March 15, 2010
I woke for breakfast at 8AM. Noreen was making pancakes. Pancakes are not the same in Ireland; they were interestingly rubbery and flat. During breakfast Noreen talked about her flowers, how she was a Celtic dancer, her horse and donkey, and how she never had children or married. She encouraged me to find a boyfriend, maybe a nice Irish boy while I was here. Haha! She hugged me again before I left and said “you are a mighty woman.” Noreen was a character, but she grew on me.
I headed for the Lakes of Killarney. My first stop was the Falls of Torc. I now see why the land of the elves on TV looks like it does. This hike was spectacular! All of the trees were covered in green moss. It was straight out of the movies. When I got to the waterfall it was surrounded by more green crawling plants and moss. I was amazed. I took lots of pictures and climbed as close to the falls as I could. After the falls, the trail turned into stairs. This led to a landing that looked out over the lakes.
I continued to drive around the lakes. I stopped constantly to look at the changing views. There were lakes and mountains and streams and rocks all of which were fantastic. At one stop, I felt the urge to yell. I let out a giant “woo-hoo” and listened to it echo in the valley between the mountains. How refreshing! Then all was peaceful again. I was driving slow and thank God. I came around a bend to find an entire herd of 30 sheep running up the road. I stopped the car to watch this hilarious scene. I continued on around the Ring of Kerry, through numerous small towns, and eventually saw signs for the Gap of Dunloe.
This is the point where my adventure seriously turned into an adventure. As I drove up the road, the road got narrower. So narrow in fact that it was impossible to pass a car. I wondered how this would work out. I drove for quite a ways and did not see anyone else. The views and scenery were once again stunning. God had created quite the masterpiece. The Gap of Dunloe road lead between the mountains and followed the banks of several small lakes and streams. Eventually it had to happen…a car. I had to back up to a little pull off so that we could pass each other. As I continued on, this happened more and more often. There was even a point where the rocks were so close to the car that I though I wouldn’t fit.
Then the kicker! As I passed a car, I hit a huge pothole, rock, something. Then I felt the car pull to the left. I busted out laughing for I knew I had a flat. I found this absolutely hysterical. Was I on Candid Camera? I had come down off of the mountain by this point and there were houses. So I pulled into a driveway and got out of the car. I took pictures of my flat and I was still laughing. I changed the flat and headed on my way. Once I was back on a passable road, I called Hertz. The lady was shocked that I had changed my own flat and laughed because she said men call her all the time and don’t know what to do. Then she dropped the ball. I was responsible for the tires. WHAT? Now it wasn’t quite so funny. This brought a whole new meaning to “drive it like it’s a rental”. I would now like to add “but be careful with the tires.”
I made it to Glengariff and to my hotel. Gengariff is a 1 horse but 10 bar town. I checked in and had a fantastic view of the bay from my room. I showered and went to Hawthorn’s for dinner. The place was empty, but the lady friendly enough. I was starting to hear a little different dialect in this part of the country. I had chicken fingers and chips and of course a Guinness. When in Ireland….
Back to the hotel and to bed, but first I had to call mom and dad and laugh about my flat tire. I was over the “I have to pay” part and it was funny again.
No comments:
Post a Comment