Kick The Bucket

buck·et list

noun  INFORMAL

noun: bucket list; plural noun: bucket lists

a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.

"making this trip is the first thing on my bucket list"

Origin

early 21st century: from the phrase kick the bucket ‘die’, popularized by the 2007 film The Bucket List .

I had six weeks off work this summer. Among my first thoughts was that if I planned correctly, that would be just enough time to allow me to check three separate items off of my bucket list. Those six weeks turned into an amazing adventure spanning over 15,000 km's (just shy of 10,000 miles): 2 countries, 10 provinces, 15 states, and 6200 photographs, and it all started at pitstop number one: "that fence with all the hats on the posts" in Black Diamond, Alberta..

In memory of a Mr. Harrison, "1923-2018 Prairie Boy Always", and of the Edmonton Oilers' long lost glory days. ;)

And that gentle reminder again of why I'm here in the first place.

Through British Columbia where I didn't stop for photos aside from the Alberta license plate that said "USA 625", and across the border into Idaho where a pit stop to stretch presented me with this fine view:

Onward to the state of Washington where a missed turn on a route I already know well enough to ad lib a detour brought me past someone's little oasis in the desert of crops.

Pretty sunlight, an old barn, and there was a deer that bounced right through my shot.

Creepy spider webbing.

And a pull over on the side of the highway for some stunning backlit flowers.

I made it to southern Oregon in the wee hours of the morning. I had told very few I was coming, and the surprise for the rest was just as monumental as I had hoped....