The destination

Iona is a 3.4 square mile island 

in the Inner Hebrides, 

with a population of 125.

More beaches

and another island to explore

in my beloved Atlantic Ocean.

A friend and I were laughing

this past weekend 

that,

given Hurricane Sandy 

and

my family's tradition

of being cremated and 

having their ashes scattered

on Long Beach Island, 

they will probably have arrived 

at Iona 

far before 

I do!

They won't be the only specters

or ghosts there...

from what I've read,

faeries and spirits are all over the island.

St Columba, a political and spiritual refugee

from Ireland, made Iona his home.

His missionary work brought Celtic Christianity 

to Scotland and the United Kingdom.

He and his monks began work on an illustrated manuscript

which the community brought back with them to Kells, Ireland

after a Viking raid (in the early 9th century) 

killed a sizable portion of their group. 

We know the manuscript today as The Book of Kells.

In 1200, a Benedictine abbey and nunnery were established on the island

and it is these now restored buildings that survive today.

Grave markers, original crosses with Norse runes on them, 

from the 10th and 11th centuries,

are part of the islands landscape,

both emotional and physical.

Hardly the destination of choice 

for those with a Las Vegas 

or Disneyland 

orientation...

but perfect for me!

Be back early next month!