It sounds clichéd to have a “bucket list,” but everybody should have at least a mental list of what they want to do before they die—whether it is to paint a portrait, write a book, travel Europe (insert any city or country here), or to ride in a Hot Air Balloon.

The last of these is on my own to-do list. I want to go on a Hot Air balloon ride. Like every goal, there are various ways this could happen. Here are a few ways I picture it in my head to make the best of it.

Darth Vadar or Master Yoda
Need I say more? I’ve been following these balloons for some time, writing about their appearances. As a recent Star Wars fan—who has watched the entire series of movies in the past year—I can’t think of a better way to scratch-off the hot Air Balloon ride than by taking a ride on either the Darth Vadar balloon or the Master Yoda Balloon.

Hot air balloon ride, I seek.

Of course, logistics will have to work in my favor; these balloons travel to numerous cities and countries even. But if I do ever get the chance, you had better believe I’m hopping on one of these balloons.

Australia
Really, this will be scratching two items off the to-do list: visiting the Land Down Under and going on a hot air balloon ride. If I could narrow down this choice, I would choose to go to the Serengeti National Park, which is located in the northern region of Tanzania. This area is known for hosting many animals, particularly the yearly migration of wildebeest and zebras.

I think getting a view from above will make it possible to see more animals than taking a regular boring ground tour.

Napa Valley, California
Since I’ve never been to the other side of the United States, this would provide a great opportunity for me. While I know what types of wines Traverse City offers in my home state of Michigan—the most famous wine-producing region in my state – I don’t know what California, particularly Napa Valley’s “Wine Country”, offers. Taking a hot air balloon would provide a sight of all the vineyards and an opportunity to visit the region to find out if the wines live up to their reputations. This would be a great way to explore the west side of our country that I am unfamiliar with.

Michigan
As much as I hate to say it, going on a hot air balloon ride in my home state of Michigan is not a half-bad idea as far as the view goes, as we’re home to many of the big lakes. Even taking a flight from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Chicago offers a great view from above of the water. Being able to see this while floating in a hot air balloon would be three times more relaxing.

I should plan my hot air balloon rides, but sometimes spontaneous ideas are better. Which of these it will end up being is yet to be decided, but I’m sure when the opportunity presents itself I will be ready. And as life goes, I know that sometimes some of the best experiences are not completely planned.

The post Why Hot Air Balloon Ride is on my To-Do List appeared first on Soaring Sports.