Welcome to my 3rd edition of my Travel Bucket List Series. Today we will explore the Emerald Isle. Ireland has always been of interest to me. My ancestors are from Ireland, I grew up in a predominantly Irish town and my neighbors, growing up were from Ireland. I follow a few travel bloggers that have traveled there, and what they have written about has piqued my interest even more. As I was researching places to go, things to do, and places to see, it occurred to me that this will not be a one and done trip. There are too many places I want to visit. The sites I talk about below will be our first Ireland trip. Once I complete my bucket list series, I will write about trips I would want to repeat and why.
In pulling together my research, it appears March-May and September -November is the best times to visit. The weather is not too hot or cold, and it avoids the summer crowds. However, more likely than not, we will be traveling with at least one of the boys, so summer travel is where we are at. If for some reason, this ends up being a couples trip, my vote is for September. The length of the trip will be approximately ten days, give a take a day.
Dublin
First, on this wee Irish tour
The Merrion is the city’s most luxurious 5-star hotel. It is located in the center of the city, made up of 4 Georgian townhouses. It houses a drawing-room, bars, a full gym, a pool, and two restaurants, one of which is the 2 star Michelin restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud. I do believe this hotel will do just fine.
Dublin Castle
First on our list, Dublin Castle. Built-in the 13th century on a Viking settlement, for centuries, it was the headquarters of the British and English administration in Ireland. In 1922 Ireland gained its independence, and the castle was handed to the Irish.
The castle offers a guided tour. The tour takes you through the Viking excavation, the Royal Chapel and State Apartments.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s is the national cathedral of Ireland. It has been part of Irish history for over 800 years. It was on this site, that St. Patrick baptized people into Christianity.
Irish Emigration Museum
I can’t wait to explore this fully interactive museum to learn about the influence of Irish history as ten million Irish men and women left the mother country in search of a better life. Listen to audio clips, watch videos, take motion sensor quizzes, and more. Some highlights of the museum include emigrant letters, music and dance, and an Irish Family History Center.
I look forward to researching my own family’s roots while we are here.
Guinness Store House
Though I am not a beer lover, my husband is, and how can we come to Dublin and NOT visit the Guinness Store House? The storehouse is seven floors of fun, exploring the history of Ireland’s favorite beer. Offering 3-4 different types of tours, I think the 3-hour brewery tour seems just right. It includes exploring the underground passenger tunnels, limited sampling brews, another beer tasting, and a parting gift. I especially like the history aspect of the tour.
Tipperary & Killarney
The next few days will be exploring Killarney. However, on our way there, we plan to stop in Tipperary, home of the Rock of Cashel. Once just a rock in the middle of the rolling pastures, it grew by interlocking structures. It is one of Ireland’s most magnificent archeological sites. Once the seat of the Kings of Munsters, most of the buildings are from the 12th and 13th centuries after the rock was gifted to the church. I can’t wait to explore the medieval buildings and take in the views. Look at those pastures!
What started as a hunting lodge, is the oldest hotel in Killarney. It has a spa, several restaurants, afternoon tea and is pet friendly. The location is stunning. It sits among 25,000 acres of Killarney National Park and only 2.5 miles to the town center.
Innisfallen Island
Innisfallen Island is part of Killarney National Park. One can easily spend a day or two exploring all the island has to offer. These are the places we plan to see and do while visiting the island.
Muckross House & Gardens – This 19th-century Victorian mansion sits on the shores of Muckross Lake. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds that showcase different colors depending on the season. Several events are held at home throughout the year.
Muckross Traditional Farms- Step back in time and visit Ireland in the 1930s and ’40s. See what life on a farm was like back then. These are my favorite types of historical places to visit. I love to see how different generations lived. Here you can visit three separate farms, a small, medium, and a large farm. All are complete with farm animals, machinery, and farm buildings.
Killarney House & Gardens- Another beautiful estate and garden you can tour on the island.
Muckross Abbey- Muckross Abbey was founded for the Franciscans about 1448 by Daniel McCarthy Mor. The ruins include a church, a square tower, and beautiful windows, and a vaulted cloister with an arcade of arches around a square courtyard. There is also a burial ground where several burials a year happen.
