Being able to explore new countries, cultures, and adventures is a dream come true. At 32, I’ve visited 35 countries and participated in countless extreme adventures that I thought only existed in movies and dreams. I mean, who actually pilots a jet pack or a fighter jet? Who jumps from an airplane, rides in a hot air balloon, performs aerobatics in a biplane, and swims with whale sharks all in the same weekend? Bucket List Publications isn’t just a blog or a website; it has helped me live in a dream world. It has made my daily life better than my wildest imagination. Sometimes it’s exhausting just trying to think up my next big vacation or adventure. My imagination/dreams, fellow travel/adventure bloggers, social media, and Great American Days are my go-to sources that support my travel and adventure lifestyle. Continue reading
Category Archives: Adrenaline
I’ve Found My Utopia – It’s in a Biplane in the Sky
When I first experienced a biplane adventure in southern California with Biplane Fun, I didn’t know what to expect. As we plummeted toward the earth my screams of excitement could be heard for miles. My search for extreme adventure had brought me to that point and I didn’t think it would ever be matched. Then, when I was scouring the internet for bucket list items to do during my trip to Georgia, I found another biplane aerobatics company: Biplane Adventures, Inc.. Even though I’d already experienced a biplane flight, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to flip, turn, plummet, and somersault through the sky once again. After all, it was my Utopia, and this time I knew what aerobatics I enjoyed most. Continue reading
Decide that You Want It More than You are Afraid of It!
I don’t allow restrictions or fears to limit my life! Life is worth living, after all, and I’m going to live every day like it is my last. Most people create a bucket list because they are dying but I created one because I want to live. I’ve avoided one bucket list item, however, that brought such fear to my very core that it controlled me. I couldn’t get over the innate fear that crept around in my mind like a virus. Their endless, massive teeth, their boneless bodies, their quick ease of movement to attack, and their dominance in the water make sharks, regardless if they are man-eating or not, my biggest fear. When I heard that the Georgia Aquarium offered an opportunity to swim with whale sharks, as well as countless other marine life, I decided that I wanted it more than I was afraid of it! Journey with Gentle Giants is the only opportunity in the world where you are guaranteed to swim or dive with whale sharks, manta rays, and so many more! We suited up and jumped into the Ocean Voyager exhibit with thousands of amazing animals for the experience of a lifetime and I took control of my biggest fear. Continue reading
Rising with the Sun – Hot Air Ballooning over Atlanta, Georgia
We found new meaning to “rising with the sun”.
On Saturday morning, at 7am, we gracefully floated up through the sky with a sea of colors above our heads. As the sun made its first appearance for the day, the golden rays warmed the sky and our world was brighter. We were floating above Atlanta in a basket built for four below a gigantic balloon built for the sky. What a way to experience a sun rise! We booked our journey with Great American Days and flew with Balloon Atlanta creating another unforgettable bucket list adventure. Life is more beautiful when you are in the sky. Continue reading
Shooting for Adventure – Sling Shot USA
Adrenaline fueled adventure is like a drug. Once you start experiencing extreme adventure, it gets in your veins and you crave it. When you see a picture of someone skydiving, you want to be in the sky. When you see white water, you long to be riding it. When you stand on the top floor of a tall building, your thoughts are about jumping off of it or rappelling down it.
My name is Lesley Carter and I am an adventure addict! Continue reading
A Little Embarrassment Never Hurt Anyone – Skydiving Video
Adventure videos tend to show the real person deep down inside. The fear, the freedom, the nervousness, the excited, the passion is written all over their faces. It was easy to share my biplane flight video because there was no sound and the camera was too far from my face to see the true expressions, but my skydiving video is up close and personal. In the spirit of adventure and freedom though, I’ve actually included my skydiving video. Continue reading
Best Extreme Adventure Yet – Biplane Fun
After countless extreme adventure, I constantly get asked, “What is your favorite?” Well, I think riding in a biplane stands at the top of the list so far.
Check it out… Continue reading
You Gotta Bleep that **** – Bungee Jumping, California
This Friday, I will be flying, or falling, through the air yet again, but this time I will be strapped to a chair at least. I’m going to ride the Sling-Shot at the amusement park in Virginia Beach. As soon as I mentioned the possibility of the experience, readers prompted me to video tape the adventure, reminding me of our video archives of countless extreme “falls”. As a lead up to my “fall” or “sling-shot” on Friday, I’ll share a few other extreme videos. Continue reading
Adventure Photo Contest Contestants
Bucket List Publications asked for your adventure photos and you responded with great enthusiasm. We narrowed it down to 12 amazing, adventure shots, it was too impossible to choose 5, but we need your help deciding which one deserves the title of Best Adventure Photo. The winner will have their photo featured in our Picture Gallery and on the Photo of the Day. A write up along with a link to their website will be included. Their photo will also be featured in a Bucket List Publications blog post.
Vote for your favorite photo by clicking here. You can view the photos below (No particular order). Continue reading
Gliding with Southern California Soaring Academy
Aviation, in all of its forms, has been on the top of my 2012 bucket list. Seeing LA from a helicopter was breathtakingly beautiful, but piloting a helicopter over LA during my first helicopter pilot lesson was even more spectacular. Similarly, piloting an airplane was exhilarating, but piloting an open-cockpit biplane that is purposely stalled over the ocean to spiral to what seems to be an imminent death is the most invigorating, adrenaline pumping adventure of a lifetime. Flying a jetpack opened my eyes to the limitless possibilities of flight while proving that anything truly is possible. I set the sky as the limit and soared through one adventure to the next. I only had one aviation bucket list adventure left on my 2012 list: piloting a glider. I made it happen with Southern California Soaring Academy. Darren and I, along with Darren’s Brother, Kevin, learned to fly by learning to soar. Continue reading