Westport Field Trip

This last weekend we took a field trip up to Westport.  The town of Westport was relatively quiet, especially since our free day in the town was a Sunday so all but a few shops were closed.  This did not stop me from having an amazing weekend though. 

            On our way to Westport we made a quick stop at Kylemore Abbey.  This is a beautiful castle that was originally built as an estate, and then later converted into an abbey.  From the outside the building is stunning with its detailed stonework nestled into the side of a mountain.  In front of the abbey is a lake that on a still day perfectly reflects the building.  Unfortunately we could not get any closer because we were on a tight time schedule.

            Our next stop was an experience I will never forget.  I knew we were going to be going on a hike and that I need to wear comfortable shoes.  I was not prepared for when our bus driver pointed to the top of a mountain with its peak hidden among the clouds and said, “that’s Crough Patrick.” The first section of the hike was exhausting.  It was a steady up hill that made every muscle in your legs burn.  The middle was a little easier.  It was a mostly level section that wrapped around to a better side of the mountain.  The last trek was where things got interesting.  It was the steepest incline I have ever climbed.  The burn was intense but the desire for the top won out.  When we finally reached the top we all looked over the side, proud of ourselves for what we had done.  One of the girls in the group with me had been wearing her Fitbit.  According to it we walked 6 miles and up 273 flights of stairs. I can honestly say my legs have never burned so bad.

            When we arrived in Westport we were all exhausted and went to be early. The next day was Sunday and we were disappointed to find most of the stores closed.  Since the stores were closed and there was not much else to do a large group of us took a 5K walk out to the Westport House and back into town.  The walk was beautiful.  It was in a heavily forested area and winded around a river.  When we made it to the Westport house we decided it was too expensive to get a tour and instead opted to just walk around the outside.  After we took in the beautiful house we continued on back into town and before we knew it, it was time to load the bus up and head back to the cottages!