- Visit the wonders of the world.
- Cross every longitudinal line and every major meridian.
- Step foot on all 7 continents.
- Hike some of the Annapurna circuit.
- See Mount Everest (bonus points for climbing to base camp).
- Hike some of Kilimanjaro.
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
- Kayak through the mangroves in Everglades National Park.
- Visit the Grand Canyon.
- Visit all National Parks in the United States.
- Become fluent in French and Spanish. (Bonus points for using it abroad).
- Become certified SCUBA divers.
- Teach English abroad.
- Volunteer with a children’s organization abroad.
- Install water filters in a 3rd world country.
- Experience a sunrise in the Serengheti.
- Party on top of a skyscraper in Hong Kong.
- Climb a mountain (the entire thing – height doesn’t matter).
- Star gaze in South America.
- Take a National Geographic Linblad tour.
- Spend an extended time at a Buddhist monastery.
- Take tango lessons in Argentina.
- Visit the Amazon rainforest.
- Hug a koala.
- See the fjords in Norway.
- Celebrate Oktoberfest in Germany.
- Learn wine appreciation – and become connoisseur.
- Visit a medicine man and/or a shaman.
- Get our fortunes read overseas.
- Sleep in a hammock on a beach.
- Take a roadtrip across the U.S.A.
- Hike the Appalachian Trail – the entire thing!
- Swim with dolphins.
- See a whale in the wild.
- Swim/slide off of a natural waterfall.
- Hike the trail to the Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong.
- Go on a mediation retreat.
- Take a helicopter ride over a volcano.
- Hike a volcano.
- See the cherry blossoms in bloom in Japan.
- Visit the family castle in Scotland.
- Eat authentic Italian food – in Italy.
- See the Olympics in person.
- Have a romantic dinner in Paris.
- Visit the Holocost concentration camps & memorials.
- Celebrate New Years in different countries (specifically Sydney and Hong Kong)
- Visit Iceland.
- Experience the Iditarod in Alaska.
- Experience Holi Day (Festival of Colours) in India.
- See the dragon boat festival in China.
- Carnival in Rio.
- Visit the Mount Gay Rum distillery in Barbados.
- See the Tour de France.
- Smoke a real Cuban cigar – in Cuba. Whilst drinking Cuban daiquiris.
- See the Northern Lights. (Bonus points for getting crystal clear pictures of them.)
- Go on a bike tour of Vietnam.
- Take cooking classes in India and Thailand – learn to make authentic coconut curry!
- Eat fresh seafood (this is a big deal for us because we’re both long-term vegetarians)
- Rock climb at Joshua Tree and Red Rocks
- Photograph penguins in their natural habitats.
- Visit the Jane Goodall Sanctuary in South Africa.
- Witness a tea ceremony in Japan.
- Live out of a pack for an extended period of time (which we’re planning to do anyway!)
- Celebrate the Festival of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico
- Experience the Full Moon Party in Thailand.
Disaster Relief
Our Travel Bucket List!
24 Lesson’s I’ve Learned in 24 Years
- Things happen for a reason. These reasons may not become apparent for years but there are always reasons for everything.
- The human body is the most amazing machine in the world. The things it can do are absolutely incredible.
- Enjoy the first snow – even though it usually means 6 more months of winter in Michigan, the first snow is without a doubt, beautiful.
- Sometimes our best just isn’t good enough but it makes us stronger and more courageous when we have tried our hardest.
- Travel changes your world perspective forever and it continues to evolve during each trip you take.
- Having a pet gives an energy to a space that nothing else can fill.
- Drink water.
- Explore unfamiliar places.
- Karma really does exist – in my experience.
- Sunshine makes everything in life better and happier.
- Go snorkeling. The world under the water’s surface is exquisite and everyone should see it in their lifetimes.
- Being in love ROCKS.
- Every family is quirky and dysfunctional in their own way but that’s what makes them so special.
- Photographs are great ways to capture moments – never hesitate to snap the shutter.
- Don’t force your system of beliefs onto other people. The world is so unique because everything believes different things. Plus, it makes for more interesting conversations with others.
- Recycle everything.
- Stand up for what you believe in – even if you’re standing alone.
- Love unconditionally.
- “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t.” (Words of wisdom from my dad.)
- Communication makes life easier, less confusing and all around more enjoyable.
