colorado, and eventually make our way to Ireland. Even though he’s too small to remember, I’d like to start off in the places we have roots. Plus, visiting and traveling with family will make things a bit easier for me and John. I’d like to think this would all make Anita smile, and I am sad that she will never get to meet my little Emerson. Though I am sure she’ll be watching over us and all of our adventures, and I’ll be sure to let my sweet boy know all about her and hers

Central Coast Cycle Club (New South Wales, Australia)

2017 was a busy travel year for the friends of Anita in the old Central Coast Cycle Club (New South Wales, Australia).

Anita back in Australia Visiting, October 2009, Linda, Anita, Lori, Peter and Wendy

Lori and Greg spent around 3 weeks biking across Spain on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) Pilgrim Trail. We had many a laugh thinking of Anita doing her roadbike racing, as we lumbered along on clunky hybrid bikes and pushed them many times up muddy, steep dirt tracks next to the Pilgrim walkers. Meanwhile, fitter bikers would race past on nearby roads much more Anita’s style! The entire trip included many mountains, including the Pyrenees, Basque areas of the Cantabrian Mountains, Montes de Leon and the O Cebreiro Mountains in Galicia, being a journey over 660 kilometers. There must be as many trails (and hills) to the church of Santiago (Saint James) as pilgrims, who travel from all over the world here. We passed Roman Ruins, Castle Walls, Old Forts, sunflowers, vineyards, corn and pumpkin fields, and rode over Cobblestone Streets through villages dating back to the Bronze Ages, on this historical track.

Lori and Greg in Leon, Spain on the Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Trail

Tamara also kept herself busy in 2017, hiking as well as cycling weekends away. She did many explorations around Australia, as well as several overseas. One trip took her and Linda to Tasmania’s pristine and stunning 3 Capes Walk near Port Arthur, and another to the Australian Alps –trekking near our tallest mountain, Mount Kosciusko. Tamara and Linda also went to a remote area of Indonesia, the Raja Ampat “Four Kings” Islands (West Papua Province), where the kayaking and snorkeling was superb.

Tamara and Lori Hiking in the Australian bush

Tamara and Steve Cycling an Indonesian Rice Paddy

In 2018, we are all looking forward with an island focus. Tamara, Greg and I have decided that a trip to the Cook Islands in the South Pacific is a good destination for our 2018 Travel Bucket List. Meanwhile, Linda is going to trek Honshu Island of Japan, on the ancient Nakasendo Trail that stretches from Tokyo to Kyoto, as well as cycling and hiking in Sri Lanka. Wish us luck, as we keep Anita’s travel dreams alive!

Lori, Tamara, Linda, Stuart, Greg, Steve, Peter, Wendy, Susie and Howard

Anita we miss you

We encourage you to join us in this quest and take on at least one Bucket List item in 2018, but more importantly, we also hope you take the opportunity to (re)connect with friends and loved ones throughout the year.

The purpose for all of us collaborating and writing this post is not only to inspire others to travel the world and explore, but as a way for us to remind all of you who are reading this post (and us writing it) to look around, see who you can reach out to and possibly help them reach their goals, feel supported and most importantly loved. Our friend and fellow traveler, Anita took her life because she didn’t see any other options, we don’t want anyone else to feel that way.

Stay adventurous and tell us your bucket list trip you plan to make happen in 2018, Craig