Besides touring these magnificent landmarks, we will tour the streets of these picturesque towns and cities. I for one would love to experience an authentic Irish pub and do a little shopping.
Shannon & Village of Adare
After a few days in Killarney, we head to Shannon, where we plan to stay at the magnificent Dromoland Castle. Staying in a castle has always been a dream of mine. I can live out my fantasy of being a Disney Princess. LOL! I have seen photos of this castle over the years and knew one day we would have to experience it first hand.
Dromoland Castle is a 5-star luxury hotel with a golf course and a Michelin star restaurant. The building was started in the 15th and 16th centuries and was finished being built in 1835. In 1962, a US citizen bought the property and turned it into a hotel. The hotel offers many amenities and activities for guests to enjoy. There is fishing, archery, falconry, horseback riding, tours of the grounds, hiking, tennis, golf, clay shooting, and more. I am looking forward to spending a day or two here merely relaxing.
Adare Village in County Limerick
One of the days while staying in Shannon, we will be taking a day trip to Adare Village.
Adare Desmond Castle– The castle was built with an ancient ring-fort in the early 13th century. It became a strategic fortress. Once the property of the Earls of Kildare until the rebellion in
Limerick Carriage Tours
Tour Adare Manor in the comfort of these carriages.
The carriage is equipped with a luxury table with glass/cup holders and wine coolers to enjoy as you tour the grounds. Photo opportunities are provided along the tour.
Cliffs of Moher
Seven hundred feet above the Atlantic ocean and stretching 5 miles long are the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Form its highest point, O’Briens’s Tower, one can see several places, such as Galway Bay, Blasket Islands, and Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara. The cliffs are a natural gateway to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way (something I plan to explore in a separate blog post).
Cork
To wrap up our Irish journey, we will be stopping in the city of Cork for two reasons. First, my ancestors are from here, and I would love to see where they lived before emigrating to the US. Second, not too far from the city of Cork is the Blarney Castle and the famous Blarney Stone.
As far as accommodations, I decided to go with a family-owned boutique called Hayfield Manor. A 5-star hotel with gorgeous grounds, a spa, and elegant dining.
Per the quote their website, “Blarney Castle, set in acres of parkland filled with rare and unusual trees and plants, offers visitors the chance to stroll in one of the country’s most spectacular gardens. Highlights include:
- The chance to kiss the world-famous Blarney Stone
- Historic Blarney Castle – magical and warlike all at once
- The new ‘Poison Garden’ where toxic plants are kept in cage-like structures
- The Fern Garden &
Ice house , a Victorian version of a modern refrigerator! - Rock Close, a
centre of worship filled with ancient trees and stones - Blarney Lake”
Doesn’t this sound amazing?
The city of Cork is the second-largest city in the country of Ireland. Located on an island in the middle of the Lee River, it a city with a small-town feel. There is no shortage of breweries (if you like craft beer, this is the city for you), dining, shopping, and art galleries with works of famous Irish artists. A short drive from Cork is the seaside town of Cobh. Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic.
As you can see, Ireland has a lot to offer. There are so many other places I want to see and do. As I mentioned above, this is a repeat trip for us—next time, I want to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, over 1500 miles of coastal roads. Visit villages with adorable cafes, hear Gaeltacht being spoken, and see more of the beauty that this country has to offer. Until then, I leave you with this post and hope I have inspired you to travel to the land of leprechauns and four-leaf clovers.
Remember the days when we had to drop the film off to be developed? We would go on vacation, take hundreds of photos, have them developed, and they went into an album. Today, we take thousands of pictures, and they stay on our phones or cameras. Some of us may upload them to a computer, but then what? Do you print them and add them to an album? Do any of them make it to a frame?
I was 6.5 months pregnant when 9/11 happened. We were vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard with friends. Like all Americans, we were stunned and shocked. I wondered how I could bring this child into this crazy world. It also got me thinking about how I would document his life and the lives of other children we may have over the years. This is how my scrapbooking obsession started. Each child has their own baby scrapbook and from there on I started family albums. What started off as 1-2 books a year, is now at 7-8 books! This is due in large part to all the traveling we do.
