Wandering Dawgs

Throwback Thursday #3 – August 15, 2007

August 15, 2019August 13, 2019Posted in Nature, RVing, South Carolina, WaterfallsTagged Issaquenna Falls, Oconee State Park, Scenic drives, Stumphouse Tunnel, Throwback Thursday, Walhalla Fish Hatchery14 Comments

Welcome to #3 in my series of flashbacks to memorable days from our RV trips.

Flashback to twelve years ago, on August 15, 2007. After a three month RV trip from Georgia to the west coast, we weren’t ready to sit still yet. With 100 degree heat at home, we decided to escape to Mountain Rest, South Carolina to beat the heat. Our campsite was at Oconee State Park in the South Carolina Upcountry about 30 minutes from the Georgia state line in one direction and the North Carolina state line in another direction.

August 15 was our first full day camping at the park. We started the day by wandering around the state park.

20070815Oconee-State-Park-(11)-close — Lake in Oconee State Park, SC

20070815Oconee-State-Park-(16) — Oconee State Park, SC

20070815Oconee-State-Park-(6) — Water Wheel at Oconee State Park, SC

We took a scenic drive to nearby Issaqueena Falls and the Stumphouse Tunnel.

The falls are named after Issaqueena, an Indian Maiden who fell in love with David Francis, a silversmith who lived in what is now the town of Ninety Six, South Carolina. After she learned that her tribe planned a surprise attack on the settlement, Issaqueena warned the settlers there. Angry at her for warning the settlers, her tribe tracked her down. To escape, she jumped over the falls and hid on a ledge behind the water. The warriors thought she was dead and gave up the search.

200708152Issaqueena-Falls-(25) — Issaqueena Falls

200708152Issaqueena-Falls-(13) — Issaqueena Falls

The Stumphouse Tunnel also has an interesting story. The railroad wanted to connect Charleston, SC with the midwest so they began building the tunnel in 1852. The tunnel goes about 1600 feet into the mountain but was never finished.

200708153Stumphouse-Tunnel-(13) — The Stumphouse Tunnell was never finished

At the Walhalla Fish Hatchery we saw thousands of trout of all different sizes.

200708153Walhalla-Fish-Hatchery-(1) — Walhalla Fish Hatchery, SC

200708153Walhalla-Fish-Hatchery-(3) — Walhalla Fish Hatchery, SC

We camped at Oconee State Park a few more days and continued to explore the area not only in South Carolina but also in North Carolina and Georgia. We discovered scenic drives, more waterfalls, good restaurants, and mountain trails.

200708152Issaqueena-Falls-(6) — Wandering Dawgs at Issaqueena Falls, SC, August 15, 2007

Photo Challenge: Lens-Artists #58 – Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

August 13, 2019Posted in PhotographyTagged Ireland, Lens-Artists, Photo Challenge20 Comments

This weeks challenge is to find photos that represent something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. For this challenge I decided to use some photos from our recent trip to Ireland.

For something old, I chose the oldest man made thing we saw. The Fahan Beehive Huts on the Dingle Peninsula are from around 2000 BC.

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-drive-to-Killarney-IPhone-(33) — Something Old – Ancient Bee Hive Huts from about 2000 BC

For something new, I chose this lamb. As we drove around Ireland and Scotland, there were many fields filled with sheep. I loved seeing the new little lambs.

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-drive-to-Killarney-IPhone-(17) — Something New – Lamb at the Fairy Fort on the Slea Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula

Our rental car in Ireland is the closest thing to something borrowed I could think of. This blue Nissan Qashqai, similar to the Nissan Rogue in the U.S., got us everywhere we wanted to go.

20190512-Day-12-Cork-to-Dublin-train-Mothers-Day-Iphone-(2) — Something Borrowed – Our Rental Car in Ireland

For something blue, I liked the blue buildings on this street in Dingle.

