Travel and the imagination

I must admit...some of my best memories from travel never actually happened. In my planning for trips I often find myself wondering what exciting things will happen to me while I'm on my journeys. I imagine that I'll see some amazing sites, perhaps an eagle will fly close by, maybe I'll see an enchanted scene, like out of a movie. Or my most favorite and common, the one where my romantic side takes lead. I'll live out the most amazing love story while on the trip. Perhaps my car will break down heading into Yosemite where a cranky and handsome rancher will come to my rescue. Perhaps, I'll meet a man who needs my help with something and something develops. It's silly I know, and belongs in the pages of a book. Heck, it is all fodder for a future romance book.  So perhaps I'll leave you all with a short imagery, one from my quick imaginings of trips past.

The evening brushed wisps of air against the skin and down the back giving chills to anyone who still dressed for summer. Fireflies danced around the edges of the nearby woods, mirroring the twinkle lights hanging overhead. She stood on the porch of activity center, the wood boards creaking beneath her feet wishing she'd brought a sweater to put over her sundress. Almost as soon as the thought of the chill popped into her mind, it swished away again as she became enchanted by the view. It was a magical fairyland. The pergola cover of the porch boasted purple wisteria, hanging onto those final days of summer. Each night, she knew, fewer lightning bugs would appear. Each day, more flowers would fade. Even as she enjoyed the prospect of Autumn, she felt a little sad, a little nostalgic for the last days of summer.

She leaned against a post, hearing the tinkling of glasses and laughter of party goers in the activity center behind her. She only had a few days before she had to head home, back to work, back to life. All summer she'd been spying him, the same man, he was handsome, not in the traditional sense but there was something about the way he held himself, the way he moved that attracted her attention. He had been allusive though, disappearing each time she drew near. She sighed, it was like the rest of her life, the idea of a romance dancing around the edges but never fully coming to fruition. As she watched the scenery, she heard creaking of those cranky floorboards. Someone was approaching. She could tell from the smell, from the sound of the walk exactly who it was. "Beautiful night" He said. She turned around....and smiled.

Anticipation of a Staycation

Here we are, mid-September and I'm already dreaming about my upcoming non-road trip trip in November. Every year I take the week of Thanksgiving off and take a vacation. Shoot, to me, this is the best time to take the week off, three vacation days used, nine days off in a row.

In the past I've taken trips to Prescott, stayed in lovely places, explored the shops downtown, and relaxed all while dreaming of the day I wouldn't have to leave. After that dream came true, I found myself wondering...now what. I was living in my favorite vacation destination. So I began to explore. Last year was my biggest solo trip overall, I went on a massive 9 day road trip up California and back down through Nevada. It was an amazing journey.

This year is leaving me without the means to travel, having spent my vacation budget on a conference early this year, taking a road trip somewhere new isn't in the cards. So I decided to still take the time off, but this time, I'm exploring the area. I'm finding I'm a bit excited about this non-trip. I'm counting down the days to the end of my current college course (8 weeks left) and am learning of the different activities I can do while on my vacation.

I'm excited of the prospect of taking a train in Northern Arizona, visiting wineries in Cottonwood, or even visiting the Grand Canyon Caverns in Peach Springs. Perhaps I might even travel a bit of Route 66, something I've wanted to do for a long time. There are so many places I've yet to explore, living in Arizona, they become taken for granted. Who knows what amazing sights I'll see? A week to unwind from the pressures of work, school, and other day-to-day activities sounds just perfect. I wonder how many days I have.....where's my calendar?

Whales!

Watery spray from the whale blasted up right next to the boat with a sound that was from the books, from the movies, and one I'd been dreaming of hearing in person for as long as I could remember. We off the coast of Moss Landing which is just north of Monterrey on a whale excursion.

