Photographs

An amateur photographer who likes to experiment with angles, light, and colored lenses, I enjoy creating and framing images that capture what I’m experiencing, so you (and all those in my life) can come along for the ride. 

Once I’m home from traveling, I love to open my computer and thumb through my images, reliving memories and remembering forgetten moments. Photographs are the best souvenirs I’ve ever given myself.

Click HERE to view my newly added Photo Gallery page. Feel free to share your thoughts about the photos or email me at ryan.e.macdonald@gmail.com for more information.

RIP: Casey

I did not expect my blog to take this turn, as most know I am working on a entry about my recent adventure to the great state of Alaska. But I cannot publish that story. Not today, at least.

Instead I must pay respects to my beloved dog Casey who after thirteen years of life was put to rest earlier this afternoon.

Enduring a rare form of tongue cancer for the last four months, Casey was no longer living a life worth saving. Unable to eat or drink in recent days, she quickly dropped weight and walked around in a zombie state. It seemed like over night she became a skeletal version of her former self.

All this week, my family discussed what to do and when to call it. Numerous conversations, tear filled and emotional, about what was best for our pack. Finally we concluded yesterday it was best to relieve her of the pain and to do so today. A decision never easy to make.

When I arrived at the veterinarian’s office, I decided I would not watch the procedure. I didn’t want to see her body become lifeless. I didn’t think I had the courage to stay the whole way through. I didn’t want to see an animal I have loved for so long leave her body. Too much for me to swallow.

But after some thought I changed my mind. I realized I owed it to Casey, a friend and companion who stood by me for so long and loved me no matter what. A dog who always waged her tail when I walked through the door and pawed me with affection even after a hard days work.

So when the time had come, I stood behind my mother and watched the vet inject the medicine. I didn’t turn away as Casey squirmed from discomfort. And I even continued to watch when our little girl jerked her neck around and gave my mom one final look of love. A moment that brought me closer to life and death than ever before. A moment I will never forget.

I am a marked man because of Casey. Because of her life and because of her death. Because of that final moment and because of our lasting relationship and endless love we shared.

We, as humans, so often love our animals for selfish reasons, not realizing or considering what is best for them. We put the animal’s needs second to what feels best to us.

Today we put Casey first and our feelings and emotions second.

RIP, Casey. You will be missed.

A Moment Like Those

Two weeks go by, the blog remains dormant. At home, at work, I attempt to recover. Initially my jet lag wore off, but a week after returning, I find myself unable to stay awake past 9 pm, so I listen to my body. I sleep when I need rest, even when it feels indulgent. I take time to regain my footing and adjust to my schedule.

Now I’m back, clinging to memories and images of my trip. I treasure what I experienced, and I hold tight to the sights, sounds and smells of my adventure through Ireland.

I can think of no other way to see the country than by driving straight through it. Logging hundreds of miles in a rental car, jamming through the lush countryside, discovering how difficult it is to drive on the other side of the road, I saw more of the country than I ever expected. (And to learn about those motor vehicle cultural differences was a trip itself!)

During the road-tripping, I stopped at a Saturday morning farmer’s market, where locals sold their goods and merchandise. I admired the happy go lucky people who shrugged off their country’s mercurial weather with simple logic: “It’s I-rrreland!”

After talking about their simple, happy lives and happy, home fed animals, I envied these people and their simplistic values and lifestyles. “How I wish mine could be more like yours,” I thought.

Another view from the ground was seeing rows and rows of empty houses, just like what can be seen across the USA. To realize the housing meltdown far exceeds the boundaries of California was sobering. “How many Irish dreams were broken by the international meltdown? ” I thought. “Hundreds, thousands …a lot.”

Traveling that far of a distance for that short of time was truly a whirlwind, but as I stood on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, with the Atlantic Ocean blowing in my face, I forgot about the miles logged, and I melted into the moment.

Struck by the natural beauty of the cliffs, while standing in the wind with thousands of birds flying below, I bowed to their greatness, strength, beauty and legacy.

Humbled by the size of what I stood before, I took time to recognize something I have never seen before in my life.

I’ve been to the Redwood Forest, camped at Lake Powell and flown over the Grand Canyon, but I haven’t stood before such a great natural wonder of the world.

