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| Cannon Beach, Oregon July 2008 Photo: Scott Clark
I selected today's Roving Pic based on yesterday's post about Cannon Beach. Here's a photo of two Haystack Rock wannabes that reside only feet from the famous towering monolith. I think there's something simply beautiful in the way they're forever leaning towards each other on the gray shore.
Believe it or not, this is actually a color photo. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Happy Tuesday! |
Roving Pic: Cannon Beach Coastline
Roving I Recap: The Colors of Cannon Beach
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| Jumping in front of Haystack Rock Cannon Beach, Oregon July 2008 |
I've always found beauty in gray, drizzly skies. Landscapes fade into the distance. Cities glisten. But it's the coastlines that truly shine, coming to life in moody soft focus.
When we pulled into Cannon Beach after a seven hour drive up the 101, we were instantly immersed into a deep gray world, despite the July date on the calendar. Gray skies, threatening rain, gray seas, speckled with white capped waves, and a massive gray monolith, known as Haystack Rock, greeted us on arrival. And we were wowed.
While the weather may not have lifted during our three-day stay, our spirits definitely did. Days were spent hiking the rocky coastline, wandering the charming streets in town and just watching the waves envelope wayward rocks in the sea.
On our last morning in town, we made our way to the beach at sunrise. It was here Cannon Beach's true colors showed themselves in the shallow tide pools of Haystack Rock. The gray sea retreated to reveal a vivid display of orange and purple starfish, iridescent mussels and bunches of burgundy seaweed. This usually submerged scene provided a colorful discovery around every jagged edge. We explored with child-like enthusiasm until the tide began to return, tucking this stunning secret back beneath the waves.
For us, each gray day in Cannon Beach was a peaceful retreat, a photographer's dream and a traveler's treasure. And, on the rare occasion we experience a mild, drizzly day at home, I realize just how ready I am to return.
Where to Rove in Cannon Beach, Oregon:
- Haystack Rock's spectacular early morning tide pools. The exact time varies by the time of year and tide but just ask around. It's worth the early wake-up call.
- For a tasty salt water taffy treat after a perfectly gray day, visit Bruce's Candy Kitchen. You can't miss its pink and white exterior. The pomegranate flavor was my taffy of choice.
- Sip of some of the Northwest's best wines at Lush Wine Bar.
- Hike the Clatsop Loop Trail at Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach, for views of the infamous "Terrible Tilly" lighthouse and the monolith-laden Oregon coastline.
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| Haystack Rock Tide Pools Cannon Beach, Oregon July 2008 |
Web Rove of the Week: Andrew McCarthy's Rome
Maybe it's because we'll be visiting Rome for the first time in 36 days. Or maybe it's because I've seen the movies Pretty in Pink and Mannequin a combined total of 786* times. Whatever the reason, I'm thrilled to have discovered Andrew McCarthy, the award-winning Travel Writer, and this beautiful article on three ways to experience Rome. Below is one of my favorite excerpts:
*Estimated, could be more.
"In Trastevere my world becomes small in a way that delights me. Here details of life I rarely allow myself to focus on back home reveal a pattern of human behavior that connects me to the broader world. I find identification with nearly all, no matter how unlikely. Early in the morning, with no one yet loitering by the square's fountain,I watch a priest with a briefcase and a nun clutching a folded copy of the Repubblica newspaper cross paths without acknowledging each other. Next, a woman wearing a purple dress and sporting a pronounced black eye sneaks by on a Vespa. I spot an elderly man at a table near mine savoring a bowl of vanilla ice cream for breakfast. I look at him and hope that my children will do the same themselves when they reach his age." -- Andrew McCarthy, from the article "Three Faces of Rome," January/February 2010 issue of National Geographic TravelerReally, read the rest. It's all this good.
*Estimated, could be more.
Roving I Find: Ireland at its Best
It doesn't get better than summer in Ireland. Warmer, sunnier weather, extremely long days (it's not dark until after 10:00 pm in most of the country), festivals with fresh, seasonal foods and the simple joy of discovering something wonderful at every turn, make every summer day in Ireland nothing short of enchanting. Ireland definitely had us under its magic spell last July. I think it still does.
