Swimming with Manatees, Palm Springs and Death Valley

It has been three years since I posted for obvious reasons.  I haven't been anywhere!  I visited a relative in Florida just before the world shut down and was able to swim with manatees and see lots of amazing wildlife in central Florida.  That was very cool.

 

Florida Sunset

Roseate Spoonbill

Egret

 

 

My Manatee Friend and me!

Crystal River Manatee Sanctuary

Armadillo minding his own business

After over two years of being at home, my sister and I ventured out and drove to Palm Springs in January of this year. It was both nice and a bit unnerving to be 'somewhere else' but it ended up being a lovely albeit brief trip and we had a great time! The weather was perfect and there was lots of hiking and hanging out by the pool as well as great meals!

Mono Lake along the way

Welcome to Palm Springs!

Yellow Throated Warbler?

Hiking with my sis

In March I ventured to Death Valley for a week long camping trip.  It was a perfect time of year - not very crowded, perfect temperatures and dark skies so lots of stars at night.  I met some great people, saw some amazing sites and just enjoyed being in the desert.  Death Valley is a place of stark contrasts and, in my opinion, great beauty.

Darwin Falls

Mt. Whitney from Alabama Hills

Wrapping It Up and Haunted Castles

Tonight we are in a town that is unbelievably 10 minutes from the Edinburgh airport but feels like it's miles and miles away.  It is a very old B&B with a bar and restaurant and is located in the small town of Ratho on a canal by a stone bridge.  So quaint!
Last night was, for me, a very different story.  We stayed in a castle in Dingwall that is said too be haunted.  While I didn't see any ghosts, while on the 'ghost tour' and in the dungeon, I felt very ill and somewhat faint.  The dungeon we were told was the site of many horrible slayings and imprisoning's but (and I quote) "Is now used for weddings and small dinner parties to dispel some of the negative energy."  In my opinion, it will take much more than that!  It felt like a horrible place.  Other than that, we slept through the night with no hauntings and liked the staff and the food a lot.
My favorite part was more about the town of Dingwall which is, in itself, unremarkable.  However, there is a Pictish stone there in a churchyard that dates from 500 - 800 AD.  No one has been able to decipher them to this point.  So amazing!
Today on our way to Ratho from Dingwall, we visited the Culloden Battlefield outside of Inverness.  It was a very moving walk and remains pretty much as it was when thousands of Jacobite Scotsman were killed by the British in a matter of minutes in 1746.  I am just at a loss.
We then stopped in the medieval village of Culross for a brief walkaround.  It has been preserved pretty much as it was in the 1600's (except for the cars).
Tomorrow back to Dublin for a night and then home.  We have loved the whole trip but both of us feel that Scotland has our hearts - especially the highlands!  We hope to return . . .

The Pictish Stone

The Castle inside and out sans ghosts

A very old house with thatched roof

Holding a sword like the ones used

in Culloden (but smaller)

Still very heavy!!

A path near the castle through farmland.

Culloden - Above a cairn dedicated to those who died.

Below is one of the grave markers.  There is one for every clan.

The blue flags indicate the line of the Jacobites.  There were red

flags indicated the line of the British.

The palace of Culross and some homes in the village.

And finally - The Bridge Inn - Our last night in Scotland.

From Glencoe to the Isle of Skye

It has been an amazing few days,  We accidentally stumbled upon an inn from the 1600's (The Clachaig Inn) while driving around the countryside in Glencoe.  We saw a small lane to the left and drove down it.  The sign said whisky tasting so why not?  It turned out to be the coolest place with lots of people including several kilted (is that a word?) men and some really delicious lunch.  We ate in the boots bar in the back.  Super old and really cool.

Another Highland Cattle - Aren't they cute?

On the way to Skye

Eilean Doune Castle

At the Boots Bar 

Today we drove to the Isle of Skye through beautiful mountains and lochs with the birch trees just starting to turn yellow.  We stopped for lunch (our main meal) again accidentally at the Broadford Inn which is the home of Drambuie!  The inn is the very place where it was introduced by Bonnie Prince Charlie after escaping the Jacobite war.  The story is that he was hidden by the Mackinnons who owned the inn and he gave them the recipe which he may have acquired in France. I believe they still are the makers of the amazing liqueur and the recipe remains a secret.

A Stag and his 'harem' across the bay

The old mar of Storr, Skye from our B&B (small peak in foreground)

I know . . . How many photos of highland cattle does one need to see?  My sister and I are definitely taken with them.  They are SO sweet - and some have similar hair color to ours!

Along the way - - - And the 'Old Man' up close after a fairly wet hike.  

And a cool house with a thatched roof