“When you go for a walk, take seeds with you, poppies, rainbow chard, rocket. Plant them among the weeds in patches of wasteland. See what happens.” – Tom Hodgkinson
Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
Story & Photos: © 2021 Molly Cox
On A Spring Walk…
Category: Places-Road Trips & Long Walks
Remembering Moments Grand Teton to Yellowstone National Parks
“There is nothing so American as our national parks…. The fundamental idea behind the parks…is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.”- FDR
Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
Story & Photos: © 2021 Molly Cox
Ireland’s Winding Roads & A Village on the Celtic Sea
“There is no language like the Irish for soothing and quieting.”
John Millington Synge
The winding roads south from Cashel lead to the southern shores of County Waterford.
In County Waterford, sitting on a bay of the Celtic Sea, is the small historic village of Ardmore. Exploring this 5th century village by the sea is a picture-perfect stopping point on an Ireland road trip. Once a fishing village and now a seaside resort the population swells in the summer but you can enjoy quieter times and lovely weather in late September.
Ardmore is thought to be the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland, St Declan came to this area, from Wales, some years before the arrival of St Patrick to Ireland, and much of St Declan’s story lives here.
The old monastery site sits just up Tower Hill Road. Overlooking the village and the bay, its 12th century round tower is a short walk up from the village. On the site are remains of Ardmore cathedral dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. The old cathedral walls have much of the intricate carvings still intact and clearly depict familiar religious scenes of Adam and Eve in the Garden and scenes of the Judgment of Solomon. The small 8th century oratory at the site is said to hold the remains of St Declan. The cathedral also contains two Ogham stones.
After visiting the ruins, a walk down the lanes to the shore is the perfect afternoon out of the car. Enjoy the quiet streets of this beautiful village. On this short walk to the beach stop at the local food-store & deli and purchase a picnic lunch. Meat pasties are a traditional favorite and a tasty lunch!
Near the beach areas, you may glimpse young seafarers as they load up in their kayaks and head out on the calm and nearly smooth sea. Enjoy your picnic on a sea facing bench at the shore. Sit here, relax and take in the shimmering beauty of the Celtic Sea.
After lunch, continue your beach stroll westward and find St Declan’s Stone, a natural rock feature on the beach. The stone is believed to have carried the Golden Heavenly Bell belonging to St Declan across the waters from Wales to this site. Declan finding the bell and with his prayers answered, founded his church on the great heights of this area. The Great Height, Aird Mhór.
You will find friendly locals and many quiet reflective spaces in Ardmore, enough that like the ebb and flow of the sea, you will always want to come back.
Further exploration in Ardmore:
From the main street of town continue up Cliff Road to the site of St Declan’s well.
Stroll along the cliff walk and enjoy the breezes and the salty air.
There are informational tourist & cultural signs located beachfront outlining the history of Ardmore.
“May the road rise up to meet you.”- Irish Proverb
Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
Story & Photos: © 2020 Molly Cox
The Republic of Ireland County Donegal to County Waterford, County Dublin to County Galway
‘The best things in life are the people we love, the places we have been and the memories we have made along the way.’ – An Irish Saying
Whatever experience you’re looking for in Ireland, you’ll never get enough and a great way to see all of Ireland is a road trip.
From Neolithic Newgrange to experiencing the sights of Dublin, from walking the coastal beach towns and villages or from the views driving along the Wild Atlantic Way, the beauty of Ireland will amaze you. From winding through the countryside on leaving the Cliffs of Moher, to roaming the streets of medieval Galway, savoring the flavors of the freshest seafood at every stop, you’ll know you planned your own perfect road trip in Ireland. Go ahead and plan it.
You’ll have a blast & that’s no Blarney!
Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
Story & Photos: © 2020 Molly Cox
Finding Direction
“How often I found where I should be going only by setting out for somewhere else. “
R. Buckminster Fuller
Photo: © 2020 Molly Cox
London’s Royal Parks In Their Fall Colors
3 of 8, St James Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park
– Charles Dickens
Late fall is a great time to visit London and it’s 8 Royal Parks are perfect for strolling. If you’re out for a hike or you’re searching for a peaceful ramble after a day of shopping and sightseeing, these 3 parks offer the tranquil space you crave.
From Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall to the Horse Guard enter St James Park.
St James Park with it’s beautiful flower gardens, weeping willows, fountain and fowl. Ducks, geese, swans and pelicans roam the grounds. Swans may approach you looking for a snack and if you’re timing is right you will witness the Horse Guard Parade. The Life Guard change takes place here at 11:00am daily and 10:00am on Sundays.
From St James Park, cross the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace to enter The Green Park.
In Green Park you’ll treasure the beautiful walks wandering the paths. Find a bench and linger to relish the green space of grasslands and magnificent trees. Bring a picnic to savor a meal on the lawn. Don’t be surprised if you see two friends sharing a bench and a nip from a brown bag.
When your meal is complete roam the pathways to emerge at Hyde Park.
In Hyde Park enjoy watching locals feeding breadcrumbs to the pigeons and squirrels.
Hire a bike and bicycle Hyde Park or stroll the paths. Appreciate the lake view, hire a boat and row or pedal the lake at Serpentine Lake. Visit the many memorials and don’t forget to find the statue of Peter Pan. On a Sunday Morning meander to the north east corner and have a listen to the orators at Speaker’s Corner.
After spending time in these parks you’ll want to discover more of their history, and with a nod to Dickens you’ll agree “The parks be the lungs of London”.
For more on the history of the parks visit their official site
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/
Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
Story & Photos: © 2020 Molly Cox
Punting the River Cam Cambridge & Clematis
It was Weisspargel season in Deutschland, when we left Cologne yesterday. Arriving in Cambridge it is merely early spring. My friend and I seize the opportunity for a glide on the River Cam. We are here on business but this is pure pleasure. Our punter, a student at Cambridge brings us rolling past The Backs. He follows the path of the gravel ridge for a smooth ride. The flat bottomed boat glides over the river. The swans on the river are majestic, the English Gardens are filled with color and King’s College Chapel is immediately recognizable.
The banks are lush with gorgeous blooms. My friend asks me “what are those flowers?” I tell her “Clematis; I’m not sure how to pronounce it, my mother always said ‘kle-mat-is’ but recently she said she’d heard ‘kle-mAy-tus’.” Here our punter offers, “ahhh, the actual pronunciation is Klem-a-tus.” So, as we pass under the Bridge of Sighs, I agree with the dashing punter of Cambridge. ‘Klem-a-tus’.
Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
Story & Photos: © 2020 Molly Cox
A Slower Pace
Downtown Little Rock, AR
Once upon a time, far, far away in a quiet garden along the banks of the Arkansas River she waits. The dancer poised in her graceful and delicate performance. She stands perfectly balanced, arms lifted, one foot on the hoop and one foot high in the air. Her bronzed figure, frozen in motion, in her timeless “infinite dance”. Enjoy the slower pace among the whimsical and the calming sculptures in the Volger Schwartz Sculpture Garden.
Artist Carol Gold: #116, “Infinite Dance”, 2018: Volger Schwartz Sculpture Garden, Little Rock, AR.
Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
Story & Photo: © 2020 Molly Cox
Florida Keys- Slow Ride- A Mile Marker Guide From Key Largo to Key West
Two and a Half hours will get you there. One hundred and fourteen miles, it’s a short drive from Key Largo to Key West, but sometimes you just want to take it slow. Grab your sunscreen and bring a hat, you are going to want the wind in your hair on this trip. With the taste of the salty seas on your lips, the Atlantic Ocean rolls in from the east as the Gulf of Mexico washes the shores on the west. Your journey across the water over the forty-two bridges and causeways will wind you through the Florida Keys. The mile marker count down begins now.
Upper Keys
At MM 107 – Key Largo: Best start, explore the marine life of the Keys at John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park- this park is mostly underwater so take a ride on the Glass Bottom Boat …see living coral, sponges, shrimp, lobster, crab, turtles and 600 + species of fish.
At MM 81.5 Visit the Hurricane Monument – this monument honors those who died in the Labor Day hurricane of 1935.
At MM 74 – Islamorada: Take a break in Islamorada the Sport Fishing Capital of the world. Even if you are not here to fish you will enjoy the walk around the town- taking in the shops and the art galleries. Feed the tarpons at Robbie’s Marina. Visit the History of Diving Museum.
