When I ran into this marriage of eco-friendly travel and iPhone app – I fell in love. Both happen to be two of my favorite subjects in the whole world right now. I’ve always been a technology geek, and love how it’s used to increase productivity and speed. When it helps out the environment too – it’s simply a slam dunk.

I’ve collected an entire page of “green” applications on my iPhone over the years. (Probably installed at least two pages, but condensed it down to the applications I use most.)

Catherine Mack is responsible for creating a brand new application in iTunes called Ireland Green Travel. Catherine is a travel writer specializing in green, eco, responsible and ethical tourism. She also holds a Masters degree in Responsible Tourism Management. Her new application for the iPhone features the best green accommodations, activities and hiking adventures, along with eco-friendly places to stay in Ireland.

Green places to stay include lakeside lodges, yurt camps, island retreats, eco-castles, grand houses “with more than just grand green gestures”, yoga retreats, community-run hostels, switched-on hotels and activity centers throughout the island of Ireland, North and South of the border. The application also features how to get there without using a car.

Catherine wrote a book called Eco Escape: Ireland some years ago and wanted to update it. What she ended up with was not only an update on all the eco-friendly places and activities that are popping up all over the Ireland – but an update in technology with this cool new mobile app.

According to Catherine, she was a bit hesitant about creating an application instead of the tried and true guidebook. After launching the new application however, Catherine admits there are a myriad of benefits for both her and the end user. Her biggest surprise was how she could update the application with new tours and activities without having to re-write a new book or application. End users also have to capability to interact and connect through the application with Google Maps, YouTube videos, train timetables; links to walking trails, and eye catching photos.

The new iPhone app is moderately priced at $2.99 and can be found in the iTunes store. You can also search for the application directly on your iPhone under “Ireland Green Travel”.

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After a very busy weekend, I was going through my e-mail this morning and found this story that was sent to me about Bob Lee, a 65 year old blogger who is riding his bicycle 6,500 miles across the United States to raise money for charity.

Bob Lee is the man behind A Ride For 3 Reasons, a cross-country bike ride to raise funding for the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and cancer, and to support hospice care. And Bob is donating every penny he raises (and I mean every penny – not one cent goes to expenses) to these three causes very near and dear to him. Because he has no marketing or expense budget, Bob is completely relying on donations and word-of-mouth to publicize his ride and to get donations.

Bob started his ride on March 22, and is posting daily updates (including photos and videos) on the blog during his ride. He also has a message board for people to share their stories and thoughts.

Quicken Loans is proud to be a sponsor of A Ride For 3 Reasons and we are privileged to have been given the opportunity to donate the new web site and blog for Bob’s ride, (www.3reasons.org).

The buzz is already starting and Bob’s original goal of $195,000 raised has already been met and he is just starting the ride. His new goal of $500,000 should be a piece of cake. With your help to promote A Ride For 3 Reasons, perhaps Bob will raise $1 million before his ride ends in October. It all goes to great causes, so there are only winners in this ride.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
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