Prisoner of Hopes

Category: Nature

  • The Shearing: Travel Goals Ireland

    The Shearing: Travel Goals Ireland

    When we travel, we prefer to stay local. We found a family farm that was willing to rent us the old homestead for a month. Our host and his father Desi, were wonderful “neighbors” and kept us connected to the community. So when Desi invited us to the annual sheep shearing, I assumed that it…

  • Some Days Are Just Beautiful: Rural Road Trips Illinois

    Some Days Are Just Beautiful: Rural Road Trips Illinois

    Some days are just beautiful. The sky is unbearably blue. The air is cool but the warmth of the sun kisses your cheeks. A slight breeze teases your skin and all seems well with the world. It is an impulse stop. I am on my way to a work related training. We are headed north…

  • Neighbors come calling: Travel Goals Ireland

    Neighbors come calling: Travel Goals Ireland

    When you rent a farmhouse in county Leitrim, Ireland you expect a fair amount of pastoral beauty. The iconic green hillsides, the wild flowers and of course lots of sheep are part of the experience. Having been in Ireland several times prior, we knew what to expect. On our last adventure we spent a month…

  • Donegal Country: Travel Goals Ireland

    Donegal Country: Travel Goals Ireland

    It is our first trip into County Donegal. I am not sure what to expect after hearing songs and reading travel advice. For me the reality is both lovely and underwhelming. Donegal is beautiful without question. But it is not substantially different than other areas of Ireland. It has unrelentingly beautiful scenery and yet perhaps…

  • Along the Cladagh: Travel Goals Ireland

    Along the Cladagh: Travel Goals Ireland

    Sitting at home this morning and arranging photos from a recent trip to Ireland, I sorted pictures taken from County Fermanagh. We stayed within a few miles of the border with Northern Ireland and found ourselves in Fermanagh several times during our trip. It rained a lot during our stay so the grass was green…

  • Not According to Plan: Travel Goals Ireland

    Not According to Plan: Travel Goals Ireland

    I am an early riser. I love the morning hours when the light is diffuse and the first notes of birdsong fill the air with promise. When we travel, I putter around the house with my coffee. I read, I write, and I explore options for the day. This means that I check the weather…

  • Cavorting in Cavan: Travel Goals Ireland

    Cavorting in Cavan: Travel Goals Ireland

    “As I walk the road from KillashandraWeary I sit down For its twelve long miles around the lakeTo get to Cavan townThough Ougher and the road I goIs a scene beyond compare”- Cavan Girl On the words of a song and an attempt to avoid the rain, we head to Cavan. The lake country is beautiful.…

  • Zoological Meandering: Rural Road Trip Wisconsin

    Zoological Meandering: Rural Road Trip Wisconsin

    I love zoos. Where else can you go to see animals frolic, listen to children laugh, learn science, and also help conservation efforts world wide? I especially love zoos that take wildlife management and animal quality of life seriously. Today’s zoo have come a long way and are continuing to evolve. We like to visit…

  • Out for a Walk: Rural Road Trip Missouri

    Out for a Walk: Rural Road Trip Missouri

    When the mind races, I take a walk. If I am overwhelmed, I walk. If I have time to kill, I walk. Walking is good for my body and mind. I don’t really need an excuse to take a walk. Today I found myself with an extra hour between appointments and decided to take advantage…

  • Final Impressions: Travel Goals Norway

    Final Impressions: Travel Goals Norway

    Last days in a place are always a little bitter sweet. I spend a little time either trying to figure out if there are places we need to see before we go or places we need to revisit. Today feels random. I want to return to Frogner park to get a picture of the “angry…