Most common bucket lists

In a fairly recent visit to the Grand Canyon (South Rim), I thought that the Park Service managed the crowds effectively. There were a few Disney-like elements, like multiple named parking lots and shuttle buses, but it was pleasant and quite well-managed.
Staying there at South Rim we noticed the crowds of visitors were usually there between 11am and 4 pm. Early morning and evening way fewer people. We had parking near our cabin and didn’t need the car except for one afternoon when we visited Desert View Tower. We went early to breakfast at El Tovar (6:30am) - great breakfast, and no wait. Caught the shuttle out hiking by 8am and once on the trails very few others around. We went early to dinner and got in. We skip lunch generally anyway.

So as any place we visit we try to do things when we know it’s much less likely to be crowded. And away from lookouts and farther down some trail people thinned out considerably.
 
Staying there at South Rim we noticed the crowds of visitors were usually there between 11am and 4 pm. Early morning and evening way fewer people. We had parking near our cabin and didn’t need the car except for one afternoon when we visited Desert View Tower. We went early to breakfast at El Tovar (6:30am) - great breakfast, and no wait. Caught the shuttle out hiking by 8am and once on the trails very few others around. We went early to dinner and got in. We skip lunch generally anyway.

So as any place we visit we try to do things when we know it’s much less likely to be crowded. And away from lookouts and farther down some trail people thinned out considerably.
Like you, we stayed late two evenings, one of them until dusk. It worked well.
 
DW and I have been to all 50 states, and 54 of the 64 National Parks.
 
I took my first trip to Europe at 48 and have been there 6 times. I didn’t save travel for retirement because some people don’t make it. I have also been to Thailand which was my least favorite trip.

I have taken 6 cruises, traveled the country by car or motorhome and have seen many national parks. There’s nothing left on the bucket list but decided I will go to Vietnam during the rainy season when the air is the best because of my asthma. My son lives there and I will only go once. I hate long flights as well as heat, humidity and Asian food. He really wants me to visit.

Now I mainly travel in the states to see my friends and family. My DIL’s parents are coming from Poland and want to go to Vegas so we are all going in June. Despite not living that far from there I haven’t been there in 20 years so I’m sure there’s lots of new stuff to do and see.
 
TeacherTerry - I'm not a fan of Thailand either. A long way from the top of my list, but I really enjoyed Vietnam. I am a fan of SE Asian cooking so I probably enjoyed Vietnam more than you will, but I think you'll enjoy seeing your son there!
 
TeacherTerry - I'm not a fan of Thailand either. A long way from the top of my list, but I really enjoyed Vietnam. I am a fan of SE Asian cooking so I probably enjoyed Vietnam more than you will, but I think you'll enjoy seeing your son there!
I’ll definitely love seeing my son. I’m a very picky eater and don’t like many foods. For instance I have one meal I’ll eat in a Mexican and Chinese restaurant and they need to speak good English because it involves leaving out many of the ingredients 🤣. I don’t do well in heat and humidity because of having sunstroke a few times so I overheat easily.

The temples in Thailand were beautiful but the air was brown in 1998 and the river in Bangkok that our hotel was on was horribly stinky and had raw sewage floating in it. Luckily I didn’t have asthma then. We went in November which is one of the coolest months for them.
 
DW and I have been to all 50 states, and 54 of the 64 National Parks.
Interesting statement and it got me thinking about how many states I've "been to". I spent maybe 10 minutes trying to remember them all. So, IIRC, I've only actually "been to or really visited" ~17 states (meaning spent at least a day/night there or at least visiting a specific destination). Add another ~15 states that I have only driven through, and maybe another ~12 that I've flown over. So the way I'd count them, I've really only been to ~17 states, but the most liberal count would be ~44.

Oh well that was fun. :)
 
Interesting statement and it got me thinking about how many states I've "been to". I spent maybe 10 minutes trying to remember them all. So, IIRC, I've only actually "been to or really visited" ~17 states (meaning spent at least a day/night there or at least visiting a specific destination). Add another ~15 states that I have only driven through, and maybe another ~12 that I've flown over. So the way I'd count them, I've really only been to ~17 states, but the most liberal count would be ~44.

Oh well that was fun. :)
If it helps, I have lived in the US for nearly 38 years, and have only visited 7 states. Reading posts from people talking about the large number of states and National Parks they have visited tires me out somewhat. It feels like "travel consumerism" but I'm sure I am judging them unfairly.
 
Out of 30-45 days in Thailand we typically spend three in Bangkok. Two days after arrival getting over jet lag and one afternoon/evening prior to a flight home, or to Vietnam. We absolutely avoid Phuket, Koh Samui, and Pattaya.

Don't confuse a visit in Bangkok with the rest of Thailand.

We head south straightaway to the beaches and to the smaller islands. Sometimes by air, sometimes by rail and then ferry or boat taxi , etc. Then we continue down into Malaysia...Langkawi, Penang,KL, etc by train or ferry depending on what coast we are on. Or north to Chiang Mai, Cambodia, or Vietnam.

Would you judge California coastal areas by what you might see and experience in east LA?:confused:
 
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I have lived in 14 different states. I have spent at least one night in 30 more. I have driven through 2. Only 4 to go.
 
About 15 years ago I realized that I had been to 49 states, missing only Montana.
So I got in the car and headed out to remedy that problem. Spent a couple of days in Glacier NP, and the rest of a week in other parts of the state. Thoroughly scratched that itch. :giggle:
 
Staying there at South Rim we noticed the crowds of visitors were usually there between 11am and 4 pm. Early morning and evening way fewer people. We had parking near our cabin and didn’t need the car except for one afternoon when we visited Desert View Tower. We went early to breakfast at El Tovar (6:30am) - great breakfast, and no wait. Caught the shuttle out hiking by 8am and once on the trails very few others around. We went early to dinner and got in. We skip lunch generally anyway.

So as any place we visit we try to do things when we know it’s much less likely to be crowded. And away from lookouts and farther down some trail people thinned out considerably.
We stayed at El Tovar after watching Great Lodges of the National Parks. We got the first shuttle to S Kaibab Trail had lunch at Phantom Ranch, and was back up Bright Angel and the rim before dinner. Had dinner at the lodge with a bottle of wine, but we pooped out before dessert. Slept very well that night.
 
Maybe you would have if you could have seen the fuel gauges. :) OTOH, I think the Jumbo Jet's today are much more fuel efficient than they were 20 to 25+ years ago when I was making these flights.
You can currently fly from London, UK to Perth, Australia non stop in a Boeing 787. The flight is 17 hours. Qantas will be doing London to Sydney next in about 20 hours non stop. The longest non stops use the 787 or A350 nowadays. 747's have almost been phased out for passenger routes which is a real shame.
 
You can currently fly from London, UK to Perth, Australia non stop in a Boeing 787. The flight is 17 hours. Qantas will be doing London to Sydney next in about 20 hours non stop. The longest non stops use the 787 or A350 nowadays. 747's have almost been phased out for passenger routes which is a real shame.
I just checked and you can fly direct from JFK to Auckland, NZ. Flight time is 17 hrs 50 min. It is a 787. The return trip takes only 16 hrs 10 min.
 
We did San Francisco-Singapore. 17.5 hours.

It would have been brutal but we had lie down seats in business. Slept for 9 hours!

Easy flight.
 
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