tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47423433646327422952024-03-19T03:32:40.681-04:00Mille Fiori FavoritiMy life in Colorado!Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.comBlogger1346125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-10017987925614766772024-03-17T23:08:00.001-04:002024-03-17T23:10:18.018-04:00Belfast, Titanic Museum and Ferry Ride to Scotland!<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WrRfvY0p_zy8Mub7Ij_EoAVDGJ2dHx5zfYIyoOG2shI2mQyLJkExDsg55rEz436BN0CMAiNatH2o2rbI1CM8bNLEpyn1supQSE5mZqo_Cqx6e4GMLnz7YmtYotRJatxRzwco06XOgOEDhqiqIVBwi5E3-TTiXAlNpGS4Gv23yDqFIU8mvj3gSCvGVoW5/s2046/20231026_164436-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WrRfvY0p_zy8Mub7Ij_EoAVDGJ2dHx5zfYIyoOG2shI2mQyLJkExDsg55rEz436BN0CMAiNatH2o2rbI1CM8bNLEpyn1supQSE5mZqo_Cqx6e4GMLnz7YmtYotRJatxRzwco06XOgOEDhqiqIVBwi5E3-TTiXAlNpGS4Gv23yDqFIU8mvj3gSCvGVoW5/w640-h640/20231026_164436-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our Cosmos Bus Tour of the "Highlights of Ireland and Scotland" last October made its last stop in Ireland in the late afternoon in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Belfast is the principal city and port of Northern Ireland standing on the banks of the River Lagan and connected to the open sea through Belfast Lough and the North Channel It is second to Dublin as the largest city on the island of Ireland. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our bus drove around the city so we could see the sights from our windows. I have been fortunate to visit Belfast for an extended period in the past and have written many blog posts about it. The first prior post shows an overview of the city and is on <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2011/04/beautiful-belfast.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b>. Another post about a few of Belfast's markets, bars, and a cathedral, can be found on <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2011/04/belfast-ireland-markets-bars-and.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a>.</b> I also wrote about a tour I took in Belfast that I took that profiled the nationalistic strife that was experienced in Northern Ireland in this post about The Troubles on <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2011/05/troubles.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link.</a></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwoPKcRJHrpgrfE_FCH-k2ZmlcTDEvQc-WKRRV7mtwHWV-9iL-2z0GQS0WwtvSkhrThlDLtowzaM4s9w_IaiGfvE7ZxTEAGVVRo1We5mahZ0y6-T3jEHSSKN4LiMfkYWzfZwxuvykeUrnXJe1CyJB6HPE1UaGtg2yf823EeewM-UsiBDptHi8M0vlwkTf/s2047/20231026_164414-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwoPKcRJHrpgrfE_FCH-k2ZmlcTDEvQc-WKRRV7mtwHWV-9iL-2z0GQS0WwtvSkhrThlDLtowzaM4s9w_IaiGfvE7ZxTEAGVVRo1We5mahZ0y6-T3jEHSSKN4LiMfkYWzfZwxuvykeUrnXJe1CyJB6HPE1UaGtg2yf823EeewM-UsiBDptHi8M0vlwkTf/w640-h640/20231026_164414-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see from the photo collages it is a city comprised of both old and modern structures.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd4TlbplxaL0gjcN5Dvp4U7QLOowWF8IPOHE6wgIfSm1n4y45cMqPggaIT-mrQNphAkVadpH2RS30C2RVNxF667NG-HaUTCujyHtg3GTC3GBSs8RaVXgd2aiWJmiWTdYntM9e3EguJQaOjfjhVTdMqUPL2ee6OktV4DpTURYvVtho21tlofMu6rjVRnJx/s3910/20231026_174432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="3910" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd4TlbplxaL0gjcN5Dvp4U7QLOowWF8IPOHE6wgIfSm1n4y45cMqPggaIT-mrQNphAkVadpH2RS30C2RVNxF667NG-HaUTCujyHtg3GTC3GBSs8RaVXgd2aiWJmiWTdYntM9e3EguJQaOjfjhVTdMqUPL2ee6OktV4DpTURYvVtho21tlofMu6rjVRnJx/w640-h480/20231026_174432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We checked into our hotel and then took a walk to find a good pub in which to have dinner. I felt nostalgic about going to <b><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/the-crown-bar/visiting-the-crown-bar" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Crown Bar</a>,</b> as I enjoyed a few meals there in the past. It is one of the most famous pubs in Belfast and I enjoyed the atmosphere there, but it was very crowded with too long a wait the evening we were there.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrnLU482B9BX7FkRgyuLWVeY_eovmWkDRFY-WxuG9KHCMAWoHUkoKkgxV370ytkFopt4ddYhz76FTQ4NZIy_IsccxlcNh4t3HYCRqIVwTevWVaxJCWJ8eqlqJ094fiq1GcEZfzHzePizEtDBqcVu77ms39bQU-ho1a9V3XuWOjODwQYUMF0WpsqSIVZdA/s4000/20231026_183942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrnLU482B9BX7FkRgyuLWVeY_eovmWkDRFY-WxuG9KHCMAWoHUkoKkgxV370ytkFopt4ddYhz76FTQ4NZIy_IsccxlcNh4t3HYCRqIVwTevWVaxJCWJ8eqlqJ094fiq1GcEZfzHzePizEtDBqcVu77ms39bQU-ho1a9V3XuWOjODwQYUMF0WpsqSIVZdA/w640-h480/20231026_183942.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour guide had also recommended <b><a href="https://robinsonsbar.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robinsons Bars</a></b> so we headed there instead, where we had a delicious seafood chowder, served with brown bread.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf7n11vKBcux9WQJOtxrORhN2maRisMthEMW3tVVNHaJBizeLTtG6I3BjMT3sus2VFx56S3ymuuq4QzjbnJ5MZQLRPojMqCVDvKObXU6cQqoLZHQUyEqNC7poWCpXfqQXPxCM84dvJqkDOAujI5xLt7U-1dpiH75s75WAogBFrLjFEdeW5zS5jTjEc3BA/s3000/20231027_083716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3000" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf7n11vKBcux9WQJOtxrORhN2maRisMthEMW3tVVNHaJBizeLTtG6I3BjMT3sus2VFx56S3ymuuq4QzjbnJ5MZQLRPojMqCVDvKObXU6cQqoLZHQUyEqNC7poWCpXfqQXPxCM84dvJqkDOAujI5xLt7U-1dpiH75s75WAogBFrLjFEdeW5zS5jTjEc3BA/w640-h606/20231027_083716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we had our last taste of the traditional Irish Breakfast! Breakfasts were included in our tour, as well as some dinners, and most of the hotels we stayed at served breakfast as a buffet, and the generous hearty food filled us up all day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fkM8RGWQhqVSVfE5afDeKzlrASonXNPvQkV6bfWzNOj6AGcJcm8-9NKgkpOrCJRif2RWAGcouT29I2yH0gnrxY_bUE_w09dVx1YJPDUnN1f_tJGLYK0VdBa7s__FZC_f5WlTZePMdnjx9nXpU4J_gbHquUSagMkmSyF7ynZKL8wS-uUeF6w5E_ulEFBY/s2046/20231027_094406-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fkM8RGWQhqVSVfE5afDeKzlrASonXNPvQkV6bfWzNOj6AGcJcm8-9NKgkpOrCJRif2RWAGcouT29I2yH0gnrxY_bUE_w09dVx1YJPDUnN1f_tJGLYK0VdBa7s__FZC_f5WlTZePMdnjx9nXpU4J_gbHquUSagMkmSyF7ynZKL8wS-uUeF6w5E_ulEFBY/w640-h640/20231027_094406-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">After breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and our tour took us to see The Titanic Museum! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last time I was in Belfast the museum was being built in a revitalized area of Belfast which is now called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_Quarter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Titanic Quarter</b></a>, I wrote <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2012/04/100th-anniversary-of-sinking-of-titanic.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this blog post</a> </b>in the past about The 100th Anniversary of the Titanic<b>, </b>and <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2012/04/margaret-brown-unsinkable-molly-brown.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this blog post</a></b> is about the famous "Unsinkable Molly Brown," whose home in located in Denver, Colorado.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see in the lower right photo collage above,<a href="https://harcourtdev.com/titanic-studios" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <b>Titanic Studios</b> </a>are also in the area. This facility has welcomed international productions including ‘'Game of Thrones'’, ‘'Your Highness'’ and ‘'City of Ember.’'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Belfast was the largest and most productive shipyard in the world at one time and the city's main shipbuilders, <a href="https://www.harland-wolff.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Harland and Wolff</b>,</a> built the ill-fated<b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> RMS Titanic</a></b>. Although shipbuilding has been in a steady decline the twin Harland and Wolff yellow shipbuilding gantry cranes are nicknamed "Samson and Goliath," and still dominate the skyline as landmark structures of the city, as you can see in the lower left of the photo collage above.