A couple days ago I was perusing my Facebook feed and happened upon a picture of a friend of a friend summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. It looked crazy amazing and more than a little bad-ass and reminded me that Mt. Kilimanjaro has been on my Bucket List for quite some time. I know for sure it’s not happening this year, and a girl can only dream for Kili 2013, which got me to thinking (okay, maybe worrying…): what if I get too old to actually make the climb?
Are there some Bucket List items that have an expiration date?
I never thought the Bucket List would have me counting backwards to ensure I have enough “Good Years” left. But rather than limiting, I realized it might not be a bad idea to at least do some prioritizing.
Because I’m not good with round numbers or limits (“Stick to ten? You just bought yourself an extra one out of spite, my good man”), below are my Eleven Things to Do While I’m Still Young and Minus a Rascal Scooter:
1. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
When I mentioned this thought to a friend, he promptly proclaimed: “Old people climb mountains, too, you know. ” Hmm. I will admit this is true. Similarly, I can personally affirm I was shamefully passed by at least a handful of wiry 70-somethings on the last half-marathon I ran. I can also affirm that THIS old person (**two thumbs aimed back at my chest**) will decidedly NOT be running marathons or climbing the tallest peak in the African continent. 70yr old Travel Me- let’s be real, even 60yr old Me- will likely prefer sitting on the deck of a cruise ship with a glass of champagne.
So despite Kilimanjaro being more like a long, high-altitude hike than a technical mountaineering feat, it makes the list.
2. Go to a roller-skating rink
Preferably on a disco theme night. Do those really exist, or am I a victim of every coming-of-age movie set in the 1970s? I really want to hit the roller rink on Date Night, don knee socks, and have Mr. M buy me a soda and hold my hand while we skate. Without having to worry about breaking a hip. Also, at a certain age… which I believe I’m rapidly approaching… a woman should probably abandon knee socks for the good of all involved.
3. Complete a Triathlon
I’m pretty amazed that I’ve finished two half-marathons. I am not amazed that I felt like dying at the end of each. There is no way on God’s Green Earth I would be able to survive a run of double that length, and this is totally fine with me. But a triathlon is a lot shorter (a 0.9mile swim, a 25 mile bike ride, and a 10k run). And I do love cycling. With a little more training, a little less eating, and some floaties (I’m not much of a swimmer), I think I might be able to at least finish the thing.
Boom. Triathlon’s on the list.
4. Try rock climbing
Rock climbing makes the short list every year when I decide what I’d like to do for my birthday, and yet, it never actually happens. Maybe it’s that awkward harness that highlights the groin area in an oh-so-unflattering way? I can only imagine that harness is going to look worse with age…
5. Go snowshoeing Did it, yo! (Northern Norway, February 2016)
I have high hopes to cross this one off this coming winter in the snowy Catskills. I must admit, though, that I’m equally- if not more- enamored of the après-snowshoe portion of this winter fantasy. In thirty years, I could easily picture myself skipping out on the snowshoe part and moving directly to hot apple cider in front of a blazing fireplace. Best get this one done now.
6. Visit Nepal and climb to Everest Base Camp
Like Kilimanjaro, this one is wholly self-explanatory. I can assure you Sixty-Year Old Me will not want to climb to 18,000 feet, harness my belongings to a yak, or use a pit toilet.
7. Learn to pop and lock
Well, this one is clearly past due. The earlier you learn to bust a move, the more time you have to show off your skills (excuse me, skillz) on the dance floor and surprise/impress your friends and enemies alike. Seeing as how it’s wedding season, and I’ll be spending many a Saturday night on the dance floor, it is high time I learned to get my robot on like it’s 1984.
8. Camp in the desert Did it, yo! (Saharan desert, Morocco, Dec 2013)
I’d like to watch the sun set down over silhouetted cacti, make smores over a campfire, snuggle into a sleeping bag, and wake up to the crisp chill of sunrise in the desert. It seems like the setting for Deep & Serious thoughts, and for feeling wonderfully small in a very big world. The sooner, the better, no?
9. Learn to play the accordion Did it, yo! (Sort of. Some of my jams still sound like a cat in heat… working on that… December 2015)
Like learning to dance and having revelations in the desert, the sooner I learn to make music, the better! Thanks to my love of French soundtracks, I’ve wanted to play the accordion for just about as long as I can remember. My jaw hit the ground a few years ago when I learned that my mother-in-law, Mama B, not only used to play the accordion, but still has hers out in the garage!! OMG. It’s time.
10. Go sand boarding Did it, yo! (Saharan desert, Morocco; Dec 2013)
Apparently there are sand dunes so tall that you can board down them, much in the same way you might snowboard. This sounds simultaneously terrifying and awesome, which means it must be done. Because you generally need to walk up these dunes after you slip-n-side down, I should probably get myself to Namibia (… or Brazil… or…) sometime soon.
11. Volunteer abroad
For all the travel I’m lucky enough to do and for the life I’m lucky enough to lead, I really want to be part of a larger operation to give back. I don’t exactly know how this shapes up, but that’s precisely why figuring this out makes the Do It Now list.
