I plan to use a portion of our Christmas break to start making real plans for our summer adventure in Ireland. There's so much to do!
Lauren's last day of school is Friday, June 6th, so I think we'll fly out the following Monday. That'll put us in Dublin on the 10th. I think it would be wise to plan to spend the night and then hop a train the following morning to Tralee, which is where we'll begin our walk. It's about a three hour trip. So, assuming that works out, we'll begin walking the peninsula on the 12th.
Although it's only a little over a hundred miles, I'm planning to take ten days to complete it. I'd like to take time to smell the roses and by that I really mean enjoy the pubs. With the exception of two or three days, there were no pubs at which to stop along the way during our Walk Across England, which was a good thing because many of those days were in excess of twelve miles. A pub would have seriously screwed up our timing and we'd have ended up sleeping in an abandoned barn or in a field of tall grass. Neither would have been pleasant.
In Ireland, however, our daily mileage will be less, which will afford us time to soak up the local atmosphere and enjoy the people. I want to take a side trip to the Blasket Islands while we're in Dingle, too. They look like a prime place for ghost hunting.
When we arrive back in Tralee at the end of ten days, we'll hop a train to Castlebar (County Mayo) to search for some Lavells. I've heard they're known as "wankers", which isn't a huge surprise. Most of the Lavells I know fit that category quite well. I hope to find some of my Dad's people and connect with his past. It's something he always wanted to do but never had the opportunity to make it happen. Lauren and I will do it in his honor.
After a few days in Castlebar, we'll take another train back to Dublin for one last pint before flying back to our island in the sun.
Doesn't that sound like a great adventure?!? Stay tuned as we make preparations!
(By the way, my training is underway...I clocked 8 miles yesterday!)
Monday, December 23, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Cows!
I love cows. They're usually friendly and fairly gentle and once they get to know you, they'll happily follow you around like the family dog.
Lauren and I saw cows every few days when we walked across England last year. We also ran into some nasty bulls and some Momma cows who were protecting newly born calves. Everything I said about cows does not apply to Momma's with calves. Those bitches are mean, and rightly so.
Ireland has Galloway cows and let me tell you what; they are beauties! I can't wait to see our first ones because I'll throw my arms around their necks and hug them. They remind me of Pandas and, from what little I know, they are quite gentle.
Get ready Ireland...I'm getting my cow on.
Lauren and I saw cows every few days when we walked across England last year. We also ran into some nasty bulls and some Momma cows who were protecting newly born calves. Everything I said about cows does not apply to Momma's with calves. Those bitches are mean, and rightly so.
Ireland has Galloway cows and let me tell you what; they are beauties! I can't wait to see our first ones because I'll throw my arms around their necks and hug them. They remind me of Pandas and, from what little I know, they are quite gentle.
Get ready Ireland...I'm getting my cow on.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
The Blasket Islands
I'm a sucker for islands. Always have been, probably always will.
I grew up in western NY and, as a kid, the only islands I knew about where the Thousand Islands. One summer, my parents took my brothers and I on a boat trip through the St. Lawrence Seaway. I was maybe five or six, but I'll never forget it.
Boldt Castle stole my heart and my imagination. I daydreamed about living there when I grew up.
Apparently, I haven't grown up yet, but I am living on an island. Unfortunately, it does not include a castle, but I plan to add that to my husband's to-do list. He's retired and has plenty of time to build us a castle.
I'm still in love with the whole idea of an island...it's magical to me.
Guess what? Ireland is an island.
Guess what else? Off the coast, are the Blasket Islands, which as luck would have it, are also islands. I bet you couldn't guess that from their clever name.
These particular islands are unfortunately no longer inhabited (at least by the living), but they are stunningly beautiful. Lauren and I will add a day to our walk so that we can ferry out to the islands to explore.
Ghost hunting anyone?
I grew up in western NY and, as a kid, the only islands I knew about where the Thousand Islands. One summer, my parents took my brothers and I on a boat trip through the St. Lawrence Seaway. I was maybe five or six, but I'll never forget it.
