The proverbial bucket list. It’s that summary of accomplishments that people often put together as life goals, beyond the day-to-day grind. Such a list might include world destinations, life benchmarks, or personal goals. A bucket list can have lots of goals on it. They can range from the academic (learn a new language) to philanthropic (obtain school supplies for 1000 needy kids) to experiential (go skydiving).
There are actually mental health benefits to creating a bucket list, providing motivation and inspiration. It is not surprising that people who identify with a faith or as spiritual, were 95% more likely to have a bucket list (https://www.arraybc.com/benefits). Some element of faith has to go hand-in-hand with any bucket list. This is because accomplishing something on such a list involves a faith-filled step out of a comfort zone.
Retirement is a great time to work on bucket list goals (and makes for a wonderfully creative retired life too). First, a retiree often has more time to focus on a bucket list. And second, retirees often have gained more appreciation of time now. That life benchmark of retirement is a great motivator to work on goals, after looking back and seeing how quickly life has already passed.
Since I worked in the travel industry for years, my bucket list is heavy on travel-related ambitions. Comedian Bob Hope said it well, “I love flying. I’ve been to almost as many places as my luggage.” Like “Old Ski-Nose” Hope, I have been fortunate to travel the world, often with my luggage. I love travel, and retired me now plans and saves with specific bucket list travels in mind.
Like lots of people, I have viewing the Northern Lights high on my list. The otherworldly Aurora Borealis (“light of dawn”) can be seen well in specific places around the world. Some good viewing spots are Fairbanks, Alaska; Tromso, Norway; Orkney, Scotland; Jukkawjarvi, Sweden; Churchill, Canada; Yellowknife, Canada; Reykjavik, Iceland; Mackinaw City, Michigan; and Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota.
Economics and ease of getting there are my primary motivators for picking a spot for my Northern Light viewing. I quickly ruled out Churchill, Manitoba. As fascinating a place as it sounds, its remote location makes getting there complicated. Plus it is not beyond the realm of possibility that I could be eaten by a polar bear while visiting this “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. So Churchill was off my bucket list quickly.
Reykjavik, Iceland sounded interesting, as I have never ventured to the island of Iceland (or nearby Norway, Sweden or Denmark either). Reykjavik, Iceland is supposed to be more temperate than people expect, around 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius) in the summer and 32 degrees (zero Celsius) in winter. Locals do grudgingly admit that wind and rain can somewhat impact their weather. Sorry, I do not care how they spin it, but most photos of Reykjavik look beyond cold. And that is before I would trek to whatever remote locale necessary for good sky viewing.
Distance is also a factor (lots of flying to get to Reykjavik). Then I stumbled across a foodie program showcasing Iceland’s favorite national dish of fermented shark called hakarl. Eating Icelandic hakarl was described like consuming a jellied cube of ammonia. It smells so bad it has to be kept in sealed jars. Call me a wimp, but I crossed Reykjavik off my bucket list.
Fairbanks, Alaska seems like a good spot for Northern Light viewing. Who would not like a place that has panning for gold, dog sledding AND a Santa Claus House at North Pole AK?
Mackinaw City in Michigan sounds charming, and has the Headlands International Dark Sky Park for best viewing. (Who knew there are actually over 60 dark sky parks in the US?) Voyageurs National Park in International Falls, Minnesota is a more complicated destination- you must BYOB (“Bring Your Own Boat”).
Anyway, my research continues. I am sure I will find a wonderful spot for viewing gorgeous Northern Lights. Just make sure to keep your own bucket list going, whatever your aspirations are. It is good for the soul.
