Since I was in high school, one of the big dreams was to travel the world.  I pictured myself backpacking across Europe, taking the train from country to country, sleeping in hostels.  Well, I got a bit of a late start, but the dream is becoming reality.  It took a health scare to push me to do it, but if that's what had to happen to make me start, I'm glad it happened.

The first few trips have been towards the Northwest coast of our picturesque United States.  The desert is my home.. and I joke that I'm not quite sure how that happened.. but Washington, Oregon, Alaska have always tugged at my sense of wanderlust.

Seattle and Portland were first, and very hard on the heels of one another.  Google Maps is a cruel prankster though.  It found every 400 step staircase that is labeled as a road in Seattle and sent me along that path.  Portland found similar routes for me as well.  You see, I'm a pedestrian.  My muscles don't always behave so I don't risk anyone else's well being by getting behind a steering wheels these days.  So public transportation, and my feet get me around for the most part.  These two cities provided a wondrous amount of exercise for me.  I admit to liking Seattle a bit better.  It had more of a natural feel too it.  Portland struck me as industrial.  Both have amazing parks.  But Seattle has the ocean inlets and ferries.  Portland has amazing bridges and the Willamette River.  Count me in love with the Seattle Public Market.  A large bouquet of peonies came home to Phoenix with me that we'd never find here.

San Francisco stole my heart.  I will be back.  Most of my trips are whirlwinds, with no more than a couple of days to explore, so you'll find me packing in as much touristy things as I can.  But here, I took the time to relax.  For the adventure of it, and to fill the heart of this dreamer, I find hostels to stay at.  The Marin Headlands has a fantastic one about 4 miles in from the Golden Gate Bridge, and a half mile from Rodeo Beach.  Oh the sun and wind burn I achieved there, but would do it all again.  I met a doe and her fawn each evening on my walk back to my room after walking the beaches or just sitting by the surf.  But Mark Twain is right.. the coldest winter you'll spend is a summer in San Francisco.  Take warm clothes.

Then last year, I finally got a passport.  There are many ways to travel overseas on the cheap.  You have to be prepared for no frills and some adventure, but it can be done almost as inexpensively as flying somewhere in the states.  My first trip was to Ireland.  After purchasing the ticket, I discovered I had almost 24 hours to play in Iceland on the way.  Oh, this was exciting.  It was cold, and rainy and glorious.  I found the landmarks, and walked with the camera in my hand just about everywhere I went.  But, I also believe you need to just be there when you're traveling too.  So I shot surprisingly few images.  A lot was slammed into this trip.  You see, I was there and back in 5 days flat.  Yes, that includes the 2 solid days of travel and the 1 day layover.  Ireland found me in Dublin wandering the streets, avoiding the crowded pubs, and basically people watching the day I landed there.  While it made getting around a bit of a challenge, I adored the fact that the bus system still announces the streets in Gaelic.  The second day, the goal was the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.  For this I became the ultimate tourist, taking a train and bus tour.  Paddy was our guide and as charming as the country.  Belfast was as urban as Dublin is quaint.  Did I mention I slept in a castle while in Dublin?  The Causeway was as impressive as the brochures made it look. Crowded, but impressive.  But the history we saw along the way.  Arizona thinks the house is old if it was built in the 70's.  Ireland boasts buildings still in use since the 13th century.  And green.  That green still lives in my memory.  As someone raised in the Midwest, that color grabbed my imagination.  I can't wait to find an excuse to return and this time take my time.

Soon Vancouver will find me in their fair city.  I'm trolling the guide books and looking for a quirky place to stay.  The trip will actually last 1 more day than usual, but it looks like there is plenty to do there.  And anytime I can avoid the Phoenix heat, count me there!

If you have any questions about the photos and where they were taken, don't hesitate to reach out and ask.

See you in Stanley Park soon!