Getting Lost on Vacation

It's been over ten years since I went to Ireland, and I still remember and follow the one piece of advice that I was given: "Allow yourself time to get lost." This one little bit of advice was a complete game-changer on my trips. 

Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

When we travel, we create itineraries and to-dos that are jammed full of places to visit or things to do, and end up exhausted by the end of the trip. I've learned over the years to include spare time on my travels, whether it be a short drive day or allotting more time than needed when visiting a particular location. This strategy has paid off in more ways than I can count. 

In 2013, my mom and I traveled to Ireland for three weeks, and that's the first time we were given the advice to allow extra time to "get lost." While I never actually got lost in any of these adventures, it has become my motto. My getting lost hasn't been anything geographical, but rather, it's getting lost in the moment, in the adventure, or in the beauty.

This was the first time I "got lost," and this was one of those times that wrapped the beauty, the moment, and the adventure into one. My mom had been in Ireland for a few days and had driven from Waterford to the coast to see the Hook Light House. The day had been an adventure from my first journey on a car ferry to seeing the rugged black rocks along the Ireland coast. 

On the drive back to Waterford, we'd been waiting to catch the car ferry back across the river. While waiting, I spied a sign for the Kilmokea Country Manor and Tea Gardens. I glanced at Mom, who was reading the same sign as the ferry came into view. I asked her, "Should we do that?"  She happily agreed, and we were off. I quickly pulled out of the car ferry line, and we followed the signs to the manor. This adventure led us to meeting a wonderful man who invited us in for tea and a treat, and an open invitation to explore the gardens after he'd closed up the shop. That became an afternoon turning to evening in gardens that captured the imagination and made me think of The Secret Garden, Alice and Wonderland, and even fairy stories.

Although this experience was over ten years ago, I still remember it with such clarity and detail as if it just happened. This was my first time understanding what exactly it meant to allow time to get lost.

The hike to Tipanogos Caverns.

Since then, I've enjoyed other "lost" moments, including the unexpected exploration of the Hall of Mosses in Olympic National Park, a great spice and tea shop in Port Townsend, WA, and hiking to the Tipanogos Caverns in Utah. It's also suddenly getting the gumption to cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in Ireland or chancing a drive up a muddy road to a dude ranch, hoping to ride a horse.

Savoring that Irish Coffee
 while enjoying my book.

Getting lost is taking extra time in a museum you enjoyed or taking a quiet moment in a Las Vegas casino bar while sipping a drink and enjoying a book, yes, you read that right, I read a book, in a bar, in Vegas, and I enjoyed every moment!

No matter the circumstance, taking time to get lost on my adventures has paid off in so many ways. I've met some fantastic people, including two Australians who cheered me on across the rope bridge, a tea house owner who invited us to explore enchanting gardens, a German who was seeing Death Valley for the first time, and so many others. I've had some incredible experiences and gained so many amazing memories in those moments where I allowed myself the time and just be.  "Allow yourself time to get lost" has been the best advice I've ever been given. I use it in my vacation travels, and I even use it in my day-to-day, where I drive up to Sedona and Cottonwood to play tourist for a day. As you go out and adventure, do yourself that favor and give yourself the time...and permission, to get lost.

Exploring Las Vegas...on the Lesser Known Side

Ah, Las Vegas, this crazy, bright, busy city known the world over and is a place where one can have fun 24/7. I'm planning a short trip there now and find myself looking back at the last couple of times I've been through the city and tips I learned that have proven very helpful...and fun.

On the Strip

Las Vegas Walking Tours was a great way to learn a lot more about the history of Las Vegas while exploring some behind-the-scenes areas and getting some great tips from the tour guide. On this walking tour, I was able to see some historic landmarks, including Union Station, where Vegas began, and the famous old cowboy neon. Seeing some of the history of Las Vegas and the neat features like Container Park was great. To me, though, the most valuable part of the tour was the "insider tips" that I gained on the tour (i.e., where to get the most inexpensive water on the Las Vegas Strip).

For me, though, the best thing I've learned and shared with other travelers was the bus line that runs the length of the Las Vegas Strip, the Deuce Bus. This 24-hour bus line runs from Fremont Street to the South Strip Terminal with several stops along the way and is just a fraction of the cost of taking a taxi or a ride share to get around. Prices vary on passes, as do the length of time, going from a single ride all the way to a three-day pass. 

Venetian Gondolas were also a big draw for me, most of us who have been in or past the Venetian know that you can catch a gondola ride inside or outside the resort, but what many don't know is that you can catch the Gondoliers as they march in, singing, to the boats. Twice a day, the gondoliers sing in unison as they march along the indoor canal at the beginning and end of each day, at 9:45 am and 4:20 pm. This is definitely something to check out!

Dining Discoveries

Taking a little detour off the strip, there are two restaurants that food lovers absolutely must visit. 

My first recommendation is a creperie that is just south of the I-215 called Crepe Expectations. You can get sweet or savory crepes along with coffee, spirits, and more. The best part, not only is the food amazing, but the prices are great! It is a popular spot, and no wonder since they landed a spot on the Food Network Show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. There is a spacious indoor dining area as well as a relaxing outdoor patio. This is a must-stop!

Just a little way up from Crepe Expectations in the same shopping mall, there is a bakery and cafe called Le Paris Brest Cafe. This cute little bakery has fantastic creations and delicious coffee. The croissants are beautiful and flaky, the desserts are decadent, and the coffee creations are fabulous. All I can say is once you've filled up on crepes, come here and get your coffee and some dessert to take home. You'll be glad you did, and plotting your return.

An Upcoming Exploration

For my upcoming trip, I'm looking forward to exploring new discoveries...for me. Watching a travel show (which is dangerous for my wallet), I learned about the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. I cannot wait to see what beauty I'll see in the summer exhibit. From my research, to visit the gardens there is no cost, so big win! 

The other place I recently learned about was the Arte Museum. The exhibits look outstanding, and with a little $5 upgrade to my ticket to the museum, I will also experience the Arte Cafe, where guests are given "a feast of live garnish expressed with media art on an attractive drink and dessert menu.

From past experiences to my upcoming explorations, I cannot wait to see what other new items I'll uncover that may also be the lesser-known side of Las Vegas.