Tourist Attractions – Page 3

Killarney, Blarney, Cobh and Irish Whiskey

June 14, 2019July 4, 2021Posted in Celebration, Historic Sites, Nature, Tourist Attractions, TravelTagged Blarney Castle, Blarney Stone, Cobh, county cork, county kerry, Ireland, Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery Midleton, Killarney National Park, Ross Castle, Titanic13 Comments

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.

20190508-Day-8-Jaunting-Tour-Killarney-National-Park-Sony-(40) — Killarney National Park, Ireland

20190508-Day-8-Jaunting-Tour-Killarney-National-Park-Sony-(27) — Red Deer in Killarney National Park, Ireland

20190508-Day-8-Jaunting-Tour-Killarney-National-Park-Sony-(53) — Ross 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.

20190510-Day-10-Ross-Castle-Killarney-to-Blarney-Sony-(1) — 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,

20190510-Day-10-Ross-Castle-Killarney-to-Blarney-Sony-(36) — 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.

20190510-Day-10-Ross-Castle-Killarney-to-Blarney-Sony-(52) — 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.

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(48) — 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!

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(8) — At the top of the Blarney Tower

20190511-Blarney-Stone-(2) — Me kissing the Blarney Stone

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(10) — After kissing the stone it’s time to go back down the stairs

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(25) — Do 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.

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(50) — 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 Island

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(58) — Titanic Experience Cobh at the original ticket office and dock where passengers were picked up

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(53) — Waterside Park in Cobh, Ireland

Next up was a tour of the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery in Midleton.

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-IPhone-(47) — Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery, Midleton, Ireland

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-Sony-(87) — Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery, Midleton, Ireland

20190511-Day-11-Blarney-Stone-Henrys-birthday-IPhone-(44) — Sláinte! 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.

Next up, two train rides and Northern Ireland.

Wandering on the Wild Atlantic Way

June 10, 2019Posted in Historic Sites, Nature, Tourist Attractions, TravelTagged Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Dingle Peninsula, Dunguaire Castle, Ireland, Ring of Kerry, Scenic drives, Sheep Dog Demonstration, Slea Head Drive, Waterville, Wild Atlantic Way16 Comments

The Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic coastal road along Ireland’s Atlantic Coast from the Northern Headlands all the way down to the southern coast. We spent three days exploring along the southern part of the route.

On our day trip from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher we were on the Wild Atlantic Way most of the day. We stopped at Dunguaire Castle on our way to the cliffs.

20190504-Day-4-Cliffs-of-Moher-IPhone-(14) — Dunguaire Castle

Most of the way we were on a steep, narrow road.

20190504-Day-4-Cliffs-of-Moher-IPhone-(20) — Driving on the Wild Atlantic Way

The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction and probably the most popular stop on the Wild Atlantic Way. These majestic cliffs tower high above the ocean with several trails offering spectacular views. The day was perfect with sunny skies and calm seas.

20190504-Cliffs-of-Moher-(19) — Cliffs of Moher

20190504-Cliffs-of-Moher-(40) — A different view of Cliffs of Moher

20190504-Cliffs-of-Moher-(68) — Cliffs of Moher

After wandering around the cliffs we returned to Galway for another night before driving through the middle of the Dingle Peninsula on our way to the town of Dingle, our next destination. We stopped at an overlook to take in the spectacular scenery.

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(23) — Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

We loved our night in Dingle Town with it’s colorful buildings, fun pubs, great seafood, and beautiful Dingle Boat Harbour.

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(61) — Dingle Town, Ireland

20190506-Dingle-Sony-(80) — Dingle Boat Harbour, Dingle, Ireland

The next day we drove the Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula. Much of the drive is high above the ocean where there were more spectacular cliffs, ancient Fairy Forts, Beehive Huts, beaches, and some Star Wars filming locations.