Boldt Castle stole my heart and my imagination. I daydreamed about living there when I grew up.
Apparently, I haven't grown up yet, but I am living on an island. Unfortunately, it does not include a castle, but I plan to add that to my husband's to-do list. He's retired and has plenty of time to build us a castle.
I'm still in love with the whole idea of an island...it's magical to me.
Guess what? Ireland is an island.
Guess what else? Off the coast, are the Blasket Islands, which as luck would have it, are also islands. I bet you couldn't guess that from their clever name.
These particular islands are unfortunately no longer inhabited (at least by the living), but they are stunningly beautiful. Lauren and I will add a day to our walk so that we can ferry out to the islands to explore.
Ghost hunting anyone?
Monday, November 4, 2013
Kickstart Me, Baby!
From one project to the next, that's how I like to do things. In preparation for Lauren and my next Grand Adventure around Ireland's Dingle Peninsula, we are running a Kickstarter project!!
I heard a few of you in the back mumble, "What the hell is she talking about?" Well, let me clarify things.
Kickstarter is an online, creative way to raise funds for all types of projects. Everything from books to video games to music and art are brought to life through the financial support of people around the world. Since its launch in 2009,4.7 million people have raised over $760 million dollars for all sorts of artistic projects.
How does it work? People like us come up with an idea. They describe it and establish a funding goal with a deadline. People can decide to pledge any amount of money, from $1 to every cent they own, in return for rewards. No money changes hands unless the funding goal is reached. It's a risk, but worthy projects often exceed their funding goal.
Lauren and I have decided to launch a Kickstarter project for our Irish Adventure through the Dingleberry Forest (The Dingle Way). Our goal is raise $3,500 in thirty days. Ultimately, we will produce a hard cover book that chronicles our journey, full of color photos of the landscape, it's people and the cuisine. The money we raise will be used to upgrade our camera equipment, publish and print the book and fund a small portion of the costs of travel. The bulk of the funds will be used for production costs.
We're working to create rewards that will make people want to back this project. Some of them include (for a pledge of $10) a postcard mailed from somewhere along the way, collectible souvenirs ($15) an 11x14 glossy photo of a either a castle or a seaside view made from a photo taken during our walk ($30) and so on. We've tried to offer something for every budget, from $10 to a well over one hundred for those of you who can afford to support "the arts".
The bottom line is that we want to produce a beautiful compilation of photos to accompany the story of our first foray into my homeland. We hope to build a successful Kickstarter project so we can share our adventure with you.
I heard a few of you in the back mumble, "What the hell is she talking about?" Well, let me clarify things.
Kickstarter is an online, creative way to raise funds for all types of projects. Everything from books to video games to music and art are brought to life through the financial support of people around the world. Since its launch in 2009,4.7 million people have raised over $760 million dollars for all sorts of artistic projects.
How does it work? People like us come up with an idea. They describe it and establish a funding goal with a deadline. People can decide to pledge any amount of money, from $1 to every cent they own, in return for rewards. No money changes hands unless the funding goal is reached. It's a risk, but worthy projects often exceed their funding goal.
Lauren and I have decided to launch a Kickstarter project for our Irish Adventure through the Dingleberry Forest (The Dingle Way). Our goal is raise $3,500 in thirty days. Ultimately, we will produce a hard cover book that chronicles our journey, full of color photos of the landscape, it's people and the cuisine. The money we raise will be used to upgrade our camera equipment, publish and print the book and fund a small portion of the costs of travel. The bulk of the funds will be used for production costs.
We're working to create rewards that will make people want to back this project. Some of them include (for a pledge of $10) a postcard mailed from somewhere along the way, collectible souvenirs ($15) an 11x14 glossy photo of a either a castle or a seaside view made from a photo taken during our walk ($30) and so on. We've tried to offer something for every budget, from $10 to a well over one hundred for those of you who can afford to support "the arts".
The bottom line is that we want to produce a beautiful compilation of photos to accompany the story of our first foray into my homeland. We hope to build a successful Kickstarter project so we can share our adventure with you.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
The Dingle In Ten...and then?