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dLdoapWj4QXgw8p_-Bai9zL1bIiWWfV8wor1q8JDETMOpyitbbTXNx7G89mj_JF3hyphenhyphenPaKvvndoipZxtQ7csLWRWqQE5P6ZKlzWr2EtbsYti0FwLwBYm5OKfEBHdqCcwdDK7CE4nLf5n1J3f_c44ai9AZhsE48pApJgSfF85rlC8nFTHP0-2FlmJXB2K0/s4000/20231027_095313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dLdoapWj4QXgw8p_-Bai9zL1bIiWWfV8wor1q8JDETMOpyitbbTXNx7G89mj_JF3hyphenhyphenPaKvvndoipZxtQ7csLWRWqQE5P6ZKlzWr2EtbsYti0FwLwBYm5OKfEBHdqCcwdDK7CE4nLf5n1J3f_c44ai9AZhsE48pApJgSfF85rlC8nFTHP0-2FlmJXB2K0/w640-h480/20231027_095313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am standing in front of <b><a href="https://www.titanicbelfast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Titanic Museum</a></b>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-fis2vKUisY6kz1vEwsqW0l1V48hciNWKUFiV335P-6QeZC0n6NPwXr07JDjpjkalIOklrvjU11IzaHADrwx7_-5XCkzbYujj8ZRJUsegwpohwBgl-LZ1ImVQ1NjLf-iyw95RThc9vtMAFAxtkL4IVK-ki5hWLwuRWAAMSUb4B2J75ItPPJ6RATVDBhG/s2046/20231027_095509-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-fis2vKUisY6kz1vEwsqW0l1V48hciNWKUFiV335P-6QeZC0n6NPwXr07JDjpjkalIOklrvjU11IzaHADrwx7_-5XCkzbYujj8ZRJUsegwpohwBgl-LZ1ImVQ1NjLf-iyw95RThc9vtMAFAxtkL4IVK-ki5hWLwuRWAAMSUb4B2J75ItPPJ6RATVDBhG/w640-h640/20231027_095509-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We explored the main exhibit on the first floor of the museum, but unfortunately, we ran out of time before we could finish viewing the entire collection. You can see some of the historic photographs in the museum exhibits on<a href="https://www.titanicbelfast.com/history-of-titanic/on-this-day/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.titanicbelfast.com/history-of-titanic/on-this-day/" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">this link,</a> and some of the Titanic artifacts in the museum on <b><a href="https://www.titanicbelfast.com/history-of-titanic/artefacts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link.</a> </b></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouVgkYW68gZg4SSqHUP9N2qOn5ZSk-2s-IPEC2Fw2JUyZ_6aALMUnZy9DiTbULU-q2Gc7WT4rBRd6FQI1REb2JPEOo5A7ffcqNx7Fa3srJ3TTdl61_-pa6GqlJ5d_X0FCVckooHMtDD_bJuCRyacbk_EAerdkqNtToY_1qGdKuM6ZTgA6o-971b8oZCfF/s3814/20231027_104352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2860" data-original-width="3814" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouVgkYW68gZg4SSqHUP9N2qOn5ZSk-2s-IPEC2Fw2JUyZ_6aALMUnZy9DiTbULU-q2Gc7WT4rBRd6FQI1REb2JPEOo5A7ffcqNx7Fa3srJ3TTdl61_-pa6GqlJ5d_X0FCVckooHMtDD_bJuCRyacbk_EAerdkqNtToY_1qGdKuM6ZTgA6o-971b8oZCfF/w640-h480/20231027_104352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our bus tour had begun its journey towards the ferry that would take us across the North Channel and into Scotland!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptAVMSmTV8lXJ8vvPuCYvclFRM5xy9qhGL7b_yyOAssRcWOkl-iOcma9_IlpkNnfEuJx-LwEk76owdj3_C5Bnxonaxc7wSxnczhabmvF3LC787FyBsUy_1yq_UO2W7KZAyoDzVRVQwNt66AvW-fh2aCUishI6WATw9307iAixoUAvnGcm7G3cP9H7U-yY/s2989/20231027_112459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2989" data-original-width="2396" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptAVMSmTV8lXJ8vvPuCYvclFRM5xy9qhGL7b_yyOAssRcWOkl-iOcma9_IlpkNnfEuJx-LwEk76owdj3_C5Bnxonaxc7wSxnczhabmvF3LC787FyBsUy_1yq_UO2W7KZAyoDzVRVQwNt66AvW-fh2aCUishI6WATw9307iAixoUAvnGcm7G3cP9H7U-yY/w514-h640/20231027_112459.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It began to rain while we were on the ferry, but we had comfortable seats inside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-fHe0tG_EvUDck4Y1t1k-AD_vG7B45IxKWTCYTLiajaIWM5gbAwzUZwcdyeHuVDXby-HdE7MgSgtwNvha3YDWbpBkKm-lW7LfvtV_-Wf2mdagZGj4Vb0Mm4hQfxHPW5FmINXh3hHIB9GWvGaRw1vz0_7rmMUgzMrIhywUwBP5uLO2xk1Cd9YEiH4o_1b/s2046/20231027_114210-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-fHe0tG_EvUDck4Y1t1k-AD_vG7B45IxKWTCYTLiajaIWM5gbAwzUZwcdyeHuVDXby-HdE7MgSgtwNvha3YDWbpBkKm-lW7LfvtV_-Wf2mdagZGj4Vb0Mm4hQfxHPW5FmINXh3hHIB9GWvGaRw1vz0_7rmMUgzMrIhywUwBP5uLO2xk1Cd9YEiH4o_1b/w640-h640/20231027_114210-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we approached Scotland it greeted us with a rainbow!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzCgOsxuYu-nnUCPomzq5hrcmqkwKfct2ydoRRDDhnqu9OB4mBQlvs0PkW8hrzZKuhyphenhyphen9-7tTu0De7aQXDYazY7uQVtbH9sdKru8BI0N_wEKhtfamFeZ5ryX2CRjMCm-swKlOP5fL8dNyTEFy2rH4hiZXoVSXD5n3vXHnB6qz1zuszOTUInoaA4fKit8bg/s2996/20231027_114830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2171" data-original-width="2996" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzCgOsxuYu-nnUCPomzq5hrcmqkwKfct2ydoRRDDhnqu9OB4mBQlvs0PkW8hrzZKuhyphenhyphen9-7tTu0De7aQXDYazY7uQVtbH9sdKru8BI0N_wEKhtfamFeZ5ryX2CRjMCm-swKlOP5fL8dNyTEFy2rH4hiZXoVSXD5n3vXHnB6qz1zuszOTUInoaA4fKit8bg/w640-h464/20231027_114830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Close-up of the beautiful rainbow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HkNHeSZrdyi1FtcjPUPYwrkX2h8NBEagakTtVV9GOXCpC8GAN3LkiS15fVEEos4QyamW0grpLpcOyUZLlWZhBv0jjV0pFzIAne8urQZkObaISbmOq21sMJlIsEAm26QSKJkLTPs1vESY6nHbG-yfIweWlLTvBApSZZmTBVVttC0ZBGG8tmb43q9Gnyq1/s2747/20231027_142210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="2747" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HkNHeSZrdyi1FtcjPUPYwrkX2h8NBEagakTtVV9GOXCpC8GAN3LkiS15fVEEos4QyamW0grpLpcOyUZLlWZhBv0jjV0pFzIAne8urQZkObaISbmOq21sMJlIsEAm26QSKJkLTPs1vESY6nHbG-yfIweWlLTvBApSZZmTBVVttC0ZBGG8tmb43q9Gnyq1/w640-h322/20231027_142210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We returned to our bus, which was also on the ferry, and we saw our first glimpses of the Scottish countryside.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGioNp-ocgeAqT4Fuhloax2NupxP1Pwlraz9-RMrFX2MCldo4C7WWcIorX-f2ZQE936heX2RZCpDCHUYa_bkw2zrC2Mubotn8BoGCKHwUL9fbrpfFHNzd88ytlC8xk1GW5tSAAQjdHT-omEy6rtuMeO56YR-z64rLzxzdE_F9r91asB3DqlKD7mIRgZHny/s3000/20231027_142442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2624" data-original-width="3000" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGioNp-ocgeAqT4Fuhloax2NupxP1Pwlraz9-RMrFX2MCldo4C7WWcIorX-f2ZQE936heX2RZCpDCHUYa_bkw2zrC2Mubotn8BoGCKHwUL9fbrpfFHNzd88ytlC8xk1GW5tSAAQjdHT-omEy6rtuMeO56YR-z64rLzxzdE_F9r91asB3DqlKD7mIRgZHny/w640-h560/20231027_142442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An island far off the southwest coast of Scotland--it may be <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailsa_Craig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ailsa Craig Island</a></b>?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCruOb9CviljX5TfdO2ZpKTXT1uK2ISig92WL2ujPlUeEBpxnIMAwU637Zt78Xif2NUXkKW9-f7Xl_KPB-K6klmf_XbZZtjF7ZP-ocSEnQygmnHG0JaDLI7sKAla70Arh68r4uCynX38B-9Vc0U9aaB9a3eC1pN2Ml7tpcKfD3vM07meLeOYS_AhIJjFxq/s2047/20231027_142343-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCruOb9CviljX5TfdO2ZpKTXT1uK2ISig92WL2ujPlUeEBpxnIMAwU637Zt78Xif2NUXkKW9-f7Xl_KPB-K6klmf_XbZZtjF7ZP-ocSEnQygmnHG0JaDLI7sKAla70Arh68r4uCynX38B-9Vc0U9aaB9a3eC1pN2Ml7tpcKfD3vM07meLeOYS_AhIJjFxq/w640-h640/20231027_142343-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Our bus was on the way to our first stop in <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alloway" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alloway, Scotland</a>--</b>the birthplace of poet Robert Burns--on my next post.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-43796544802610802482024-03-11T01:20:00.005-04:002024-03-11T01:20:45.626-04:00The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9u8Xhh5rvah9ayboNZDmWP4gAH2zUDuhwSMJLhk5TjGGPHY_Gh1vjBX9OuRUb0TGQvaC96nAZUXRJceXq8-c5AOiA3TXZkFEbYg7VWvnLZDeCTYXkJnvCrqePaBZlZ0kNxBsjWjOVCLfq80TwMtRFp_kWP4BxtmK-Px3vBd6ztz2sNPEycvdDDCAU71J/s2046/20231026_135605-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9u8Xhh5rvah9ayboNZDmWP4gAH2zUDuhwSMJLhk5TjGGPHY_Gh1vjBX9OuRUb0TGQvaC96nAZUXRJceXq8-c5AOiA3TXZkFEbYg7VWvnLZDeCTYXkJnvCrqePaBZlZ0kNxBsjWjOVCLfq80TwMtRFp_kWP4BxtmK-Px3vBd6ztz2sNPEycvdDDCAU71J/w640-h640/20231026_135605-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">On our October bus tour of Ireland and Scotland we left Dunlace Castle along the Antrim Coast--see my <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2024/03/dunluce-castle-on-antrim-coast-of.