Sunday Stills: Checking things off my Bucket List

Terri’s challenge is to share images of places or things that are on our bucket list.

I created a bucket list many years ago. I’ve been checking things off and adding more items ever since.

Checking travel destinations off my bucket list.

Ireland and Scotland

Hawaii

Alaska

New York City

Checking wildlife sightings off my bucket list.

My bucket list is constantly changing. I keep checking things off and adding new ones. Terri’s challenge has inspired me to start checking off a few more items!

“Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!” – Auntie Mame

Shared with Terri’s Sunday Stills challenge Bucket List Items

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #321 – Intentional Camera Movement

Anne’s challenge was a tough one for me. She has asked us to create images using Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). This is a new technique for me so I had to do a lot of experimenting before coming up with these images.

Purple muhley grass

Cabbage Palms

Many thanks to our host Anne for the challenge Lens-Artists #321 – Intentional Camera Movement

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #320 – Looking Back

Sophia has challenged us to “Look back at things you love(d) in your life, things that have happened, places you visited that you’d like to experience again. Anything, really, as long as it’s part of your treasured memories.” I had fun going through boxes of old photos for this challenge. I found too many to include so I decided to focus on some “firsts” from my travels.

I inherited the travel bug from my father. He was a career U.S. Air Force officer whose job required moving quite often. Every summer we spent our summer vacations traveling to visit grandparents in two different states.

My first big trip that didn’t revolve around visiting grandparents was in the summer of 1959 when I was eight years old. As we traveled from the East Coast to California we passed through many different landscapes and explored several National Parks. Here I am with my Mom and my brothers at Yellowstone Lake.

My first big trip with my husband and children was when the kids were 13 and 9. We saw many fantastic places as we traveled to and from the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. A hike on the Bright Angel Trail was the highlight of our Grand Canyon adventure.

I was 16 years old the first time I flew in an airplane. We flew from New York to Rome on our way to My Dad’s next assignment at a small base near Brindisi, Italy. We traveled to many places around Europe during the two years Dad was stationed there. This image is of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Wandering Dawgs took our first RV trip in 2006 in our brand new fifth wheel. We found beauty every where we went as we traveled west to explore many of the western National Parks.

Our first trip to Alaska was by RV in 2013. We traveled from Georgia to Alaska and back, spending almost two months wandering in the Last Frontier.

Our first ocean cruise was in 2022 when we sailed to 9 different islands in the Caribbean. This image is of a beach in the U.S Virgin Islands.

Wandering Dawgs are not done wandering yet!

Many thanks to our host Sophia for the challenge Lens-Artists #320 – Looking Back

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #319 – Setting a Mood

Ann-Christine asks us for images that set a mood. I haven’t had much time to focus on the challenge this week so my post will be brief.

Two weeks ago we had no power or water after Hurricane Helene brought rain and extremely strong winds overnight. I am grateful that we are safe and only had minor damage to our home.

The three cabbage palms in these images have withstood multiple hurricanes and tropical storms for over 40 years. Both of these images were taken two or three days after Helene passed us by. To me, both of these images portray a calm and serene mood.

Serenity after the storm

I am grateful we are safe and our house is fine. My prayers go out to all of those who were affected by Helene and by Milton. So many had it much worse that we did. I am grateful to all of the volunteers who are helping those in need and to all of the electric company linemen who are working tirelessly to restore power.

Many thanks to our host Ann-Christine for the challenge Lens-Artists #319 – Setting a Mood

Shared with Terri’s Sunday Stills challenge Leaves and Trees