As we were in Park City for a wedding, a hike was in order. One family member had some sore chest muscles which is a symptom of altitude sickness (AMS) which suggested the Blood Lakes Trail at over 10,000 ft was unwise. The Solamere Trail, just north of the St Regis, seemed appropriate at 2.6Continue reading “Hiking the Solamere Trail in Park City, Utah”
Author Archives: Peter Ireland
Golden’s Clear Creek Canyon Park
During our trip to help Samuel prepare his apartment for his second year at the Colorado School of Mines, we’ve finally been able to do some exploring! Earlier in the week we’d visited our friend Martin in Breckenridge who took us up a chair lift for a very cool hike, and yesterday, we used aContinue reading “Golden’s Clear Creek Canyon Park”
A PhD in Bible Exposition at Liberty University
TL;DR: I completed a master’s in theological studies and a PhD in Bible Exposition over four years at Liberty University. The post below outlines the timeline, shares my experiences, and makes some recommendations. I recently completed my PhD, and perhaps the lack of writing assignments has caused me to blog more! In this instance, IContinue reading “A PhD in Bible Exposition at Liberty University”
Organizing A High School Theatre’s Wardrobe – Part 2
It’s almost a year since I penned “part 1” of our journey organizing “The Warehouse” for our high school’s theatre department. Now that we have completed the project as best as we were able to, and learned some essential lessons, I am writing the follow up with reflections and lessons learned. If you are readingContinue reading “Organizing A High School Theatre’s Wardrobe – Part 2”
Samuel and Kylie’s Alaska Cruise
On this trip, I went on a cruise with Kylie and her family to Alaska on the Norwegian Bliss! Leaving port from Seattle and visiting the southeast portion of Alaska, such as Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan including a short stop in Canada. It was an 8 day cruise including the send offContinue reading “Samuel and Kylie’s Alaska Cruise”
Remembering D Day
On 6th June 1944 when I was cycling along the Bath Road, near Hounslow, with a big field of cabbages on my left, little did I realise that in the future that site would become Heathrow Airport. As I cycled, hundreds of aircraft, all towing gliders, flew overhead going southeastwards. Little did I realise thatContinue reading “Remembering D Day”
Tennessee – Summary and Reflection
Visiting Tennessee was on our list-to-visit as it’s a potential move-to destination. Bailey visited with some of her friends earlier in 2024 and her inspiration was the foundation for much of Janet’s planning. Bailey made a PowerPoint showing us an itinerary to give us an idea what we could do. Janet got everyone to identifyContinue reading “Tennessee – Summary and Reflection”
TN Days 10 & 11 – Good Bye Nashville Until Next Time
Our final day in Nashville was just some chill visiting. We went to a fine Farmer’s Market, which I forgot to photograph… The girls loved browsing the stalls, with not too much buying! Then we headed to check out the TN State Capitol and a Parthenon replica. We spent the afternoon playing dominoes and BaileyContinue reading “TN Days 10 & 11 – Good Bye Nashville Until Next Time”
TN Day 9 – Horses and a Sunset
Today was about riding horses at the Natchez Trace Trailrides, about an hour Southwest of our house, back toward Franklin. But first we grabbed a quick breakfast on the way at a fine little eatery called Frothy Monkey. Having arrived at the horse farm early, we got plenty of time to hang around with otherContinue reading “TN Day 9 – Horses and a Sunset”
TN Day 8 – Goo Goo and The Grand Ole Opry
After some fine sausage and cream cheese bars for breakfast courtesy of Kylie and Samuel, it was off for our chocolate making experience with the Goo Goo Chocolate Company. Located just off Broadway and opposite the Johnny Cash museum at its original location, Goo Goo have been making their clusters since 1912. Their claim toContinue reading “TN Day 8 – Goo Goo and The Grand Ole Opry”
TN Day 7 – Nashville Biscuits, Murals, and The Listening Room
We experienced a fine assortment of Nashville’s best, showcasing different types of artistry. While I write this, much of Houston is without power after a devastating storm last night and we pray for your safety and recovery. Janet’s plan took us to Biscuit Love in The Gulch. It is a recently redeveloped area with newContinue reading “TN Day 7 – Nashville Biscuits, Murals, and The Listening Room”
TN Day 6 – The Grand Ole Opry and more
It all started in 1925 when the National Life and Accident Insurance Company started a radio station with country music for barn dances on Saturday nights. They called the show We Save Millions, the company’s slogan with the initial WSM and it broadcast on 650 am. In November 1927, when the show was coming onContinue reading “TN Day 6 – The Grand Ole Opry and more”
TN Day 5 – Welcome to Nashville
The vibe in Nashville compared to Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg is so different. While the Tennessee accent still prevails and there are crowds of tourists, Nashville seems classier. There are probably better adjectives but they don’t come to mind yet. After checking out of our AirbnB, we grabbed breakfast in Pigeon Forge. Research led usContinue reading “TN Day 5 – Welcome to Nashville”
TN Day 4 – Another Waterfall and Dollywood
We could also do things separately, as we had two cars. So Bailey and Jett headed off to Dollywood because they wanted to (well, Bailey did…) and the rest of us didn’t! So first, a summary of Dollywood: The rest of us headed back to Grotto Falls in the National Park. This time, we hadContinue reading “TN Day 4 – Another Waterfall and Dollywood”
TN Day 3 – Mother’s Day and More Bears
The first mission on Mother’s Day, as per Janet (with Bailey’s guidance) was breakfast at Gatlinburg’s Pancake Pantry. We had seen the long queue outside of it yesterday, so it was a 7am breakfast for us! However, the kids had to do the right thing first… Next was our first hike of the day, whichContinue reading “TN Day 3 – Mother’s Day and More Bears”
TN Day 2 – Birds, Anakeesta, and Bears
I spent a relaxed morning photographing birds while waiting for fine breakfast tacos from Bailey and Jett. Then the vulture swooped by, never landing as he soared circles continuously while looking for, but not finding some carrion for breakfast. The next door’s sign made us hopeful for a sighting, while we locked more than justContinue reading “TN Day 2 – Birds, Anakeesta, and Bears”
TN Day 1 – Gatlinburg and Dolly
The deck proves to be the perfect location for writing the blog! Yesterday’s Cardinal returned and joined me briefly on the deck, but was too shy for a photo. Day 1 had a leisurely start. Bailey and Jett did a quick grocery store run to get milk and cream for coffee, and Jett and IContinue reading “TN Day 1 – Gatlinburg and Dolly”
TN Day 0 – Driving to Gatlinburg
Who had suggested getting up at 2 am? It had made sense the night before with a 1000 mile drive ahead of us, but the logic was absent when the alarm went off. Everyone arose fairly readily so I guess we were all eager to get going, with Janet and Kylie taking the first drivingContinue reading “TN Day 0 – Driving to Gatlinburg”
Two Weeks in New Zealand
It’s time to reflect and ruminate on what we’ve done, both to help us remember this trip and to improve how we do other trips or even return. Planning a visit to New Zealand is especially challenging as there is a lot to see which is spread over two islands. Some people in internet groupsContinue reading “Two Weeks in New Zealand”
NZ Day 13: Getting Home
This was not a day of interesting activities, but it’s a useful reference for the journey from NZ to TX. For a 3:40pm international departure from Auckland, we left just after 9am. The drive was a little over 2 hours, and we had extra time to get fuel. The traffic on the other side ofContinue reading “NZ Day 13: Getting Home”
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 