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">last post</a></b>--and traveled north towards our next stop:<b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Giants Causeway</a></b>. My husband and I have been fortunate to have visited this beautiful part of Ireland in the past. I've blogged about it <a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2011/05/magical-causeway-coast-and-glens.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a><b>, </b>and<b> </b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2011/05/causeway-coastal-route-northern-ireland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>, but we were still fascinated to visit this unusual area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption from 50 to 60 million years ago</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o46rRwcHlfnWmWxTP3aQPgF82FofkIRCROi72l6wlQQwBwe-P8XdNeBtEXKcRkvpRZpefm2oWjOh1CVizE6e6vl33jMkgAV83M73ruICk7rjD2MRPSBlooq_mWbI-4CczdP7vMgttOxe3ED20R1sfcf3pR2y56U1EUYLdiRwtNNYYoLg5fZ7C9aky6G-/s2046/20231026_135855-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o46rRwcHlfnWmWxTP3aQPgF82FofkIRCROi72l6wlQQwBwe-P8XdNeBtEXKcRkvpRZpefm2oWjOh1CVizE6e6vl33jMkgAV83M73ruICk7rjD2MRPSBlooq_mWbI-4CczdP7vMgttOxe3ED20R1sfcf3pR2y56U1EUYLdiRwtNNYYoLg5fZ7C9aky6G-/w480-h640/20231026_135855-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Informational placards at the Giant's Causeway site--double-click on the photo to enlarge it to read it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">As in many places in Ireland, there is a myth or legend about the Giant's Causeway, from which it got its name. According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway or path built by a giant. The story goes that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool), was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted the challenge and built the causeway across the North Channel so that the two could meet. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In one version of the story, Fionn defeats Benandonner. In another, Fionn hides from Benandonner when he realizes that his foe is much bigger than he is. Fionn's wife, Sadhbh, disguises Fionn as a baby and tucks him into a cradle. When Benandonner sees the size of the "baby", he reckons that its father, Fionn, must be a giant among giants. He flees back to Scotland in fright, destroying the causeway behind him so that Fionn would be unable to chase him down. Across the sea, there are identical basalt columns (a part of the same ancient lava flow) at Fingal's Cave on the Scottish isle of Staffa, and it is possible that the story was influenced by this.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdi7U5rJBaq6e4WVPfc58eFFBBTTb5QjNe7-q2KWZJZvSt21V3mvC5SEbhqf2f8xAPsfxGpEar-B5HxkPg7L8uTskZd55jUXx2bF100TqJxvl1xb7UrQZBjqasasFZXBsrRFclQoeU7IDMq6-QOZeX2h0HhhC0Bqmuql69zBgrUuLfpqTwim2BObB8J2iu/s2046/20231026_134150-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdi7U5rJBaq6e4WVPfc58eFFBBTTb5QjNe7-q2KWZJZvSt21V3mvC5SEbhqf2f8xAPsfxGpEar-B5HxkPg7L8uTskZd55jUXx2bF100TqJxvl1xb7UrQZBjqasasFZXBsrRFclQoeU7IDMq6-QOZeX2h0HhhC0Bqmuql69zBgrUuLfpqTwim2BObB8J2iu/w640-h640/20231026_134150-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/"><b>The Causeway Coastal Route</b></a> in Northern Ireland is rated one of the top five road trips worldwide and it is easy to see why. The road hugs narrow strips of coastline between the sea and high cliffs, between green valleys and gentle hamlets. The yellow-flowered shrub is <b><a href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/trees-and-shrubs/common-gorse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gorse</a></b> which grows wild all along the coast.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur_jOn05fYcx_ebmVCaSFzK4cCwLFGKc46pZ7kAO9Y8RKTo4ikndrQ7qkUz-tTnIQltLvC3OxKI6w24UWx79-kcytOZ_5lhuCONr4FZGSMka5qORIsHSDDwTzZFY9AZBVTupSHLKEn4iVpyfbwIkBh80F5uJ1kmQc6CXmYjUSBuMfARik6OVwk8sRrL_e/s2046/20231026_145414-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur_jOn05fYcx_ebmVCaSFzK4cCwLFGKc46pZ7kAO9Y8RKTo4ikndrQ7qkUz-tTnIQltLvC3OxKI6w24UWx79-kcytOZ_5lhuCONr4FZGSMka5qORIsHSDDwTzZFY9AZBVTupSHLKEn4iVpyfbwIkBh80F5uJ1kmQc6CXmYjUSBuMfARik6OVwk8sRrL_e/w640-h640/20231026_145414-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The entire Antrim Coast is stunningly beautiful!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLMBiDFofpCZHo4Z7eZXKdF4PJ_rt3Qb4uyngeTnurrjvfIzF62nI9XgZPbCkKnCnrPQpkKEfInOk7eC_Bjpz1u23b5v2zXPHfyUyukoO6KPwtqJYzgV1PIowriDw9-Zvpx7pLJFrGS_NejpveRwVpbPydIf1M_DrNco-jHAe4qCktMDjptkXFBFYwmjU/s2047/20231026_152908-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLMBiDFofpCZHo4Z7eZXKdF4PJ_rt3Qb4uyngeTnurrjvfIzF62nI9XgZPbCkKnCnrPQpkKEfInOk7eC_Bjpz1u23b5v2zXPHfyUyukoO6KPwtqJYzgV1PIowriDw9-Zvpx7pLJFrGS_NejpveRwVpbPydIf1M_DrNco-jHAe4qCktMDjptkXFBFYwmjU/w640-h640/20231026_152908-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour bus then drove to an overview area where we could see the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrick-a-Rede_Rope_Bridge" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge</a></b> in the distance. Carrick-a-Rede means the rock in the road. This area near Ballintoy is the sea route for Atlantic salmon on their westward journey past Carrick Island. For over 350 years fishermen had strung a rope bridge 30 meters above the sea to allow them to access the best places to catch the migrating salmon. Today, the bridge is mainly used as a tourist attraction. It presents an exciting challenge to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year! It was closed at this time of the year, but we were able to walk across it years ago as you can see on <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2008/06/carrick-rede-county-antrim.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this blog post</a></b>.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVmCpCXs21PLxL9QY5gvyDo5cpPFHPxSZr8a7ZY-362J_mc71NVnFjGXM6XYUDxvIUeOQHKdrYJVNTXnDp1nKRqRdBKsxhWqtBLpaaqcxEzbxHJNXfgLjq4EIGVLUDcMNSl9o2TnZOdBMn3EcXa0fwcfau-A6JBOTTuHKuMqlCQyKdUiH7DCwYQwkWND-/s3165/20231026_153000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2721" data-original-width="3165" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVmCpCXs21PLxL9QY5gvyDo5cpPFHPxSZr8a7ZY-362J_mc71NVnFjGXM6XYUDxvIUeOQHKdrYJVNTXnDp1nKRqRdBKsxhWqtBLpaaqcxEzbxHJNXfgLjq4EIGVLUDcMNSl9o2TnZOdBMn3EcXa0fwcfau-A6JBOTTuHKuMqlCQyKdUiH7DCwYQwkWND-/w640-h550/20231026_153000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An informational placard at the overlook about this part of the Antrim Causeway Coastal Route. Double-click on the photo to enlarge it to read it.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxszHH8uTfLb-yxWp8cZEDVAF4QL7akaxPqAmRFGD_w2CLaQouKQvjywsEl9tsLQ9x2H2L8520KtkxgbzAH-qGJbwLiNLS_01TZsh0OXKYamDHz4Ojt9y1HfVIUfXmjEFgSfKXstLGIs5ukNjOILz6eggLz2-ydVHvFnWBoFwbpbNJkvwm5AkEVmDWwyS/s3000/20231026_154518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="3000" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxszHH8uTfLb-yxWp8cZEDVAF4QL7akaxPqAmRFGD_w2CLaQouKQvjywsEl9tsLQ9x2H2L8520KtkxgbzAH-qGJbwLiNLS_01TZsh0OXKYamDHz4Ojt9y1HfVIUfXmjEFgSfKXstLGIs5ukNjOILz6eggLz2-ydVHvFnWBoFwbpbNJkvwm5AkEVmDWwyS/w640-h464/20231026_154518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We were now on our way to Belfast where we would visit the new Titanic Museum and the next morning our tour would take the ferry over to Scotland! More on my next post.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Inst</a></b><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT3riZrx6CBRS9JQr3FL9wvJZy-aLjpSChu2ZzUCjhYLy_aN6crNEB7G5igtZBH5RInF_Rvk92Qw4smcES5NAwUeUQBs87Xn9o6gqPSUrZCWDcyxEhTLE05thPwxCD78rtPawiFj9mt6S15u4fYuz5E9-KYd3YOYGllcTwrXBJKV80terwk8v91Xu4Kut/s3788/20231026_125844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2841" data-original-width="3788" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT3riZrx6CBRS9JQr3FL9wvJZy-aLjpSChu2ZzUCjhYLy_aN6crNEB7G5igtZBH5RInF_Rvk92Qw4smcES5NAwUeUQBs87Xn9o6gqPSUrZCWDcyxEhTLE05thPwxCD78rtPawiFj9mt6S15u4fYuz5E9-KYd3YOYGllcTwrXBJKV80terwk8v91Xu4Kut/w640-h480/20231026_125844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I went on a "Highlights of Ireland and Scotland" bus tour with Cosmos last October. During the tour, our bus stopped at the western Northern Ireland Antrim Coast to see the famous <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunluce_Castle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dunluce Castle</a></b>. The castle ruins sit on the edge of a basalt outcropping in Bushmills, County Antrim. Visitors must cross a bridge connecting it to the mainland to reach the castle.