How best to celebrate milestone birthdays?
July 2, 2024 3:00 PM Subscribe
Mr. DrGail and I both have big birthdays coming up in early October - he'll be 80 and I'll be 70 - and I'm looking for some wacky, distinctive, and memorable thing we could do together to celebrate the milestones. Examples and restrictions are inside.
So far, we've thought of things like a helicopter tour of someplace interesting, tandem skydiving, or dinner at a restaurant we like in Alaska, 3500 miles away from our home. It could be a bucket-list type item or not; we would probably want to stay in the US or nearby; and can handle physical activity but should stop short of anything that's really strenuous. Let's say that money is no object, and if the activity and associated travel require several days that's okay. So, what cool things could we do?
So far, we've thought of things like a helicopter tour of someplace interesting, tandem skydiving, or dinner at a restaurant we like in Alaska, 3500 miles away from our home. It could be a bucket-list type item or not; we would probably want to stay in the US or nearby; and can handle physical activity but should stop short of anything that's really strenuous. Let's say that money is no object, and if the activity and associated travel require several days that's okay. So, what cool things could we do?
I’d do the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque and book a ride on a balloon as well, and I’d spare no expense for tickets to festival events that would make the experience memorable (instead of cheaping out like always.) From ABQ I would spend at least a couple of nights in Santa Fe too.
posted by kapers at 4:32 PM on July 2 [9 favorites]
posted by kapers at 4:32 PM on July 2 [9 favorites]
Consider renting a camper van and visiting some of the lovely Texas state parks. Big Bend Ranch State Park in the southwest of the state is a favorite of many, although I haven't been there.
My personal favorite is South Llano River State Park in the hill country. When I visited in 2021, only serious birders and their families were camping there, and there's a reason for that: the birding is superb.
Another absolute winner of a location: Cochise County in southeastern Arizona, on the Mexican border. October would be a really nice time to visit, and van camping shouldn't be hard to come by.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 4:57 AM on July 3
My personal favorite is South Llano River State Park in the hill country. When I visited in 2021, only serious birders and their families were camping there, and there's a reason for that: the birding is superb.
Another absolute winner of a location: Cochise County in southeastern Arizona, on the Mexican border. October would be a really nice time to visit, and van camping shouldn't be hard to come by.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 4:57 AM on July 3
Ooh, I love this question and I wish there were more answers!
Here are some thoughts - I haven't done all of them myself!
Take a ferry across Lake Michigan
Not something you could do in October (more like June/July), but see puffins in Maine and then maybe stay overnight on one of the islands that is only accessible by boat
Stay overnight at a lighthouse only accessible on foot (this one is an easy 1/4 mile trail, you just have to time your walk based on the tide)
Glamping on Governors Island in NYC
Maybe get a copy of the Atlas Obscura and spend time looking through it together?
posted by CiaoMela at 1:16 PM on July 3
Here are some thoughts - I haven't done all of them myself!
Take a ferry across Lake Michigan
Not something you could do in October (more like June/July), but see puffins in Maine and then maybe stay overnight on one of the islands that is only accessible by boat
Stay overnight at a lighthouse only accessible on foot (this one is an easy 1/4 mile trail, you just have to time your walk based on the tide)
Glamping on Governors Island in NYC
Maybe get a copy of the Atlas Obscura and spend time looking through it together?
posted by CiaoMela at 1:16 PM on July 3
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by BobTheScientist at 3:51 PM on July 2 [3 favorites]