When we find out our next duty station, I almost immediately start researching the area. I sit down with my favorite tried-and-true resources and begin to build a base bucket list. It starts as a list of saved places in google maps, so we get a visual of the distances from base, and once we move into our new home, it earns a permanent (well, as permanent as anything is in base housing) place on the wall.
(I have a roll of this brown packing paper to use for our bucket lists!)
One of our family’s favorite traditions that we started at our first duty station was something we call Saturday Adventures. Each Saturday, we try to get off base and check something off of our base bucket list. Whether that be as simple as checking out a new coffee shop we haven’t hit yet, or a hike to a breathtaking waterfall, we make an intentional effort to have family quality time away from post each week. Sometimes it’s hard to get the family out the door, but I’ve found it helps, especially if you have any type-A people in your house, to have a visual reminder of all the cool things you haven’t seen yet.
The first things we add to the list are National Park sites. We have the big passport book for my husband and I, as well as the small one for our son, and our extremely lofty goal is to get every single cancellation.
The National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States book is an excellent resource for learning about any of the 400+ parks, monuments, battlefields, historic sites, scenic trails, recreation areas and seashores that are included in the national parks system. As well as information about the location, it also gives details about where to start your journey at the larger and more intimidating sites!
If you haven’t checked out the 5,000 ideas series from National Geographic, you’re missing out!
100 Drives, 5,000 ideas
100 Parks, 5,000 ideas
50 States, 5,000 ideas
100 Trails, 5,000 ideas
100 Cities, 5,000 ideas
100 Countries, 5,000 ideas
Jam-packed with ideas for what to see and when to see it, these books are amazing. My personal favorite is 100 Drives, 5,000 ideas, with full road trip itineraries for whatever part of the country you’re ready to explore!
My family loves history, so battlefields are always a must. Especially if you’re located on the east coast, National Geographic The Civil War: A Traveler’s Guide lists every location relevant to the Civil War and people involved in it by state that you can check out. From the obvious sites like Gettysburg and Bull Run to the lesser-known places like Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House and Harriet Tubman’s grave, this book has them ALL.
Check out your state tourism website! Most states and/or cities should have a tourism website with an option for free brochures/magazines about the area that they’ll mail to you for free in 4-6 weeks. I have a whole stack of travel materials in a basket in our living room that I’ve picked up from visitor centers and gotten through the mail. When we’re planning a Saturday Adventure or weekend getaway, I usually refer to these for extra ideas or places to eat that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise! At our base, the Family Resource Center on post also has travel materials for the specific areas around base.
All Places in the Atlas on One Map – Atlas Obscura is another fun website for finding obscure and out of the way places to check out. They have books available too, but the entire catalog of places is available online.
At Fort Drum, we live pretty close to Canada, so we have the National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of Canada book on hand as well. Canada boasts some breathtaking views, and more than a few locations on our base bucket list require a passport.
Whenever I’m having a hard time embracing where I am, my mom always reminds me, “wherever you are, be all there.” No matter where we live, I want to fully experience that place, and this is one way our family chooses to experience whatever, or wherever, the Military throws at us.
By the way, if you’re planning a road trip any time soon, be sure to check out our Travel Guide for Moms post!
