We have known for many years that we wanted to embrace a campervan while empty-nesting. This journey started a couple of weeks ago and the fun is just beginning. We both love the outdoors and our nomadic tendencies have dissolved any interest in a conventional second home. Our first campout together was after just threeContinue reading “We Own a Campervan!”
Author Archives: Peter Ireland
Giving Bailey Away: Phase 1
I didn’t think “The Lying Can Finally Stop” was the best title for my daughter’s engagement story. While this phrase had been lurking in the back of my mind until Jett escorted his new fiancée into the party room, it was quickly overwhelmed by joy from seeing their ecstatic smiles while sharing the moment withContinue reading “Giving Bailey Away: Phase 1”
New York City in Four Days
It takes an Ireland-style tour to see this much of NYC in four days. Visiting over St Patrick’s Day weekend and the NYC 1/2 marathon was fitting. We focused on independent self-guided tours (planned by Janet) and marveled at the tremendous variety we found in Manhattan. A couple of shows and many great meals roundedContinue reading “New York City in Four Days”
Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop
That was a lot of work. That’s what Vance said about getting water. We also hiked 43 miles and climbed 10,000 ft over four days. This trek was epic. (Check out our other West Texas adventures here) YouTube Video This 83-minute video on YouTube presents the trek “in real time,” capturing our emotions and detailingContinue reading “Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop”
The Gentleman in the Orange Cap
Some distant movement caught my eye. After a few moments, I recognized it as an orange cap. Meeting another thru-hiker would be fun. A recent thru-hike of the trail had inspired me to return and clear some of the obstacles, helping those completing the full twenty-eight miles. I asked him how far he was goingContinue reading “The Gentleman in the Orange Cap”
Knebford Circle
A neat line separates green grass and stacked oak leaves. The cluster of twenty deciduous trees defines the copse with green pine trees poking through the canopy but with indistinguishable trunks. An evergreen magnolia proudly stands separately, showing off its abundant foliage to the bare oak branches. The oaks know they’ll be clothed in greenContinue reading “Knebford Circle”
Hiking East Texas’s Trail Between the Lakes
(Check out the trail’s guide here.) Multi-day backpacking adventures are not normally associated with East Texas. The 96-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT), north of Houston by Huntsville, might come to mind. But there is an often passed-over trail close to the Louisiana border that takes the explorer deep into wild pine forests. I wasContinue reading “Hiking East Texas’s Trail Between the Lakes”
Backpack Compromise: Weight vs Comfort
Or: Why I no longer aim for 10 lb. dry weight. Introduction Catchy headlines like 10 lb. Gear List for Hiking The Appalachian Trail suggest that 10 lbs. is the target ultralight dry weight for serious multi-day backpackers. After many years, I achieved that target, but now choose to carry more for comfort. Such additionsContinue reading “Backpack Compromise: Weight vs Comfort”
Eagle Rock Loop High Water Alternate in November 2024
I returned to the Ouachita mountains from Nov 7-10 2024 with Vance, my buddy from leading our sons’ scout troop. The Eagle Rock Loop (ERL) was a step up from previous backpacking trips for Vance. The river levels were higher than my 2022 completion which triggered an alternate route to avoid the deeper Little MissouriContinue reading “Eagle Rock Loop High Water Alternate in November 2024”
Paul’s Journeys in Greece with Liberty University
Luke describes Paul’s travels in Greece in Acts. Liberty University gave us the opportunity to follow in Paul’s footsteps with a couple of their learned professors, enabling us to get closer to appreciating Paul’s journeys. Details of the trip are on this page. Below I use my photos and text to describe what we sawContinue reading “Paul’s Journeys in Greece with Liberty University”
Road Trips
North America is made for road trips. When we married, an hour-long drive for Peter was significant! On road trips with lots of distance to cover, hotels are quick and convenient accommodation. We undertook five significant hotel-based road trips in North America. They were tremendous adventures, and we learned that hotels and dining out gotContinue reading “Road Trips”
Greece: A Cliff-hugging Monastery in the Lousios Gorge
Hiking to see a cliff-hugging monastery seemed like such a good idea. This looked really cool: However, perhaps there was a reason that it was not in our guidebook. AllTrails reviews were all positive, but we hadn’t slept well the night before and perhaps we were just ready to get home to our own bed.Continue reading “Greece: A Cliff-hugging Monastery in the Lousios Gorge”
Greece: The Ancient Olympics, with no Gold Medals
The ancient Olympics started in 776 BC in Olympia. For centuries, it was a celebration in honor of Zeus. Winners were awarded a wreath of leaves from a sacred olive tree by the Temple of Zeus. Winning was a tremendous honor for the victor’s village and it led to many privileges. It sounded more likeContinue reading “Greece: The Ancient Olympics, with no Gold Medals”
Greece: To the End of the World
Today was a road trip to the most southern point of mainland Greece at the top of the Mani peninsula. The road ended about a mile short, so of course we had a hike to get to the Tenaro Lighthouse at Cape Tainairon. The drive along the Mani Peninsula, which leads to the lighthouse, wasContinue reading “Greece: To the End of the World”
Greece: Sparta and Monemvasia
It was time for a change of pace. Less chasing sites and more chilling. Well, chilling our style, which included a five mile hike up a huge rock! We identified a new game for Greece in the car – follow Google Maps. We set the destination as Sparta and chose the shorter, more direct routeContinue reading “Greece: Sparta and Monemvasia”
Greece: Mycenae, the Epidaurus Theatre, and Nafplio
At the end of the Liberty University trip retracing Paul, everyone said their farewells and headed in their different directions. Some went east, others north, and the majority headed west back to the US. While a few stayed in Athens, we headed south to explore the Peloponnese for the next seven days. The first adventureContinue reading “Greece: Mycenae, the Epidaurus Theatre, and Nafplio”
Greece: Corinth and Cenchreae
Summary: We visited the remains of the city of ancient Corinth, which Paul visited twice, staying 18 months. And from where he wrote Romans. We visited Acrocorinth’s castle from the time of the Crusades. We also visited Cenchreae, from where Paul departed Greece at the end of his “second” missionary journey. We also visited theContinue reading “Greece: Corinth and Cenchreae”
Greece: Athens Part 2
Summary: We returned to Athens, and visited the ancient agora and Areopagus Hill, that Paul visited, and the Acropolis. Paul in Athens The current size and importance of Athens does not align with Paul’s Athens, and Acts 17:16-34 describes his visit. The Bible does not include any other mention of Athens. Its military losses hadContinue reading “Greece: Athens Part 2”
Books to help follow Paul’s Greek journeys
Before coming to Greece to follow in Paul’s footsteps, we were encouraged to read Luke’s account in Acts 16-18. I wanted to supplement that with additional resources. Below is a review of what I read. I found all of the physical books on Amazon. All of them were easy reads and very useful in differentContinue reading “Books to help follow Paul’s Greek journeys”
Greece: A monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus
Summary: A fine hike to a monastery dating from the 16th century that is partially restored after the Nazis destroyed it in 1943, followed by a visit to a tiny church in a remote cave and a natural spring. We enjoyed some great gyros, a partially restored Roman theatre, and spent the day in MountContinue reading “Greece: A monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus”
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 