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(61) — Something Blue – Dingle Town, Ireland

Thanks to Patti at Pilot Fish Blog for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue this week

Throwback Thursday #2 – August 8, 2006

August 8, 2019September 15, 2019Posted in National Parks, Nature, RVing, Tourist Attractions, Waterfalls, Wildlife, WyomingTagged Bison, Fifth Wheel, Old Faithful, Scenic drives, Throwback Thursday, Yellowstone National Park8 Comments

We’re not traveling as much in our fifth wheel anymore so I thought it would be fun to relive some of our most memorable days from previous RV trips.

Flashback to our first RV trip in the summer of 2006. On this day 13 years ago, August 8, 2006, the Wandering Dawgs were enjoying the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park.

That day we watched Old Faithful erupt and drove the Lower Loop Road where we saw Bison herds (American Buffalo), waterfalls, and spectacular scenery. It was one of our most memorable days from all of our RV travels.

Bison in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

Lower Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

20060808Yellowstone-Lower-Loop-Rd-(20) — Waterfall along Yellowstone Lower Loop Road

20060808Yellowstone-(23) — View on Lower Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park

20060808Yellowstone-Lower-Loop-Rd-(28) — Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

20060808Yellowstone-Lower-Loop-Rd-(51) — Bison at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

20060808Yellowstone-(7) — Wandering Dawgs at Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park in 2006

We spent about a week camping outside of Yellowstone National Park and spent most of those days exploring the park.

Photo Challenge: Lens-Artists #57 – Taking a Break

August 5, 2019Posted in Flowers, Nature, Photography, SunsetTagged garden, Get out and explore, Lens-Artists, Photo Challenge, Taking a Break18 Comments

As a retired senior, I’m lucky that I don’t have to go through the daily grind of a 40 hour work week any more. Even so, there are still times when even retired people need to take a break . Sometimes, reading a book, calling a friend, or watching an old movie is just what I need.

Other times, I need to get out in nature in order to soothe my soul. Whether it’s walking out into my back yard, taking a walk through the neighborhood, or getting in the car to do something new , there are plenty of things I can do outside to take a break.

When I’m busy at home, if I need a short break I can go outside to see what’s happening in my own back yard.

20190801-Garden-(3) — Bee in the Butterfly Garden

In the evening, I love to stop whatever I’m doing to watch a beautiful sunset.

20190731-Sunset-(17) — Sunset over the Georgia Salt Marsh

The beach is my happy place, and any time I can get my toes in the sand makes me happy.

Ready for Beach Chair Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico

Getting out and exploring somewhere close to home is a great way to take a break.

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(11) — McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

When we’re traveling in the RV, there’s no better way to take a break from driving, sightseeing, or hiking than relaxing right in our own campsite.

Our campsite was a great place to watch the herons, egrets — Just Chillin’ in our campsite

For longer breaks, taking a trip and experiencing new places is the answer.

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(19) — Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Thanks to Tina at Travels and Trifles for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Taking a Break this week

Throwback Thursday – August 1, 2013

August 1, 2019September 15, 2019Posted in Alaska, Glaciers, RVing, TravelTagged Fifth Wheel, Memories, Throwback Thursday, Valdez14 Comments

I originally started the Wandering Dawgs blog as a way to keep friends and family updated as we traveled from Georgia to Alaska in 2013. Six years later, the blog is still going strong. We’re not traveling as much in our RV anymore so I thought it would be fun to relive some of our most memorable days from previous RV trips.

On this day six years ago, August 1, 2013, we were nearing the end of our stay in Alaska. That day, we drove from Glacier View, Alaska, to Valdez, our last major Alaska destination. I remember that drive was one of the most spectacular drives of our Alaska journey.

There were mountains and glaciers along the way.

20130801Day-78Glacier-View-to-Valdez-(4) — On to drive to Valdez

We could see Worthington Glacier from the highway about 30 miles from Valdez

We had lunch with a view.

We had lunch at Willow Lake with a view of Mount Wrangell

As we got close to Valdez we descended a long steep grade through Keystone Canyon and saw jaw dropping scenery as we drove by. We couldn’t stop while towing the fifth wheel so I took these waterfall phtotos the next day when we drove back up the highway for a closer look.