I can’t think of a better way to preserve our travel memories than to scrapbook them. Each layout tells a story. I can look back on any of the 40+ albums and instantly be brought back in time. For example, when pulling pages out of the albums to photograph, I was reminded that Nicholas hated pizza when he was 3. We had gone to an Italian restaurant, and he ordered the pizza. He disliked it so much; he vowed never to eat it again. Well, 11 years later, pizza is his favorite food.
Another great memory, we stumbled upon a Veteran’s park while in Salt Lake. It was a beautiful memorial. Here we met a widow of one of the veterans with her dog. My boys fell in love with the dog, while my husband and I enjoyed speaking with her.
Typically, I run about eight months behind in my scrapbooking. Currently, I am working on summer of 2019. I don’t stress about it because it allows me to relive each moment or vacation when I am scrapbooking it. When I was scrapbooking Alaska, I had such a sense of calm looking at those photos. I can’t wait to scrapbook my Rhine River cruise and relive those moments.
As you can see, I love to scrapbook and have such a great time being creative. I have also taken to making canvases out of my favorite photos and hanging those around the house. It helps the memories last forever.
What about you? How do you preserve your travel memories?
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Winter in Boston can seem never-ending. March can be a long month, leaving most Bostonians itching for spring. However, this winter has been relatively mild. It is the second warmest winter on record. With the mild winter and warmer weather on the way (fingers crossed), it got me thinking about all the fun things there are to do in the city this time of year. The city of Boston comes alive starting in March with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, opening day at Fenway Park, the Boston Marathon, and more. Spring is a fantastic time to visit Boston. Hotel rates are decent, except for one week in April, the kids are still in school, and crowds are low. Whether you are a local or a tourist, here are seven fantastic things to do in Boston this Spring.
South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Everyone is a little Irish on St. Paddy’s Day! Did you know Bostonians were the first to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in North America? Back on March 17, 1737, as a sign of solidarity, new Irish immigrants and Boston’s Irish community joined together to celebrate their homeland and to honor St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. In the early 1900s, the parade moved to South Boston, where a sizeable Irish population lived and still resides today. It is also the site of Dorchester Heights. If you recall from American history class, this is where the evacuation of British troops from Boston on March 17, 1776, was made possible and is commemorated. March 17 is not only known as St Patrick’s Day but in the city of Boston, it is Evacuation Day. The parade celebrates Irish heritage and military service. This year’s parade will be held on Sunday, March 15.
The Boston Marathon
Held the 3rd Monday in April each year, the Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the best-known road races in the world. After the bombing in 2013, this race became a symbol of the city of Boston. We were all #BostonStrong, and in 2014, the runners took back the finish line. To have an American win the race, was the icing on the cake.
The day of the race happens to fall on Patriot’s Day, a Massachusetts state holiday. Schools are off all week and many companies throughout Boston close for the day. It is a great time to head into the city to watch the race. Runners love and need crowd support. 26.2 miles is a lot of miles, so grab a cowbell, make a sign, pick your spot and give everyone a word of encouragement.
Fenway Park
If you are a baseball fan, one can not come to this great city without visiting the oldest and most beloved ballpark in America. Pick up tickets to a game and experience first hand why RedSox Nation loves this ballpark and their Sox. Sox not in town while you are here? No fear, take an hour-long tour of the park. Feel the presence of Ted Williams, Yaz, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, and Big Papi. Sit on top of the famous Green Monster. Tours are available year-round and depart every hour.
Boston Public Garden
TThe Boston Public Garden was the first botanical garden in America. It contains 80 species of plants and is home to the beautiful swan boats. Since the 1800s, the swan boats have sailed around the park’s lagoon and become a symbol of the city of Boston. Robert Paget invented this style of boat, and four generations later, the Paget family still owns and operates the Swan boats. The boats open for the season on April 18th and will remain open through Labor Day. The cost is $4.00, an adult, $2.50 for children 2-15, and under two are free. It is one of my favorite things to do in the city.