Now that my second book has been released, I've spent some time planning this summer's walking adventure around the Dingle Peninsula. Okay, so it's not going to be a coast to coast wallapalooza, but it's going to be very cool nonetheless.
At just shy of one hundred miles, we'll stretch it out over nine or ten days. We begin and end in Tralee, making a circuit of the Dingleberry Forest, I mean the peninsula. Based on everything I've read, we'll walk all sorts of terrain from mountain ridges to beaches to tarmac to boreens. What's even more promising than the landscape is the number of pubs along the way! It's mind boggling; I can't count that high.
But then what? Only eight days of walking won't satisfy the itch in my hiking boots, so I'm trying to figure out a way to zip up to County Mayo to poke around the birthplace of my Dad's father. I've discovered that "Lavell" is a very common name in those parts, much like "White" or "Smith" in the States. I'd like to take Lauren there to reconnect with our history and drink some pints in a place my Dad always wanted to go, but never could afford.
All this planning is making me thirsty...where's me flask?
For those keeping track, here's the game plan:
Tralee to Camp 12 miles
Camp to Anascoul 10.5 miles
Anascoul to Dingle 13.5 miles
Dingle to Dunquin 13.5 miles
Dunquin to Ballydavid 8 miles
Ballydavid to Ballycurane 7 miles
Ballycurane to Cloghane 14 miles
Cloghane to Castlegregory 13.5 miles
Castlegregory to Tralee 14 miles
At just shy of one hundred miles, we'll stretch it out over nine or ten days. We begin and end in Tralee, making a circuit of the Dingleberry Forest, I mean the peninsula. Based on everything I've read, we'll walk all sorts of terrain from mountain ridges to beaches to tarmac to boreens. What's even more promising than the landscape is the number of pubs along the way! It's mind boggling; I can't count that high.
But then what? Only eight days of walking won't satisfy the itch in my hiking boots, so I'm trying to figure out a way to zip up to County Mayo to poke around the birthplace of my Dad's father. I've discovered that "Lavell" is a very common name in those parts, much like "White" or "Smith" in the States. I'd like to take Lauren there to reconnect with our history and drink some pints in a place my Dad always wanted to go, but never could afford.
All this planning is making me thirsty...where's me flask?
For those keeping track, here's the game plan:
Tralee to Camp 12 miles
Camp to Anascoul 10.5 miles
Anascoul to Dingle 13.5 miles
Dingle to Dunquin 13.5 miles
Dunquin to Ballydavid 8 miles
Ballydavid to Ballycurane 7 miles
Ballycurane to Cloghane 14 miles
Cloghane to Castlegregory 13.5 miles
Castlegregory to Tralee 14 miles
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Reality Check
So reality finally stuck its ugly nose into our plans. It's simply not possible for me to take off a month now that I'm apparently a grown-up with a regular job. Sheesh. How rude of my employers to think I would want to work all summer rather than traipse across my homeland with my favorite girl. Some people.
But not all is lost. Rather than coast to coasting, we're going to walk the Dingle Way. Please do snicker at the name.
Lauren and I have taken to referring to it as the Dingleberry Forest, which is sure to annoy her dwarf. Honestly, that's part of the reason we do it. Who doesn't love an annoyed dwarf?
According to said dwarf, it takes about ten days to make that trek, which is FAR shorter of a distance than I'd like, but again reality is telling me I should be satisfied with that and shut the hell up. I'm trying to see this as an okay plan but am disappointed that we have to scale down our adventure to something just any ole Joe Schmoe could do.
Enough complaining. There are people without legs who would kill for the opportunity. We both have two legs, so no more whining. It's time for real planning.
But not all is lost. Rather than coast to coasting, we're going to walk the Dingle Way. Please do snicker at the name.
Lauren and I have taken to referring to it as the Dingleberry Forest, which is sure to annoy her dwarf. Honestly, that's part of the reason we do it. Who doesn't love an annoyed dwarf?