Standing before something so grand, beautiful and natural, truly a landscape for everyone to witness at least once in your life time, is a moment I will remember for years to come. Probably forever.

Re-entry

The flight attendant’s voice came over the loud speaker, announcing our descent into Los Angeles. I took out my earphones, put away my laptop and opened my window shade. With LAX in the distance and the downtown skyline to my right, I peered over the great Los Angeles basin.

Quickly my attention turned to the white haze blanketing the city. The fog, smog, haze or clouds (call it whatever you like) became thicker with each passing mile, and the closer we came to landing, the worse it thickened.

I’m certain I’m not the only person disturbed by the air quality seen from 20,000 feet above, but coming face to face with this environmental reality is never easy.

In fact, this mass of pollution is something I see every time I return to California. But after spending a week in a country known for its lush countrysides, green pastures, and blue skies, the “white balance” hanging over LA was more apparent than ever.

The reaction I received the last time I re-entered the United States (Read about it: HERE) made me think twice about how I perceive my home country when returning from being abroad. With this in mind, I did my best to tuck away negativity, even if it was starring at me in the face!

So after the taxi dropped me outside my home, I walked up my pathway and began the process of decompressing and re-entering my life at home.

I immediately found myself relieved to have familiar food to eat, so over a dinner of veggie enchiladas, I took out my laptop and began to sifting through photographs. 

Feeling bittersweet about returning so soon (and not wanting to forget my favorite images), I relived special moments and tried to remain close to the sounds, smells and feelings of the Emerald Isle. Remembering the air being fresh and clean, the sky blue as can be, the green grass blowing in the breeze.

I recounted not only my Irish countryside adventure, but also the many other international experiences stamped in my passport. Thumbing through my little blue book, I felt proud of myself, as it became clear to me that traveling the globe is what I value most in life.

To know I’ve seen cities around the world and experienced countless cultures is more important to me than having money or material possessions. This is a particular sense of accomplishment I feel – a feeling as though I’ve checked off something from my life “TO DO” list. And with each country visited, another mark in my book of life.

People value what they do in all different shapes and forms, and this is how I value mine.

From Coast to Coast

Located on Ireland’s western coast, the Cliffs of Moher are known for their awe-inspiring look out points and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. (Some even say that on a clear day, you can see forever!)

Recommended by several readers of The Written Road, I decided the Cliffs was one attraction I must visit before departing for home. The Cliffs are the number one tourist attraction in Ireland, so I anticipated they must be something special … however nothing could prepare me for what I experienced once I arrived.

To cap of my trip with a visit to the Cliffs is the only way I can image saying goodbye to this beautiful and wonderful country. Today I return to my own western coast where I will draw upon the magic of Moher (and many other moments from this lucky place) for years to come.

Church and State

Earlier today, as I made my way west towards Galway, I stepped inside some local churches and quietly observed the local god-fearing folk. Some audibly whispered their prayers, while others sat quietly among the benches and knelt before the altars.

A nation united (and divided) by religion, churches stand proudly in every city, town and village, like this massive structure in Kilkenny.

Before I jumped in my car and made my way back to the highway, I noticed the sun poking out from behind the clouds.

As if it was speaking to those below, I thought, “Maybe someone’s prayers were answered.”

Country Mouse

After two days in Dublin, I arrived in Mount Juliet ready for a relaxing evening, away from the hustle and bustle of the country’s capitol city. With the estate’s winding road being a final push to the finish line (after being in a confined space far longer than my normal day’s quota), I stepped out of the car with great relief that our road trip was over. For that day at least!

Though the drive took nearly 4 hours, the country side of Ireland is what everyone images this great place to be: lush, green, rolling and beautiful. A few hours in this scenery and my mind was set a drift on memory bliss.

The weather has improved since I first arrived, but these wet, damp conditions lend to the atmosphere and charm of this beautiful place.

Today I travel north to the western side of the country to a city called Galway. A night in this youthful town and then back to Dublin for my final evening.

May Showers

A few hours after my arrival in Dublin, I was greeted by the local weather – seasonal rain showers.

Not lasting long, the raining, windy conditions didn’t seem to bother anyone, as most Dubliners continued on their way, doing business as usual. I, on the other hand, ducked for cover under every doorway and awning I found. (One of the items I failed to pack? An umbrella!)

I imagine these showers are the main reason the city smells so fresh. They rinse the streets, nourish the greenery, and keep the air free of pollutants.

