Recently I was cleaning out my bookshelf, and came across this copy of “1000 Places to See Before You Die” that I’d received for Christmas a few years ago. Now I’m not trying to knock the author, Ms. Patricia Schultz, but I remember thinking how the guidebook was a little… well, let’s say “biased”. Ms. Schultz seemed to have a particular affinity for Europe, and France in particular. As I thumbed through the pages again, I couldn’t hold back a swell of pride at having tramped through more of the Middle East than she had. (Well, more of Iraq, anyway.)
Interestingly enough, the book’s last dozen or so pages are actually a checklist of all 1000 places, as if anybody with an inclination to buy this weighty tome might have the inclination trek across the globe, but not the motivation to draft their own bucket list. But in any case, this guidebook really does make for a good thought exercise, even if your vision of a day well spent doesn’t take you anywhere near the flower gardens of Luxembourg. Ask yourself: if you had an unlimited budget and endless amounts of time off, what travel destinations would most interest you?
“1000 Places to See Before You Die” was first published in 2003, and a revised edition was released in 2011. So just in case Ms. Schultz is ever planning to comes out with another round of updates, and on the off-chance that she’s following my blog, I’ve included a couple of my own humble suggestions below. These destinations might not ever make it onto your bucket list… but I guarantee, they’re all on somebody’s.
South of the Border – Dillon SC
Opened in 1950, South of the Border is more than just a gas station, restaurant, motel, campground, department store, fireworks stand and amusement park— it’s a neon beacon for tired motorists, the most legendary landmark of Interstate 95. If you’ve stopped in already, you know what you mean… and if you haven’t stopped in— why the hell not?
Yankee Candle – South Deerfield, MA
Located in the foothills of the Berkshires foothills, the Yankee Candle flagship store isn’t hard to find. If you miss all the signs out along Route 2, just crack your window and follow the fragrant smell. But this place is more than just candles— it’s a one-stop shop for all the knick-knacks you don’t really need, with a pretty mean fudge stand too. And be sure to wander through the “Santa’s Village” section, where “indoor snow” falls down every ten minutes or so. It’s Christmas all year round!
Story Land – Bartlett, NH
When a place bills itself as “The Best Family Amusement Park in New Hampshire,” you pretty much know how to set your expectations. Let’s face it, Story Land is probably never going to knock Walt Disney World off its throne, but if you live in New England and you’re just not in a position to pile everyone into the family truckster for a three-day haul, this place makes for a perfectly acceptable substitute.
JR Cigar Outlet – Selma, NC
And then on the other hand, should you actually end up making the long drive south, it’s almost impossible to miss all the billboards for the JR Cigar outlet. If you’re one of the last living smokers in 2019 then this tobacco outlet is probably already on your radar, but even non-smokers will enjoy visiting this good old-fashioned discount store, where remaindered books and last season’s clothes are available in bulk.
L.L. Bean outlet store – Freeport, Maine
Before Bass Pro Shops was even a thing, back in the days before Cabela’s broke out of their catalogs, there was only L.L. Bean. Built in 1917, the company’s flagship store has been open for business 24/7 since 1951… you know, just in case you get a hankering to gear up for a fly fishing trip at 3am. If you stop in, be sure to snap a selfie next to the 16-foot “Bean Boot” out front.
I guess I could probably go on like this forever, but you get the point. When it comes to traveling, sometimes the most fun is drafting your own bucket list before you leave home. Of course, you’re more than welcome to plan an epic East Coast road trip around all five of these spots… bonus points if you can hit them all in a single run!