This Week's Bucket List Additions 11

The last three years, which I've spent living on the East Coast of America, have been very exciting.  I've been whale watching off the coast of New England, seen nine Broadway plays, danced on stage during Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and rafted down the Delaware river.  But there are still several adventures that I'd like to have before we leave the East Coast. This week's bucket list additions are all things I want to do before we leave New Jersey in June.

-Visit Niagara Falls.  Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
I've been to the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, but I have yet to see the real thing.  I love waterfalls, the dance of water and the chaos of sounds they make soothes me.  I hear that at Niagara, there's a boat which takes you so close, you have to wear a rain coat.  Also, along the way to Niagara I want to visit Buffalo, NY birthplace of buffalo wings and taste some at the restaurant where they were created.

From a journey to Bushkill Falls, PA for one of our anniversaries

 Copyright Jeff Howick 2011

 Copyright Jeff Howick 2011

-See New York City from above.  Difficulty Rating 3 out of 10:
I've had pretty much all of the classic New York City experiences since we came to New Jersey in 2008.  I've been lost on the subways, visited the Statue of Liberty, purchased a fake designer handbag from a locked basement in Chinatown, had a picnic in Central Park, woke up at the crack of dawn to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and ice skated with my wife at a park.  But I've never been to the top of the Empire State Building or any other observation deck.  NYC is a city full of beautiful buildings and beautiful parks.  It has a great skyline and I'd love to see the city from the top of the Empire State Building or another equally high place, like Top of the Rock.

The Skyline of New York City

 Copyright Jeff Howick 2011

-Eat Lobster in Maine.  Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
We took a trip to New England last year for our third anniversary, but we never made it to Maine because the timing belt in our car broke.  We were stranded in Provincetown at the tip of cape cod for a few days, which is not a bad place to be stuck, and we ended up having a very relaxing vacation.  But I never got to visit the beautiful coasts of Maine or see if they really do serve lobster rolls at McDonalds in Maine like the rumors I have heard.  I hope that I'll have a chance to visit this quiet, pristine state before we depart.

A lobster roll I had in Cape Cod

 Copyright Jeff Howick 2011

-Walk along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.  Difficulty Rating 2 out of 10:
If you've ever played monopoly, then you're familiar with Atlantic City's Boardwalk.  It's literally a walk made of boards that winds along the beach with a row of shops and fun alongside.  Like Park Place, Marvin Gardens and every other property in Monopoly, it's a real place in Atlantic City.  Although I do think a handful of the Monopoly places have been demolished over the years to make way for new malls or casinos.  I want to stroll along the wooden planks in Atlantic City surrounded by happy people with the beach on one side and salt water taffy vendors on the other and soak up the feeling of summer before I leave the beaches of New Jersey that have been my home for the last year.