Duckling Day Parade
The Duckling Day parade, held every Mother’s Day, celebrates the classic book “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey. Families gather at the Boston Common, dressed as characters from the famous book. The parade is led by the Harvard Marching Band and ends at the Public Garden by the Make Way for Ducklings statue.
Food Tour
Boston has some fantastic food tours. One year my best friend and I, along with our husbands, took a Historic Pizza and Taverns Tour. It started in the North End, went to Charlestown, and back to the Faneuil Hall area. It was a lot of fun and yummy. There are so many to choose from. You can see the top ten food tours in the city listed here.
Boston Duck Tours
One of the best sighting seeing tours in Boston is the Duck Tours. It is a fully narrated historic tour of Boston that is seen by both land and sea! Well, the Charles River, but you get the point. These boats are a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle that travels on land and water. A
It is truly one of best tours out there. I highly encourage you to purchase your tickets ahead of time. You will not want to miss out.
I love what this picture says. March is chapter 3 out of 12. In looking back over the 1st two chapters, are you happy with what you have accomplished? Have there been goals that you have met with smashing success or ones that have fallen by the wayside? For me, both have occurred. January was a wildly successful month. February, at first glance, look a bit dismal, but after a deeper dive, I achieved other things not on my list, so all was not lost. However, March is here, and I have lots I need to accomplish. First, let’s see how February played out.
February Goals
- Start weight watchers again. I need help in dropping this weight that I gained while injured and find this program to be the most helpful.- DONE
- Start planning Robbie’s graduation party.- DONE
- 30 mins, three times a week on SEO.- NO
- Make the dermatology appointment.-NO
- Come up with a savings plan with Robbie.-NO
- Schedule posts for when I am on vacation.-NO
- Try three new recipes.- NO
- Read three books.-DONE
Three out of eight goals accomplished. On the face of it, it was a terrible month, but then I looked through my notebook full of 2020 goals and saw progress in other areas.
- Ran a 10k and 1/2 marathon.
- Signed up for a race in a location I have never raced before.
- Increased my numbers on all social media platforms for my blog.
- Renewed the boys’ passports.
- Ran 70 miles this month.
So, what will March look like? A big focus will be my blog. I have been blogging for a year now. I have learned a lot in the past year, but there is still plenty to learn and do. Here are my goals for March.
March Goals
- Blog
- 30 mins, three times a week on SEO.
- Write and post eight new blog posts.
- Grow social media platforms by 10%.
- Finish blog course work.
- Personal
- Lose 10lbs.
- Strength train four times a week.
- Continue with weeks 11-15 of my training plan for running.
- Call a dermatologist!
- Sit Robbie down to discuss a savings plan for college.
- Household
- Organize kitchen cabinets.
- Try two new recipes.
There are so many more things I want to put on the list, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. We are not traveling this month, so more time can be spent working toward my goals. Plus, I have a few family adventures I want to try.
What about you? What is on your list for March?
As much as we love being around our children, especially on vacation, it is nice to take a break or two. The last few cruises that we went on, Bill and I made sure to have some adult time. This includes the option of adult-only dining. Our boys are old enough to either head to the dining room by themselves or grab a quick bite to eat on deck. This past week Bill & I enjoyed not just one but two meals at Palo, one of two adults-only restaurants on Disney’s Dream.
Palo, named after the long poles used with the gondoliers in Venice, is an elegant, intimate adult-exclusive venue serving Italian fare. Surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, the view serves as a romantic place for two. There is live music played during dinner that adds to the experience. Proper dress is required. Bill wore a collared shirt and dress pants. I wore dress pants and a sweater for both the dinner and brunch. Note, this is a highly sought after reservation, so make sure to book it the same day you book all your other excursions. There is also a charge for both the dinner and brunch. However, we felt it is well worth the price, and in fact, a bit underpriced for the quality of service and food one receives.
Dinner
Dinner is served nightly on the ships. The cost is $40.00 per person, or if you add a wine pairing, it is $65.00 per person. We are not big wine drinkers, so we passed on that.
The menu is a perfect size—just enough variety for everyone. We started the meal off with an appetizer each. Bill chose the heirloom tomato buffalo mozzarella caprese with basil pesto and aged balsamic vinegar.
