A Mover’s Bucket List

We could learn a thing or two from our mobile military families. Sierra has great ideas for anyone anticipating a move – even if you’re not in the military!

A Mover’s Bucket List

By Sierra Tervo

When my husband first gets wind of the bases open to us, I start looking online at the local attractions to see what interesting places are there. Once we get the word on which base we’re going to be stationed, I truly start my searching.

I begin creating my bucket list of places to go and things to do in the time that we will be there. These things are often museums, historical sites, top 10 tourist activities, local sport teams (NFL, MLB, NBA, etc.), and amusement parks.

Then I move from the local and in-state activities to finding places I’ve always wanted to see or experience that are within a day’s driving distance for future family trips. For example, now that I’m in Ohio I’m fairly close to Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls, New York City, Maine, Disney World, the Appalachian Mountains, and Myrtle Beach as well as all the historical sites to stop at between here and there. My complete list usually has about 15-20 local things and about 5 larger trips.

Once we arrive at our new base and I start talking with people about things to do, more gets added to my list.

I post my list in a prominent place for me (like near the family calendar) to start planning experiences for us. Maybe it will be just me, me and the kids, or the whole family. It is a great way to get out of a slump when you are bored and lonely because you have something to plan for. Or if my husband randomly has some extra free time and asks what I want to do, I have a whole list to choose from.

As things get completed, they are crossed off. If I don’t get everything crossed off before we PCS (transfer) I know that if we ever are sent back there or if I’m on a long road trip and driving through I have ideas on where to go.