Early this morning we arrived at the Moss Landing Marina, a light layer of clouds covered the sun giving the morning a gloomy appearance. Despite the low light, my mood was light, nervous, and anxious excitement. I was going on a whale watching trip with my mom and we were filled with curiosity of exactly what the day would bring.
As the time to gather neared, we left the car and wandered over the the assigned meeting location for the journey. The sun began to peak out as the clouds began to roll away. I new this was a good sign as clear days, make it easier to spot whale spouts when they came up for air. As the captain and first mate explained the safety rules, my stomach jumped a little, nervous at the concept of being on a smaller boat than I was accustomed from previous whale/dolphin excursions, nervous at the possibility of sea-sickness. The what-if's kept rolling through my head.

After the rundown of safety rules our tour group headed down the docks to the boat. After spying the boat, mom paused and said "That's it? That's awfully small." I smiled, put on my brave face and told her it would be great, but I too was a little anxious about the size of the craft. We boarded, the crew gave final safety instructions and a little tour of the boat as the captain and other crew pushed off from the dock and we motored out of the marina toward the open ocean. We stayed near the read of the boat to start our journey, watching the water, bouncing over the waves, and listening to the roar of the engines. The sun was bright and sky clear. It wasn't long before a spout was seen and off we went in the direction of the whales.

Over the next few hours we spent much time near a drop-off in the water where Humpback Whales, Seals, and various other sea life came to feed. We watched in amazement as the sides, backs, tails, and heads of the whales would breach the surface and sink back down. When a blowhole appeared, a spray of water would come up as the whale took a breath before sinking back into the water. Fascinated by the sight I hung over the edge of the boat with many others, all jockeying for position along the rail to watch the whales. A few more daring souls hung off the front (highest and bounciest point) of the boat. The cautious ones hung back, utilizing the benches, staying in the shade and watching the whales from a little farther away. No matter the position in the boat, all stared in awe at the views.

Time was finally up, many growing hungry as the day progressed along, ready for a good lunch. Some exhausted from the early morning start and a day in the sun. We eagerly turned our attention back to shore, ready to depart from the boat and head on our ways, memories of whales and seals all swirling in our heads. Finally as we docked and departed I felt a mix of happiness to be off the boat and moving about again and sadness as I was once again leaving the water. It was a day to remember, and a day with amazing sights, smells, and sounds.

A blue building; A stone building

This was it. Something I'd dreamed about for years and here I was, on Inishmore. I'd spent the day  exploring the smaller island of Inisheer and riding across the Atlantic from Doolin, on mainland Ireland on a ferryboat. Inisheer was an unexpected surprise and an enjoyable one. Most of the island was low to the sea and upon approach it was amazing to see a lighthouse and a wrecked, rusted ship dotting the shoreline. Inisheer was a beautiful island to visit and spend a couple hours before I found myself back on the ferryboat zipping over the waves to an item on my bucket list. Inishmore. I'd dreamed about this for as long as I could remember. I road on the bow of the boat, waiting and watching for the island to come into view. In the distance I could see Inishmaan, a dark low rising mass rising just above the ocean. Suddenly there it was, low on the ocean but getting larger as we drew closer, Inishmore.

Our boat drew closer to the island and my heart was flying. I was there, finally there. I soaked in the view. A light house on a small island just off the main island blinked in the cloudy, slightly misty afternoon. As we approached the main town, Kilronan, I took in the buildings that stood close to the shore. Two in particular caught my attention. One blue building, one stone building. They stood next to each other and both had me itching to explore the goods the two stores had to offer. Carraig Donn, the blue building had so much to offer from Beleek pottery to Kilkenny crystal. Aran Sweater Market, the stone building held many sweaters, scarves, hats, and socks. There were many other gifty and touristy items. I left each store with purchases I loved from the moment I picked them and up still love, three years later. My Aran wool socks are a soft powder blue and a favorite to keep my feet warm on cold winter nights at home. The Beleek ornament still graces the branches of my Christmas tree each year and hangs on the wall the rest of the year as I don't have the heart to put away this lovely little reminder.

The purchases stand as a reminder to me of that lifelong goal I'd reached and the memory I had of floating up to the dock, seeing the buildings of Kilronan but seeing the standout buildings, one blue building; one stone building.