Coolest Things I've Done (part 3 of 3)

The third part to this three part blog was a toss up between two experiences but both were on the same day. One simply cool for the history and natural geological features, the other as it was another step outside my comfort zone. This was my visit to Giant's Causeway and the Carick-A-Rede rope bridge both located on Northern Ireland's north coast.

First on the list was Giant's Causeway. I'd seen so many pictures of this destination but knew very little about it. Actually, we had put together a loose guideline of what we wanted to see and the night before we headed out of Moville, mom and I made the final decision to hit at least Giant's Causeway then if there was enough time we'd figure our next step. Mom had quite a long list of things she wanted to see that were all along the route, I personally doubted we'd do much more than the causeway before we needed to head to Carrickfergus.

I drove our rental car along following the directions of our GPS to our destination. Before I knew it we were pulling into the parking lot of the popular tourist attraction. We followed signs and eventually found parking in a lot that swarmed with vehicles all attempting to park in the correct area. There was so much more to the destination spot than we'd realized including a hotel, the visitor center, and a museum and each had their own spaces designated for parking.

We found our way inside and again I was overwhelmed by the size of the visitor center, which was combined with a very nice and modern gift shop. It all seemed very modern art style to me and fit very well with what I would soon see once we began our tour. Mom and I both decided to rent recorded devices that acted as a guide as we made our way along the road of the Giant's Causeway. Various spaces were pointed out by our voice guide including a rock formation that looked like a camel and another that were bulbous formations of rock protruding from the side of a mountain. The round protrusions were made from volcanic activity thousands of years prior. It was amazing to see these things and how they were formed.

Eventually we made our way down the road to the most famous part of the attraction, the basalt columns. Numerous signs were posted at the entry to the space cautioning visitors to be aware of the wet slippery stones as well as the waves. I stood on some dry columns and watches the waves crash over more columns ahead of me. It was an amazing sight, just breathtaking.  The views that Giant's Causeway were so much more than the basalt columns, there were trails around the area, some led up the side of a cliff on a gentle climb to a view overlooking the land formations that gently curved and sloped along the ocean. Eventually we made our way back to the visitor's center where we watched a short video of the folklore of how Giant's Causeway gained it's name.

Before long off we went to our next destination, Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge. I went along with it but I really didn't think I'd be up for the challenge of crossing the bridge, just a little too high and a bit too scary to me. We arrived and walked along the path that would lead to the bridge after paying for our passes to cross the bridge. I told mom I would just go as far as the bridge, I just didn't think I want to cross the bridge. She said okay but totally had plans to cross which was fine with me. We took in the views of the cliffs as we walked the dirt path. Before long the bridge was in sight. My stomach jumped as I saw it and I just knew. I was nervous because I'd decided I would cross the bridge.
We descended the trail toward the gate that was monitored by an employee to ensure not too many people crossed the bridge at one time and to allow for those coming back across to be able to do so. The bridge didn't look very sturdy to me. Just wide enough for people to come from one direction, no passing on this bridge. As we stood in line waiting for our turn to cross I commented that I was shaking. Behind me stood two Australian men who happened to hear me. They asked if I was nervous and I said yes. When it came our turn, I had mom in front of me and the two men behind me. She quietly encouraged me and said she knew I could do it. Then suddenly the two men behind me started to cheer me on. Loudly they exclaimed their encouragements, You can do it, keep going! Go! Go! Go! My fear melted to amusement and mom saw her chance, she suddenly moved quickly to the end of the bridge and once on the ground she turned and pulled out her camera for her shot. I smiled and told her I wasn't going to stop so she'd better take her picture quickly.

Once off the bridge we found we were on a small island with a path that led around to the other side. The two Australian men took off after high fiving me and waving as they walked on. We took our time on the trail enjoying the views from the island. We came around to the other side of the island just in time to see the Australians singing an Irish song while overlooking the see. Their voices raised to sing the lovely tune and when they finished they turned and saw mom and I standing and watching. We started talking to the men and learned a little about them and their country. It was an amazing experience to stand on this little island, surrounded by ocean water and knowing the only option from there was to cross back over that little bridge. Something about that moment was just so calming, I was totally in the moment and completely relaxed. The fear of crossing over the bridge was gone, I knew I could do it again. Eventually the men needed to move along to their next destination so we bid farewell to them and enjoyed a bit of solitude before we too needed to keep going. I'll never forget that day and the things I saw and felt. It had been an amazing experience and will forever be at the top of my list of cool things I've done.  I just know, I will continue to add to my travels and experience more things that I can consider some of the coolest things I've ever done.