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(34) — Cliffs on the Slea Head Drive

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(27) — Fairy Fort

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-drive-to-Killarney-IPhone-(29) — Ancient Bee Hive Huts from about 2000 BC

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(59) — Beach on the Slea Head Drive

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(70) — “The Last Jedi” of the Star Wars series was filmed in the area of Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula

20190507-Day-7-Dingle-Peninsula-Sony-(74) — Inch Beach on the Wild Atlantic Way

We opted to let someone else do the driving and took a bus tour of the Ring of Kerry from Killarney. Most of the tour was along the Wild Atlantic Way. We passed by an ancient castle, watched a sheep dog demonstration, walked on the beach in Waterville where Charlie Chaplin liked to go on holiday, saw the Eightercua Stone Row, enjoyed lunch with a view, and were near another Star Wars filming location.

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(40) — Wynn’s Castle, Kerry, Ireland

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(95) — Sheep Dog Demonstration, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(144) — Charlie Chaplin was a visitor to Waterville, Ireland, Ring of Kerry

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(154) — Eightercua Stone Row, Ring of Kerry, Wild Atlantic Way

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(170) — Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(174) — Sign points to the ferry to Skellig Michael, filming location from “The Last Jedi”, Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Ireland

The tour left the Wild Atlantic Way and went through Killarney National Park on our return to Killarney. Our last stop was at Lady’s View.

20190509-Day-9-Ring-of-Kerry-Sony-(210) — Ladie’s View, Killarney National Park

It was nice to let someone else do the driving. Our driver and guide Dennis was great and we learned a few things we wouldn’t have known if we had driven ourselves.

Next up, more adventures in Ireland.

Three Weeks in Ireland and Scotland

May 27, 2019Posted in Historic Sites, Tourist Attractions, TravelTagged bucket list, castle, Ireland, Scotland24 Comments

Three days after returning home from a three week trip to Ireland and Scotland I’m still a little jet lagged, haven’t finished unpacking, and just started going through the 3,000 photos I took.

Ireland has always been at the top of our bucket list. Henry and I both have Irish ancestors and I have ancestors from Scotland so we planned our trip to see both countries.

I loved everything – the people, the jaw dropping scenery, the green fields and mountains, the sheep and cows, the castles, the churches and cathedrals, everything! And yes, Ireland really is that green! Here are a few photos from our first days in Ireland.

Dunguaire Castle, just outside Kinvara, Ireland on Galway Bay

Yes, there really are thatched roofs in Ireland

Irish sheep

Scenic Ring of Kerry tour on the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Dingle Peninsula, west coast of Ireland

Galway, Ireland

We traveled by planes, trains, automobiles, a ferry, and even a horse drawn jaunting car. We rented a car to get around and took a few bus tours along the way. We walked along spectacular cliffs, drove on narrow winding roads, stopped at castles and even did laundry at a gas station in a Scottish village. We watched a sheep dog demonstration, petted some sheep, and fed a Highland Cow. We stayed in hotels in city centers, bed and breakfasts away from town, and a castle. We sampled local beers and whiskeys in the pubs. For three weeks we ate a huge full breakfast every day and dined on delicious seafood and beef dishes at night.

A few photos from Scotland.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Skye Bridge, Scotland

More to follow…

Spring Road Trip

April 23, 2019April 23, 2019Posted in Nature, Road Trip, Tourist Attractions, VirginiaTagged Blue Ridge Mountains, Cave, eastern redbud, Luray Caverns, spring blossoms, springtime, stalactite, stalagmite, Virginia is for lovers25 Comments

Our latest road trip destination was southwest Virginia. The scenery was spectacular as we drove north from Georgia through the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

20190416-Redbut-in-NC-(3) — Eastern Redbud at rest area in Western North Carolina

After an overnight stop in Asheville we continued to be awed by the scenery as we drove north through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The flowering eastern redbud trees added splashes of pink as we traveled to Southwest Virginia.