According to said dwarf, it takes about ten days to make that trek, which is FAR shorter of a distance than I'd like, but again reality is telling me I should be satisfied with that and shut the hell up. I'm trying to see this as an okay plan but am disappointed that we have to scale down our adventure to something just any ole Joe Schmoe could do.
Enough complaining. There are people without legs who would kill for the opportunity. We both have two legs, so no more whining. It's time for real planning.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Kickstarter
My only regret about the Coast to Coast walk across England that I did with my daughter, is the lack of documentation. I blogged each day and took some photos, but not nearly enough to truly chronicle the physical challenges, personal victories and friendships made along the way.
We're going to do things differently this time. Bear with me while I explain the plan. Its a bit unorthodox.
Have you heard of Kickstarter? It's a creative way to raise funds for all types of projects. Everything from books to video games to music and art are brought to life through the financial support of people around the world. Since its launch in 2009,4.7 million people have raised over $760 million dollars for all sorts of artistic projects.
How does it work? People like us come up with an idea. They describe it and establish a funding goal with a deadline. People can decide to pledge any amount of money, from $1 to every cent they own, in return for rewards. No money changes hands unless the funding goal is reached. It's a risk, but worthy projects often exceed their funding goal.
Lauren and I have decided to launch a Kickstarter project for our Irish Coast to Coast Adventure. Our goal is raise $6,000 in thirty days. Ultimately, we will produce a hard cover book that chronicles our journey, full of color photos of the landscape, it's people and the cuisine. The money we raise will be used to upgrade our camera equipment, publish and print the book and fund a small portion of the costs of travel. The bulk of the funds will be used for production costs.
We're working to create rewards that will make people want to back this project. Some of the ones we've already decided on include a postcard sent from a random location along the way, an 11x14 glossy photo of a either a castle or a seaside view made from a photo taken during our walk and a signed book. We plan to offer something for every budget, from $10 to a couple hundred.
The bottom line is that we want to produce a beautiful compilation of photos to accompany the story of our 32-day journey across a foreign land. We hope to build a successful Kickstarter project so we can share our adventure with you.
Our project will launch in December or January, I'm still working out the timing issues. I just wanted to give our readers a heads-up regarding our future plans.
The excitement builds.
We're going to do things differently this time. Bear with me while I explain the plan. Its a bit unorthodox.
Have you heard of Kickstarter? It's a creative way to raise funds for all types of projects. Everything from books to video games to music and art are brought to life through the financial support of people around the world. Since its launch in 2009,4.7 million people have raised over $760 million dollars for all sorts of artistic projects.
How does it work? People like us come up with an idea. They describe it and establish a funding goal with a deadline. People can decide to pledge any amount of money, from $1 to every cent they own, in return for rewards. No money changes hands unless the funding goal is reached. It's a risk, but worthy projects often exceed their funding goal.
Lauren and I have decided to launch a Kickstarter project for our Irish Coast to Coast Adventure. Our goal is raise $6,000 in thirty days. Ultimately, we will produce a hard cover book that chronicles our journey, full of color photos of the landscape, it's people and the cuisine. The money we raise will be used to upgrade our camera equipment, publish and print the book and fund a small portion of the costs of travel. The bulk of the funds will be used for production costs.
We're working to create rewards that will make people want to back this project. Some of the ones we've already decided on include a postcard sent from a random location along the way, an 11x14 glossy photo of a either a castle or a seaside view made from a photo taken during our walk and a signed book. We plan to offer something for every budget, from $10 to a couple hundred.
The bottom line is that we want to produce a beautiful compilation of photos to accompany the story of our 32-day journey across a foreign land. We hope to build a successful Kickstarter project so we can share our adventure with you.
Our project will launch in December or January, I'm still working out the timing issues. I just wanted to give our readers a heads-up regarding our future plans.
The excitement builds.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
A Change in Course
Lauren and I have agreed on a change in course. We'll end our Walk Across Ireland by walking the Dingle Way (I know, it's funny) rather than the Kerry Way. There are a few reasons behind this decision; the Dingle will be less crowded and it's less touristy to boot. If those weren't reason enough, there's one more....
