Life List: Hot Air Balloon Ride

This item on the life list is most likely the thing that started it all.  A little more than 18 years ago I had the notion that I would like to celebrate my 40th birthday by riding in a hot air balloon with my family.  There was only one problem; no one in my family was willing to join me.  So for the past 18 years it has been both a point of sadness and a dream.  Well, it seems that my children did not forget.  My son and his girlfriend purchased a groupon thing for a hot air balloon ride in Santa Rosa for my birthday.  A couple things happened and the universe moved things in alignment so I would just happen to be in the Santa Rosa area this past weekend.  That is a separate post to come!

 

The balloon ride was absolutely everything that I thought it would be - quiet, peaceful, that sensation of floating in air.  But this little venture had an added bonus.  The company included every aspect of ballooning in the package.  We were there, and could be a part of it all from beginning to end.  We watched them inflate the balloon and heat the air, tip the basket up and launch it.  We also saw how the balloon was deflated and packed away for the next day.  I don't know if everyone would want that included in their hot air balloon ride, but for me, who had waited so long for this to happen, it was an added bonus.  

Life List: Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

On the way...the beauty of fog on the hills along 280

In honor of my approaching birthday I treated myself to one of the items on my life list.  And it was so worth it.  Those who don't live here will not see the beauty in the fog on the bridge but the locals know there is a sense of mystery to it.  And when it does lift, you are given an amazing gift.  Gifts are valued for their rarity so it is OK to be in the fog in the everyday.

Ready to walk

Heading through the first tower

Happy me!

Coming through the north tower

Love the daddy/daughter icon

Heading back

View of the Marin headlands

Starting to clear...

Life List - Run a 5K

A few months ago I set a goal to run a 5K so it naturally landed on my Life List.  I don't really know what I had in mind when I set that goal; whether it was really running for the full 3.1 miles or just running more than walking.  I read somewhere that running is defined as having both feet off the ground simultaneously.   Most people consider a 12 minute mile as a run and anything below that as walking.  Whatever the definition, I am considering my "run" yesterday as meeting my goal.  I completed the See Jane Run 5K in Alameda in 35:43, my best time ever and even under by best training run of 36 minutes. 

I have to say, it feels a little strange to have met the goal so quickly.  But the reality is that I am moving on.  My next race begins the 10K segment of my summer and I will end with a half marathon in October.  So for the moment, I will just take a breath and enjoy the moment.  Woo hoo.  I did it.  I thank my chiropractor and my friends and family who have supported me, but especially, my daughter,  Maria!

My Life List

A life list is a little like a bucket list only bigger.  It can include anything that fits you and your dreams. Here is my list as it stands today.  However, this is a work in progress, as is everything else in my life.

Places I  Want to Go
Mayan ruins (February 2006)
Italy (June 2007)
Alaska (July 2010)
Eiffel Tower - half done; I still want to go up the elevator (2010 thanks to Bill Carter!)
San Juan Islands August 2016
Stonehenge June 2014
Ireland June 2014
Greece
Pyramids in Egypt
The fall leaves in the northeast with my sister
Machu Picchu
Cuba
Natchez Trail April 2014
Australia
Catalina - don't know why I haven't been there yet (July 2015)
Mesa Verde - again!

Things I  Want to Do With My Life
Be a mom (1977, 1979)
Teach(1990)
Publish something (2020)

Volunteer in my grandchild's classroom
Work in a plant nursery

Things I Want to Do for Fun
Hike part of the John Muir Trail (August 2000 - Mist Trail to Vernal Falls)
Snorkel(2006 - Mexico)

Walk a half marathon(October 2009 - San Jose Rock and Roll Half Marathon)

Run a 5K (June 3, 2012 See Jane Run - Alameda, California)
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge - why haven't I done this?(July 28, 2012)
Ride in a hot air balloon (October 13, 2012 Santa Rosa, California)
Go white water rafting
Vacation with my grandchildren - this is still one of my favorite memories of my grandparents June 2016
Build something out of wood
Hike the Grand Canyon
Make a souffle - I don't think I like them but it seems to be the apex of bakers
Ride on the back of my brother's motorcycle (SOLD 2023)
Drive a stick shift
See my grandchildren graduate
Look in the mirror with my fitness pants on and not see the side bulge at the top of my thighs April 2014
Learn to knit
Bike Napa
Learn to speak French
Kayak June 2014
Carve a pumpkin that I grew from seed - maybe this fall
Take a cooking class in a foreign country Italy June 2015
Step foot in all 50 states - I don't have many to go
Zip line somewhere - I had the chance in Alaska but was too scared Santa Cruz Mountains June 2016
See the Aurora Borealis

Things I Want to Do for My Spiritual Growth
Follow through on a gratitude journal (January 2013)
Get better at breathing through yoga April 2013
Conquer meditation June 2014
Find a place of worship that feeds my spirit October 2015
Answer the question "Who am I?" without a title