2018 Travel Destinations
Last year was spectacular. I moved to a new state, worked for (and played in) the biggest theme park company in the world, finished another semester of college, and traveled quite a bit with my best friends. There was so much I learned about both the world around me and myself. Learning to be true to my own desires and needs above what others were asking of me was one of the hardest, but most needed growing experiences for me. I want to make everyone happy, so sometimes what I need gets lost in the chaos.
This year I really want to focus on doing things for me. By creating a travel bucket-list of places I want to visit and experiences I want to have this year, I am hoping to hold myself accountable to my own desires. Hopefully at this time next year I will be able to cross all of these off my list!
COLORADO
My grandparents have a house out in Salida, CO. It’s about a two-hour drive from Colorado Springs, and about three hours from Denver. I’ve always wanted to go spend a couple weeks (or more) out there, so this summer I am planning to get a part time job out there and spend the whole summer working and exploring. Usually we visit in the winter to take advantage of the snow and ski resorts, so I am excited to get out there when the ground is dry and the sun in shining.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Another place I have always wanted to visit. My dad told me when he went as a teen he looked over the edge said “it’s a hole in the ground,” and went back to the car. Hopefully I wont have the same reaction. I would love to hike some of the trails and really take advantage of my visit.
Horseshoe Bend
This kind of goes along with the Grand Canyon, from pictures I’ve seen this place looks beautiful. I would love to at least stop by on my way to the South Rim and grab a photo-op.
Havasu Falls
I want to try and get a permit for about 4-5 people to hike in to this stunning falls with me. I would love to have a permit to camp for three nights so we can truly experience the grandeur of the falls and the land around it. It’s hard to get a permit, so we will see how this goes!
MISSISSIPPI
Red Bluff. It’s a canyon with red bluffs. It’s near where I go to school at The University of Southern Mississippi, and I have yet to go hiking there. Before I graduate I will mark this piece of land off my list.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
I think this one is kind of obvious why I want to visit. I would like to do a couple of days here, camping and hiking around the park.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
I love New Orleans. I have been many times, and I only live 2 hours away from this city. The reason it is on this list is because I have never experienced Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This year I will hopefully be right in the midst of the party.
There are also so many adventures on my bucket-list that I get overwhelmed when I look at it! So I narrowed it down to the top five I want to get done this year, and with any luck I will have quite a few more to mark off as well!
SKY DIVE
Skydiving terrifies me as much as it excites me. I would love to do this in the west somewhere over the mountains.
HIKE THE GRAND CANYON
Yes, this is already on the list up above as a destination, but the real adventure comes from getting your feet dirty and doing that hike.
STAND AT THE FOUR CORNERS
Slightly silly? Yes. But still something I would find interesting. Putting each limb in a different state makes for a very flattering photo I’m sure.
SLEEP UNDER THE STARS
I want to go camping in some field where the light pollution is hopefully non-existent and stare at the stars until I fall asleep.
HIKE IN AND CAMP
There is something about hauling everything you need to survive into the woods on your back that just sounds so appealing to me. As a kid my family would go camping on the lake, and even though we had civilization a 20-minute drive away and were on a campground, there was something about sleeping in a bag and listening to the nighttime sounds echo around you that was extremely satisfying. I just got my first overnight backpack and cannot wait to try it out.
All in all I think 2018 has potential. It’s a brand new start to better myself, learn and create a thriving environment to immerse myself in. If you have been to any of these destinations or are planning any 2018 travel yourself, let me know in the comments! Remember to tag @thefloatingcottage on Instagram!
