Travel

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My Magical Happy Place

It seems no matter how I’m feeling or what’s been going wrong, or just not altogether right, the higher I ride, climb or drive into the mountains, the higher my spirits soar. Literally. It’s a physical feeling. I find myself sighing without warning, smiling for no reason, and helplessly uttering wow! There’s something magical about those awe-inspiring heights that roll…

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A Funny Thing Happened: The Day I Ran Out of Gas

The winding country road stretched out ahead, not another vehicle in sight. It was a perfect day for a long ride. I’d just left work around 3:00 pm and decided to go for it. Get out on my own and learn the ins and outs of my new motorcycle. The 1984 custom, Harley, Sporster I’d bought on e-bay was my…

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Gas Pipeline Leak and Travel Plans

Anyone planning on traveling through the east coast states within the next week? Plan ahead for possible challenges to find gasoline. Or at least for temporary price increases per gallon at the pump. According to an online article by Charles Riley of CNN today, it could be 5-15¢ in GA, NC, TN, and VA; and 10-20¢ in SC. 500,000 gallons…

Dublin Library
Dublin’s Trinity

Oh what providence to meet with philosophers and poets. White marble silent sentinels standing at Baroque chapel entrances where Trinity holds 200,000 ancient texts. ‘Tis the mind of Dublin–Trinity– barrel-vaulted brain center; 210 foot Long Room. Two stories– told in tranquil reverence– one of intellect, one of soul. Guardian of light and ancient harp, Boru’s fabled instrument. Vibrant Celtic symbols…

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The Book of Kells

Religion dwells in glass cases in dimly lit enclaves, dark grottoes of light; beehive cells where monks in solicitous solitude scripted holy verse. Gospel on calves’ vellum, beetle wing peacocks, oak apple spirals, Christ in lapis lazuli; apostles, saints, and triskeles with crosses crossing all. Men of holy inspiration turning darkness into light with insular majuscule. Saving impudent civilization, irreverent…