Our old friend Owen is going to join us! Yes, that's right! Lauren's dwarf, the one we befriended on our Coast to Coast walk across England is going to meet us for the last leg of our next big adventure. That alone would be reason to alter our plans. Lauren and I are both very excited to walk again with our cranky little companion.
Walking through the Dingleberry Forest with a dwarf!! What could be better?
It's important to get all of the "dingle" jokes out on this side of the pond, before Lauren's dwarf joins us, because he doesn't find them funny. Owen once told us about walking the Dingle Way and we laughed so hard, we ended up on the ground, unable to stand or breath. Owen left us where we were and kept walking.
Owen is not a funny dwarf, but we adore him in spite of his lack of a funny bone. We learned late in the walk that he has a great weakness for chocolate. Lauren and I plan to carry loads of it for those times when he gets snarly.
I have some additional plotting to do to figure out our new itinerary, but it is with great happiness that I do so!
Our old friend Owen is going to join us! Yes, that's right! Lauren's dwarf, the one we befriended on our Coast to Coast walk across England is going to meet us for the last leg of our next big adventure. That alone would be reason to alter our plans. Lauren and I are both very excited to walk again with our cranky little companion.
Walking through the Dingleberry Forest with a dwarf!! What could be better?
It's important to get all of the "dingle" jokes out on this side of the pond, before Lauren's dwarf joins us, because he doesn't find them funny. Owen once told us about walking the Dingle Way and we laughed so hard, we ended up on the ground, unable to stand or breath. Owen left us where we were and kept walking.
Owen is not a funny dwarf, but we adore him in spite of his lack of a funny bone. We learned late in the walk that he has a great weakness for chocolate. Lauren and I plan to carry loads of it for those times when he gets snarly.
I have some additional plotting to do to figure out our new itinerary, but it is with great happiness that I do so!
Friday, July 12, 2013
And So It Begins
In June 2012, my daughter Lauren and I walked across England. We began at the Irish Sea on the west coast and walked 200 miles to the North Sea on the east coast in sixteen days. We'd never done anything remotely like that before and it was one of the greatest experiences of our lives.
We couldn't let it end there.
I've heard Ireland calling my name for many years and now seems like a good time to answer. Lauren and I will walk from Dublin (the beginning of the Wicklow Way) to Portmagee (the end of the Kerry Way), about 387 miles. Our trek will carry us from the Irish Sea, which seems like marvelous place to begin any adventure, to the Atlantic Ocean, over mountains, through farmlands and across bogs.
Sounds familiar, eh?
While the terrain will be quite similar to our Walk Across England, the experience will be quite different. The distance is considerably longer, almost double our first Walk, which will be a challenge. But consider the people, the cuisine and the music - don't forget the BEER! - it will certainly be worth it.
It is my plan to spend each night in a B&B, pub or working farm, but I'm just beginning to work out those details. I really enjoy the planning phase...it gets the blood pumping and my feet ready to jump up and go. My hiking boots are already counting the days.
I invite you to stop by every now and then to see how our plan progresses.
We couldn't let it end there.
I've heard Ireland calling my name for many years and now seems like a good time to answer. Lauren and I will walk from Dublin (the beginning of the Wicklow Way) to Portmagee (the end of the Kerry Way), about 387 miles. Our trek will carry us from the Irish Sea, which seems like marvelous place to begin any adventure, to the Atlantic Ocean, over mountains, through farmlands and across bogs.
Sounds familiar, eh?
While the terrain will be quite similar to our Walk Across England, the experience will be quite different. The distance is considerably longer, almost double our first Walk, which will be a challenge. But consider the people, the cuisine and the music - don't forget the BEER! - it will certainly be worth it.
It is my plan to spend each night in a B&B, pub or working farm, but I'm just beginning to work out those details. I really enjoy the planning phase...it gets the blood pumping and my feet ready to jump up and go. My hiking boots are already counting the days.
I invite you to stop by every now and then to see how our plan progresses.
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