“How I wish it rained more in Los Angeles,” I said. “Everything would be happier.”

a mother’s touch

On Sunday my family united at an old, favorite restaurant, Spaghetti Eddie’s. A place I have frequented since I was a young boy, “Eddie’s” serves classic American Italian food which to me always tastes comforting. The restaurant is located in the Mayflower Shopping Center in Glendora, CA and is adjacent to where my grandmother and grandfather’s jewelry shop, Mayflower Jewelers, stood for twenty plus years.

My grandparents arrived to this shopping center long before the Eddie was even born, but their jewelry store closed shortly after my grandma passed away. No longer Mayflower Jewelers, the place which once served as my second home has been transformed into a nail salon, a fast food joint, and now a taco stand.

I grew up watching my grandparents interact with their customers, admiring how they ran their business. They wrote all receipts by hand, knew everyone on a first name basis, and organized their showcases with pride. I loved being in the store not only to be close to my family but also so I could run across the parking lot for a tasty slice of pepperoni pie.

For countless reasons, Mayflower Shopping Center is a memory minefield. Even still my family can’t help but stop in for a Sunday meal every once and again.

So on this particular day, a day to celebrate all mothers, my family navigated around are emotions and celebrated our relationships. Feasting on a Sunday brunch and buffet, we took turns talking about the going ons in our lives. Sharing, listening, and caring.

I spoke about having a new dog in my life and how that very morning she carried in a dead squirrel from the yard. Not the sounds of her smacking nor licking her chops could lift me from my slumber, and it was much to my surprise when I crossed through the living room to see her standing over the carcass!

My brother and my mom shared stories of their own, too. And whether we agree on the issues at hand, I value having my family’s blessing and having them hear the stories about my life. I like them to be apart of my story as much as I am apart of theirs. 

After brunch, as we lingered in the parking lot, we stood before the window of the old jewelry shop and looked inside the window of the new business. I took a moment to remember what it felt like to be a young child in that environment. Everything feeling big and large – the world a giant place with no boundaries and infinite possibilities. Now the world seems smaller, as things changed, life happened, and we gained perspective.

With a long embrace, we said our goodbyes. My mother wished me well on my trip to Ireland, excited for my adventure and eager to hear about what the country is like. Being this was the last time we were to see each other before I return, we held our hug for a moment.

I’ve always been drawn to my mother’s touch, to feel her hands on mine. It connects me to the pulse of my life, to where I came from and to where I belong.

Lucky Me

The countdown begins.

Two weeks from today I will be half way around the world. Far away from what I know, everything will be different and everything will be new. Away from the hum-drum of my daily routine, my senses will be ignited with the sounds, scents, tastes, sights and feelings of a culture I’ve never experienced. My soul will overflow with passion and excitement for a new place to explore.

Ireland … Here I come!

Before I pack my bags, though, I must begin my preparation. For me, I like to imagine what the cities will look like, what the culture will feel like, and how the country will welcome me when I arrive. To visualize my trip before I physically arrive. I like to ask friends and family (and you!) for recommendations about interesting sights to see, delicious dishes to devour, and local treasures off the everyday path.

Today I wonder if all the Shamrocks will be four leafed? And if leprechauns will leap behind pots of gold at the ends of colorful rainbows and greet me at the airport? If locals will be bursting from the pubs shouting incoherent chants? (Something tells me, this folklore is not what I should be expecting.)

This trip marks my first international adventure since 2007 – ever since returning from the Czech Republic, my desire to go abroad has been an itch I couldn’t scratch. However, since The Written Road began one year ago, I have traveled only within the United States. Visiting places where the language barrier isn’t tested and to cities where the food tastes familiar.

In those adventures, I learned how traveling can be a state of mind and how searching for fresh and new experiences in your local neighborhood can be just as satisfying as exploring a distant land.

My intention behind this blog was to create a space for me to share my traveling experiences – and I always imagined the blogging experiences to be strictly international. My desire to discover a different way of life by traveling other countries is paramount to traveling inside of the US and engaging with fellow Americans. There is a rush when arriving in a foreign land, one that aligns me with a deeper purpose and fulfills my life with meaning.

People who travel can return to their home base and see their daily experiences differently; the well traveled understand that their way is not the only way.