Here we are in September. My how times does fly. Another month of Your Top 3. Don't know what Your Top 3 is? Well, it's a monthly contest where you're asked to choose three items on different topics presented each months, then create a post listing the three nominations and explaining the reasons for your choices.

I'm way late this month at the last minute. For September, we're asked to present our three favorite travel destinations.

My Nominations are:

Nomination Number One

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

My Reasons for the Nomination

I know that with 24 wildfires currently raging out of control, California is the last place anyone would think of as one of their top places to visit. Well, what about the people who live there everyday and this is what they contend with. Sort of like our hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes each year. We learn to live with nature and adopt survival skills.

Although I do know that some of the fires each year are from human error or intentional.

My reason for choosing Southern California is that several years ago I visited family. They decided to take us on a tour they thought I would love. And I did. I didn't want to leave.

We visited several places during our stay. Day one of our visit, we spent time at Disney World. Too much walking for me.

The next day we visited the California Yacht Marina at Cabrillo Plaza in San Pedro. It's a delightful place to entertain guests for all type functions. The backdrop of the marina is beautiful with a gorgeous sunset.

Finally, couldn't leave without visiting the beautiful beaches. We also toured the Port of Long Beach that's famous for it's waterfront attractions.

Nomination Number Two

ETERNAL FLAME FALLS, NEW YORK

My Reasons for the Nomination

I took a business trip several years ago to New York. During the entire week, I was stuck at work during the day and in the hotel room after work getting ready for the next day. I didn't get a chance to take in any of the sights.

One of the places high on my list I would have loved to visit is Eternal Flame Falls. I love waterfalls, and besides wanting to visit Niagara Falls, Eternal Flame Falls is my next on my list of must-see places.

Eternal Flame Falls is located in the western part of New York. It's a small waterfall, but what makes it unique is that it's located in the Shale Creek Reserve, a section of Chestnut Ridge Park. The waterfall's location is in a small grotto at the base of the waterfall where natural gas is emitted.

^{Image by Mpmajewski from Wikimedia.org}

So there you're looking at a waterfall in front and flames behind it. It's a truly awesome sight. And the best thing is that the flames burn nearly year round. I found out it can go out, but it's not difficult to re-light it.¹

I can't wait to return one day to visit the flame it see and other places in New York.

Nomination Number Three

ROMAN COLOSSEUM, ITALY

My Reasons for the Nomination

My last favorite travel destination is a bucket list item. I would love to visit Rome to see the amphitheatre. It was the largest amphitheatre built during that time in ancient Rome. Holding up to 80,000 people, it was used as public displays and gladiator battles. Not too glamorous use of the venue, but those were the times and thinking of the rulers.

^{Image by Diliff from Wikipedia.org}