Fight the Fight

I’m fortunate to have traveled a lot in my life to this point. There are so many places that I attribute fond memories to. The time with my family in Amalfi was amazing, as was the skiing in Park City. Those and many others are places I’ve only been once. The places I choose to go back to I do so for a reason.  The top of my five favorite places are easy. Those at the end are tenuous, but are there for a reason.  I won’t even consider anything on this list or as an honorable mention unless I’ve been there at least twice.

5. Bryce Canyon, Utah – so breathtaking. I’ve only been there twice, but it it’s a definite place for a long lasting impression.  It’s one of those places that you expect to be beautiful, but it surpasses any expectation when you’re actually there. Unfortunately it’s so remote that one can’t see it without a very planned effort. Because it’s so close to the Grand Canyon, it’s skipped over by a lot of people who make the journey out that far. The grand canyon is amazing for it’s size, which also handicaps your accessibility to it.  Bryce is amazing for it’s sheer beauty and accessibility.

4. Chicago – The closest major city to all of the places I’ve lived. It’s a place to go for all those major city things that aren’t so common.  The museums…  The culture…  The unbelievably large number of places to go, and people to see.

3. Paris, France – My favorite place outside America (so far). Specifically, I love just absorbing things at a cafe in place St. Michael. You can’t walk down a block and not be surrounded by history and culture that boggles the mind. I know I like to be somewhat relaxed, but even with specific plans and schedules I’ve had a blast because of the just amazing number of things to do in and around Paris. I’ve been there more than a handful of occasions, and each time has been a complete joy.

2. Pemaquid Point / Chamberlan, Maine – Since the edge of my memories, I’ve never been more than a handful of years away from the rocks and ocean that make this one of the most majestic places on earth. It’s not surprising that the lighthouse was put on the Maine State Quarter. Sure, my mother and sister moved out there, so I have lots of reasons to go out. But It’s so relaxing if you have the time to enjoy the surroundings and especially the stars that you just never get to see in anyplace with even the slightest light polution.

1. Pearl Pass Summit, Colorado - This is a mountain trail linking Crested Butte and Aspen Colorado. This is by far the hardest place on my list to actually get to, but it is so very amazing. So few people will ever understand, but it’s just more amazing that words can really express here. The journey itself is full of adversity, tension, and an increasing sense of remoteness.  Once you get above the treeline, and up to a certain point, it just overtakes you with such amazement.  You can’t not stop and admire the amazement.

Honorable Mention: Tetons, Yellowstone, St. Petersberg (Fla), NYC.