This summer's solo trip to Ireland was fantastic.  Nine days to wander and take photos of whatever caught my eye.  I spent my time in the west and northwest of the country, seeing some new places along the Wild Atlantic Way and falling in love again with Donegal.

A few highlights of my trip were the Hawk Walk with Troy, the Harris's Hawk, while staying at Coopershill House, hiking up along the Slieve League cliffs in Donegal (and getting caught in a squall out in the open), exploring the Burren and being able to spend time in one of my favorite places on Earth: Kilkee and the Loop Head peninsula.  And catching up with cousins in Kilkee at the end of my trip.

All my meals were amazing -- starting with "a bit of trout" at the Corrib Wave Guest House on my first night ("a bit" was the whole thing) to seafood chowder everywhere I could order it to the famed (and fattening) full Irish breakfast every morning.  One of my best meal was at Murphy Black's in Kilkee.  I was late getting to the restaurant (the Dolphin Watch Cruise went longer than expected -- likely story, right?) but they found me a table next to the serving station and I was able to chat with owner Cillian Murphy.  Dinner was lobster bisque and seafood pie, with pieces of lobster, salmon, prawns and some white fish in a light sauce with mashed potatoes and cheese on top.  I'd looked forward to having dinner there and I wasn't disappointed.

I discovered a new gallery in Kilbaha, on the road to the Loop Head Lighthouse.  I fell in love with the art and gifts made my local artists -- too many wonderful things and not enough room in my suitcase, but I splurged and bought two prints by Carsten Krieger, a local photographer who takes amazing nature shots. The ones I chose were of the sea during a huge storm that hit the coast last spring.  They are stunning.

The wildflowers were beautiful, with purple loosestrife and orange montbretia growing along the roads.  I gathered a bit of each and put together a bouquet that I left at Loop Head for my parents. I took their ashes there after they passed away many years ago and I make a point of visiting the lighthouse every time I go to Ireland.

I took about 3000 photos in nine days. It's been a challenge to look through them all but I think I have selected the best for the website.  I hope you like them.

I've been asked what it's like to travel alone, if I get lonely or nervous doing all the driving and navigating on the left side of the road.  While the driving can be a challenge, I wasn't lonely at all on this trip.  I made a point of staying in small guest houses or hotels where I could chat with other guests or the owners.  I was with people when I wanted to be and on my own when I craved quiet.  I definitely recommend it -- everyone should do it once in their lives. 

I believe that a sign of a great vacation is wanting to stay a few more days and

Slainte!

February 2014

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to update my website.  It’s the first week of February and it’s done.  Ta-daaa!  I changed each of the galleries – added some new work and kept some old favorites.  I hope you enjoy it.

Another resolution for 2014: travel more.  2013 was a good year for personal and business travel, but really, I can do better.  I visited Georgetown, Maine twice (my Happy Place), and business travel took me to San Diego, and Seattle/Friday Harbor, WA. (I always try to make time to explore.)

But still.  I can do better. 

So the question is: where to go.  I’ve booked my visit to Georgetown (there’s comfort in visiting favorite places), and I think it's time for a trip to Ireland or … Scotland and Wales.  I love Ireland and there are places I haven’t yet visited, and some I’d like to experience again.  But I’ve never been to Scotland or Wales so the unknown is looking pretty good.  And they speak English, which is always a plus.  

I love to explore new places and for the most part I’m a solo wanderer.  The only small cloud on this usually great horizon is not being able to share the experience with someone in the moment.  Coming home with stories is great, but sometimes you just want to turn to your travel companion and say, “Look at that sunset!” or “Let’s have Champagne!”  

That said, a few moments of loneliness are worth the price of admission ... and no excuse to stay home.  There's freedom in traveling alone.  I set my own course, change it as I wish, leave early if I’m not impressed with what I see or stay longer if I’m enjoying the view.

When I’m overseas, my biggest challenge is dinner time.  After a long day of seeing and doing, I find dinner and evenings can be a little lonely.  It’s a quirk of mine, but since I also love to eat, I’ve found ways to enjoy it (smile often, chat with the server, bring a book) or ways around it (visit a grocery store and have wine, bread and cheese in your room).  There's always a way to make it work for you. 

So if you’re a single women who wants to travel to places you dream about but don’t want to go alone, get in touch with me.  I’ll walk you through your first trip and you’ll never look back.

Here’s to a year of happy and healthy travel!