Ireland.  A travel destination for many.  

Ireland's attraction list boasts of historic places, castles, landscapes, and a pub for everyone.  When people go you expect to see pictures of kissing a stone, the Cliffs of Moher, and spending time in Dublin.

And those area all worth the time.  You follow around the outside edge of Ireland and you can see wonderful things.

But something happens when you travel to the heart of Ireland.  A small town located in the middle of the country along the River Shannon, Athlone is overlooked as a place to see.

We loved it so much we went back.

Athlone sits in the middle of Ireland's history.  It's location on the river in the middle of the country became a dividing point for the English and the Irish.  The Athlone castle is open for visitors and walks inquisitive minds through the fight towards Irish Independence and it's struggles with religions.

The churches sit across the river from each other, giving freedom of religion to both the Catholics and the Church of England.  Both of which you can visit and marvel at the buildings and the love they share for their beliefs.  

And at its base, tucked into a wall, sits the reason we found Athlone in the first place.

Sean's Bar, the oldest continuously operating bar on record.

​It holds the Guiness World Record. 

Sean's Bar has been through various owners since its opening in 900 AD.  From Vikings to weary travelers, Sean's Bar is a walk-through time.

When you walk through the door the small area immediately draws you in.  The original walls show the horsehair insulation.  While updated with license plates from all over the world as decor, the space feels camped, cozy, with an air of fun between patrons and bartenders.

There are moments in life when you need a place like Sean's.  And on our second trip back, we returned.  Exhausted from a full day of travel, it was almost 11:30 by the time we reached Athlone.  Bars were closing, and we just needed a moment to sit.

We were in the right spot at the right time.  With bags in hand, we walked into the familiarity and felt we were back at home.  We had traveled along a road that most skip, and knew we landed in exactly the right spot.

There are so many moments in life when you feel as though you're on a different road from others.  Your journey through the ups and downs, the long days, the weary days of exhaustion, can become overwhelming.  And just when you feel like you can't get a break, something familiar comes along to make everything right. 

So, as you travel along, both in the world and in life, find the roads that most don't.  You'll find that along the way, you feel right at home on the roads less traveled. 

Don't miss Athlone on your next Irish adventure!

As summer comes to a close, our summer travels do as well.  It's been an incredibly busy summer, with posts coming to keep reminding you through the year to plan for your next trip.  We've just returned from a ten-day trip to Ireland and Scotland, and we can't wait to teach you all about it.

In reflection, as we share and teach what we've learned, we've stumbled across a mindset that seems important to start with.  With the cost of life ever increasing, it can feel overwhelming to plan a trip.  Vacations don't come cheap.  And you'd be correct in saying that.

What's important to note, as we continue to post and teach about the world as we learn, is that there is a key point with what we do.

There is a difference between traveling and taking a vacation.

Taking a vacation is going to be expensive.  Vacations are meant to be less work, downtime, sitting on beaches and being catered too.  When you go on vacation, you're make the determination on what you're going to do and when you're going to do it.  And hopefully it includes a waiter on the beach to support you.

Traveling is not the same.  Traveling means picking a destination, finding your own room and board, and figuring out how to get from one place to another on your own.  Traveling asks you to be open to change, to be flexible, and to allow the world to teach you what it wants you to see.

We have both been travelers for years.  Once you've learned to travel, the feeling to go into the world sits in your soul.  It pulls you forward, asking you to keep learning, growing, and challenging yourself in the world we live in.  It's not always easy.  Life has highs and lows that impact when and how travel happens.  But we're here, not because we are the richest, wealthiest people, but because we're teachers who have struggled and have continued to come back to traveling.

Traveling is something anyone can do, anytime, anywhere.  You don't have to leave the country (although we highly recommend you do).  You can travel in as little time as a weekend to an extended time away when you get the days to do so.

So as we share our stories, remember we want you to be able to do this.  We want to inspire you to plan your own future forward.  Start buying things to support your travels, even if you can't travel just this minute.  Save them for the future.  Make your bucket list.  Then start planning to go.

You can travel and see the world. 

​It's waiting for you.  And it's a pretty incredible place to see.

I'm going to talk about these hiking shoes a lot.  I bought them brand new, pulled them out of the box and put them on as we headed to the airport for the first time.  They were not broken in when we left, and they turned out to be an incredible buy....

Lake Superior is known for her unpredictability, massive force, and immense beauty.  

​She's also known for claiming lives on those who've crossed her.

Sitting at the turning point from Superior towards Huron is a small peninsula called Whitefish Point.  Here, ships make their way towards the St. Mary River and eventually into Lake Huron, passing through the Soo Locks.  It's a beautiful spot along Lake Superior, with a lighthouse and an infamous beach for those who enjoy the scenery and geological features. 

It is also home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. 

Whitefish Point has the oldest, continuously used Lighthouse on Lake Superior.  It marks the edge of what is considered Shipwreck Coast.  The waters around Whitefish Point have claimed at least 200 of the 550 shipwrecks in Lake Superior.  

The most famous of these is the Edmund Fitzgerald.  In 1975, the freighter lost communication with the Pointe, and was claimed by Superior, taking all lives aboard.  

You can find the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald in the Shipwreck museum.  There is a cost to enter, but it's well worth it.  The museum shares information of various ships lost within the lake, while the song for the Edmund Fitzgerald plays in the background.  
You can still walk the area without visiting the museum for free.  There's a small shop as well.  Parking can get tricky, so go earlier when possible.
(information validated on Home - Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (shipwreckmuseum.com)
Whitefish Point is near Tahquamenon Falls, and you can easily do both in the same day.

(Side note:  When traveling in the Upper Peninsula, you will lose service.  If using maps on your phone, you will be able to keep going until you reach your destination, but you won't be able to change locations.  If you are not familiar with the Upper Peninsula, we recommend printing maps or using a sat nav system.  You can find one on our Travel Road Trip page.)