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Number 1: Paddle the 99 Mile Everglades Wilderness Waterway

At the time of my visit to the Everglades I wasn't exactly equipped to take on its 99 miles of wilderness waterway. My kayak was built for whitewater. I didn't have my water trailer. I probably didn't have enough bug spray. And I probably would have gotten lost within a day or two of paddling around this labyrinth of waterwars.

Besides I was focused on gator fishing, and it was nice that my little stubby kayak could turn around in these narrow channels, while a touring kayak would have to use reverse after each ill advised turn.

There will come a day when I make this journey. You get to sleep on these little elevated camping sites. It looks amazing. I just don't want to get eaten by an alligator or lost out there. I do know that it will be a ton of fun.

Number 2: Hike to Death Valley's Racetrack

I waffled back and forth about making the 54 mile hike to Death Valley's Racetrack while I was awaiting a few shipments at the Furnace Creek Post Office. Biking the park roads eneded up winning out, but the images of these snail like rocks have remained in my mind ever since.

I don't know why I want to go so badly. It's strange, it's a little funny, I don't know where these rocks are going, and I don't know why they want to get there, but I definitely want to see them.

This one might get done in the next month or so. Not sure.

Number 3: Hike to the Top of Half-Dome

With the aid of a steel cable hikers are allowed to traverse the curved slope of Half-Dome all the way to its summit.

I don't think that it's a particularly grueling hike, but it's another one of those things you do, just to say you did. I think I'd like to do that.

Even though I mentioned that this hike is not that arduous it is not without danger. I met a hiker on my way to Crypt Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park who witnessed a hiker fall to his death from Half Dome on the day that he hiked to the peak.

Don't let this deter you. Like all hikes, really, all moderately dangerous activities, procede with common sense and you'll be fine.

Number 4: Hike Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim at Grand Canyon National Park

Even though I nearly passed out and died when I hiked from rim, to floor, back up to rim on the North Kaibab trail, I still have my eye on going rim-to-rim-to-rim over the span of a couple of days.

I think starting at the North Rim would be ideal, as a floor-to-rim-to-floor hike in one day would be nice and easy going up the South Kaibab or Bright Angel with leaving my pack and gear at the floor during the day.

I'll have to wait until it warms up to do anything like this, I wouldn't want to slip and tumble into this monstrous gorge.

Number 5: Hike to Grand Teton's Lake Solitude

Ever since I've been doing this, I've been all about solitude. So, why wouldn't I want to hike out and up to Lake Solitude?

I actually don't believe that you'll be all that solitary. When I was at this trailhead and it was painfully obvious that the clouds were about to open up and pour down upon us, and dozens of hikers were still heading out in the direction of this Lake.

It's only a 14-mile hike with a pretty substantial gain in elevation. Although, it's challenging enough to prevent your average tourist from attempting this journey, it's not all that difficult so expect company when you arrive at this secluded locale.

Number 6: Give Me a Horse, a Park, and Teach Me How to Ride

For starters, I thought this picture was funny, so I stuck myself in it.

For enders......I can't imagine how much fun it would be moseying around just about any of the National Parks. I really can't, that's why it should be tried and tested to see if it's any fun.

I'm guessing so, it might not be horse in water, with woman in swimsuit fun, but I'm sure that it would be a good time.

My first problem is that I really don't know how to ride. I am 95% sure that every time I've been on the back of one of these ponies I just let the horse do what it wants and they usually do a pretty good job. Maybe, that's all there is to it, but I kind of doubt it.

Number 7: Climb Mount Rainier

I've never been a "climb a mountain" kind of guy. Maybe that's a bad thing, but Mount Rainier looks like one that would be an extremely enjoyable experience, rather than the usual torture that most climbs seem to be.

My day hike to the camp where you prep for a summit run was great, and all the the peak was still towering above my elevation, it didn't appear like it would be the oxygen depriving, mind-numbing journeys most mountaineers describe in the accounts of their summits.

Again, I've been wrong many a time in my life - but this one is going on the list. I felt like I could have gotten a thousand or two feet from the top just on foot with a camelback when I was there.

Number 8: Bike to Voyageurs and Isle Royale National Parks

I like water, I like paddling, and I like pedaling, so these two parks are naturally going to be very attractive destinations for a guy like me.

I have been saving these two for a nice long bike ride, which may or may not include a ride across Lake Michigan on Manitowoc's very own S.S. Badger.

With winter nearly upon us, this trip is so far out I haven't really thought about it much other than I plan on biking, and I plan on visiting these two places.

I'm going to need places to camp (hopefully people's backyards or front), and I'll have to figure out all other logistics. Until then, I'll just sit back and dream about it.

Number 9: Hike Through Zion National Park's Subway

Having spent a month in Hurricane, UT one would assume that I hiked to the Subway. This is not true as I spent more time in my Fortress of Solitude then I spent in Zion National park.

What fun is it to leave myself no reason to come back other than to do the things I've already done?

This hike can be achieved from two routes: the High Road, and the Low Road. The high road requires canyoneering gear, and the low road requires wading (possibly swimming) through water. Pick your poison.

If you're really adventurous you can do both. One in, one out.

Number 10: Paddle the Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon

I've been thinking about this one for a good three years ago. At that time I placed me name on the wait list for a private permit to paddle through Grand Canyon National Park.

Ever since I've left on this adventure I've thought maybe it would be better to paddle the entire Colorado, from the Rocky Mountains to Baja California?? This is definitely a possibility, but either way I go, I have to wait until I get that permit. It might be another three years before I can legally pass through the park.

Number 10: Complete my Tour of the United States National Parks

Remaining Parks:

Dry Tortugas National Park
American Samoa National Park
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Isle Royale National Park
US Virgin Islands National Park
Denali National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park
Katmai National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park
Lake Clark National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park