The Find:
*We were lucky enough to stay one night at the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt last year and were absolutely enamoured with the scenery, service and features of this hotel. It was a wonderfully elegant way to end our stay in this charming country.
The Find:
Green Earth Travel does an amazing job putting together affordable, Irish vacations for every kind of traveler. (We booked their Ireland B&B package last year.) But since I'm the kind of traveler who enjoys really nice things at phenomenal prices, this package caught my eye:
The Ireland Ultimate Luxury Package:
- RT air from JFK (slightly more from other airports)
- Rental car with unlimited miles
- 6 nights in five-star accommodations in Dublin, Galway and Killarney and one-night at the grand Ritz Carlton Powerscourt* in Enniskerry (near Dublin)
When you add in the stunning sites and the unforgettable Irish charm - from the people, to the villages, to the ancient sites, you get an incredible week-long vacation for two for around $3,000 USD. That's a true travel bargain gem.
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| Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt Photo: Scott Clark July 2010 |
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| Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, Indoor Pool Photo: Scott Clark July 2010 |
Roving IQ: Journaling Journeys
There's something truly romantic about carrying a leather-bound journal with you as you wander the world.
When we lived overseas, my well-worn and since retired journal held daily happenings, hurriedly-scribbled thoughts and flat mementos from the road. It's a treasure trove of memories. And they're all mine.
I came across PeaseBlossomStudio on Etsy a couple of years ago and found my new trusty travel companion, a lovely gray and blue leather journal, perfectly sized for a purse or carry on. The one in the picture below is a similar style but in a beautiful, classic brown, embossed leather. And this one is still available. Get it here.
Rove. Write. And Remember.
Roving I Week One: My New Passport Stamp
But, while traveling by the seat of your pants can be fun, sometimes it's good to have a plan. I think that rule can apply to blogs too.
Here's the Roving Itinerary:
Monday:
Roving I Recap - A trip report of sorts, focusing on current or past trips, depending on where I'm writing from.
Tuesday:
Roving Pic - A photo feature from the family album.
Wednesday:
Roving IQ - Tips, gear and advice from travel pros.
Thursday:
Roving I Finds - A destination deal that's worth booking on the spot, with a focus on living large with a small to moderate budget.
Friday:
Web Roves - Travel sites, blogs and writing that inspire me and my passport.
Saturday and Sunday:
Roving I Standby - I may get on, I may not. Either way, I'll try to keep it interesting.
Hopefully, you'll want to stop by to check out what's new and share your adventures, tips and comments with me. After all, it's a big world. It's nice to know you have friends out there.
Happy Roving!
A Little Light Reading Makes for a "Buona Notte"
My Nightstand
May 20, 2011
I devour travel books. When they arrive in their smiley little Amazon boxes, I am indeed smiling - and quite giddy.
Lately, my bedtime reading list has centered around our upcoming trip to Italy and my obsession with living there one day. (It will happen!) I took the above photograph after realizing late one night last week that my nightstand was beginning to look like the Borders travel section and I'm totally OK with that.
What's your travel guide of choice? Are there any Italy guides missing from this stack that I need to know about?
Roving I Find: Maui Luxury For Less
In 2009, while planning our trip to Maui, I discovered the Wailea Beach Villas while searching for a place to stay online. These extremely upscale condos and villas are mostly owned by individuals and property companies. Once I saw the pictures, I was sold. My wallet was not. I started digging for deals. And after some negotiation with a VRBO owner, we booked the perfect place at a palatable price.
Roving I Finds:
Vacationist:
Currently, on Vacationist.com (Luxury Link's flash sale site - It's free to join.), you can get an ocean-view, two-bedroom penthouse for $825/night through Saturday 5/21/11. I know it doesn't sound like a phenomenal price at first, but here's why it is:
On the surface, this is a pricey place. But with a little research, you can nab an amazing deal for a truly luxurious stay on Maui.