I had the
Between courses, we had some sorbet to cleanse the palate.
For entrees, Bill chose the grilled prime beef tenderloin with pancetta potatoes, sautéed spinach with gorgonzola cheese sauce. It was cooked to perfection. I had my all time favorite meal on the ship. Butternut squash filled with buffalo mozzarella, amaretti with sage brown butter and basil. OH MY! I could have had two plates full.
However, knowing what was to come, there was no way I could have ordered a second plate. Palo is known for their chocolate soufflé. It takes about 20 minutes to bake, and it is by far, one of the best things I have tasted. It comes with a vanilla and chocolate sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It melts in your mouth. Unfortunately, my photo did not come out. You will have to google it to see for yourself.
Brunch
As much as we love dinner at Palo’s, brunch is in a class of its own. Brunch is offered on sea days, so again make sure you grab those reservations. The cost is $40.00 per person.
The buffet is divided into four sections. Set back in the restaurant, is a section that every pastry imaginable. We highly recommend the hot cinnamon rolls. They melt in your mouth. Next is the seafood section. There are king crab legs, shrimp, sushi, herring, and more. The shrimp cocktail was delicious. Next, are your meats and cheeses. My husband enjoyed this section of the buffet. Finally, dessert! Oh my, so many yummy things to choose from, so be sure to save room.
In addition to the buffet, we each ordered an item off the ala carte menu. Bill had pizza, and I had lasagna. This was real lasagna, just like we had in Italy. No ricotta cheese for this girl. This delightful dish is made with bechamel sauce. Delicious!
So, are you hungry yet? If you find yourself on a Disney Cruise, please make time to visit Palo. You will not be disappointed.
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Riquewihr is a beautiful town located in the Alsace region of France. A medieval village with colorful half-timber houses dating back to the 15th and 18th centuries. Riquewihr is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France association). Surrounded by a fortress and overlooked by a castle, it was one of the few towns not destroyed in World War II.
Located 25 mins from the town of Colmar and the 45 mins from the city of Strasbourg, it makes for a wonderful day trip. We were on a river cruise down the Rhine, and Riquewihr was our first stop. I fell in love with this quaint village.
It is known for its Riesling and other wines, which is evident by the miles of rolling vineyards surrounding the town. Also, if you are a Disney fan, this village may remind you of somewhere. Riquewihr was one of two French villages that were the inspiration for Belle’s “Little Town,” in the movie Beauty and the Beast.
So what is there to do and see in this storybook town?
1) Explore Old Town.
Stroll along the cobblestone streets and take photos of the colorfully painted houses. There are two main streets and lots of little alleys. One can find wineries, restaurants, bakeries, and plenty of little shops.
2) Grab some lunch or dinner.
We had a delicious lunch of meats and cheeses and, of course, wine at Relais de Moines. The restaurant has three dining rooms, plus an outdoor terrace. The décor was charming.
3) Musee du Dolder.
The museum houses 13th-century artifacts, such as weapons, guns, and fortification parts. It tells the story of Riquewihr. Housed in a tower, it is also a watch and a bell tower. We did not have time to go in, but I have heard it is quite impressive.
4) Visit a Winery.
During our visit to Riquewihr, we visited Dopff au Moulin.
Taken directly from their website:
The
We met with a team member and heard the story behind the winery. We learned the history of the family and the town. We learned how the grapes grow, the harvesting process and production. We tasted quite a few wines and had time to browse in the store. It was a lovely experience. One thing to keep in mine, tastings in Europe are not small. Each wine tasting was about half a glass. I was feeling good when we left and a bit tired on the bus ride back to the ship.
5) Have a sweet treat.
One simply can not go to France without experiencing these delectable macarons.
Our day in Riquewihr was terrific. I would love to go back and experience more in this region. Oh, and perhaps have a macaron or two.
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I received such a great response to my post So You Want to be a Runner- 8 Tips for Beginners, I have decided to do a series of posts on the topic of running. Every few weeks or so, I will write about a topic related to my favorite sport. Today,
According to Women’s Running website
- 34 % feel afraid of running alone.
