Checking Off My Summer 2015 Bucket List

Before Summer started, I made it my mission to have an amazing Summer this year. I’ve never really had a “Summer vacation” spent having fun with friends; as I’ve always been either taking Summer classes, visiting family, or obligated to other responsibilities. Now I can finally say that I’ve successfully had a fun, adventure-packed Summer! Here are some of the major things that I checked off my Summer bucket list from Memorial Day to Labor Day this year:

I have always been disappointed in myself that I was born and raised in Arizona but have never experienced some of the things that this great state has to offer. Before this Summer, I had literally never been to the lakes, Sedona, or explored any of the world wonders that are in my own backyard…so I set out to do them this Summer! I’m so lucky to have a boyfriend that is just as adventurous as me and shares the same passion for exploring the outdoors and being active. He was a huge part of my Summer and I’m so happy that I had him to explore with me…it’s like I have a built-in adventure buddy!

We explored many parts of Arizona, from camping at Blue Ridge in May and Munds Park for July 4th, shooting in the desert, hiking to watch the sunset, exploring Fossil Creek and Montezuma’s Castle, and spending countless weekends on the lake. I’m also blessed to have a lot of friends that also love exploring the outdoors. My friends and I were able to spend a day checking Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, the Colorado River, and Glen Canyon Dam off our lists (remember that blog post?). We also hiked in Sedona, checked out Tonto Natural Bridge, and spent weekends on the lake and at the house boat (where I broke my leg on the boat’s water slide!)

I was supposed to be able to add the Grand Canyon and the Havasupai falls to this list, but unfortunately I won’t be able to go because my broken leg won’t be healed in time…don’t talk about it, I’m too sad. This is probably the only thing that I was actually truly upset about missing because of my injury, even after having to miss the Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line concerts and rescheduling our Sedona hiking trip (I decided that rescheduling for January to take a winery tour through Sedona in the snow would be just fine). We were supposed to go with his family, and we spent hours (and about $500) being overly enthusiastic on Amazon getting camping equipment. My boyfriend promised that we would book another trip to see it all ASAP, and I am 100% holding him to it.

What is a Summer without the beach?! I made sure to get out of the scorching Arizona heat and to the beach multiple times this Summer. Luckily, I live 5 hours from both Mexico and San Diego, so these are easy weekend trips for me! I spent Memorial Day weekend with a group of friends in Mexico, and a weekend in San Diego with cousins. I was also able to make it to Hawaii for my birthday in July to visit family and do the things that I love the most. I surfed, hiked, explored, ate amazing fish, and got to party it up in Waikiki with my cousins.

Like I said, I’ve never really been able to have a Summer of fun. I made it a point to have tons of activities with friends on the calendar at all times. I went to baseball games, country concerts, watched a friend ride bulls on amateur night at the local rodeo, and went out with friends!

I think it’s safe to say that my Summer 2015 bucket list was more than fulfilled.