h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Like most folks, there are things I'd like to do and places I'd like to visit before I die. Rather a long list, to be honest. Too long to have any chance of crossing off every item. However, in keeping with my newly found resolve to begin doing the things I want NOW rather than at some unspecified future date, I will be ticking off at least two items in a couple of months.

First, I'm going to the Grand Canyon. That locale has been on my list since I was a wee chillun. I want to go down into the canyon, not just walk along the rim. And second, I just made reservations to ride in a hot air balloon in Albuquerque. That is going to be soooooooo .

Only a gazillon things left.

How cool! There are hot air balloons that land somewhere near my house every other week or so, we see them frequently over the summer and fall. Every time I see one I think I'd like to go up in one. The closest I've gotten is the balloon glow every September in Forest Park.

Have fun!

Ooh, Albuquerque. I went to Balloon Fest in October '94; it was the most amazing thing. Balloons all over, seemed like hundreds, and they looked so tiny -- until you compared the close-up ones -- they were three storeys tall. Wonderful. While you're there, check out Sandia Peak, and take the tram up.

I hope you take lots of pics on your trip into the Grand Canyon -- only been there once, and we barely got out of the car... due to car trouble on a day trip, we spent about 45 minutes at the rim, before turning around and going back to Phoenix.

By all means, Carpe Diem!

Near us there are some people who are balloon pilots. I often see on of them getting the same train as me to work. She wears her Alburquerque balloon fiesta jacket, kind of gives it away that she's into ballooning

The grand canyon is somewhere I'd love to see. I'm sure it's much more spectacular than the pictures.

Hot air ballon? Have good trips & flights!

Yay for shrinking lists

You are really 'going places', Hyp. Very inspiring.

We went to friends' wedding about 15 years ago. The wife was hot air balloon pilot (and beer brewer),and their wedding present to each other was a balloon.

Instead of cutting a cake, they fired up the balloon in unison - it lifted 5-10 m, and then they came down as the husband was the guitarist in the band which played for dancing. Sig. S. was the singer in the rock band (before tinnitus).

The wife and I have attended many a concert as band widowers.

Good for you, Hyp I'd love to do both of those things too. The balloon trip would be a lot easier to achieve (albeit not over Albuquerque).

I do something I've never done before every birthday. Last time was a helicopter trip in one of those waspy 2-seaters. Fanstastic

This year I'm planning a flight in a glider ... I have a list that gets longer the older I get I don't mind dying before they're all done, but do hope I get to ride an elephant before then...

Better hurry if this administration has anything to do with it - http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_9915936

That's great though. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Now, riding an elephant down the Grand Canyon... that would be a great birthday treat

Dearesr Hypatia,

Two down and a gazilion to go.

Fantastique.
Merveilleux

That new man is a real goer.*

One little tip.

We went down into the Fish River Canyon in South AFrica. Nothing like the Grand Canyon obviously.

But it was very very warm down athere. so take lots of sun cream,
and water, and hats etc and if there is a way to come up by cablecar take that,!!

Otherwise that is marvellous
.
As for the balloon. I do not think they take wheelchairs in them so that is one I must cross off without ever having done it.
!
I have no wish to go in a submarine however. How aabout you.
Nor do I want to go to the moon - now!!!

Have a great weekend.

Christiane AR80

*are you the goer or the doer?

Whatever it is the combinationthat is, as I have already said F.& M

Imagine falling off and then sliding down to the bottom.

No! Fb that is not one of your better ideas!!

Christiane AR80

It appears there is a glitch with the mule rides down into the canyon. You have to book months in advance, apparently. Olus, there is a weight limit which Syn might not make. So, it looks like we'll be hiking instead. Which means not to the bottom. Not even close to the bottom. Perhaps another year we can book one of the float trips through the canyon. That would be awesome.

Speaking of water, we were talking about things we want to do and have decided that after we do the b'day trip to England, the next excursion will be to Belize to scuba dive. I'd rather do the Great Barrier Reef, but it's sooooooooo far away. Belize is much closer.

Christiane, I think we are both goers and doers. All I know is that we're going to have a bit of fun rather than sitting in our rocking chairs and talking about days gone by.

Or like me, writing about them. thank goodness I have the memories.This is what this site does, it revives them for me!!

You are busy making yours.

Book the trip for nest year floating down. that really sounds wonderful. !!
s

Christiane AlsoRan80

I can recommend the Great Barrier Reef I was awestruck the first time I snorkelled on it. It was everything I'd imagined and more.

I've been in a submarine and was very glad to climb out into daylight after a few hours

I've been on a submarine a couple of times, sort of. Once on a tour of an active boat, US Navy, docked down in San Diego Harbor. The second was a tad more prosaic; I went on a glass-bottomed boat thing to look at the fish in Avalon Harbor, at Catalina Island. Don't know if that second was *really* a submarine.

Can I check that one off my list, please?

Well done, Lady H !!! Hey, would you take an extra little flight in a balloon for me, please?

Valentine's Day this year, my elder sister married again, in Las Vegas. Much of the family was able to attend, and as they were "in the neighborhood, my Dad insisted they see the Canyon. Something he's always wanted to do. Their method was a helicopter lift to the bottom, and then some mules to wander about a bit. And then lifted out again. It's an option ...

Hoow could you bear to go in a submarine? I would have been scared out of my wits!1

I went into one of the first submarines which were ever built in France at the big scientific exhibition outside of Paris. I could not get out of it quick enough. !!

You are very brave. !

Cme AR80

A submarine would definitely be out for me. That isn't on my list.

Nick, I'll check into the helicopter angle. Thanks for the suggestion.

The Red Sea is great for snorkeling/scuba diving - and you could squeeze in the pyramids, the Abu Simbel temple and the Egyptian Museum in Cario into the same trip