Gap of Dunloe - July 5th
Today, we chose to take the tour of the Gap of Dunloe, a major scenic trip with the famous chain of lakes, as well as other historical events.
Up for the hotel breakfast, which was good, and on the bus around 10:00 to take us to the drop off. After stopping for several other visitors at their hotels, we arrived at the beginning point just before 11:00.
The choices were to hike the 4 miles uphill and 3 miles down hill to the top of the first lake, eat lunch, and be ready for the boat by 2:00, or to take a "carriage ride" to the boats for 1.5 hours. We chose the carriage ride, 'cause there's no way we were gonna make the boats by 2:00. Besides, who could pass up a face like Bob's?
The driver was pretty insistent, in a nice way, that we take the carriage. She's done it enough times (for over 50 years) to size up the patrons pretty quickly.
On the way up, we passed some beautiful scenery.
The pictures may not be in order, but you'll get the idea.
Some were taken on the girl's phones, so I'll have to add them later.
The occasional thatched roof cottage.
..... and older ones w/o the thatch....
Once over the gap, we ate some lunch at the only place to eat for miles. It was a welcomed respite after the carriage ride.
Then, a 1/4 mile hike down to the first lake and the boats.
Ireland is in a heatwave, and a drought, so the lakes are down about 6 feet.
At one point between two lakes, we had to get out of the boat, walk for 1/4 mile around a bridge, and get back into the boat.
Another guy and I walked down below the bridge to help a boat ahead of us get through. Then, our boat came through just fine. We had to hustle to get back to the boat.
The boat ride took about 1.5 hours, normally a 1 hour ride, because of the low levels. At a couple of points, we had to scoot forward on the boat so the propeller could sit higher in the water.
The breeze on the water was wonderfully cool!!! We've been suffering through 80 degree temps with no A/C, so the ride was welcomed, and called for long sleeves.
Where the white and black meet on the rock in the above picture is the normal waterline for the lake.
Our final destination brought us to the Ross Castle, and the bus ride back to the hotel.
Many of the pleasure boats were not being used due to the low water.
Once back in the Inn, we decided to go the the Killarney Brewing Co. for some "famous" wood fired oven pizza. We drove there to find that the place has NO parking. We drove to a parking lot (Google to the rescue) and walked 10 minutes to the Brewery. Arriving shortly after 6:00 p.m., we were able to be seated immediately. Ruthanne ordered a lemonade, with which she promptly fell in love. Shortly, our pizza arrived. Gwen and Ruthanne had ordere the Margherita pizza, but it turned out to be no more than a cheeze pizza. Emma and I ordered the Mediterranean pizza. It was ok, but nothing to bring me back.
The cooks had a heavy, Eastern European accent, so I decided to leave well enough alone.
Overall, it was a fun, but busy day, thus the late posting.
Up for the hotel breakfast, which was good, and on the bus around 10:00 to take us to the drop off. After stopping for several other visitors at their hotels, we arrived at the beginning point just before 11:00.
The choices were to hike the 4 miles uphill and 3 miles down hill to the top of the first lake, eat lunch, and be ready for the boat by 2:00, or to take a "carriage ride" to the boats for 1.5 hours. We chose the carriage ride, 'cause there's no way we were gonna make the boats by 2:00. Besides, who could pass up a face like Bob's?
The driver was pretty insistent, in a nice way, that we take the carriage. She's done it enough times (for over 50 years) to size up the patrons pretty quickly.
On the way up, we passed some beautiful scenery.
The pictures may not be in order, but you'll get the idea.
Some were taken on the girl's phones, so I'll have to add them later.
The occasional thatched roof cottage.
..... and older ones w/o the thatch....
Once over the gap, we ate some lunch at the only place to eat for miles. It was a welcomed respite after the carriage ride.
Then, a 1/4 mile hike down to the first lake and the boats.
Ireland is in a heatwave, and a drought, so the lakes are down about 6 feet.
At one point between two lakes, we had to get out of the boat, walk for 1/4 mile around a bridge, and get back into the boat.
Another guy and I walked down below the bridge to help a boat ahead of us get through. Then, our boat came through just fine. We had to hustle to get back to the boat.
The boat ride took about 1.5 hours, normally a 1 hour ride, because of the low levels. At a couple of points, we had to scoot forward on the boat so the propeller could sit higher in the water.
The breeze on the water was wonderfully cool!!! We've been suffering through 80 degree temps with no A/C, so the ride was welcomed, and called for long sleeves.
Where the white and black meet on the rock in the above picture is the normal waterline for the lake.
Our final destination brought us to the Ross Castle, and the bus ride back to the hotel.
Many of the pleasure boats were not being used due to the low water.
Once back in the Inn, we decided to go the the Killarney Brewing Co. for some "famous" wood fired oven pizza. We drove there to find that the place has NO parking. We drove to a parking lot (Google to the rescue) and walked 10 minutes to the Brewery. Arriving shortly after 6:00 p.m., we were able to be seated immediately. Ruthanne ordered a lemonade, with which she promptly fell in love. Shortly, our pizza arrived. Gwen and Ruthanne had ordere the Margherita pizza, but it turned out to be no more than a cheeze pizza. Emma and I ordered the Mediterranean pizza. It was ok, but nothing to bring me back.
The cooks had a heavy, Eastern European accent, so I decided to leave well enough alone.
Overall, it was a fun, but busy day, thus the late posting.
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