Just for fun, want to dream with me? A few days ago on Instagram I posted: “New plan. When we can safely travel again, you come to Ireland with me on an herbal retreat. We tour off-the-beaten-path stone circles and burial tombs; connect with and learn from local herbalists, storytellers, and organic farmers; forage wild … Continue reading Ireland herbal retreat dreams
I got out of the car to swing wide the cattle gate, allowing our car passage up the narrow mountain road. There was no sign to greet us, only “leave the gate as you found it” posted on a wooden placard beside the road. I slid the pin back into place, and we resumed our … Continue reading Postcard 9: Into the passage tombs
When we take long trips like this one, we largely focus on free experiences. Because four to six weeks of paid entries would crush our budget in a hurry. So we spend our time exploring roadside ruins, hidden ancient sites, mossy forest trails, and other free-to-see locations and experiences. Despite this strict and mindful budget, … Continue reading Postcard 8: Surf school
I love the notion of the nutrients and minerals of this place are becoming a part of our very bones. Our bodies are quietly growing blood and muscle and tissue from this very land, building us of this place before we leave for familiar soil once more. By foraging, we’re taking Ireland–and Iceland before it–into … Continue reading Postcard 7: Into our very bones
Oh, what a delight to spin back toward the sea, for a few slow days of rest, sand, and ocean before us. Dingle Peninsula was recommended to us by our family and friends before our first trip to Ireland, and indeed we were glad to have come. So much so that this visit we returned … Continue reading Postcard 6: Return to the sea
After leaving that ill-fated Air B&B before bedtime, we found a quiet place to sleep (or rest, at least) beside the sea. We woke as the sun rose above the mountains, gently illuminating the Atlantic coast. Everything ached, but we were grateful for following our hearts and making space for intuition, safety, and honoring our … Continue reading Postcard 5: Ancient paths
Oh, where to begin. After our brimful week in Iceland, we headed on to Ireland for another month-plus of travel. If you’ve been around for a while, you might recall the September that we spent here two years back, exploring our way around the country, following the Atlantic coast. That trip inspired this one, as … Continue reading Postcard 4: magic (and mishaps) along the way
It’s difficult to express the shear volume of magic we managed to wrangle into our one short week in Iceland. Good gracious. So much magic. From foraging crowberries to fording mountain streams; from ancient historic sites that still ring with the Sagas to soaking in seaside hot springs; from roaring waterfall views to bleary-eyed, early … Continue reading Postcard 3: Iceland farewell
The final leg of our trip was perhaps the most eagerly anticipated: Maine. The kids and I took a previous roadschooling trip there 2 1/2 years ago, and they’ve longed to return ever since. I’m not sure when a place has spoken so deeply to them as did Maine (excepting the western coast of Ireland). … Continue reading Postcard 6: Sweet Maine
Before our trip I stumbled upon a comment on an Ireland travel forum that made mention of touring canals in a rented barge (basically a tiny houseboat designed for navigating canals). I dug a little deeper and found a family owned barge rental company with an opening during our stay in Ireland. As it happened, … Continue reading Postcard 12: the boat