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I've been fortunate to see this castle on prior trips to Ireland which you can read on these blog posts--<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2008/06/north-antrim-coastline-and-old.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>--and--<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2011/05/causeway-coastal-route-northern-ireland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0uA40noYIQVy6AxIDlOMdPCVomUSpcYXywRu7F3N6s35vQPc-YLjOONSDfeCW7eWXWJ_cBNvgBkGz95Yc5q6VffN9a4caVC-3paWCLZFFksgU2uPIY8bpRzIqc7THOifv_cmv2ZDeueOMyTeCy4e-RbL2zpso2Zi3DbO-kZUVlB3yy0VG9Tedvcz8Brk/s3834/20231026_125850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2876" data-original-width="3834" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0uA40noYIQVy6AxIDlOMdPCVomUSpcYXywRu7F3N6s35vQPc-YLjOONSDfeCW7eWXWJ_cBNvgBkGz95Yc5q6VffN9a4caVC-3paWCLZFFksgU2uPIY8bpRzIqc7THOifv_cmv2ZDeueOMyTeCy4e-RbL2zpso2Zi3DbO-kZUVlB3yy0VG9Tedvcz8Brk/w640-h480/20231026_125850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />The castle’s main structure was built by the McQuillan clan in 1500 and was hotly contested by their rivals, Clan McDonnell, who eventually seized the prized location in the mid-1500s.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Legand says that Maeve Roe, the daughter of Lord McQuillan refused to marry her father’s chosen husband, as she was in love with another man. As punishment, Maeve was tossed into the castle’s tower and locked away until she changed her mind. With all hope lost, the young woman’s beloved launched a daring rescue, but upon their escape, the pair of soulmates were drowned in the waves at the nearby Mermaid’s Cave which is located at the bottom of the cliff where the castle stands,. Local legend says she can be seen still keeping watch in the tower and her cries can be heard on stormy nights.<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7y5tx8idlx3e3j-iSjOyOTZgHMS3OPs6CcqCivEgD574pr13iKa4X8R3prZpBjSE1nOx-KFNy69RV0OrGEctb0G6dt1Kk3zoDhCOgfOg_wL4SEwSWVp8AmPhvUL0fJhLGCLY7c6b_wEtmbOja7RL3mx-QkRYbs0mlx0fxt9mzqpS4wEhCSIalaiherq4/s2046/20231026_130114-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7y5tx8idlx3e3j-iSjOyOTZgHMS3OPs6CcqCivEgD574pr13iKa4X8R3prZpBjSE1nOx-KFNy69RV0OrGEctb0G6dt1Kk3zoDhCOgfOg_wL4SEwSWVp8AmPhvUL0fJhLGCLY7c6b_wEtmbOja7RL3mx-QkRYbs0mlx0fxt9mzqpS4wEhCSIalaiherq4/w640-h640/20231026_130114-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We viewed the castle from a parking and viewing area called Magheracross, where we had a beautiful view of the surrounding craggy cliffs and beaches.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1Qu6RrUJM_xJVrLvvwFtIQsntYJcyYgqVESCZ5ndPiEt6IDutwDekhHt9_mH3vqg8XSF7BnvUFRFgfGBHyevXAUlGB2ZjOvs4XvPTDTbxnuQsefy0mxjfEKzo-LueBB_c49kYNvWXw3zrV0Y2TTGo1wmyh6lHgMbrE7sLAiZi5PDZ4IrdsC8s6ibARZA/s2046/20231026_122817-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1Qu6RrUJM_xJVrLvvwFtIQsntYJcyYgqVESCZ5ndPiEt6IDutwDekhHt9_mH3vqg8XSF7BnvUFRFgfGBHyevXAUlGB2ZjOvs4XvPTDTbxnuQsefy0mxjfEKzo-LueBB_c49kYNvWXw3zrV0Y2TTGo1wmyh6lHgMbrE7sLAiZi5PDZ4IrdsC8s6ibARZA/w640-h640/20231026_122817-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There was beautiful scenery all around</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeNeVHgr2x-hq7J2hbM_xsDNF254JK-VkGp3fj4fPSyrRAb0VmT1t2PvxprdfUWrY8U2-BHM1VSThzr3HpEUSm0nZ0VTBTLPsUtYNo2mqEDL_EhXn8VAA8ewEsffOs5jZChvws_9jPCqP6zb0cqB75egDbUMXC1biOsGOgKG13YlpjrqP4zho1WDPmG9u/s4000/20231026_125853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeNeVHgr2x-hq7J2hbM_xsDNF254JK-VkGp3fj4fPSyrRAb0VmT1t2PvxprdfUWrY8U2-BHM1VSThzr3HpEUSm0nZ0VTBTLPsUtYNo2mqEDL_EhXn8VAA8ewEsffOs5jZChvws_9jPCqP6zb0cqB75egDbUMXC1biOsGOgKG13YlpjrqP4zho1WDPmG9u/w640-h480/20231026_125853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, Dunluce Castle has been featured in several productions, including the hit TV series “Game of Thrones,” where it served as the iconic Castle Greyjoy.</span><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVOWg5-pLe8E928SBaB1ykQkUbgmeX6_BUS3B2Rg8qzAOfYqtivXwr5yqePi1hJbKfvw-HfKrdn_SO-1dVHrNqsdr15e2aewlbN77O4T1gzoM_1ZqZFj198okFwTMT8x8BWO_-B_04-qA5zLhvouat7SUB8X1YnDX_7cUrKNENOpII_jAqVcRPCpoxNFI/s2047/20231026_125936-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVOWg5-pLe8E928SBaB1ykQkUbgmeX6_BUS3B2Rg8qzAOfYqtivXwr5yqePi1hJbKfvw-HfKrdn_SO-1dVHrNqsdr15e2aewlbN77O4T1gzoM_1ZqZFj198okFwTMT8x8BWO_-B_04-qA5zLhvouat7SUB8X1YnDX_7cUrKNENOpII_jAqVcRPCpoxNFI/w640-h640/20231026_125936-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many myths and legends are associated with Dunlace Castle, which you can read on <a href="https://www.causewaycoast.holiday/locations/dunluce-castle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>this link</b></a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM9HZq545QSN0VDE0ukmBUmOJbx75KWyLR4Iw2QAASyjJGrc9Y-byT_mrgm5Hti-yRCjI2ArqaIknKX06cjA6fmvZw6CT1_z7yYlMmeuVSxA5_iZqjVOhssM7cg3bp4dUquvMryL9ZHvt8JXcLfkqxEkgLRLWAFkcOSuoFxJOQDkeJN5NCV6zWh5A4_GW/s3866/20231026_125919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="3866" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM9HZq545QSN0VDE0ukmBUmOJbx75KWyLR4Iw2QAASyjJGrc9Y-byT_mrgm5Hti-yRCjI2ArqaIknKX06cjA6fmvZw6CT1_z7yYlMmeuVSxA5_iZqjVOhssM7cg3bp4dUquvMryL9ZHvt8JXcLfkqxEkgLRLWAFkcOSuoFxJOQDkeJN5NCV6zWh5A4_GW/w640-h480/20231026_125919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking toward the opposite view of the castle, towards County Donegal in the distance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0q2-obwaVHC027wjkmapBkZxwReQoGoW9mt2ekoKlvESw0hqxo0dPBf3ujJjLuxqyWr18vxgPK-eXblY4vXDcIMF8BjwDZ2EaOJcv9dWailZxjiD-BM18OHcyY0UJJ9t6oXIYoIx4sDNMAofjpJIyYscuD_5pIkBr5ogvit3ooNdGaXi-Uwg23jOWuGY/s2046/20231026_131516-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0q2-obwaVHC027wjkmapBkZxwReQoGoW9mt2ekoKlvESw0hqxo0dPBf3ujJjLuxqyWr18vxgPK-eXblY4vXDcIMF8BjwDZ2EaOJcv9dWailZxjiD-BM18OHcyY0UJJ9t6oXIYoIx4sDNMAofjpJIyYscuD_5pIkBr5ogvit3ooNdGaXi-Uwg23jOWuGY/w640-h640/20231026_131516-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour's next stop and my next blog post, is the Giant's Causeway, which is one of the world's most unusual places!</span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; 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font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Critters,</a> <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-23988750564343750462024-02-25T21:21:00.002-05:002024-03-03T21:57:09.775-05:00A Science and Culture Celebration Day at the Colorado Capitol<div class="separator"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB8_bN-NmU1XIJ_AsT0NUOQ0evRfju9ETiPml8eROu1QqfgiaaKYSAqsft0b8YI1ESQAHOzEhsl6qFeJJsKLz7TFjl0IH3g9aoJsVLONbRcLJr8A6A0MKKV7KsM-O0gyeHA_qS8KWT3yB3ALZB8n4dMHqe6dbUCMWaFfs3GDNlLEAvAP50WSLc7AHogDQ/s2247/20240221_095703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2247" data-original-width="2138" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB8_bN-NmU1XIJ_AsT0NUOQ0evRfju9ETiPml8eROu1QqfgiaaKYSAqsft0b8YI1ESQAHOzEhsl6qFeJJsKLz7TFjl0IH3g9aoJsVLONbRcLJr8A6A0MKKV7KsM-O0gyeHA_qS8KWT3yB3ALZB8n4dMHqe6dbUCMWaFfs3GDNlLEAvAP50WSLc7AHogDQ/w608-h640/20240221_095703.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week, on a bright blue sky day, my husband and I drove to Denver, Colorado, to attend the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District --known as <b><a href="https://scfd.org/organization/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SCFD</a></b>--2024 Celebration of "Culture For All" event being held on the first floor of the Colorado State Capitol building.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The SCFD is a seven-county tax district created and approved by Colorado’s General Assembly, and renewed by voters multiple times over more than 30 years. It is the second-largest cultural funding mechanism in the United States. We fund nearly 300 organizations across our front-range urban corridor, distributing more than $60 million annually.