What cool stuff have you done in your life?

[corn18]

Sweeeeet! Is there a way a civilian can get a ride in a fighter jet? I've been to big air shows where no rides were offered so I'm guessing chances are slim...

They take up VIP's and press occasionally, but rarely these days. We used to take a lot of people up for familiarization rides. But apparently that was misuse of taxpayer dollars so we stopped. As a test pilot, I got to take up a lot of engineers and VIP's. I had a standard ride I would take them on. Low level flight through the Appalachian mountains. They always enjoyed dropping down into a narrow valley and doing an inverted peak crossing 200' off the deck at 500+ knots. Then I would take them out over the Atlantic and go supersonic. Always nice to tell your grandkids. I would usually shake the stick a lot and tell them to hang on as we approached the speed of sound. In reality, you don't even know it happened but they got a kick out of it. Then back to the field for simulated carrier landings.

I only got to take one poor sole out to the boat for real carrier landings. Not sure he ever had a chance to realize just how dangerous that actually was. He had fun, though.

Tom "CORN" Hole

[ronb]

That'd be so awesome. You'd think that would be an okay use of tax money if it inspires future pilots + gets the public energized about the military.

[amigo1989]

got married ? lol

[LittleLamplight]

Navy combat fighter pilot/test pilot, so I had 20 years of cool stuff. Went 1500 mph, landed on an aircraft carrier 627 times (227 of those at night), flew over many interesting places, applied kinetic diplomacy on behalf of the President, got shot at a few times, saw a lot of cool stuff on liberty. I got to sing for then Vice President GW Bush when I was in the Naval Academy choir. Built a light guided robot in EE class. Managed a $1B+ aircraft program for a couple of years.

Cliche, but the coolest thing I've done is watch my children be born.

Love you answers!

[Reece102]

Awesome thought. I've not done too much, but have been skiing in a few different countries. That was fun! I have so many 'to do' things though.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

What good stories do you have to tell? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It's because I've been going on a lot of dates. You know what? Most girls are sooooo boring! So, of course, I would look back at myself to see if I'm just as boring. Maybe I am.

Besides pursuing FI like a boss, I've really not done anything incredible notable.

One time I rode my Walmart single-speed heavy-as$ bicycle 103-miles overnight through a storm on a whim. That was pretty epic.

Other than that... nothing really sticks out. I want to climb a mountain.

What cool stuff have you guys done? Can I duplicate them?

I saw the Northern Lights.

I enjoy life as much as I can. Not easy from day to day though.

[dawnwes]

I grew up overseas although we were American citizens. Because of that I traveled a LOT. I have been to 46 countries and 48 states. The only states I haven't seen are Maine and Alaska.

I have swum in 3 of the 4 major oceans, oh wait, there are 5 oceans now. I better check the map.

I don't really get where Oceania starts. I have not been to Australia but have been to Indonesia. Is that the Pacific or the new Oceania?

A few things I have done:

Climbed Kilimanjaro
Gone on safari multiple times (grew up in Africa)
Climbed inside the pyramids when it was still allowed
Shaken the hand of 3 African presidents
Watched the wedding professional of Charles and Diana's wedding in London
Floated in the dead sea
Walked the Great Wall
Visited the grasslands in Inner Mongolia
Adopted a child from Inner Mongolia

At age 22 I got stuck on the island of Mauritius for a full week with no money and before I owned a credit card. I didn't speak French either. Thankfully it was the airline's fault (one flight from Singapore to Mauritius per week and one flight from Mauritius to Nairobi, and I missed it due to late take off) so they put me up and paid for my lodging and 2 meals per day. The hotel was ON the ocean. A wonderful British man and his Zimbabwean girlfriend were kind enough to let me sit with them for meals and speak English with me. It was quite the trip.

Will try to think of non-travel related later

[msomnipotent]

I don't think the cool stuff I did so far would be date worthy. Plus, quite a few of the things can't be done anymore, like crawling through El Castillo in Chitchen Itza.

Depending on your location, Groupon or Living Social has some cool things to do. I plan on getting some scuba lessons and the race car driving thing from them this year. I have seen hot air balloon rides on those sites, too. If you live near a small airport, you might be blessed. Not only can you get a balloon ride, but you can look for flash sales to other cities. My sister flew to MN to visit Mall of America for the day, for $69. I missed the NY for $75 RT by minutes. I think it would be really cool to take a date to a different city for the day.

If you have a zoo near you, you might be able to take a behind-the-scenes tour and feed the animals. You have to register in advance, though. The zoo near me sells out quickly, too. Or google animal sanctuaries near you. The wolf sanctuary near my cottage has a howl night on Saturdays that is fun. Unless your date hates animals.

[QuarterMillionMan]

My cool stuff was surfing in Hawaii when I lived there for 37 years. I still surf in Los Angeles where I currently live but nothing compares to Hawaii's pristine crystal clear water and ideal temperatures. From the world famous Waikiki beach, to Ala Moana, Diamond Head, to Makaha (westside), to the north shore's Haleiwa, Pipeline, Sunset, etc.

[tripods68]

Finished 5 half marathons and hiked down to the lava bed Big Island Mt Kilauea few years ago.

[chestynuts]

Does bungee jumping count? I want to sky dive too.