Has your bucket list ever made you feel depressed? If you don’t have the time and money to check off goals such as backpacking across Europe or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, your bucket list can sometimes seem more discouraging than inspiring.
Dreaming big is important, but it’s nice to have some more achievable goals on a bucket list, too … and they don’t have to be any less exciting! Here are five awesome bucket list items that are completely within your reach.
1. Hike a waterfall
Waterfall hikes are unique and beautiful, and they offer a change from the typical hiking landscape. You might even be able to go wading or swimming. Best of all, waterfalls are scattered all across the United States, so chances are there’s one near you! If you want to visit a truly world-class waterfall, check out this list of the top 10 waterfall hikes in the U.S.!
2. Visit a new national park
You might already have the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone on your list, but there are many parks that get less attention and are just as glorious. If you’re on a budget, try Grand Basin National Park, which features a 13,000-foot mountain, desert valleys, scenic wooded areas, and a cave system you can explore. If you want to travel a little farther, Denali National Park in Alaska is another great option. It has 6 million acres with many different landscapes and ecosystems, including a mountain range containing the tallest mountain in North America.
3. Take a train trip across America
Trains may not be the fastest way to travel, but they can be the most fun! They often cross stretches of wilderness that you wouldn’t be able to see in a car or by plane, and they provide a relaxed atmosphere so you can take in the views worry-free. If you’re concerned about the cost of such a long trip, this website has tips on how to do it for as little as $213.
4. Go geocaching
Geocaching is like a real-life treasure hunt. You use an app on your smartphone to get clues and GPS directions to hidden capsules called caches. Once you find the cache, you sign your name to the log and can take one of the items inside in exchange for a token of your own such as a penny or a small toy. Geocaching is almost free (you can pay a small fee for a premium account), and it’s a great way to have an adventure or explore a new place.
5. Provide clean water for someone in need
Do you want to add something to your bucket list that will leave a lasting impact? Dirty water kills more people every year than all violence and wars combined … but you can help change that statistic!
For $15, you can provide one person with clean water, which helps girls attend school, keeps children from becoming sick, and allows communities to thrive. With the gift of clean water, you transform a life and give an individual new hope for the future.
Hopefully, some of these ideas have gotten you excited about your bucket list! We want to hear how you Refresh Your Bucket List, so if you have more ideas, please share them on our Facebook page with #refreshyourbucketlist.