<br /> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can read more about the SCFD on <b><a href="https://scfd.org/who-we-are/about-us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b> and see a list of the many organizations it supports on <a href="https://scfd.org/organization/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>this link</b></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AkX-58MqUwA4cC0Qxu-J4jsie7-yR1hNAipR_mGCxdzkFqCqc2tioml7Yz8MtwMyahTUIvIsDwYL0rD1-pRBCvrPvPWnhuT5rH2PeZkq7Iat7rEF5SZcg3hNcM_IXz039jOidfh7UWkpQtFoff_XbVg3Y-2z5rbu2oaZC5vCWB9joC3o8rHo4ZgFOa8F/s3487/20240221_100154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3487" data-original-width="2870" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AkX-58MqUwA4cC0Qxu-J4jsie7-yR1hNAipR_mGCxdzkFqCqc2tioml7Yz8MtwMyahTUIvIsDwYL0rD1-pRBCvrPvPWnhuT5rH2PeZkq7Iat7rEF5SZcg3hNcM_IXz039jOidfh7UWkpQtFoff_XbVg3Y-2z5rbu2oaZC5vCWB9joC3o8rHo4ZgFOa8F/w526-h640/20240221_100154.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">In our invitations, we were told we would "experience interactive exhibits on the first floor of the Capitol hosted by a selection of our funded partners, including Mr. Bones from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Filipino American Community of Colorado, HawkQuest, Mudra Dance, and the Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum," and that "pastries and beverages will be provided!" How could we resist this fun opportunity?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUOze25teSeRxIpI6-qBSj7D_wgi4N4xAVEqICgKl9ZDVLjOceIg5-r18tVxVloqUigxAhGCIipUWwqEWw2m0Bna0QfzRs1LOEz8N-D6b8oARKOb8-TH258YHvg19s38zFRPtxAYhpFWGec_UlJWPD57G-SDdm6xQaRCRItf2mNP0Vd9v5laH-eEF2p44/s2046/20240221_101023-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUOze25teSeRxIpI6-qBSj7D_wgi4N4xAVEqICgKl9ZDVLjOceIg5-r18tVxVloqUigxAhGCIipUWwqEWw2m0Bna0QfzRs1LOEz8N-D6b8oARKOb8-TH258YHvg19s38zFRPtxAYhpFWGec_UlJWPD57G-SDdm6xQaRCRItf2mNP0Vd9v5laH-eEF2p44/w640-h480/20240221_101023-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was greeted by the big SCFD mascot bear and we were given a bag to hold all the information handouts that the organizations present that day would be handing out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FFhRWsxfPpRTa7MJupLtDbKzQ_wkLEnmd_QncnM9JaIVoD3DHugZMOzaDeo_x6LWozKPP3smvKvK6ht9vRpU4kexuK0Ftg7JjeOsyf4jMIiPbqGqtT1Sa_RG02UNen1EITSzcn-OQENdKD8GwXkC1GXumKWuuFTTPv6gY3SS5-12rPOyTaPAZOuIrt_Y/s2046/20240221_101007-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FFhRWsxfPpRTa7MJupLtDbKzQ_wkLEnmd_QncnM9JaIVoD3DHugZMOzaDeo_x6LWozKPP3smvKvK6ht9vRpU4kexuK0Ftg7JjeOsyf4jMIiPbqGqtT1Sa_RG02UNen1EITSzcn-OQENdKD8GwXkC1GXumKWuuFTTPv6gY3SS5-12rPOyTaPAZOuIrt_Y/w480-h640/20240221_101007-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was hard to miss "Mr. Bones" sponsored by the <a href="https://www.dmns.org/" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Denver Museum of Nature and Science</a>, which was actually a man wearing a dinosaur costume. The schoolchildren who were visiting that day were excited to see him!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O6cRA-g3joNcsVca9pD6e9sHXjdBxlwkS2Dlx5uO_id-OJijpp2vJbIG4c69SmocYOhFN8-Q_s-n0iyLMNrc1l5oCGwJ2Mv1wlQKdN0rI5r0BfLzTY0aVCjbTRo1jDDOStQ6iVMWaUSQ8NVsIroyeSVV1yHdmlEJsTwwvjnE1KQ_XHJzHdjjfH_AJn56/s2237/20240221_102239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2237" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O6cRA-g3joNcsVca9pD6e9sHXjdBxlwkS2Dlx5uO_id-OJijpp2vJbIG4c69SmocYOhFN8-Q_s-n0iyLMNrc1l5oCGwJ2Mv1wlQKdN0rI5r0BfLzTY0aVCjbTRo1jDDOStQ6iVMWaUSQ8NVsIroyeSVV1yHdmlEJsTwwvjnE1KQ_XHJzHdjjfH_AJn56/w640-h580/20240221_102239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We then went around the room to visit all the booths. The first stop was at the </span><b><a href="https://philamsocietyofcolorado.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Philippine-American Society of Colorado.</span></a></b></div></div><span style="font-size: large;">"The Philippine American Society of Colorado is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating, preserving, promoting, and sharing the Philippine culture and heritage through educational and cultural opportunities that would enrich and enhance the lives of its members and the people of Colorado." They host <b><a href="https://philamsocietyofcolorado.org/upcoming-events/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">multiple events</a></b> during the year and have a choir and dance troupe.</span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPnwtcx6rOmAfgRk8g3oocKaPC2BLvysliphYSaNkRzqTt7JzPjsQ-m9oG1PA2RgIkGotVc2TdZyfEsK9jkjAH2G1ggpM-eN3wsb0uPabDjz1L9IYLD0_TSDfvlzJGm2VE13PjmlMG16s5PvhibNJHL0DavG_lZBbbzkD6AL1h6beIstcvhEjyWSozzWK/s2046/20240221_101318-COLLAGE-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPnwtcx6rOmAfgRk8g3oocKaPC2BLvysliphYSaNkRzqTt7JzPjsQ-m9oG1PA2RgIkGotVc2TdZyfEsK9jkjAH2G1ggpM-eN3wsb0uPabDjz1L9IYLD0_TSDfvlzJGm2VE13PjmlMG16s5PvhibNJHL0DavG_lZBbbzkD6AL1h6beIstcvhEjyWSozzWK/w480-h640/20240221_101318-COLLAGE-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next, we stopped at the <b><a href="https://butterflies.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Butterfly Pavillion</a></b> booth. The Butterfly Pavillion has been a favorite place to take our grandchildren over the years. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>You can read prior blog posts I wrote about those visits--</span><b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2020/05/butterfly-pavilion.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b><span>-- and </span><b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-butterfly-pavillion.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here.</a> </b><span>The famous "Rosie the Tarantula" was in attendance and my husband was brave enough to hold her this time! I opted to just take photos with my cell phone. We were excited to learn that a new larger Butterfly Pavillion is in the works with fundraising still going on--<b><a href="https://emerge.butterflies.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a></b> to read more about that.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z_VwsObrGBZwB54BMJj8jqzyhzNsRFUkUJpWb2CyU4ebz6fkCeLGt2O23n7OcT3BqfplhbRXUhwHCM6wpNIxzuziFLHySHHRIHP38kPVTv-M8H2JTia789UQAW0CAbVgcAnmm8ZXCc9nt7smvDru0I6kjYn21FAWozMfpWJuPyD6cYrofMEWMDylOXS8/s3909/20240221_100454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3909" data-original-width="2932" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z_VwsObrGBZwB54BMJj8jqzyhzNsRFUkUJpWb2CyU4ebz6fkCeLGt2O23n7OcT3BqfplhbRXUhwHCM6wpNIxzuziFLHySHHRIHP38kPVTv-M8H2JTia789UQAW0CAbVgcAnmm8ZXCc9nt7smvDru0I6kjYn21FAWozMfpWJuPyD6cYrofMEWMDylOXS8/w480-h640/20240221_100454.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next booth was <b><a href="https://www.hawkquest.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HawkQuest</a></b>. </span> <span style="font-size: large;">HawkQuest's approach to education in classrooms and lecture halls is participatory, allowing the audience to experience <a href="https://www.hawkquest.org/HawkQuest_Learning_Center_Raptors_of_HawkQuest.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>HawkQuest's eagles, owls, falcons, and hawks</b></a> at close range. They do not have a facility to visit, but bring the raptors to events.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Information from their website:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">"HawkQuest offers four distinct outreach programs, plus booth appearances and special events. We bring live birds of prey to people of all ages, from preschool children to senior citizens. We strive to impress upon our audiences the importance of preserving ecosystems and the wildlife that depend on them. Through understanding the world around them, diverse populations will appreciate that they can influence the environment positively."