This week, Tina has challenged us to focus on things that come in twos.
I enjoy taking animal and bird photographs. As I searched through my archives I came up with a few of my favorite animal and bird pairs.
Animal pairs are fun to capture. These two Irish sheep looked right at me as if posing for this photo.
Pair of Irish Sheep
A pair of Scottish Highland Cows, Hamish and Heather, came to the fence to beg for some free food.
Pair of Highland Cows in Scotland
These next photos are some of my favorite pairs of birds. The photo at the top of the page is a pair of Bald Eagles we saw from a wildlife and glacier cruise in Valdez, Alaska.
Pair of Whooping Cranes on Texas Gulf CoastPair of Ospreys on the nature trail, Gulf Islands National Seashore at Ft. Pickens, FloridaPair of great egrets at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery
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.
Lake in Oconee State Park, SCOconee State Park, SCWater 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.
Issaqueena FallsIssaqueena 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.
The Stumphouse Tunnell was never finished
At the Walhalla Fish Hatchery we saw thousands of trout of all different sizes.
Walhalla Fish Hatchery, SCWalhalla 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.
Wandering Dawgs at Issaqueena Falls, SC, August 15, 2007
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.
Old Faithful (Wyoming)Bison in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)Lower Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)Waterfall along Yellowstone Lower Loop RoadView on Lower Loop Road, Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park, WyomingBison at Yellowstone National Park, WyomingWandering 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.
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.
Bee in the Butterfly Garden
In the evening, I love to stop whatever I’m doing to watch a beautiful sunset.
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.
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.
Just Chillin’ in our campsite
For longer breaks, taking a trip and experiencing new places is the answer.
One afternoon during our stay at a delightful Bed and Breakfast in Killarney, we took a jaunting car tour through parts of Killarney National Park. Our guide Mark and his horse Susie took us through the forest, beside the lakes, and we had our first view of Ross Castle.
Killarney National Park, IrelandRed Deer in Killarney National Park, IrelandRoss Castle on Killarney’s lower lake
On our way to our next destination near Cork, we drove to Ross Castle for a close up view. I was fascinated by all the fishermen unloading their fishing gear in the parking lot so I looked around to see where they were going. Boats were lined up on the banks of a stream which led to the lake on the other side of the stone bridge.
Fishing Boats in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland
Ross Castle is in a beautiful setting on the banks of Killarney’s lower lake inside Killarney National Park. We wandered around the castle before driving to County Cork,
Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Ireland
At the end of the day we arrived at our next bed and breakfast near Blarney. The gardens and views from the B&B were stunning.
View from our B&B in Tower, Ireland
On Henry’s birthday we visited Blarney Castle to join the millions of others who have climbed the steps to the top of the tower to kiss the Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence.
Blarney Castle
Kissing the stone sounds easy. However, actually doing it isn’t so easy. First you must get in line and then go up a series of steps before arriving at the parapet walk at the top of the tower. Once it’s your turn to kiss the stone, you must lie on your back, hold onto an iron railing, lean backwards over a crevice, and hope you can reach the stone to kiss it! I needed help, but I did it!
At the top of the Blarney TowerMe kissing the Blarney StoneAfter kissing the stone it’s time to go back down the stairsDo you see the person who is leaned back to kiss the Blarney Stone at the top of the tower?
Our next stop on Henry’s birthday was the pretty seaside town of Cobh which was the last place the Titanic picked up passengers before beginning it’s maiden (and only) voyage in April, 1912. We enjoyed a tour of The Titanic Experience Cobh before wandering around the waterfront and watching the activity in the harbor from a waterfront park.
Annie Moore and her brothers sailed from Cobh to the United States in December, 1892. She was the first Immigrant to enter the United States at Ellis IslandTitanic Experience Cobh at the original ticket office and dock where passengers were picked upWaterside Park in Cobh, Ireland
Next up was a tour of the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery in Midleton.
Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery, Midleton, IrelandJameson Irish Whiskey Distillery, Midleton, IrelandSláinte! Toasting to Henry’s birthday after the Jameson Distillery Tour.
To top off a fun filled day we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at a nearby pub.
Wandering Dawgs 