I don’t know about anybody else but I do know some have a bucket list. I also have a sort-of bucket list. There’s not much on it anyways not right now.

When I was little a long time ago Mom would try to make a trip back to her home in Fayetteville, Arkansas once every year. My brother and I would always travel with her. One time I remember riding the train home from Arkansas. I don’t remember how we got there. I only remember the train trip home.

The train stopped in Gallup, New Mexico. It was long enough that we got off the train and went into a drug store to buy some box lunches. Stuff to eat cost too much on the train. It still does as far as I know. That was my first encounter with Indians.

I know it’s not proper to call them that. These days one refers to them as Native Americans. But that was how we called them then.

There was a pickup truck with a cage in the back with three or four Indians in the cage. I think they were being hauled back to the reservation after a night on the town. I’m not sure of course. I was about four or five at the time. But it seems reasonable now. There were a few other Indians passed out on the sidewalk. Drunk, or so it seemed at the time.

First thing on my ‘Bucket List’

Anyway, I want to take another train trip before the bucket catches me.

Once I met a fellow who got on the train in Racine, Wisconsin. His trip took him through New Orleans, west to California, up the coast to Seattle and back to Racine. He had a ticket to get off at various stops and stay for a while. Then board again and travel on to his next destination. He could repeat the scenario several times. It would be a kick in the pants to do something like that.

Second item

Another trip I’d like to make is to Italy. I am enamored with the country, the pictures I’ve seen of the scenery, and the food. The people intrigue me as well.

Not on one of those tours where you have to stay at a designated hotel and travel with a bunch of people. I want to go, more or less, on a walk-about. Wherever the road leads me, on my own, and sample all the country has to offer. I would meet the people and sample the wine and did I mention food.

I want to visit some of the larger cities. I’m not too crazy about Rome, though. Maybe Venice and Milan and Bologna and a few more before saying “addio”. To me, that would be a blast.

Then back to the States and home. I will have completed my bucket list. Of course I will be very happy and can sing and dance and drink wine and spend the rest of my days writing about my travels.

Do you have a bucket list? Share with us in the comments if you dare.

Photos courtesy of Lucas Oliveira and Leyla Ning respectively on Unsplas