</span></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BbkDPp20rX63XoVoMwEEiR_2xUJumIPWzDncEfd43-5FbmKRhUqPzrBGXGJ147npznmabyUnPmlbiYtmY96BWAHwo07ZAeJrYymFY5OFblDIJCZVOOmxPOM7QGk2cfOcA0h5sZpQ_FyY7nBMyCs5ONR77VpMTtNahXPgEIRPpULqyJ4D8dl0JRV5Ft_/s1616/20240221_100444-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1616" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BbkDPp20rX63XoVoMwEEiR_2xUJumIPWzDncEfd43-5FbmKRhUqPzrBGXGJ147npznmabyUnPmlbiYtmY96BWAHwo07ZAeJrYymFY5OFblDIJCZVOOmxPOM7QGk2cfOcA0h5sZpQ_FyY7nBMyCs5ONR77VpMTtNahXPgEIRPpULqyJ4D8dl0JRV5Ft_/w640-h640/20240221_100444-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Volunteers displayed the birds on their arms and told us some of the <b><a href="https://www.hawkquest.org/HawkQuest%20-%20Learning_Center_Raptor_Facts.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fascinating facts</a></b> about the raptors found in Colorado.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RT9Zexs8emZk3QNmTmlPtppwA5ZCR9267IAQuB4d68doQqiXtyZFFI-HIm2D0fN74_4HbUNlJl7qWud77cW-141EBaXI8mPSROOXyC5zIOZskYLOYNJXO1i0ggW3mgA7yUPE6Qn3vHbfcZ8BUfTO0Lgb8C3wyEfrv4EMD7UGkqsF-zZlX8NfHit2uiit/s2046/20240221_102606-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RT9Zexs8emZk3QNmTmlPtppwA5ZCR9267IAQuB4d68doQqiXtyZFFI-HIm2D0fN74_4HbUNlJl7qWud77cW-141EBaXI8mPSROOXyC5zIOZskYLOYNJXO1i0ggW3mgA7yUPE6Qn3vHbfcZ8BUfTO0Lgb8C3wyEfrv4EMD7UGkqsF-zZlX8NfHit2uiit/w640-h640/20240221_102606-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We saw a wonderful HawkQuest presentation at an outdoor Buffalo Bill Day fair in Golden, Colorado-<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2022/08/hawkquest-in-golden-colorado.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">-click here</a></b>--to see that blog post.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxu_-nBZ0FGuT5UiLZlhf1-8nx9GzdIcXjFs_InC-oxvhiizXdcyG3oKdU5jidxxJf43T1KCyk5Z9nDx9hRT61MBI3wcJQaooJpjUPMJQi4INxHpcHLXptAZoJwQ8i9V9tZNvawyHtx6zcjALPWRdkg79dYExKz5yO7IzTdgSNyWK4A7K_mS2jWYU6uxB/s2966/20240221_102743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1868" data-original-width="2966" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxu_-nBZ0FGuT5UiLZlhf1-8nx9GzdIcXjFs_InC-oxvhiizXdcyG3oKdU5jidxxJf43T1KCyk5Z9nDx9hRT61MBI3wcJQaooJpjUPMJQi4INxHpcHLXptAZoJwQ8i9V9tZNvawyHtx6zcjALPWRdkg79dYExKz5yO7IzTdgSNyWK4A7K_mS2jWYU6uxB/w640-h404/20240221_102743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An interesting part of the HawkQuest display!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-DN8Da_1IF8F5ZXoqXhLgVEdBDab5-whDaHKbjlkoqcmoYggvYjCmM_Ukwawt-G8pCqp8a3uPbyfgGwcDylHf195vXvor3mdeDYK-pdKchT071MK_-TeERgYG6R0NTjPlpKMPuhvnjzqx2W1P1o7mtiaiETizzN7GMRheWTpfbZUqPSB0BwZJzIRFHr1/s2046/20240221_101216-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-DN8Da_1IF8F5ZXoqXhLgVEdBDab5-whDaHKbjlkoqcmoYggvYjCmM_Ukwawt-G8pCqp8a3uPbyfgGwcDylHf195vXvor3mdeDYK-pdKchT071MK_-TeERgYG6R0NTjPlpKMPuhvnjzqx2W1P1o7mtiaiETizzN7GMRheWTpfbZUqPSB0BwZJzIRFHr1/w640-h480/20240221_101216-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next, we visited the wonderful <b><a href="http://www.broomfieldveterans.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Broomfield Veterans Museum</a></b> exhibit. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Information from their website:</span></div></div></div><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">"The Broomfield Veterans Museum honors local veterans of all the United States conflicts and peacekeeping efforts, from the Civil War to the present, from all branches of service. The museum not only shares the stories of Colorado veterans, but it is also a center for veterans to connect, students to learn about our nation’s history, groups to explore the rotating exhibits, and families to honor their loved ones who served in the military.<br />The museum houses nine rooms of exhibits, a library with over 3,000 history/military books and hundreds of archived videos of veteran interviews, and a multimedia room that seats over 40. The museum is free and open to the public and offers docent-guided or self-guided tours, and, twice a month, a presentation called Coffee and Conversation, where you can hear fascinating stories from local veterans and historians."</span><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We definitely hope to visit this museum one day soon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoTcaaSmEayJX1dGPwn7UqXeF9oiL-QovFghxDVZJq0d61ESEFaX9Cx24h_LK9QvcBHqmwO6J544ULKU4T0lJ4sLDQ4vsRhlStojtyfywLG7hhaHg9zSEyj3ti7-jttUcUMHIgaQtV8uuJw-ahYk1cmwo0VQI3BThwXfvwBCZIqoofw94NZbD9-h8YHFC/s3854/20240221_101646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2609" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoTcaaSmEayJX1dGPwn7UqXeF9oiL-QovFghxDVZJq0d61ESEFaX9Cx24h_LK9QvcBHqmwO6J544ULKU4T0lJ4sLDQ4vsRhlStojtyfywLG7hhaHg9zSEyj3ti7-jttUcUMHIgaQtV8uuJw-ahYk1cmwo0VQI3BThwXfvwBCZIqoofw94NZbD9-h8YHFC/w434-h640/20240221_101646.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The last booth display was for the <a href="https://mudradancestudio.us/" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Mudra Dance Studio</a> located in Cenntenial, Colorado. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mudra celebrates East Indian cultural diversity using the medium of dance and music.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Information from their website:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote> Our students learn the beautiful rhythmic movement of the North Indian classical dance “Kathak” (dancing a story) with folk and modern elements. Their performance group performs all around Colorado, extending to other states and countries as well, and is available for hire for dance performances, cultural events, private, and public, and in schools.</blockquote></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">You can see photographs of past dance performances on their website at <b><a href="https://mudradancestudio.us/photography/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b>. I gave them my name and e-mail address to be notified of their next dance performance.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHW3OxuUXO1LllTNSYFLhDJ8i5efz6m9qf_W9BLBBYVAxCZp8HDQBf2VhU8z4QR3kUnNBcMuGrgOpokPUSz11aycIrAMZQwbs6QDaljIFmYwHeRMUq7wyjir8PJthalqTChyphenhyphenUp7sXZYn3TVlckir3H5oRkzvxKi0L8V_lanMx8Qeq5IkBJ-j7s5n9suQT/s2046/20240221_102051-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHW3OxuUXO1LllTNSYFLhDJ8i5efz6m9qf_W9BLBBYVAxCZp8HDQBf2VhU8z4QR3kUnNBcMuGrgOpokPUSz11aycIrAMZQwbs6QDaljIFmYwHeRMUq7wyjir8PJthalqTChyphenhyphenUp7sXZYn3TVlckir3H5oRkzvxKi0L8V_lanMx8Qeq5IkBJ-j7s5n9suQT/w640-h640/20240221_102051-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The <b><a href="https://capitol.colorado.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colorado State Capitol</a></b> is a beautiful building! I could not resist taking some photos of it as we walked around the SCFD celebration. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We have visited the capitol before on free tours and I blogged about an exclusive guided tour we were able to take a few years ago where we were able to visit the entire building including the very top of the dome, which you can read on</span><b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2018/06/colorado-state-capitol-tour.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> this blog link</a></b><span>.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnUcR_2KPvtGFmihY_OeY4Kzyr6DbhswZgR6hkcIs9xhtBO422gobM8SgH8GOqGHJhD7WCzvar_63S76uOhAsMbXk2jCHFkukW7KHfuIe0bY8orhhyNI7ibIYebRGj4lbVV95iNZFqKyKNRe1ZibLzThg3q-MB27WOcz8cgDUtanB4ChAMoL14nhpFoPR/s2046/20240221_101546-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnUcR_2KPvtGFmihY_OeY4Kzyr6DbhswZgR6hkcIs9xhtBO422gobM8SgH8GOqGHJhD7WCzvar_63S76uOhAsMbXk2jCHFkukW7KHfuIe0bY8orhhyNI7ibIYebRGj4lbVV95iNZFqKyKNRe1ZibLzThg3q-MB27WOcz8cgDUtanB4ChAMoL14nhpFoPR/w640-h480/20240221_101546-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We enjoyed the refreshments</span><span style="text-align: center;"> available to visitors at the celebration, before leaving the building. We enjoyed the event very much and learned about many new places that we hope to visit and performances to see.