Roving I Finds:
Vacationist:
Currently, on Vacationist.com (Luxury Link's flash sale site - It's free to join.), you can get an ocean-view, two-bedroom penthouse for $825/night through Saturday 5/21/11. I know it doesn't sound like a phenomenal price at first, but here's why it is:
- The published rate for the same accommodation is around $1500/night.
- Two bedrooms in this place really means two suites, suitable for two couples to share. Most penthouses also have a pull-out couch for additional guests. If you split the costs down the middle, you're spending around $400 a night/$2800 a week.
- Each penthouse features a fully equipped, gourmet kitchen (two Sub-Zeros may be overkill) and a patio with a top-line grill so you can save on meals while you're there.
- There's also a great gym, two pools (one for the kiddos) and beach access to Wailea Beach
- The high-end outdoor mall, The Shops at Wailea, is next door. Makes it easy to pick up the perfect souvenir (from Tiffany?).
- Celebs stay here. The privacy and locale make it a perfect hideaway. (We ran into a popular soap star at the pool and Paris Hilton allegedly stayed in our villa the year before.)
VRBO.com:
There are lots of WBV listings this site. Most are posted by individual owners who "rent out" their homes away from home when they aren't there. TIP: Check the calendars, see what weeks are available and make the owners an offer. All they can say is "no" but they may come back with a price more in your range. VRBO Wailea Beach Villa Listings
There are lots of WBV listings this site. Most are posted by individual owners who "rent out" their homes away from home when they aren't there. TIP: Check the calendars, see what weeks are available and make the owners an offer. All they can say is "no" but they may come back with a price more in your range. VRBO Wailea Beach Villa Listings
On the surface, this is a pricey place. But with a little research, you can nab an amazing deal for a truly luxurious stay on Maui.
Tropical Flowers
Wailea Beach Villas Property
Photos: Scott Clark
Slea Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
Today, I’m driving down the Slea Head Drive. In my head. It was a trek we took last summer while spending time on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. And it was beyond stunning.
As the rain pelted our tiny windshield, we watched in wonder at the unfolding landscape around us. Precarious curve after precarious curve revealed gray seas, tucked-away beaches, rocky, wind-blown cliffs and sloping, green-coated coasts. It may not sound like an expected paradise. But on one drizzly day in July 2010, there was no place we would have rather been.
Where to Rove along Slea Head Drive:
- Ancient Clochan Beehive Huts: More Info Here
- Beautiful Handmade Irish Pottery: Louis Mulcahy Pottery, Clogher Beach Irish Pottery
- Blasket Islands and Cultural Center (in Dunquin): Blasket Islands
- The amazing rock formations at Dunquin Harbour
Dunquin Harbour, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
July 2010
Photo: Scott Clark
(The current Roving I blog background photo depicts Slea Head Drive from another angle.)
The Journey Begins Here.
To me, travel is the best part of living. It gives us experiences we never knew we could have. It gives us culture shock. It gives us good food, wine, friends and memories. And it gives us sanity.
By day, I'm a ACD/Copywriter at an ad agency in St. Louis, MO. My usual travel partner is my husband, an elementary school principal, photographer, painter and musician. Over the past 10 years, we've been on the go. And the to-go list keeps getting longer. When we go, we don't do organized tours and our days are mostly unplanned. We make our way, somewhat haphazardly, through foreign landscapes and somehow always manage to discover something incredible.
This blog is meant to be a record of our journeys and source for me to share my finds - from photos and suggestions for different destinations, to the planning of my next trip, to the travel deals I come across that maybe someone else can take advantage of.
In upcoming posts, I'll be catching up on some of the places we've visited over the past few years. And this summer, we're going on what I consider to be a trip of a lifetime, back to Italy and so far, one of my very favorite places in this world. So you might read a thing or two about our plans.
To "rove" is to wander about without definite destination. Physically, virtually or via day dreams, I rove a little bit every day. Hopefully, you'll want to come along for the ride.
London, UK
July, 2010
Special thanks to my dear friend Cassie at www.thevedahouse.com for helping me finally enter the blogging world. And to Mike for a logo design that helped get me going in the right direction.
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