Ranking my vacations so far
For fun recently, and also for lack of anything I can say publicly about OCS, I decided to rank the vacations I have been on thus far. I counted 24 vacations that I considered memorable to list. I have been to other places, such as 47 states in the US, but my parents had the tendency to rush through places so many of the places I have been to I really didn't see.
In some cases I created multiple vacations from a single one - for instance while I was studying abroad in Germany I went on several trips. On other occasions, I combined parts of other trips to create the vacation I would take if I were to do it again. I will cover them in groups of six, in order to build up the anticipation. :)
#24 - Gettysburg and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
Both of these places I visited while I was in the Boy Scouts, but they were accomplished in separate trips. I included them together because they are both in Pennsylvania. I had a lot of fun river rafting there and we would go every other year. We would go when it was still cold and I do have one memory of being thrown from the boat, climbing back in, and then freezing because I was so cold (it was snowing at the time).
Gettysburg was interesting for the history and for possibly the most number of monuments per square mile in the world. I also have fond memories of getting lost on the trails there and arguing on which way was correct.
#23 Allegany State Park
This park was a staple of my childhood and every summer my parents and I would go there to spend time with my aunt and cousin. He now works in the park and has an excellent blog about the wildlife there. It is very easy to get close to wildlife there and I have fond memories of feeding chipmunks Chips Ahoy cookies, waiting at night for the raccoons to come out and then feed them, and watching a family of beavers that had a nest nearby. Also one time when walking in the forest I came across a deer. It was obviously frightened but did not move. I got so close to it I could have petted it if I reached my hand out.
#22 Montauk and the Hamptons
When I was growing up my grandparents owned a summer home in Montauk that the entire family would head to. The house was very small, but that didn't prevent us from cramming over 30 people into it. For the ten of us cousins, they built a bunk house with two double bunks and two triple bunks. Many of my fondest memories come from going out with my cousins around Montauk and East Hampton. Since my grandparents passed away the house was sold and I have not been back there.
#21 Cedar Point and King's Island
If you want roller coasters, there's no better place to be in the world than Cedar Point. King's Island, on the opposite side of Ohio, is probably next in line. I have been to King's Island once and Cedar Point twice and I can't wait until my kids are old enough to take them. It's a shame there are no good amusement parks in the Pacific Northwest.
#20 Disney World and Universal Studios
This was actually accomplished in two trips - the first to Disney World and the second to Universal Studios. When I was young, I constantly tried to persuade my parents to take me there. They finally did, but a bit later than I wanted as I was 21 (and at the time NOT in the mood to go to Disney World). Still, both parks are interesting and fun and the effects there are probably the best in the world. I plan to take my kids there perhaps next year.
#19 San Diego
The animal park and zoo there are amazing and contained animal wise only Singapore can compete in my mind. For anyone that likes animals and zoos I think San Diego is a must go trip. I only wish that we didn't have a wedding to go to so I could have seen Sea World. :)