Nice bucket list Armornut! Sorry that so much bad stuff happened to you in such a short time.
I also want to go to the Smithsonian, plus peek at all the dusty airplane stuff hiding at Silver Hill. The dinosaur bones thing is truly magical, if there is an adequate way to describe seeing them. I felt like I was 5 years old again the first time I saw some at the Ueno Science Museum in Tokyo. It boggles the mind to stand next to a Tyranosaur or Stegosaur and imagine that these things actually roamed the Earth. I have been to a couple of Nationals and can confidently say you should absolutely make your way to at least one; it will be worth your time. Even if you go stag (i.e. without a model), it is still worth seeing. But do take a model to enter. The more the merrier. Plus the nail-biting stress adds to the experiece. 
For me, #1 on my bucket list is to finish the models that really mean something to me, and get rid of all the others before I expire. No really. I have recently seen the aftermath of several modelers' deaths and it's not fun dealing with their stash.
I have been fortunate to have been able to check off some bucket list items, like going to the IPMS Nationals (even one in the UK!), seeing the USAF Museum, going nuts shopping for model kits in Japan (and attending one of their Plamo shows), and one "almost" - driving a DeLorean. It was on a used car lot and the salesman seemed desperate to unload the high-mileage vehicle. I got the keys, hopped in the car, turned the ignition...and just like in "Back to the Future" the car wouldn't start! We couldn't get the bonnet (or is that "boot", as the car is rear engined) open to check the battery becaust the release handle was torn off! Still, it was thrilling to sit in the car and soak in its ambiance. Almost "lived the dream"...
I hope your days get better soon!