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Kessi World

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Europe

Wild Tory Island — the magic of remote Ireland

March 14, 2021 by Matthew

It’s a bone-chilling Irish morning and I awake to the dim energy of the sun trying to rise — injecting a pinkish hue into the end of my slumber.  My 19th century bedroom chamber is dark and cold, but it’s time to get ready for my date with the Queen of Aran.  I layer up for the journey ahead of me — two sets of long underwear, sweaters, hat, gloves, wool socks, puffy … [Read more...] about Wild Tory Island — the magic of remote Ireland

Winter’s light at Solstice

December 21, 2020 by Matthew

Light.  This time of year the natural darkness seems to bring about inspiration guided by light.  Cross cultural references are made about stars, lamp oil, and yule logs.  Even the pre-Celtic people living ages ago in Ireland looked toward one intense ray of golden winter glow, entering a passage tomb deep within a neolithic cave -- so well engineered the stones … [Read more...] about Winter’s light at Solstice

Photos that make me yearn for the old sod — County Donegal, Ireland

March 17, 2020 by Matthew

The buttery glow of a winter sunset begins to take over the gray cloudy sky behind the prominent rise of Muckish Mountain. In the foreground is abundant peat bogs and rolling hills of green pastures with sheep grazing. The is a typical landscape in Donegal, in northwest Ireland.

Welcome to County Donegal, located in the wild Northwestern section of the Republic of Ireland. Half of my heritage hails from this part of the world, and I feel a strong sense of connection to this especially mystic region of the Emerald Isle. From North Atlantic surf crashing onto broad sandy beaches to the dramatic contrasts between tranquil lakes and lofty mountains, the … [Read more...] about Photos that make me yearn for the old sod — County Donegal, Ireland

Grindelwald, Switzerland: That time I tried to outsmart the Swiss

January 20, 2020 by Matthew

A Swiss chalet near Grindelwald in the Alpine recreation area. The bronze colored walls of the building are shuttered and an expansive wood pile tucks efficiently under the wrap around deck. It's a snowy scene with a groomed trail to the right and crisp blue sky above.

To view the photo essay associated with this winter getaway, check out Winter hiking in Grindelwald, Switzerland: a photo gallery. Spending the month of January in Seattle is good medicine for me to restart some routines that got lost along the way in 2019.  I had a club membership but traveled so often I forgot the combination to my gym lock.  Food and … [Read more...] about Grindelwald, Switzerland: That time I tried to outsmart the Swiss

Winter hiking in Grindelwald, Switzerland: a photo gallery

January 9, 2020 by Matthew

View from a ski trail overlooking groomed ski runs with snow covered chalets leading down the mountain. In the background are the dramatic Alpine peaks of Schreckfeld and Schrekhorn. The clouds surround the peaks in a dramatic way that opens to some patches of blue sky.

To read a fun story about my ambition to reach the Top of Europe attraction while snow hiking around Grindelwald, go HERE. I was in Switzerland about 20 years ago and our aging relatives Rosie and Renee toured us all around the country. We stopped through Grindelwald briefly and I vowed I'd always return to the Alps when I could spend more time wandering in the … [Read more...] about Winter hiking in Grindelwald, Switzerland: a photo gallery

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I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

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