- 33 %say they will switch to indoor activities.
- 34 % of those take some added precautions such as a wearable safety item that contacts help when activated or deterrent, such as pepper spray.
- The number of pedestrians killed — 6,283, an increase of 3.4 percent from the previous year — was the highest such number since 1990.
I don’t know about you, but I have enough to worry about on a day to day basis. I want and should be able to lace up my running shoes and head out the door without worrying about a distracted driver hitting me or being assaulted. I refuse to cave into fear and not live my life, nor should you. Here are eight safety tips for runners(or walkers and cyclists for that matter).
Do not run in the dark.
If this is the only time your schedules permits, run with a friend. Use the buddy system and make sure you are wearing proper reflective gear .
Do not run with earbuds.
I need to be listening to something while running. I always have either a podcast or an audiobook on while out for my run. Instead of earbuds, I wear AfterShokz. AfterShokz are wireless bone conduction headphones that sit outside your ear. I can hear my podcast and everything that is going on around me. The sound quality is excellent, and they fit comfortably around my head.
Alter your routes.
Do not run the same route every day. I have 5-6 different routes I rotate throughout the month.
Do not post your route on social media.
Runners love to post their runs, whether it be on social media or onan app like Strava or RunKeeper. However, you don’t know who can see that route, so play it safe, don’t publish it. There are ways to leave it out of your post. Check your privacy features on your apps for more information.
Carry your phone.
Always have your phone on hand in case you need to call for help. Also, you can be found by the GPS on your phone, so god forbid you are hurt or taken, it may become a useful tool in finding you.
Carry identification.
Instead of carrying my license, I wear a Road ID band. It is a stretchy silicone bracelet that slides over your hand. It includes your personal information, your emergency contact information, and any medical issues you may have. I make sure to wear mine each time I go out for a run.
Carry pepper spray or mace.
Though not legal in all states, if it is, it is a good option. I carried it for some time, but after spraying a groundhog thinking he was an evil person lurking in the bushes, my husband bought me the Wearsafe Tag. The Wearsafe Tag is a modern-day panic button. You press a button, and it sends an alert to your emergency contacts. It includes your GPS coordinates and audio of what is happening around you. I love it.
Be seen.
There are many distracted drivers out there. People zone out when driving. It is vital that people see you. Wear reflective and bright clothing, run against traffic, obey all traffic laws, and run on sidewalks if all possible. Also, appear assertive. Look people in the eye when passing by — those who seem confident and assertive are less likely to be bothered.
I hope these tips are helpful and give you the tools you need to go out and exercise safely and in peace.
Be safe and happy Running!
Hello February! Tell me, did January seem long to you? I have heard several people remark that January was the longest month ever. I did not find it felt any longer than any other month. Perhaps because we had decent weather and winter is not as bad as it could be. Of course, the last time we had such a mild winter here in Boston, we ended up with 108 inches of snow. Every week in February was a snowstorm. No, thank you!
If you recall, back in January, I said I would be posting about my goals and my progress throughout the year. It helps keep me on point, and I hope to inspire others to reach for their goals. So how did I do?
January Goals
- Make an appointment with a dermatologist.- NOPE
- Start a new strength training program.- DONE
- Pick a marathon to run._DONE
- Purchase family room furniture.-DONE
- Save an extra $900.00.- DONE
- Schedule out scrapbook dates with friends.-DONE
- Organize bathroom.-DONE
- Write six new posts.- Missed it by 1!
- Learn more about SEO.- NOPE
Nine goals, and I only missed 3. Not bad. The dermatologist goal, I never got around to it. I never made it a priority, and I need to do that. I was also awful at setting some time aside to learn more about SEO. Tomorrow that stops. I am putting aside 3o minutes 3 times a week to learn more.
Though not explicitly called out in January, I did make progress in other categories and related subcategories listed for 2020.
Personal
- Health
- Get 7 hours of sleep a night.- averaging about 6.5 hours
- Run/Walk 2020 miles.- 148.82/2020
- Running consistently and on week 7 of my heart rate training program.
