"Worth It..."

One of the best highlights from our trip to Ireland was our visit to the Aran Islands. These islands sit off the coast, about a 45 minute ferry ride from land. We decided to brave the elements and stay out there for one night and spend a day exploring before returning back to the mainland. After what felt like an eternity getting there, as I was thrust back into seasickness like the last time I was on the sea (Sea Sick Sunk blog post) we arrived and were escorted to our hotel for the night. We were somewhat chilly and isolated - we were one of the only ones in the hotel that night and the heat wasn't working. In somewhat of a slumber party - Dave, Mom, Rebecca and I sharing one of the rooms we reserved - where we wrote in our trip journals together and closed the night with some Irish ghost storytelling. I enjoyed playing the part of the storyteller - adding even more goosebumps to our skin than we already had because of the cold room temperature. The wind was howling outside all night - and we were perfectly happy listening to it together, in the comforts of each other's company. In the morning, Dave served some tea and we suited up for what was sure to be an exciting day.

We hustled our parents out the door and down to the bike rental place. Mom and Dad wisely chose to tour the island by van, and Rebecca, Dave and I courageously saddled up on our bikes and departed for our own tour of the island. It was a blast riding a bike again - Rebecca of course was used to it as she has been riding to and from work for the last few months - but I had not for quite awhile. Dave had just done this exact bike tour a few weeks prior on his visit here, but we were told the weather was not so pleasant then. So, off we went to adventures unknown - it was an incredibly freeing feeling. The weather was great - which was somewhat unexpected as we had all bundled up in a few layers too many. Of course, you could never be sure in Ireland, for we had experienced all sorts of weather changes in the span of a day a few times during the trip. Our first stop was an abandoned lighthouse on top of the center of the island. By "top" I am implying "hill" of which I am therefore implying "exhausting" and "need to walk, not bike," to the top. It was a good first challenge, of which I can say with no shame that I was not prepared for. Plus, my bike began to act up and behave badly, as I had to work out a few chain slips before even getting to the really hard parts.

The lighthouse was really cool. We had to hop the fence to get in and walk around the broken down walls and buildings. We kind of set ourselves up to be freaked out the night before with all the ghost stories, but there's nothing quite like a jolt of fear to warm the body! This fearful moment came when we were snooping around the old living quarters and I noticed movement beyond the walls out of the corner of my eye - we quickly departed and noticed it was only other bikers. From there, we took to the bumpy and rocky roads beyond the lighthouse on the downhill portion of the island top. It was then that my bike decided to completely crap out on me. My chain became so discombobulated and twisted that I temporarily lost my "all is wonderful" composure and gave way to panic and disappointment. After 20 minutes and blackened grease covered fingers, we sorted it out and were back on our way. I of course decided to stay in one gear for the remainder of the day for fear of incident repeat, but I felt much better that way than having to walk next to my bike the rest of the day.

Our next fear inducing moment came when taking to some exhilarating downhills and speed racing on the island roads. As I braced to make a bold and daring pass, I was quickly alerted to the presence of a large, slow moving tractor on its way toward us. I had to curb the pass attempt and settle for surviving to see another hill - which was a bummer, because I was really looking forward to the look on Rebecca's face when I zoomed past her. Our next stop was the Fort overlooking the sea on another high part of the island. This fort allowed for visitors to experience the dizzying heights of the spectacular cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. On our way up to the top, we bumped into my parents on their way down. We received some stern warnings and caution from my Dad - so we knew that this was going to be awesome! Upon getting there ourselves, we were not disappointed - it was truly amazing. We ate some lunch (an apple) and enjoyed watching in awe as the apple cores plummeted off the side of the cliff, taking what seemed like a dozen seconds to reach the water below. Despite our curiosity and awe, we were struck with the fear of God laying on our bellies overlooking the waters too. I refused to take a picture for this fear was crippling - one wrong move and it was over. Amazing stuff to say the least. The green grass surrounding us was also just as beautiful and made for a nice place to lay down and ponder the mysteries of creation and just how awesome the Creator really is.

After taking all the beauty and majesty from around us in and scarfing down our candy bars during the descent, we were ready for more - feeling more alive and rejuvenated than ever before. The rest of the day seemed to glide by - not feeling too fast or slow, but just right. Towards the last portion of our day, feeling the soreness kicking in (my bike seat was rather hard) we took on what seemed to be more and more hills. And, riding in one gear for those hills was neither easy nor fun... But, alas, it was worth it when my eyes were struck with all the diverse and inspiring sights of the island - and getting to share all of those moments with two of my most treasured persons in my life was truly a blessing beyond comparison. Even the last challenges of the day - riding down a mile long hill to the edge of the island only to turn around and ascend it immediately - to the excruciatingly long steady incline along the coastline on the way back, which lasted an hour but felt like four - all of it was completely and without argument, worth it. The day spent on the island, riding our bikes, taking picture after picture and having time to personally reflect about and share how truly wonderful life really is - well, there is just no way of ever describing how well spent a day like that really is.