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz_6ktEAftcJ7vTXiYQuDdQSrIg3s6SWEFd5Fo0dcnxhdsAX7rLgzTV9Qt9UYFNlvZskzzyQlU78IXHuCSp_I3hm42aU5j7OLGYhVNc3DTQoQuT4r9KB4KxMsr6oZbnhK_03n64u69YbkvdYyxu4BRvhYNm2-oJKg7ee8IwnXW8VtP00oAnCGhU6uObIb/s2046/20240221_104726-COLLAGE-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz_6ktEAftcJ7vTXiYQuDdQSrIg3s6SWEFd5Fo0dcnxhdsAX7rLgzTV9Qt9UYFNlvZskzzyQlU78IXHuCSp_I3hm42aU5j7OLGYhVNc3DTQoQuT4r9KB4KxMsr6oZbnhK_03n64u69YbkvdYyxu4BRvhYNm2-oJKg7ee8IwnXW8VtP00oAnCGhU6uObIb/w640-h640/20240221_104726-COLLAGE-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We also took a brief walk around the outside of the capitol. It's always fun to see the "mile high above sea level" markers on the front steps of 5280 feet (1609 meters), As measurement became more exact over the years the markers' location changed a few steps.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2_RO9C8Kqv2iC3q9lLmmX_bLiURAoXfBv3mcBWQg4qcgIA13SDwTYE53jWsJIE1B3pULoyeYgbh-noPIiKF3TcGMj6WhQELn8GXET3-4bT9nT0CzK0LbCm7jxWf0LXUgYBG2ue59aZn0wXbRSE2GV6swkinsXdhg4FCUqX6blqTBSGAfZOYZmrwQ7_ZY/s2828/20240221_104717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="2828" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2_RO9C8Kqv2iC3q9lLmmX_bLiURAoXfBv3mcBWQg4qcgIA13SDwTYE53jWsJIE1B3pULoyeYgbh-noPIiKF3TcGMj6WhQELn8GXET3-4bT9nT0CzK0LbCm7jxWf0LXUgYBG2ue59aZn0wXbRSE2GV6swkinsXdhg4FCUqX6blqTBSGAfZOYZmrwQ7_ZY/w640-h338/20240221_104717.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A close-up of a marker engraved into the Capitol step</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqNuXaiz6JKz_KbcV7KC4U0f6Sr9zU_H82kK63kaGyrc1iC7fVDyghT3eoN0PihAnLn33_FlGpnS_190YwJIfUjoJgkdnjpgocXI69vPhMx6zcsHb9Gqfe-axGKKGoOrd3luRM9KOEUmDuEc2pIoKHPDpEFGnLo53Q6bHVdcTWuDObhBEjuLI4sALy0qM/s1600/20240221_104853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqNuXaiz6JKz_KbcV7KC4U0f6Sr9zU_H82kK63kaGyrc1iC7fVDyghT3eoN0PihAnLn33_FlGpnS_190YwJIfUjoJgkdnjpgocXI69vPhMx6zcsHb9Gqfe-axGKKGoOrd3luRM9KOEUmDuEc2pIoKHPDpEFGnLo53Q6bHVdcTWuDObhBEjuLI4sALy0qM/w640-h370/20240221_104853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A closeup of the view of snowy 14,130-foot (4,306 meters) <b><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28508" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mount Blue Sky</a></b> in the distance (formerly known as Mount Evans). The Mount Blue Scenic Highway is the highest paved road in America to the top and is open from late spring to early fall. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OWjwC9bd65TQCa8uov2cPEoFDVkUJRUaY3q3OPWVX9E1gOxwyhZreKDqm7XDd8tiz3eZvUslP8Pw-1PmH-8I66nc687aBZ5usHayAxvePB2NNAKAKQURRZeP-sRre36ky2VurhaKA0BYwLyuLYGPPagNm0rhV0h7hQeMtME3cI67OOel2qn8Pu7aiscM/s2507/20240221_105302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2507" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OWjwC9bd65TQCa8uov2cPEoFDVkUJRUaY3q3OPWVX9E1gOxwyhZreKDqm7XDd8tiz3eZvUslP8Pw-1PmH-8I66nc687aBZ5usHayAxvePB2NNAKAKQURRZeP-sRre36ky2VurhaKA0BYwLyuLYGPPagNm0rhV0h7hQeMtME3cI67OOel2qn8Pu7aiscM/w640-h544/20240221_105302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The SCFD Celebration at the Colorado State Capitol event was a fun event to attend and to learn about some of the 300 organizations in the seven counties of Colorado that it supports. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some organizations are free every day such as <b><a href="http://www.broomfieldveterans.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Broomfield Veterans Museum</a>, <a href="https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Arts-and-Culture/Exhibitions-and-Public-Art" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City of Lakewood Art Exhibitions</a>, <a href="https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Arts-and-Culture/Heritage-Lakewood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park</a>, <a href="https://www.foothillsartcenter.org/visit" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Foothills Art Center</a>, <a href="https://cmhof.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colorado Music Hall of Fame</a>, <a href="https://www.auroragov.org/things_to_do/aurora_history_museum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Aurora History Museum,</a> <a href="https://depotartgallery.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Depot Art Gallery, </a></b>and <a href="https://www.louisvilleco.gov/exploring-louisville/historical-museum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Louisville History Museum</b></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Other Organizations from across the metro area, such as the <a href="https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Denver Art Museum</b></a>, the<b> <a href="https://denverzoo.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Denver Zoo</a></b>, the <b><a href="https://www.dmns.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Museum of Nature and Science</a></b>, the <b><a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Denver Botanic Gardens</a></b>, and the <b><a href="https://www.denvercenter.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Denver Center for Performing Arts</a>, </b>also provide hundreds of free days and free programs each year made possible, in part, by funding from SCFD.-- the dates for those free days in 2024 are on this printable free day <a href="https://scfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-Free-Days-Bookmark-updated-11.15.23pdf-1.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>updated bookmark</b></a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is so much to see and do in Colorado!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Critters,</a> <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-44400306958188982412024-02-18T23:25:00.001-05:002024-02-18T23:28:11.994-05:00Derry, Northern Ireland<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhu4oR7FBHq4Zj5Tjeu7gLb2vPjXQr695NLfpDNTIXOqZCHCrNJTDUpX4rZXVIIFaW9kDGXeTKzOm7FN35cP7jR0HHWG1P5QBhmYTef_zlBalxm-CYwhmwn1F7Azwq_7lboMdTRTbrIsd9kjkVhzvudLgmAprM-x6mosN_H-62hoUKK6iuHDfkd_IbfPT/s2047/20231026_091319-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhu4oR7FBHq4Zj5Tjeu7gLb2vPjXQr695NLfpDNTIXOqZCHCrNJTDUpX4rZXVIIFaW9kDGXeTKzOm7FN35cP7jR0HHWG1P5QBhmYTef_zlBalxm-CYwhmwn1F7Azwq_7lboMdTRTbrIsd9kjkVhzvudLgmAprM-x6mosN_H-62hoUKK6iuHDfkd_IbfPT/w640-h640/20231026_091319-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Our bus tour of Ireland left <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2024/02/galway-ireland-along-wild-atlantic-way.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Galway</a></b>, and headed towards a stop in Northern Ireland, called <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Derry, officially Londonderry.</a></b> It is the largest city in County Londonderry, the second-largest in Northern Ireland, and the fifth-largest on the island of Ireland. The old walled city lies on the west bank of the River Foyle, which is spanned by two road bridges and one footbridge. The city now covers both banks.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWTUG_jBW1Ofn_aDrH0muwRcGk3pcSv3W6VCljCwPJZoQXU-K3OHeXAHLtiZbgRMJPmctnVHe-AWXdGGGWpbB7judk7aWGVHYI2C2c2QtJ9E6NoUjcxe69jIwy0PpkHJsHGalWVOD8vBX0AOzdk2uwF-rXPhPkao73hYvyH9BNCeeu2NfhxxI4cewO3AA/s2046/20231026_112830-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWTUG_jBW1Ofn_aDrH0muwRcGk3pcSv3W6VCljCwPJZoQXU-K3OHeXAHLtiZbgRMJPmctnVHe-AWXdGGGWpbB7judk7aWGVHYI2C2c2QtJ9E6NoUjcxe69jIwy0PpkHJsHGalWVOD8vBX0AOzdk2uwF-rXPhPkao73hYvyH9BNCeeu2NfhxxI4cewO3AA/w640-h480/20231026_112830-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Derry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe. The walls constitute the largest monument in State care in Northern Ireland and, as part of the last walled city to be built in Europe, stand as the most complete and spectacular. The Walls were built in 1613–1619 by <b><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Honourable_The_Irish_Society" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Honourable The Irish Society</a> </b>as defenses for early 17th-century settlers from England and Scotland. The Walls, which are approximately one mile (1.5 kilometers) in circumference and vary in height and width between 12 and 35 feet (3.7 and 10.7 meters), are completely intact and form a walkway around the inner city.