- Travel and Recreation
- Weekend away with Bill.- BOOKED
- The Canadian Rockies.- BOOKED
- Read 50 books. – three books read in January.
- Scrapbook once a week.-I have been consistently doing this.
Financial
- Less frivolous spending.- I was much better this month, but still not where I want to be.
Overall, January was great. Now it time to think of February. What do I want to accomplish this month?
February Goals
- Start weight watchers again. I need help in dropping this weight that I gained while injured and find this program to be the most helpful.
- Start planning Robbie’s graduation party.
- 30 mins, three times a week on SEO.
- Make the dermatology appointment.
- Come up with a savings plan with Robbie.
- Schedule posts for when I am on vacation.
- Try three new recipes.
- Read three books.
We are headed on vacation this month, so any household goal will have to wait until March. I think these will keep me busy enough.
What about you? Did you accomplish your goals for January? What are your plans for February? Post in the comments or reach out to me on my Goal Climbers 2020 Facebook page.
Welcome to the 2nd edition of my Travel Bucket List Series. In 2017 we went on an Alaskan cruise. We sailed through the Inside Passage and visited Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. We fell in love with Alaska. It was beautiful, and the people were terrific. We knew we wanted to go back, but this time on a land adventure. We hope to make this trip in the next couple of years. Here is what we plan to do and see when we visit The Last Frontier.
Anchorage
Our trip will start in the beautiful city of Anchorage. Anchorage has just under 300,000 people and is home to 40% of the state’s population. It borders the Chugach Mountains. The temperature in the summer ranges from 55-78 degrees. My boys are not fans of hot weather, so this another vacation where the weather will be perfect in their minds.
In researching where to stay, I knew I wanted something a bit upscale and with beautiful views. The Hotel Captain Cook looks perfect. It is Anchorage’s only preferred hotel. The Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is an organization of 62 independently owned luxury hotels across the world. The hotel is home to four restaurants and 12 shops. Take in the views of Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains from one of the 546 rooms and suites.
Views from Captain’s Deck 
Lobby 
Hotel Captain Hook
The Hotel Captain Cook is part of Historic Hotels of America, the official travel organization of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are only 275 hotels and resorts across the United States that have been awarded this prestigious honor for preserving and maintaining their historic integrity, architect, and ambiance.
As I mentioned, the hotel has four distinct restaurants; however, a friend recommended the 49 State Brewing Company. It was voted Alaska’s best brewery. In addition to serving food, 49 State Brewing Company has two theaters housing a variety of entertainment and a rooftop patio.
As for things to do in Anchorage, our plan is going on a whale watch to see Beluga whales! Belugas are stunning, and I have only seen them in captivity.
Second, on my list of to-dos is the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska Native Culture and Traditions. Within the center is 10,000 years of history about the Alaska Indigenous Cultures. There are art exhibits and dance demonstrations. There is also a guided village site tour.
Another must-do for us is Ekultna Lake. Fed from the Eklutna Glacier, this is a popular spot for all kinds of outdoor activities. There are trails for hiking, kayak rentals, biking, and more. Take part in easy hikes and more difficult ones for those looking for a challenge. Next to the lake is the Ekultna National Historical Park. Take a guided tour and see an Alaska Native and Russian Orthodox cultural experience. See the old and new St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the spirit houses of Native people.
Spirit Houses
Denali here we come, but first Talkeetna.
On our way to Denali, we plan to make a pit stop in Talkeetna, known as the gateway to Denali. Friends of ours stopped here for a night and recommended Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.
The lodge sits above the town on a ridge on the south side of Denali National Park. The lodge consists of the guest lodge, main lodge, mountainside rooms, and suites.
Talkeetna has a cute downtown area filled with shops and places to grab a bite to eat. Take a walk down Main Street and see the Talkeetna River. One of the activities we are thinking of is a River Jet Boat Ride. It looks like a lot of fun.
There are nature hikes, sled dog tours, ATV off-road, fishing biking, and more. There is even a little bakery called the Flying Squirrel Bakery-Cafe that I would love to try.