So… am I little crazy for making a Bucket List out of my Bucket List? What things do you need to do before you get old?
I just have one that I can think of right now, and that's to travel out of the country. I've never left the US, other than Niagara Falls, and I'd love to see the world!
Love it!! Seeing the world is a pretty fantastic Thing To Do Before You're Old. :) As a side note: Niagara is on my bucket list... I've never been and would love to see the falls!
do it!!!! you will never regret it!
Visit the Greek islands. Run a marathon (currently signed up to run one in early 2013). Not as daring as you to try a triathlon, although I love your "finish" picture ... that would be me too!
Ooh, the Greek Islands... I might have to expand my list to 12 Things. I'm so impressed by your upcoming marathon- so much harder than a triathlon, I'm sure of that. Keep me posted on how it goes, and send in a picture of the finish! Especially if it's anything like the picture above. :)
This list is actually awesome. Pop and lock is a major problem for me as well haha
Thank you! Also... glad to know I'm not the only gal whose pop & lock is a bit... locked. The enthusiasm is there- the moves, sadly lacking. For now. ;)
Like you, I think the Bucket List items I will accomplish before I'm old mostly "active" activities : Hike the Limosho route up Kilimanjaro, Climb Aconcagua and Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, Mardi Gras in NOLa, Full Moon Party in Thailand, Octoberfest in Munich, Carnival in Brazil, and take my mother on an international trip just to name a few :)
Such a great list- those are amazing, and I especially love the idea of taking your mom on an international trip! Although your list did leave me wondering if it's sad that I'm already too old for full moon parties & mardi gras escapades... :)
"Old" is a mindstate =D
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I'm a BIG fan of Bucket Lists! I used to do this way before the "bucket list" movie came out. Each list seemed to be linked to a milestone age; i.e. 30 before 30...etc. ;) I still have a TON to do...! :) Three kids seems to be taking up "a little" of my time. ;)
Ha! If I had 3 kids, I can only imagine that my bucket list would consist of things like "get sleep" and "wash dishes from two months ago," so you're waaay ahead of the game, Pam! ;) I'm so curious- is there a favorite item on any of your bucket lists? One that you feel like you absolutely HAVE to do?
I'm not a fan of bucket lists, I have to admit. I'ld rather kick the bucket around everyday. But if there's one thing on there, it would be finding myself and some peace and quiet!
You're definitely not alone! I've read many a post from folks who really dislike the bucket list concept and the idea of merely crossing experiences off lists. (Although... I'm the annoying person who puts 'crossing things off to do lists' as one of my favorite things... so I might be a bit biased!) Thanks for stopping by!
I know this post is older, but it immediately grabbed my interest when I came to your site via the SITS commenting challenge. I love your free spirit and your roller disco description made me LOL with fond memories. I grew up going to the roller disco. My kids occasionally go skating, but it's not the same and this ol body can't get around the way it used to "back in the day." I would likely break a hip!
Thank you so much for such kind words, Marie! And glad to hear I'm not alone in my (slightly random) love of the roller disco! That picture says it all, doesn't it? Amaze-balls. I'm so happy you got to live the experience, even if it was "back in the day." :) Thanks again for stopping by!
Old and boring? I teach a chorale of singers between 75 and 98 years old…they are certainly not boring! Connecting with you via SITS Comment Love. Good idea to have lots of adventures…you'll never be boring!
So very true, Mimi! As one of my other commenters reminded me- "old" is a mindset! And no matter what their age, it certainly seems like your chorale group is young at heart! Here's hoping I'm as interesting as they are in a few decades! :) Thank you for stopping by!
I finally made a bucket list recently too. Now to get started! I've really been trying to focus and think about one day at a time and trying to live life to the fullest NOW because we never know when we will run out of time...
Nikki, that is so true. I was never much into bucket lists until my dad passed away rather suddenly at age 47. Now I'm super-conscious about trying to make each day exactly what I want it to be. I'm so happy to hear you're living your life to the fullest, too! If it's not too personal- what's the #1 thing on your bucket list?
I love this. SO awesome that you have already been able to check some off, and some incredible experiences, I can only imagine. I have been meaning to write a bucket list for quite some time. I need to get on that!! This just inspired me!! :) Thanks for sharing!
Your comment made my day- thank you so much for the support! I'm honored to help get the bucket list ball rolling. :) You know- revisiting the list, I'm realizing there are a few that I just need to buckle down & get done! Kick-ass dance moves aren't gonna happen on their own! ;)
Hi Miranda, I'm just seeing this post and I absolutely love it! I'm trying to do every single thing on my bucket list before I get old. haha... Snowshoeing, touring Europe and thanks to you... sandboarding just got added! Thanks for the inspiration.:)
Aww, thank you, Donna! :) I totally agree- the sooner we have these experiences, the better. I'm so glad sandboarding made your list! Despite some pretty ugly wipeouts, it was sooo much fun. (Although knowing your dancer background, you'll make it look graceful, I'm sure!) Here's hoping old age finds us with well-crossed-out bucket lists!