Today started with a trip back to Dublin Airport to pick up a rental car for the rest of the trip. There were red, white, and blue balloons everywhere, including in arches over the doorways. Pretty impressive! I finally got the car, a Volkswagen Jetta (my only requirements were automatic and a/c; no small feat – or price tag – in Ireland), and discovered that it runs on diesel. Add that as another first for me! Having driven for a week on the left in England back in April, I wasn’t nearly as nervous or apprehensive this time. I should mention that my nervousness this time stems more from the low mileage – only 19 km! – on the car than the driving. I’m afraid of getting any little scratch on it. They actually have pictures taken of it just before I picked it up. Hertz’s NeverLost system seems to spend more time “searching for a GPS signal” than it actually does navigating, but I managed to make it to all my intended stops for the day.
travel
Ireland 2015: Day 2 – Scholars and Prisoners
After sleeping for almost 11 hours last night, I woke up to the sun reflecting directly into my face off the wall mirror in my hotel room this morning. It was time to get up and explore Dublin some more! My first stop of the day was Trinity College. My walking tour was slightly delayed, as we had to wait for John Boehner’s entourage to clear out. The tour
was fascinating. Would you believe that for a €3,000 registration fee per year, a student from any country in the European Union can attend Trinity College? Another interesting thing I learned was about the scholarship program. At the end of their freshman year, students can choose to sit for an examination. Those who score first honors (70% or higher) become Trinity College Scholars. This includes free tuition, room, board, etc. for the duration of their bachelor’s degrees, plus an additional 5 years to complete a Ph.D. if they choose. Only about 65 to 70 scholarships are awarded per year (out of 17,000 students). The library at Trinity College is most known for holding the Book of Kells. While this was interesting to see, the mobs of people surrounding it made it nearly impossible to get a close look. The library is also a legal deposit library for Ireland and the U.K., meaning that Trinity College has a copy of every book published in Britain, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (a total of about 4.5 million books!). My photos don’t do the Long Room justice, but this 360 degree panorama certainly gives an idea of the space.
Ireland 2015: Day 1 – Jetlagged in Dublin
This is going to be a short but sweet blog post because I am seriously ready to fall asleep (at 7:15PM!). At 5:00 yesterday afternoon (east coast time), I indulged in a burrito from Chipotle. I figured that would be my dinner before heading to the airport, and hopefully I could ignore the food on the plane and try to get some sleep. If you know me, you know I’m generally in the “early to bed, early to rise” category. So I figured by 9:30 or 10:00, I’d be dozing in my seat. Nope. The food cart came rolling by around 10:30 and I was ready to eat! Turns out, I could have easily passed on the vegetarian pasta and Pepperidge Farm cookies, but once I had it, it would have been rude not to eat it, right? Sleep came in the form of a 2 hour or so nap after “dinner”.
Mystic, Connecticut – The Perfect Weekend Escape
Looking for a great weekend getaway that’s not too far, yet has plenty to offer for all ages? Look no further than Mystic, Connecticut. From the Aquarium to the Seaport, beaches to cafes, Mystic is the perfect place to spend a weekend!
Taking a Bite Out of The Big Apple
When a local photo group planned a day trip to New York City, I was all set for a day of fun and photos in one of America’s most iconic cities. I booked a round trip ticket on Amtrak from Boston to New York City, and planned to meet the group in the city. Unfortunately, the group trip was canceled several days prior to the excursion, and I was left with two choices: either cancel my reservation and stay home, or spend a day exploring the Big Apple on my own. I chose the latter, and had a great time finding my way around the city and exploring all that makes New York City such a unique place. So what does one do for a day in New York? Read on, and discover how you can see some of the best of the Big Apple in a short amount of time.
Waterfall Wonderland – The Columbia River Gorge
No trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to the Columbia River Gorge. The gorge is a deep canyon, formed by the Columbia River, which extends over 80 miles from the Cascade Range in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Most visitors choose to visit the roughly 60-mile stretch between Portland and Hood River, which also encompasses the Historic Columbia River Highway. One of the main attractions in the gorge is the sheer volume of waterfalls (more than 90 on the Oregon side alone), many of which are easily accessible to visitors. For most visitors, a visit to the Gorge begins and ends in Portland, and the trip is often a day trip which includes a stop at Mt. Hood and a drive through the famous Hood River Fruit Loop. However, to really do justice to the area, at least one full day is recommended in order to have time for a few short hikes and not feel rushed while visiting the Gorge’s many attractions. This suggested route begins in Hood River and ends in Portland, but can easily be adapted to reverse direction or as part of a single-day trip.
The Central Oregon Coast – Yachats and Cape Perpetua
While the northern Oregon coast tends to attract day trippers and weekenders from Portland, the central Oregon coast is a bit more removed from the big cities and has a much more laid-back feel. But spend a few days along the central Oregon coast, and you’ll find it has a charm and character all its own. Yachats (pronounced “yah-hawts”) is a perfect base for exploring the central Oregon coast. There are several small inns and hotels along the coast in this area, and while not “built up”, the town is large enough to have several quality restaurants and shops. Best of all, Yachats is just a short drive from Cape Perpetua, a true gem of the Oregon coast.
From Astoria to Pacific City – Exploring the Northern Oregon Coast
“…the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless ocean…” -William Clark
Where can you find rugged coastlines, secluded beaches, and stunning vistas, all in one area? If your answer involved the Oregon coast, you’re correct! The Oregon coast has long been known as one of America’s most beautiful and scenic coastlines, and it’s easy to see why. Around every bend, there is seemingly one beautiful vista after another. Add to this the fact that the majority of the Oregon coast is comprised of small coastal villages scattered amidst miles of beaches, and you have the perfect recipe for a seaside vacation.
The City of Roses – Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon may not seem like a vacation destination, and sure, there’s plenty of beautiful scenery to explore outside the city. But spend a day in this funky, eclectic city, and you will see why thousands of people give up the dream of blue sky and sun and choose to live with what feels like endless days of overcast skies and clouds. Portland’s weather is notoriously overcast, but the city has so much to offer, both indoors and out, that it’s easy to understand why so many people choose to call this city home.
From Mountaintops to Seashore – A Visit to Santa Barbara, California
With its location a mere 90 miles from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is a perfect day trip destination from the L.A. area. Get an early start to beat the traffic heading to the coast. I would recommend starting in Santa Monica, and heading north up the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The drive along the coast is part of the fun of a day trip to Santa Barbara. The PCH hugs the coastline for most of the trip from Santa Monica to just south of Oxnard. Along the way, you will pass numerous turn-outs and state parks/beaches at which to stop. Many of these charge for parking, so you may want to pick one at which to stop and get a “taste” of the Pacific coast beaches as you make your way to Santa Barbara. Surfers frequent many of the beaches between Malibu and Santa Barbara, so you will have plenty to see on your way up the coast. If you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins playing in the water not far from the shore.
Traveling with Laura 