Denali National Park
The main reason for us wanting to go on a land-based trip to Alaska is to see Denali National Park and the largest mountain in North America, Mt. Denali.
We plan on staying at the Grande Denali Lodge. Located on Sugarloaf Mountain, the lodge offers panoramic views of Denali National Park and Nenana River Canyon. The décor is Alaska Native Heritage and showcases what I imagine when I think of this part of Alaska.
In looking over the list of things to do, it is going to be hard to choose. There is a bus tour of Denali, hiking, ATV rental, Jeep safaris, flightseeing to see Mt. Denali, river rafting, dog mushing, glacier landing, and more! There are the Canyon Run Rapids and Denali River Adventures. Each has a 2 to 6 hour trip down the rivers from Class III to Class IV rapids. For the less adventurous, there are scenic wilderness rafting tours as well.
Another activity of interest is the Denali History Tour, Led by a naturalist; this is a 4-5 hour hop on and off bus tour. Here and see the history and beauty of Denali National Park. Make stops at several historical sites, including Primrose Ridge, to see an Alaska Native Presentation.
Girdwood
After a few days in Denali, we will move on to the last stop of the trip to a little town called Girdwood, Girdwood is a resort town not too far from Anchorage. There is a beautiful hotel called the Hotel Alyeska, and we plan to stay for the remainder of our trip. It is a chateau-style hotel and looks gorgeous.
Like the other places we plan to visit on the trip, this hotel and area offer plenty to do. We plan on hitting the Byron Glacier Trail, Alyeska Aerial Tram, and Chugach State Park. Happy Trails Kennel is top on our list for an Iditarod experience. We did summer dog sledding in the Yukon a few years back and look forward to this experience once again. Another must on the list is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Here orphaned and injured animals go to be taken care of and, for some, released back into the wild. Finally, no trip to Alaska is complete without panning for gold. We can’t wait to relive the historic gold rush of Alaska and visit a working mine. Who knows, we may strike it rich!
As you can see, there is so much to do and see in this beautiful state. So tell me, what would you want to do and see in the Last Frontier?
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I have a confession to make. I use to hate sleep. I thought it was a colossal waste of time. There was always so much to do, and sleep was not one of them. I blame law school. While in law school fulltime, I worked three jobs. In addition to that, I needed to keep my B average. One can not do this while sleeping! I averaged 4 hours a night. It became a habit. Then I turned 40.
40 happens to be when I started running. What began as me wanting to lose a few pounds became much, much more. I fell in love with running and wanted to make sure I was always feeling my best. To accomplish this, I learned sleep was so important. I made an effort to get at least 6 hours but aimed for 7 hours of sleep a night. It was working well. Fast forward to last summer. I was now 47 and started to experience changes in my sleep. I had some trouble falling asleep. The quality of sleep was not great. I was not able to fall into that deep sleep that is important.
During one of my runs, I was listening to a podcast. The hosts, both women, were talking about sleep and what has helped them. One of the products was Nuun Rest.
Nuun Rest is part of the Nuun family of products. Nuun is a hydrating beverage without all the extra additives and sugars. It’s product offerings originally were for sports hydration, but have expanded to everyday hydration. Nuun Rest is a blend of magnesium, potassium, and tart-cherry. Tart cherry has shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve sleep quality. It increases the level of melatonin and helps improve the quality of sleep and duration. Magnesium has shown to relax the body and to aid with sleep. Since I started drinking Nuun Rest, my time in deep sleep has increased. I feel more rested in the morning. According to one study, we need between anywhere between 1.5 to 1.8 hours of deep sleep a night. This is roughly 20% of our overall sleep. Like the other Nuun products, Nuun Rest is vegan, kosher, non-GMO, and gluten-free. It comes in Blackberry Vanilla and Lemon Chamomille. I love the Blackberry Vanilla. One tablet of Nuun Rest has ten calories and 1 gram of sugar. Mix it with 8 ounces of water and you are good to go.
I have been taking Nuun Rest every night for the last six months. I am hitting my deep sleep target about 99% of the time. It has been a game-changer for me. For those of you wondering, I am still not a fan of sleep, but we have agreed to co-exist. 🙂
