You know what that is?  That’s Ireland as seen from space.  Pretty cool, no?  Ireland happens to be one of the places I have on my ‘bucket list’ of places I’d like to visit before I get old – my late father-in-law and his late girlfriend went over there every year for about 30 years and would usually spend a month at a time there, since his girlfriend was originally from there.

They always regaled us with stories of their trips – apparently my late FIL was quite handy at finding out-of-the-way places to visit, simply by venturing off the beaten path and offering to mow the grass at various farms in exchange for a place to sleep and a good Irish meal. How fun would that be?

No, that’s not a picture of one of his Ireland visits, that’s in the front portion of our backyard – since he couldn’t travel to Ireland any longer, he used to come up every week and mow our grass just because he wanted to, and because he could.  Plus he always joked that making the hour plus drive to visit us was the perfect way to “get him away from all the old people” at his retirement home.  Ahem.

He even brought that lawnmower up in his trunk each week until we finally bought one of those self-propelled ones.  In exchange for him mowing our grass, the only request he had was a fresh cup of hot coffee.  And yes, sometimes it would be Irish Coffee.

As they got older they were unable to venture over there anymore, but the memories and plethora of pictures gave them great joy in their golden years.

I would sure love to see this in person:

And try this:

In addition to Ireland being on my ‘bucket list’, I also want to tour the wine country in Italy – you know, since it’s known as the ‘birthplace for most wines’.  I’ve always enjoyed a good wine, and Italy does produce some great ones.

Since I’ve been making my own wine, going to ‘the source’ would be a great learning experience.  And I can drink lots of wine.  Who wouldn’t want to see this in person:

And drink copious amounts of this:

Of course my current wine making ventures pale in comparison to the professionals – but I can definitely understand the passion that most winemakers have and the need to learn about all sorts of different grape varieties and which grapes make a better wine. Being able to experience that in person would be a dream come true for me.

So what ‘Dream Vacation’ is on your ‘bucket list’? Or just in your head? Or in your dreams? Where is the one place you haven’t been that you would really like to go?

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This dreamy Spin Cycle was brought to you part by the lovely Gretchen, who would be a blast to have tag along on any of my dream vacations so I could have a wine drinking buddy from Second Blooming. Head on over and check out the other spinners – find out what their amazing Dream Vacations would entail.

Second Blooming
 

Kailani’s had her plate full and hasn’t had the linky up the last couple of months for Aloha Friday, so I’m bringing back the Friday Free For All I used to have available for you – link up if you’re participating in Aloha Friday or just link up so I can easily come pay you a visit:

 

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Happy Aloha Friday!

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From Kailani at An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays let’s take it easy on posting, too. Ask a simple question…nothing that requires a lengthy response. It’s a great way to make new blogging friends!
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More Friday Follow Fun:

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17 Comments

  1. Right now my dream vacation would be someplace warm and sunny! LOL!

    Ireland and Italy look beautiful and someday I’d like to go to Europe, but I’ve always wanted to take a family road trip across the USA. We took that trip when I was little and I have so many memories of all the beautiful places we visited.

    Happy Friday!
    Elle would like you to read ..Family, Clydesdales, Beer & Fried Clams RandomnessMy Profile

  2. Ireland looks so beautiful! There’s just too many places in the world that I want to visit. I included Italy on my dream vacation list! I’d be happy to share a bottle of wine (or three) with you!
    Ginny Marie would like you to read ..A Writers’ RetreatMy Profile

  3. Italy and Ireland are on my bucket list too, as are England, Greece and China. Right now, anywhere without my kids would be a dream vacation. 🙂

  4. I’ve wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise ever since I was in the 4th grade. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my husband and I can go for our 10th wedding anniversary. It’s only a few years away!

    Visiting from TGIF. Have a great weekend!
    Jenny would like you to read ..We’re Having a Washing PartyMy Profile

  5. I loves the way your FIL things. I would love to go visit one of those Irish castles. Can you imagine the stories those walls could tell? Well, if you ever go to Rome I can tell you that for some reason their streets are too clean, and to eat there it’s not what you would expect it to be, but not going to burst your bubble here. I still have relatives in Palermo I’m told, so if you go there let me know I’ll send you to a place that will give you some REAL vino! LOL My dream vacation would be to relive our honeymoon at the Embassy Suites in Orlando, Florida and go see the Islands of Adventure & The Universal Studios, but be able to walk & participate Until my back gets fixed that ain’t gonna happen 🙁 Have a great weekend.
    Xmasdolly would like you to read ..Aloha Friday Get Togethers!My Profile

  6. Hi
    Ireland is definitely on my bucket list as well. I want to go to Southern Ireland check out some of the friendly culture and catch some of those fantastic Atlantic swells. I don’t know anybody who has been there who hasn’t loved it.

    Great post lee
    Lee would like you to read ..Bucket List Ideas for TeenagersMy Profile

  7. Oh, please tell me you are planning to go! We are saving to take a trip to New York and DC since John hasn’t been to either and Sprite has just started getting interested in history and the buildings in the Capitol. But my bucket list destination is England/Ireland/Scotland. There’s the history, the elegance, the raw nature that captivates me.
    Sprite’s Keeper would like you to read ..I can guarantee this will not be one of her sight words anytime soon..My Profile

  8. I’d love to go to Africa on a photo safari and see all the ‘zoo’ animals then stop off, on the way home at a palatial resort with a on the gold coast, then to the Italian riviera for some pasta and great wine and before I boarded my plane in Paris to fly to the U.S. I’d visit all the sights et mange beaucoup. Then I’d fly to New York, take in some shows and continue home to Seattle.
    But, if that’s not possible I’ll just write another book about an exotic locale.
    http://amzn.com/B00AA4FAJC

    Kim Hornsby

  9. Italy is on my list of places to visit. My grandparents are Roman and Sicilian so I would love to visit these destinations. I have a cousin that lives there so maybe I could stop by and say ‘hi’. Other than that, I don’t have any other places (except to visit all 50 states in the US) that I’d like to go to.
    Yona would like you to read ..Friendship Friday – PreferencesMy Profile

  10. It has been my dream also to visit Italy where wines are made. I’ve seen a lot of it in movies and I envy those who have gone to that place.

  11. Hello Stacy,
    First & foremost I would like to appreciate your work, you have defined the beauty of Ireland in such a way that I became curious to visit there as soon as possible. Furthermore, I have visited Italy last year & I must say it is very amazing place to visit. I can’t express my feelings in words.

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