Destination Numero Cuatro: Back to Your Roots

So after one of my older sisters (I have three of them) graduated from college, she volunteered with an organization called SIMON and part of her job was to travel to Ireland and help work in homeless shelters and different things like that. I actually don't know too much about her experience working with SIMON, but I know that she had the time of her life in Ireland.  My family name is actually the oldest name in Ireland and my dad has always been really proud of our heritage.  I think it's important to go back and explore the place of your ancestors...I would love to travel to Ireland.

I would love to visit the small, unique town of Cobh, which according to my sister is "beautifully situated near the sea" and is home to so many easy-going locals.  The houses are bright, quaint, and things just seem to be as they should in Cobh, which is located in Cork....and my last name is Cleary.  Maybe it's a sign.

On top of visiting small little irish towns like Cobh, I would love to visit another place that has unique ties to me and my heritage.  The Shannon River in Ireland is something I've heard about ever since I was a little girl, because in addition to being a point of interest Shannon is also my first name and I would love nothing more than to see the surrounding area and river in person.  Maybe I'd even bottle up a little of the river to take back with me, if it weren't for that river maybe my parent's would have named me Limerick or something...

Another thing to scratch off my bucket list while staying in Ireland:

A bed and breakfast:  http://www.barkersbedandbreakfast.com/index.html

Destination Numero Très: Where the Photographers Go

I've always been fascinated with photography.  There's something about capturing a moment and making it last forever that really inspires me.  Most of all, I love photographs of landscapes.  In high school, I took a photography class and learned all about Ansel Adams.  Ever since, I've been fascinated with him, and his obsession with Yosemite National Park.  He would comment quite often on the power Yosemite had to take his breath away.  He would say things like, “Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.”

I couldn't agree more, Ansel.

Let me also add that Ansel is a great name.

Yosemite features some of the best landscape in America, Although I've been to California once within the last year, I can't wait to go again and tour this National Park to see what Ansel Adams was so in love with.

Destination Numero Dos: A friend's recommendation

Tonight, my roommate was talking about her favorite place to visit and she revealed that every summer growing up she and her family would travel to Mackinac Island in Michigan.  According to what she said, it's a little gem of the midwest.  Apparently it's located between the upper and lower peninsulas.  Interestingly enough, on the island there are actually no cars.  Everyone travels around on a horse and buggy, but it's not "old fashioned" as my friend suggested, she said it's really unique and environmentally friendly at the same time. According to Wikipedia, "the island can be reached by private boat, by ferry, by small aircraft, and in the winter, by snowmobile over an ice road." Over than 80% of the island is preserved as a state park filled with beautiful trails, trees, and God's green earth and water.  


What could be better than that?

Not much, my friends, not much.


The only downside I see to Mackinac Island is that it might be a bit touristy for my tastes.  The population is around 450 permanent residents but it seems that the island sees nearly 15,000 tourists per day during the summer time.  Along with a touristy atmosphere typically comes overly-priced food and activities, but sometimes being a tourist is ok in my book.  Mackinac does seem to be rich with history, culture, and architecture.


Quote of the day:  “The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson

My Current Adventure: Touring the US on 2 wheels

I'm so ready to travel and learn about the world, and I'm going to start my first adventure this summer.  What better place to start traveling than your own backyard?  I'll be traveling the country from one end of the country to the next on two wheels in 70 days.  I joined the Illini 4,000 for cancer and after raising 3500 dollars to donate to cancer research, I'll be cycling as an advocate for the cause.

Here's the mission of our organization, it's so inspiring and I'm so happy to be a part of something as large as cancer.  It's also a good way to pay tribute to my Aunt Kathy Jo, who is actually responsible for taking me on my first plane ride.  Breast cancer is out of control. 

Mission: The Illini 4000 is a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against cancer, the support of those affected by cancer, and the documentation of how cancer impacts the lives of Americans. Through our annual cross-country bike ride, we reach out to new communities and new individuals each year spreading our message of hope and awareness. As long as cancer remains an issue of public health, as long as cancer affects daily life, and so long as cancer takes its toll, we shall continue our fight.

 Major Cities/Locations: 

 New York City, NY 

 Washington DC 

 Philadelphia, PA 

 Columbus, OH 

 Champaign, IL 

 Chicago, IL 

 Rochester, MN 

 Yellowstone National Park 

 Missoula, MT 

 Portland, OR 

 Florence, OR (Pacific Coast!) 

 San Francisco, CA

Side Note:  We'll also be staying in my small, humble hometown of Clifton Illinois.

Quote of the day:  “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

Destination Numero Uno: The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the World

Because I'm going to travel the world, I want to start with the first place I would go if someone gave me a plane ticket and told me to fly.  The place I've been dreaming about for as long as I can remember... New Zealand.

Not only is New Zealand known for it's invention of bungee jumping, but it's home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world.  Number one on my list of things to do in New Zealand: Caynyoning.  If you aren't familiar with the term (as most of us are not) here is a definition according to Wikipedia: Canyoning (known as canyoneering in the U.S.) is traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques that may include other outdoor activities such as walking, scrambling, climbing,jumping, abseiling, and/or swimming.


If this doesn't sound fun to you, I don't know what would.


Along with the definition Wikipedia also lists 4 hazards of the sport: flash floods, hypothermia, keeper potholes (deep holes carved by water that you can get stuck in), and very narrow slots.


I think those are all risks I'm willing to take, just look at how beautiful and adventurous this is:

Quote of the day: “Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe" --Anatole France