Middle Keys
At MM 50 – Marathon: Take a picnic break at Marathon- Find your favorite picnic foods and head for Sombrero Beach. There’s plenty of shade with pavilions, grills and restrooms. An Atlantic side designated Turtle Nesting Beach. From April-October the Loggerhead Turtles cross the beaches at night to lay their eggs. Watch for areas closed off to protect these nesting areas.
At MM 47-The Seven Mile Bridge – Rising 65’ above the water with an unobstructed 360* panoramic view of the water is the 6.79-mile bridge connecting the Middle Keys at Marathon to the Lower Keys at Little Duck. The older bridge completed in 1912 is a great place to get out and take a walk.
Lower Keys
At MM 30- Big Pine Key: ‘The Natural Keys’. Visit the National Key Deer Refuge – This refuge is home to the Key Deer; the miniature white-tailed deer found only in the Florida Keys.
At MM 36.8 – Bahia Honda State Park: On the Bahia Honda Keys stop and play on the award-winning beaches. This 500-acre state park is a fun spot for dolphin watching or beachcombing. These beaches offer the best snorkeling and kayaking. Rent your equipment at the park.
MM 0 – Key West: Old Town and seven square miles of fun and funk to explore. Take in Mother Nature’s performance of Sunset at Mallory Square – enjoy the crowd and sip a drink on the square. Next up the Southernmost Point Buoy…. This buoy is located offshore at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets and marks the most southern point of the US. You’re here! This is the end of the line so take a moment to stop, smile and wave at the 24/7/365 live webcam.
Copyright © 2017- Molly Cox
Member International Travel Writers & Photographers Alliance
New Boston, TX- Parks & Walking Trails
Lace up your sneakers and enjoy the City of New Boston Parks, these parks a gift from the City of New Boston offer many opportunities to be outdoors. Tapp Park’s walking trails wind around the park through shaded paths of oak and pine trees and the asphalt trails of Trail Head Park take you from downtown New Boston to Hwy 98 through more than three miles of walkway surrounded by nature. This newest trail runs along the old Texas & Pacific Railway rails and the paved asphalt way ends at HWY 98.
One of my favorite things to do is walking and my favorite walking companion is my husband. We keep about the same pace so walking together is easy. Any season, our favorite place to walk is New Boston’s Trail Head Park. This past weekend in mid-April was no exception. The spring time weather made it the perfect morning walk. The City of New Boston completed this asphalt trail in 2016. The trail to HWY 98 from downtown New Boston- passing Scout Lake and return to town is about six miles, the walk is just over three miles to Scout Lake and back to town.
No matter your route, this is a beautiful nature walk. Lacey blooms of white, yellow and purple line the walk along Front Street from Trail Head Park to near Frost Street. On the trail, you’ll meet families riding their bicycles, parents pushing their children in strollers and dog walkers out to give their dogs some exercise.
Near Frost Street the trail changes, frilly blooms in shades of yellow line the walk as the trail is enveloped in a canopy of green and the heady sweet scents of privet hedge and honeysuckle fill the air.
The trail is lined with many pines and hardwood trees on each side and west of Robertson there is a lush thicket of bamboo.
Along the way are wildflowers scattered about, royal thistles with blooms faded and exhausted but still standing proud. Purple Spiderworts with their showy blossoms. Depleted cattails awaiting their renewal for a fall performance. Shoots of yellow petals reaching up. Then, arriving at the creek, a short walk over the bridge is Scout Lake. You will likely see ducks or fishermen enjoying the lake.
When you return checkout the dandelions with their bright yellow blossoms and some with their seed head blooms, pick one – make a wish. This all-purpose trail is great for walking, jogging, bike riding or just to be out for a leisurely stroll and as you return to downtown New Boston notice the walkway lined with crepe myrtles with their promise of a spectacular display of summer blooms.
Copyright © 2017- Molly Cox
Member International Travel Writers & Photographers Alliance
Previously Published: “When You Know You’d Rather Be Outdoors.” Bowie County Citizens Tribune & DeKalb News 3 May 2017, F5