20190417-Blue-Ridge-Mountains-in-NC-(1) — View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from North Carolina Interstate Overlook

20190417-Tennessee-Welcome-Center-(1) — Tennessee Welcome Center between Asheville and and Virginia

20190417-Virginia-Welcome-Center-(6) — Virginia welcome center in Bristol

20190417-Virginia-Welcome-Center-(9) — At the Virginia Welcome Center in Bristol

On our way to see Luray Caverns we took a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

20190419-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-Virginia-(27) — Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

20190419-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-IPhone-(1) — Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

After we purchased our tickets at Luray Caverns we had a short wait before we walked down the steps to begin the 90 minute tour. We followed our tour guide and stopped a few times along the way to admire the spectacular formations (and of course take photos).

20190420-Luray-Caverns-(14) — Reflecting pool, Luray Caverns, Virginia

20190420-Luray-Caverns-(71) — Wishing Well, Luray Caverns, Virginia

Luray Caverns, Virginia

All three generations of our family enjoyed the caverns, even our two teenage grandchildren!

Wandering around Silver Springs State Park

March 14, 2019Posted in Florida, Nature, RVing, State Parks, Tourist AttractionsTagged Get out and enjoy, Gopher Tortoise, hiking, Juniper Springs, Silver Springs State Park, The Real Florida, trails21 Comments

After our four hectic days in Daytona we enjoyed a relaxing week at Silver Springs State Park. Up until the last day the weather was perfect for getting out and exploring the park.

There are two entrances to the state park. The main entrance (also called the historic entrance), on highway 40, is the location of the world famous glass bottom boat tours, a boardwalk trail, kayak and canoe launch and rental, a restaurant, meeting rooms, and paved trails on the beautifully landscaped grounds. The other entrance, on highway 35, leads to the campground, several hiking and biking trails, a day use area, The Silver River Museum, and a cracker village.

A trailhead next to the Silver River Museum is the starting place for the swamp trail and the river trail. We chose to explore the swamp trail first. This two mile loop trail took us through a lush tropical forest before crossing a boardwalk over the swamp. At the end of the trail is an overlook on the Silver River.

Swamp Trail, Silver Springs State Park

Silver River from the Swamp Trail Overlook, Silver Springs State Park

Another day we walked on the river trail to a different overlook on the Silver River. We returned by way of the river field loop which meanders along the Silver River before meeting back up with the main trail.

River Trail, Silver Springs State Park

The Silver river at the end of the river trail

A group of paddlers took a break at the river trail overlook

Pickerel Weed in the Silver River

Osprey beside the Silver River

We chose to drive to the main entrance instead of taking the 2 1/2 mile walking and biking trail. From the Ross Allen Boardwalk Trail we could watch the kayakers paddling out to Silver River. From the paved paths beside the springs we were able to look down into the crystal clear water. We continued along the path next to the river and stopped at another overlook before following the path beside gardens blooming with azaleas.

Ross Allen Boardwalk Trail, Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park

Glass Bottom Boat at Silver Springs State Park

Stepping Stones at Silver Springs State Park

Corkscrew tree at Silver Springs State Park

Sea Hunt overlook at Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park

One day we drove about 30 minutes to Juniper Springs Recreation Area for a swim and a picnic. Swimming in the 72 degree water was a great way to cool off on a warm day.

Juniper Springs

Relaxing at the campsite one day, we spied this gopher tortoise munching on the grass.

20190221-Site-58-Silver-Springs-Gopher-Tortoise-(2) — Gopher Tortoise, Silver Springs State Park

On Saturday morning, the Friends of Silver River State Park had a pancake breakfast to raise funds for their organization. After breakfast we took a tour of the cracker village, a replica of a 19th century settlement, and the Silver River Museum. The term “cracker” refers to the people who settled in Florida.

Church and Schoolhouse, Cracker Village, Silver Springs State Park

Cracker Village, Silver Springs State Park

Kiln, Cracker Village, Silver Springs State Park

The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is a program of Marion County Public Schools. During the week, the museum is closed to the public while school children are attending classes. On some weekends, the museum is open to the public. The well done exhibits cover the history of the area from prehistoric days to the present.

We had planned to rent a canoe and paddle on the Silver River on our last day but we changed our plans when cold weather moved in. On our visit last year we took a glass bottom boat tour so we decided to skip it this year.