Mystery Trip: Destination Revealed

After months of wondering, worrying, planning and packing the big day had finally arrived. Waking up early at 5:30 am, a few last minute packing adjustments and then the drive to O’Hare we were fiat the moment of truth. I have to say, walking into O’Hare with your suitcase and absolutely no idea where you are going is an odd feeling. But one white envelope held all the answers….now all we had to do was open it up.

Read more
Mystery Trip: Destination Unknown – Part Three (More Sleeps!)

The packing has begun. I have no idea what to pack, but at least I have started collecting almost anything I may or may not need for the trip. Notebook. Meds. Headphones. Camera. Snacks. The only thing I cannot decide on is if I will bring my laptop on my trip. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. I only have three more sleeps to decide!

Read more
Ireland: Family history atop Nephin mountain

Sometimes an adventure can take you far beyond your wildest imagination.  In 2017 we took a driving adventure around Ireland with hopes to visit the area that my great-great-grandparents raised their family before their children started to travel to America.  We planned to drive to County Mayo, explore a cemetery or two, and drive through the town our ancestors called home.  Our giddy excitement on our plans sent our current Ireland family on a search on other possible places to visit – and found the diamond in the rough.  

Read more
Irish Ancestry: Addergoole Cemetery, County Mayo

Exploring an unknown country by car for 12 days can be an adventure, especially when you’re 40-ish years old driving your 60-ish-year-old mother and 16-year-old niece around.  We made a great trio and did we had goals. Some were to explore Ireland and learn more about there area where my great-grandparents lived before immigrating to Chicago.  Since my mom & her sister have spent many years researching our ancestry so we knew quite a bit.  They lived in County Mayo, from a small town called Crossmolina.  We even had a cemetery name of their final resting place – Addergoole Cemetery.  Mom was determined to visit but after a Google Earth search and satellite view, I was a little leary on our adventure.  To put it simply – it looked spooky.

Read more