Carrick-A-Rede Ireland's Rope Bridge

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a rope suspension bridge near, Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The bridge links the mainland to the tiny Carrick Island. The site spans twenty meters and is about 100 feet (30 meters) above the rocks below.

Carrick-a-rede means 'rock in the road'. It is thought salmon fishermen have been erecting bridges to the island for over 350 years. It has taken many forms over the years. Although no one has fallen off the bridge, there have been many instances where visitors, unable to face the walk back across the bridge, have had to be taken off the island by boat.

Me taking a picture looking down. I liked to see how high up I was. :D

The area is exceptional in natural beauty with stunning views of Rathlin Island and Scotland. The site and surrounding area is unique. Underneath large caves are visible, which once served as home for boat builders and as shelter during stormy weather.

Me with Monica, a girl from Spain that we shared a hostel room with. I invited her to dinner the night before and found out we were going on the same tour. She was so sweet.

New Shoes!

Last year one of the things that really influenced me was seeing how many children there were in Africa with no shoes. I hated seeing their bare feet with sores from the bare ground. So after I came home last year I knew I wanted to get shoes to send back there. In the fall sandles went on sale for the winter. I bought as many as I was able to and hoped I'd be able to go back and get more. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to return to Africa but I knew I could send them if I didn't.

It was really neat not only be able to return this year but also incredible to take the shoes with me and put them on the bare feet of the children!

There was definitly NOT ENOUGH and that made me sad but I was happy that I got to help and give what I was able. The prophet, President Thomas S. Monson once said, "One never goes wrong by helping a child." I feel like even if I had taken only one pair and was able to give one pair to one child, I would have felt like I made a difference. There is just something about helping children that clenches your heart.

6-16

Holyhead, Wales

We left Uganda on Sunday afternoon and arrived in London, England Monday morning at about 7:30. We caught the first possible train to get to Holyhead where we could catch a ferry to Ireland. Well... we got there ahead of schedule and decided to walk around Holyhead. We missed the memo that you were supposed to load the ferry 30 minutes before scheduled departure and we ended up missing our ferry and spending the night in Holyhead - well sleeping at the ferry station until 2:00 am before loading - to go to Dublin. But we made it. We ended up hiking around Holyhead after our missed ferry and before the next one. So here are some pics:

Belgium meets Utah in Ireland

This morning I woke up pretty early again. I went down to breakfast since Cal & Carlie were still sleeping. I was standing at the toaster making some toast and a boy came up next to me. I offered him to take my toast that popped out and that I didn't mind waiting longer since I wouldn't be leaving anywhere for a while. He accepted and seemed pretty happy. I asked him where he was from: Belgium. He asked me where I am from: America.

Where about?
Utah.
Oh there are many Mormons there right?
Yep.
Are you one of them?
Yep, I am one of them (said with lots of smiles and excitement)
He stood there for a minute all excited and happy like, "Wow, I always wanted to meet one of you."
One of us?...
"Ya a Mormon."
...

It was quite the morning. I'm glad i made someone's dreams come true... meeting a Mormon. Haha. Ireland is great, I can't wait to upload pictures and stories when I get home!

Bungee Jumping the Nile

I did it!!!!!