- Volunteer. Helping others in any capacity is awesome!
- Thai curry is one of the best foods on the planet.
- Travel light.
- There’s always next time…
Help Support Japan Today!
Click the image to be taken directly to the TKG online store where you will find the Japan Disaster Relief gear. Remember, ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE JAPAN GEAR ARE DONATED. Thank you for supporting Japan!
Japan Gear Available Through April! 100% Proceeds Donated!
In light of yesterday’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake/aftershock in northeast Japan, we will resume our Japan Disaster Relief gear fundraiser, making another donation to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami disaster relief efforts at the end of April. Please check out our Etsy store to purchase gear. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED!!! It’ll be tough to beat the $3,717 we raised in two weeks last month, but we’re willing to give it a shot and we’d love your help. Custom orders are welcome!
Thank you for supporting Japan!
Safe travels,
September & Morgan – Top Knotch Gear
The Donations are Totaled!
Top Knotch Gear has raised $3,717 (USD) in our Japan Disaster Relief gear to donate to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami disaster relief efforts!
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has supported Japan through TKG! Thank you for your generous support of our paracord bracelets and key chain sets. The people of Japan desperately need our help during this devastating time, so we are thrilled that everyone around the world has come together to support them. We’re truly overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Much love,
September & Morgan
POOF! 1,000 Feet of Paracord GONE!
Remember that 1,000ft spool of white paracord we posted pictures of a week ago? WE FINISHED IT! We used all 1,000 feet (and then some) to make hundreds of orders for our Japan Disaster Relief gear – bracelets and key chains! We haven’t totaled the numbers yet but we’re guessing that our donation to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami disaster relief efforts will be close to $3,500 dollars – all from the last 2 weeks!
Don’t forget to place your orders SOON! The last day to order your Japan gear is TOMORROW – MARCH 31ST – AT MIDNIGHT! If you haven’t done so already, please consider purchasing one of our disaster relief paracord bracelets or key chain sets because ALL SALES, 100%, go to the American Red Cross to help Japan during this devastating time of need. Be part of something greater than yourself!
Thanks for your support!
Morgan & September – Top Knotch Gear
Orders from 44 of the 50 States!

TKG has received orders from 44 of the 50 U.S. States for the Japan Disaster Relief gear. And many orders from Canada too!
For those of you in Montana, Wyoming, Kentucky, Vermont, Delaware and South Dakota, check out our store for your very own Japan Disaster Relief Gear! http://www.topknotch.etsy.com – all proceeds from the Japan gear is donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts!
The Michigan Difference
I just love this school – my alma mater.
If you’re unfamiliar with the University of Michigan, this is the Rock. A huge rock at the corner of Hill and Washtenaw, covered in layers and layers of paint from students over the years. It’s a UM tradition that every student paints at least once during his or her undergraduate career. The University of Michigan is known for its dedication to service around the world – be in in health, technology, the Peace Corps, everything. Painting the rock with ‘Pray for Japan’ serves as a reminder that we are in this together, that even from afar, people of all countries can come together to support each other, and Japan, during times of need.
This is the Michigan difference. GO BLUE!
Japan Bracelets: Behind the Scenes
These are some pictures of our work behind the scenes – making the Japan Disaster Relief bracelets and key chains. We posted our first Japan bracelet Tuesday morning and since then, we’ve had over 400 sales and have raised nearly $3,000! All sales from the Japan gear is donated to the Red Cross for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami disaster relief efforts. Enjoy the photos!

A spool with 1,000 feet of white parachute cord was delivered today. It reminds us of a mini keg! So far, we've used over 600 feet of cord and this spool will help us fill all of the orders we have left.
International Shipping Now Available on All Gear!
International shipping is now available on all of our gear! We’ve had many inquiries and sales from people around the globe, so in addition to our Japan Disaster Relief gear, we want to make all of our products available to everyone. Just check out Top Knotch Gear on Etsy at http://www.topknotch.etsy.com to order your gear today!
And remember, we’re STILL TAKING ORDERS FOR JAPAN DISASTER RELIEF BRACELETS AND KEY CHAINS! Japan continues to need help during this devastating time, so we at Top Knotch Gear are continuing to raise money to donate the sales to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Disaster Relief Efforts!
Thank you for all of your support, donations, and encouraging words!



















