Category Archives: Hiking

Stories about simple dayhikes that I’ve been on

Oct4

At the end of the world, for the end of the year

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Monday, 23-Dec-2024, through Friday, 27-Dec-2024


I didn’t quite want to fly back to the United States for Christmas. Flights were long, they were expensive, and there weren’t any really good options that stood out to me.

Andrea was in Germany with her family, but we were still a bit too early in our relationship for me to join them. The invitation was there, of course, but it felt a bit intrusive for me to be a part of their Christmas celebrations this soon.

Staying in Dublin was an option, of course. But it didn’t quite feel right either… I’d been staying in town quite a bit, and I wanted the chance to see the Northern Lights, if at all possible… not something particularly likely on the Irish Island, regardless of how far North I went.

My thoughts strayed to Norway, to Finland, and to Lapland. Good options, but complex in terms of transit and connections.

Finally, a plan settled in for Iceland – a country I’ve been to, and rented a vehicle from, and knew at least vaguely well. Flights were booked, a campervan reserved, and campsites selected from the few still open in the long cold dark of Icelandic winter.

My bags were packed, my plan confirmed, and soon enough I was on my way.


I don’t mind the solitude – I really don’t.

It was calm, cold, and quiet… After the intense socialization of the MBA, the quiet and solitude was incredibly welcome – as was the cold, after the consistently mild temperatures found in Dublin proper. I took my time with walking around Thingvallir, with watching the latest Star Wars series on Disney, and with catching up on some blog posts.

I read, I relaxed, and I soaked up the glorious cold and the snowy environment.

I didn’t quite make it out to the hot springs, unfortunately, but I was able to catch a small glimpse of the Northern Lights one evenings, through a small gap in the clouds… They weren’t quite the intensity that I’d hoped for, unfortunately, and so my quest continues.


A few nights, a few hikes, lots of snow and wind… it was a glorious break.

Sep11

An adventure in Northern Ireland – Dunluce Castle, and the Giant’s Causeway

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Saturday, 16-Nov-2024


Our two exploration goals for Saturday were Dunluce Castle, and the Giant’s Causeway – two standouts from a trip my friend had taken to Northern Ireland earlier in October. Dunluce Castle, at least, is connected to Game of Thrones (I believe it was the set for the Isle of Pyke?), while Giant’s Causeway itself is simply a beautiful spot, with some impressive examples of columnar basalt.

They’re great, they were a good goal, and they gave Andrea and I an opportunity to escape Dublin, wander around some ruins and some beautiful surroundings, and for me to get a new country in my logbook. Really, what more could I ask for?

Not much. Not much at all.


Now, to the actual spots?

There’s not much of a review for me to write, that hasn’t already been written. Instead, I’ll focus in on the feelings – They were beautiful, cold, and left us both feeling positive. Really, they were more of a backdrop to our conversations and deepening bond, and I couldn’t have asked for more beautiful scenery to enjoy together.

Jan24

Limerick, the Cliffs of Moher, and Galway

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Saturday, 26-Oct-2024


Brian and I have been adventuring while he’s here! I had a week off from classes, and while I did have quite a bit of reading to catch up on… I was able to carve a few days off for us to get out of town and into the adventure.

After Oweynagat Cave, we took to the road again – this time, going a bit further out from my fair city of Dublin, all the way to the West Coast of the Emerald Isle. We started out early, taking a beautiful sunrise walk through Stephen’s Green on the way to pick up our rental car before hitting the road toward Limerick, where we aimed to grab some lunch.

A farmer’s market was an absolutely lovely surprise, and so fortified with snacks and mushrooms we hit the road again to the gem of the West Coast – the Cliffs of Moher!


We arrived in the rain – not a surprise, thankfully, and so after a quick armoring of rain gear we were well fortified against the weather and heading out toward the cliffs.

It.

Was.

Gorgeous!

I could try to describe, but… I took pictures. I’ll let them speak for themselves.


After the cliffs, we headed back onto the road, forging our way North toward dinner in Galway. The road met all the expectations and hopes that Ireland suggests; every turn was another glorious view, and every look out the window gave us a vista worth photographing.

Frankly, it made it a bit tough to make quick progress, and Galway saw us arrive a fair bit after dark… not a challenge this time of year, to be fair. It went well, though – we parked, wandered a bit, and even saw a huge art installation of a travelling newt before we settled in for a quick Guinness stew.

https://videopress.com/v/mec2aQX3?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true


The rest of the evening saw us driving home by headlights – taking our time, enjoying the music, and reveling in the mystique and fantasy of the Irish countryside.