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Category: Travels, Adventures & Explorations

A mix of local, regional, and international travel and adventures. Posts in this category include overnight travel and day trips, and a variety of adventures that involve exploring interesting places.

Posted on14 July 20253 August 2025Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Revisiting the ghosts of Wellington, Washington

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Revisiting the ghosts of Wellington, Washington

I first explored Wellington, Washington, with Daddy during our 2024 summer road trip. This time, I returned for a full-day hike along the Iron Goat…

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Posted on3 July 202516 July 2025Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Starting my summer 2025 holidays

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Starting my summer 2025 holidays

Once again, it is summer holiday time! And yes, once again, I am in the Homeland to enjoy the season. Here’s hoping the weather cooperates…

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Posted on19 May 202530 June 2025Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Chicago: Just architecture and art

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Chicago: Just architecture and art

As I often do, I took far too many photographs on my recent visit to Chicago. Normally, it’s easy to comb through them to select…

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Posted on19 May 202530 June 2025Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Holiday time, Chicago style

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Holiday time, Chicago style

I’ve just returned home to Scotland after a lovely week away in Chicago. I am feeling relaxed and well-rested, but also high on the excitement…

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Posted on28 February 202518 June 2025Everyday Life, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

My first UK passport

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My first UK passport

Faithful followers of Just Frances will know that, after many trials and tribulations, I am now a dual citizen of the United States and the…

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Posted on13 February 202519 June 2025Everyday Life, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Citizen Frances

by Just Frances6 Comments on Citizen Frances

It has finally happened: I am now a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland citizen*. That means no more visas, no more immigration…

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Posted on23 January 202519 June 2025Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Wrapping up my 2024 winter holidays

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Wrapping up my 2024 winter holidays

My winter holidays have come to an end, and I am slowly settling back into life in Scotland. However, as I’ve made this trip so…

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Posted on13 December 202424 December 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

My Christmas 2024 holidays start here

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My Christmas 2024 holidays start here

I am home for another Christmas holiday in The Homeland and looking forward to merriment, festive foods, and time with family and friends. And, of…

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Posted on27 October 202420 December 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

A mid-trimester break to The Other Washington (DC)

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A mid-trimester break to The Other Washington (DC)

I’ve just spent a few days playing tourist in The Other Washington (DC) and am feeling nice and relaxed having enjoyed my last holiday break…

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Posted on17 August 202417 December 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

My summer 2024 holidays have ended

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My summer 2024 holidays have ended

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was starting my 2024 summer holidays, and now they are over and I’m back home in Scotland.…

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Posted on13 August 202423 December 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Geocaching: It’s a family thing

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Geocaching: It’s a family thing

Regular readers will know that I am “into” geocaching. My first geocache outing was in 2001 not long after the “sport” began, and I enjoyed…

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Posted on5 August 202414 December 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Camping with Cameron

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Camping with Cameron

The last couple of days have been spent camping and fishing with my Godson. It was his first time for both, and my first time…

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Posted on28 July 20247 December 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Ghosts of Wellington, Washington

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Ghosts of Wellington, Washington

As part of my summer road trip with Daddy, we stopped to explore one of Washington’s “ghost towns”: The former town of Wellington, Washington. No…

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Posted on26 July 20243 August 2025Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Washington by road: Bunkers, ghost towns, deserts, and more

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Washington by road: Bunkers, ghost towns, deserts, and more

Like last year, part of my summer Homeland Holiday has been on the road around Washington State with Daddy. We set out on Saturday morning with a…

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Posted on6 July 202410 November 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Starting my 2024 summer holidays

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Starting my 2024 summer holidays

I am on my summer holidays again and I’m really looking forward to a few weeks in the homeland with Daddy. It’s a little odd…

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Posted on30 June 20249 November 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Scotland with American friends

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Scotland with American friends

It’s been a busy month of entertaining American guests here at Castle Ryan. My first overnight guest, Jo, showed up the first week of June.…

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Posted on17 June 20249 November 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Away with the fairies

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Away with the fairies

Tucked away in the woods on the outskirts of Luss lays a little gem of a fairy trail. Or “faerie” as they decided to spell…

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Posted on13 January 20248 March 2024Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Christmas 2023 holiday recap

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Christmas 2023 holiday recap

Yes, it’s time for yet another Homeland Holiday review – now that I am done unpacking and washing laundry. (Note: I said I am done…

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Posted on13 December 202323 December 2023Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Another Homeland Christmas

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Another Homeland Christmas

I sound like a broken record, but I’m on my Homeland Holidays again! This marks my third Christmas in a row in the homeland which…

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Posted on27 August 202310 November 2024Everyday Life, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

A chore-filled summer holiday recap

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A chore-filled summer holiday recap

And with that, another Homeland Holiday has ended. And, as always, I am left sad and heartbroken after leaving behind so many people who I…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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