Week 13: Critters

Week 13: Critters


March 27, 2010

Today’s adventure took me to Bynum, North Carolina. I took the scenic route there and drove by Jordan Lake. It was a nice sunny day and the trees were blooming. It was a little chilly out which made a nice day for a drive. I saw many bicyclers today is swams. They were everywhere. I took a few back roads and made it to Bynum. As I entered the town, I saw the first critter followed by a sign that read “Critter Country.” I drove through the town and saw critters at more than half of the houses. These critters are chainsaw creations made of logs. The critters looked like dogs, reindeer, giraffes, pigs, and other critters. I want one! They are really neat! I drove through the village in less than two minutes (it’s a small village). I didn’t see where the critters were made though. So I turned around and drove back through town again. I pulled over as I left town, looked at my Gazetteer and decided to start trying these little side roads that looked more like driveways. On the second try I found it, the place that made the critters. This place had gobs of critters that were all shapes and sizes. My favorite has to be the one titled "The North Pole is Melting so Santa Done Got Himself a New Canoe." I just love the southern Santa lingo. A sign out front said that on April 17th there is a critter show at the ball park in town. Yes Bynum has a ball park and a convenience store. I continued down the road and saw critters at all of the houses on this street. Then I turned around and drove past again. What a neat talent this guy has for creating critters. I finished the day off with a walk around a pond with my friend L.

Week 12: My Last Day in Ireland - Guinness Storehouse

March 19, 2010

My last day in Ireland and I only had a few hours before I needed to go to the airport. For today the agenda had 1 item on it, the Guinness Storehouse. It wasn’t far from my hotel and I was down there for the opening at 9:30. The tour was self guided and explained the history of Guinness and brew master Arthur Guinness. Arthur signed a most famous lease ever for 9000 years for the St. James Brewery. See picture below about the famous Guinees yeast, the famous harp, and a picture of the MAN himself. I had a taste of Guinness at 10AM and then it was off to the airport.

When I returned my rental car, I had lost a hub cap. Hertz charged me 15 Euro for a hub cap. This car was a pain in the butt! But off to the airport, I went. It was back to London for the night and then I would fly out in the morning back to the US. When I arrived at the hotel, it appeared as though I forgot to make a reservation. Oops! This was the same hotel I stayed in the night before flying to Dublin. I must have been so excited about going to Ireland that I forgot about coming back. Oh well! I had to pay a bit more for my hotel, but I had a place to sleep.

Thing I umm… Learned? in Ireland:

- After you say anything, doesn’t matter what, it should be followed by “do ya know what I mean” or “don’ cha know”
- Sheep, lots of sheep
- Americans have beautiful, sexy accents – who knew?!

- Don’t drive the rental like a rental

- I was told that Ireland doesn’t have a real military by someone that was in the Irish army

- Rugby is a real sport, American football is for wimps

- Most roads are barely 2 lanes, many are 1 lane
- The country folks think the cities are dumps, I agree
- Old in Irish terms means centuries
- The children grow up in pubs (Irish joke)

- St. Patrick is an excused to get p!ssed (Irish for drunk)

And so ends the greatest adventure ever – Ireland over St. Patrick’s Day! But the memories will live on for an eternity.

Week 11 Day 8: Tramore to Dublin, IE

March 19, 2010

The Beatles had 8 days a week, so why can’t I! I usually start my week on Saturday for my adventure. But, Ireland being the greatest adventure ever, I started it a day early on Friday last week. So here I am, Day 8!

I headed into Waterford to see the crystal museum. It appeared as though it had been closed. They haven’t made Waterford Crystal in Waterford in quite some time; now the museum is gone. Oh well…moving on. I continued north and headed for Glendalough. When I arrived at the visitor’s center, the lady recommended a hike that would offer grand views. First I visited the ruins at Glendalough. There are 2 churches, a tower, and a cemetery. To enter these, there is a beautiful stone gated archway. I strolled around and took lots of pictures. Then I followed the orange arrows for my hike.

I had been driving way too much in the past couple of days. This hike was just what I need to relax and stretch my legs. The hike took about 2 hours. It followed a stream and went past some more ruins. The trail went about half way up the mountain. When I got to the highest point of the trail, it offered some gorgeous scenic views. I could see all of the ruins. Then as I walked a little farther, the lake came into view. A lake lay just beneath two mountains. I continued along the trail and saw some goats. At the bottom of the mountain there was a waterfall, St. Kevin’s Cell ruins, and the trail continued to the lake. It was a spectacular hike and I only saw 2 people the whole time.

Next I was on to Dublin. Traffic in Dublin was busy. I made it to my hotel, checked in, and showered. I was off to find some traditional Irish music if it killed me. The first place was a dead end for music so I walked a little farther down through Temple Bar. The next place I went into was hopping. There was an old guy with a guitar singing away with a little Whiskey in the Jar, Galway Girl, and even some Neil Diamond. He was half traditional. I went in a got a pint a Guinness. I started talking to some Scottish guys. They were in town for the rugby match in full Scottish attire. Yes that’s right – kilts, sporrans, and rugby jerseys. These guys were hilarious! I hung out with them for the night. We wandered down to THE Temper Bar and sang and danced the night away. They even walked me to my taxi at the end of the night. Nice way to end my adventure to Ireland, singing and dancing.

Week 11 Day 7: Cork to Tramore, IE

March 18, 2010

So here I am, on day 7 of my Ireland adventure. I have had six beautiful days thus far in Ireland, meaning no rain and quite a bit of sun. It had to rain at some point and today was the day. It is very gloomy when it rains.

My intention was to head for Kilkenny. As I started up the road, I saw signs for the Rock of Cashel. This had been on my list of things to see earlier but adventures never go as planned. As luck would have it, I was closer to the Rock of Cashel than I thought, so I dropped in. It was windy and raining when I got there. Finally my raincoat would come in handy! The Rock of Cashel is a castle, church, fortress, etc. It has changed many times of the centuries. These ruins had some very detailed stone carvings in the archways. Magnificent! Afterwards, I stopped in the town of Cashel and had the most delicious Guinness and beef stew. It was to die for. It was the best meal I had in Ireland.

From there I continued on to my original destination, Kilkenny. By the time I got there, it was sunny again, awesome! Oh I have been blessed with good weather. Kilkenny was a charming town. I visited the castle and took some illegal pictures. I paid 6 Euro to get in and I wanted to at least take a few pictures. No pictures allowed the sign read. Turn off the flash and shoot from the hip. The grounds were beautiful. I walked around for a time and then wandered the streets of Kilkenny.

I headed for Tramore which was just south of Waterford. I checked into my B&B and then went to try and find some traditional Irish music. Cork is too international and the music last night was all American. Unfortunately everyone must have drunk too much last night and there was no music. But I talked a bit with a nice barkeep, and then headed back to the B&B.

Week 11 Day 6: Kissing the Blarney Stone

March 17, 2010

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!

I WAS THE FIRST ONE TO KISS THE BLARNEY STONE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2010

NEED I SAY MORE??!!