It's hard to believe that three weeks have already elapsed since we boarded a plane in Chicago bound for Ireland. Three weeks together as we have explored the country from east to west, south to north, then southward once more. And what a few weeks it has been! During our travels we've steeled our courage … Continue reading Postcard 11: one week to go
I wonder what it says about us that after circumnavigating this entire country, our two favorite destinations have been a day spent on a quiet, magical back road in Southern Ireland (rolling uphill, hanging gifts on a fairy tree, and hiking off trail to a waterfall) and another spent at the northernmost part of Ireland, picking polished rocks … Continue reading Postcard 10: simple is best
The very first time I took my kids on a month-long road trip (when they were just seven and three), the theme I made up for our trip was "go with the flow". I wanted them to embark with open, flexible attitudes, ready to roll with the inevitable bumps in the road before us. And … Continue reading Postcard 9: go with the flow
How behind I am on sharing postcards from the road! It's been a full few days, and internet has been spotty. But we're still at it, working our way slowly around the island. For the past week or so we've been moving to a new destination every two days. While at the beginning of our … Continue reading Postcard 8: balance
Whether in life or in travel, it's easy to get caught up in our heads and focus only on our agenda, expecting things to unfold in the way we've scripted in our minds. Our destination in mind, rather than the journey. But I propose that in life (and in travel) it's almost always a better … Continue reading Postcard 7: take the detour
Before we left home we were fairly laid back about planning our actual stopping points while in Ireland. We wanted to be free to linger somewhere that spoke to us, or add detours as we wished along the way. Our first pre-planned stop, however, was the Dingle Peninsula where we had reserved a cottage and … Continue reading Postcard 5: to the sea
Before we left Wisconsin we made an eclectic list of things that each of us most wanted to do during our month in Ireland. On everyone's list was the goal of finding a "magic road" – a spot where your car seems to defy physics and roll, in neutral, up hill. How could we resist … Continue reading Postcard 4: magic afoot!
We decided that we'd pick a day early in our trip to call our "first day of (home)school" for 2017. (Just for fun.) Because even thought we're learning all the time – now more than ever – we always get a kick out of choosing a random day and calling life "school" once more. And … Continue reading Postcard 3: first day of homeschool
We set off by foot to explore Dublin for a day. We wandered throughout the city, from quiet parks and busy neighborhoods to bustling downtown. Even crossing the street here is an adventure, with Lupine clutching my hand and calling "RUN!" each time we venture across, while I simultaneously yell, "Run for your lives!" to … Continue reading Postcard 2: steeped in history
After a long day of travel and on an hour or so of sleep, we rolled into Dublin as the sun rose over Ireland. We found our way to our Air B&B and gratefully bathed, ate, and (despite our best efforts to not nap until dark) fell asleep mid-day Irish time – exhausted, excited, and … Continue reading Postcard 1: Arrival in Dublin