</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL-h3-VnX6jxRuFQyAeo5CsfQUqLCHAB1GWn86cjdq1aRsmhbeVpJW1mMlFM2ck_CQ5yUOd-iYiXmu9NjRcGFsR2pa1AkQ166P3BOmqJ_i_Jq95HKUqGpGjuICa9yyfCuPJ5kwmGs6bvUP6iEk6OWPeAl0VhDxYHt51_-GMqnbzKyuTeDH614GTeR8lGf/s2046/20231026_100459-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL-h3-VnX6jxRuFQyAeo5CsfQUqLCHAB1GWn86cjdq1aRsmhbeVpJW1mMlFM2ck_CQ5yUOd-iYiXmu9NjRcGFsR2pa1AkQ166P3BOmqJ_i_Jq95HKUqGpGjuICa9yyfCuPJ5kwmGs6bvUP6iEk6OWPeAl0VhDxYHt51_-GMqnbzKyuTeDH614GTeR8lGf/w640-h640/20231026_100459-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was a beautiful autumn day in late October as we drove into the city of Derry on our tour bus and we soon passed some of the building murals about the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Irish Troubles</a></b>--political and nationalistic conflicts that occurred between 1960 and 1998 in parts of Northern Ireland. More about the murals later in this post.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVuScUy8zIvkkiJOHmFb_C3kkIlzjwf9BiavNkdy8f92L_Rv8DDKbxp_3xllndEj6anG_LzJrUsBd3spQfESaPq4kpztdwSNRSZLdlfRbmOYd3dopg695NcE3_XVx0J1UoI1XlchGUeKpZ7jbp9SZZkWE7SVJkl5iR7yNd3Y8HZRl3Nc6LYXq2TAxxoeO/s2437/20231026_100759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2437" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVuScUy8zIvkkiJOHmFb_C3kkIlzjwf9BiavNkdy8f92L_Rv8DDKbxp_3xllndEj6anG_LzJrUsBd3spQfESaPq4kpztdwSNRSZLdlfRbmOYd3dopg695NcE3_XVx0J1UoI1XlchGUeKpZ7jbp9SZZkWE7SVJkl5iR7yNd3Y8HZRl3Nc6LYXq2TAxxoeO/w640-h532/20231026_100759.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour bus parked at the historic <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildhall,_Derry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guildhall</a></b> building, in which the elected members of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry_City_and_Strabane_District_Council">Derry City and Strabane District Council</a> </b>meet. <br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA5kakdskasP1tsRBkMY4BLv220lbllifoLa3USkwzkZaSj0bWPk_rhOuwd3Stqnh57xVRWmyn3Z26FkxPDtD9wip3cAnjAMWSofmqBKgjPnnKuIIFTflj5EkITAT6rozuPDQQtB1KGCFuTW7tbdJbUJ95ECEI3KZ4No5UZfgFJ2KpAbUGC4yAupHtRAB/s2046/20231026_102321-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA5kakdskasP1tsRBkMY4BLv220lbllifoLa3USkwzkZaSj0bWPk_rhOuwd3Stqnh57xVRWmyn3Z26FkxPDtD9wip3cAnjAMWSofmqBKgjPnnKuIIFTflj5EkITAT6rozuPDQQtB1KGCFuTW7tbdJbUJ95ECEI3KZ4No5UZfgFJ2KpAbUGC4yAupHtRAB/w640-h640/20231026_102321-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">During the visit, we were able to use the bathrooms inside and browse the exhibits on display. The building's stained glass windows were beautiful!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErDyTslv4ahyNufAjcndOtpcI9tzqnHpAVZBVbOXkAwboWTUsW6ArnfVlNgH53BMPqy5ZBAR884PY9s8vQzfoQjkRi6qmz-acSY7dtA7XAHS0VoMOdpiFI8vzW_Xmq29k4exthI1duf66zzV10qoa0H0ZCyR8vSI1XN09HvXds8whyphenhyphenEuKBwhLIP3uuS9u/s2046/20231026_102413-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErDyTslv4ahyNufAjcndOtpcI9tzqnHpAVZBVbOXkAwboWTUsW6ArnfVlNgH53BMPqy5ZBAR884PY9s8vQzfoQjkRi6qmz-acSY7dtA7XAHS0VoMOdpiFI8vzW_Xmq29k4exthI1duf66zzV10qoa0H0ZCyR8vSI1XN09HvXds8whyphenhyphenEuKBwhLIP3uuS9u/w480-h640/20231026_102413-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the photo to enlarge it to see more detail.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was particularly impressed with a quilt that was hanging on the wall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98_V8l7J7aNS8IH8kAEMaauLbp0wiy86ui7ttPXRWj2pPVDTv0tWAJePLbCD9CbMHO37D2dxZmR3VHfm33rCemH5M54NFUMsUGJ2SAhyphenhyphenxEy8xGkt9zHaphfG2vhTgwRL88MqnhNYexlS7ZOiLtzwhgqnYNorbiWhyDabMiMI6I8uO9IMGokzbLIODtDQb/s2302/20231026_105803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="2302" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98_V8l7J7aNS8IH8kAEMaauLbp0wiy86ui7ttPXRWj2pPVDTv0tWAJePLbCD9CbMHO37D2dxZmR3VHfm33rCemH5M54NFUMsUGJ2SAhyphenhyphenxEy8xGkt9zHaphfG2vhTgwRL88MqnhNYexlS7ZOiLtzwhgqnYNorbiWhyDabMiMI6I8uO9IMGokzbLIODtDQb/w640-h428/20231026_105803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a few hours of free time to walk around on our own, so my husband and I headed over to the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogside" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bogside neighborhood</a></b> of Derry to see some of the murals we passed on our way into the city. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click twice on the photo collage above to enlarge it to full size to see more detail about the neighborhood where the majority of the murals are located </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60qQQcCKA5PIfdjrtD5rm23S8Uv37B__YqA8xeLbMaKzkdP5J-reEqO_ixsJOepKaa3rcTBbC7aNYua_N2IXV11hyZP9MkHxXJ2NQ1NFnevv6kbCcn8imhKWthW7w8BRYamheks-ev-TyeBL-f2Yo1rSsVUHLEA-gkA1VmrIJfZAACTbHc1WysXB_Msxs/s3441/20231026_104437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3441" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60qQQcCKA5PIfdjrtD5rm23S8Uv37B__YqA8xeLbMaKzkdP5J-reEqO_ixsJOepKaa3rcTBbC7aNYua_N2IXV11hyZP9MkHxXJ2NQ1NFnevv6kbCcn8imhKWthW7w8BRYamheks-ev-TyeBL-f2Yo1rSsVUHLEA-gkA1VmrIJfZAACTbHc1WysXB_Msxs/w558-h640/20231026_104437.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Bloody Sunday Memorial.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Bloody-Sunday-Northern-Ireland-1972" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bloody Sunday</a></b>, demonstration in Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland, on Sunday, January 30, 1972, by Roman Catholic civil rights supporters that turned violent when British paratroopers opened fire, killing 13 and injuring 14 others (one of the injured later died).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrzMUfO6CQchvo3L3TEJE_axBZ8MZkfovhK_74YrD-HQfY8p_FIaFaE1XTTNU7G1-tbdab2SXVJ1hitjZjA1IMKJzRMyIE3oaXTd8_0eV5UHc20JI3DxK0m7DLaqSkRUM7FBVZacwRWzdNimWxij2Ui9CVkAlpfKBDgb9l4GngxZyhBhCLmqCszd1G1Ro/s3519/20231026_104452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="3519" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrzMUfO6CQchvo3L3TEJE_axBZ8MZkfovhK_74YrD-HQfY8p_FIaFaE1XTTNU7G1-tbdab2SXVJ1hitjZjA1IMKJzRMyIE3oaXTd8_0eV5UHc20JI3DxK0m7DLaqSkRUM7FBVZacwRWzdNimWxij2Ui9CVkAlpfKBDgb9l4GngxZyhBhCLmqCszd1G1Ro/w640-h276/20231026_104452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Please click on the photo above to read the placards in front of the Bloody Sunday Memorial to read more about what happened that sad day.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFfhhs2afxmg4KEPUeUNJ35hil3eQ7ObpUhoPREUSnQqYOP8pfaIsfTvPQ6uZx4wsmug8EvC0sKw9HyLmxj3FW6xOYUbJSEnBaAGp6NRHLA0esFpeIV7G87ioalrwi4pjIiBimITHYbz2bQr4F-xLkTKZCiN5mxavIPSFCDXYXP-zeyrGyP29aSAdB8fG/s2047/20231026_105240-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFfhhs2afxmg4KEPUeUNJ35hil3eQ7ObpUhoPREUSnQqYOP8pfaIsfTvPQ6uZx4wsmug8EvC0sKw9HyLmxj3FW6xOYUbJSEnBaAGp6NRHLA0esFpeIV7G87ioalrwi4pjIiBimITHYbz2bQr4F-xLkTKZCiN5mxavIPSFCDXYXP-zeyrGyP29aSAdB8fG/w640-h640/20231026_105240-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a prior visit to Northern Ireland in 2011 I took a "Troubles" bus tour of Belfast --the capital of Northern Ireland --<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2011/05/troubles.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here-- </a></b>to read that blog post, and I was even more impressed with the amount of murals about the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles_in_Derry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Troubles in Derry</a></b>. Belfast and Derry contain arguably the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murals_in_Northern_Ireland" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">most famous political murals</a></b> in Europe It is believed that almost 2,000 murals have been documented since the 1970s.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXDEFV1EoURmGCT-qth72FfA_8RxptxvUcOv78G6yZ2qYrSUi4xwfzRSnJQPI4NRlRX3_IJpysIMIqUOoauLVRMtP5Wc6POZ8sxOUFCKk3bRtq287hyphenhyphenx309cNXBGEGjIb2H-YNozBJK9xoxdyHu3DWU_8x6JXRkTkGx75l-9Mf3QDRrW_Bgqm4QaGIm2U/s2047/20231026_104057-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXDEFV1EoURmGCT-qth72FfA_8RxptxvUcOv78G6yZ2qYrSUi4xwfzRSnJQPI4NRlRX3_IJpysIMIqUOoauLVRMtP5Wc6POZ8sxOUFCKk3bRtq287hyphenhyphenx309cNXBGEGjIb2H-YNozBJK9xoxdyHu3DWU_8x6JXRkTkGx75l-9Mf3QDRrW_Bgqm4QaGIm2U/w640-h640/20231026_104057-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Civil rights leaders around the world were also depicted on some of the murals.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocrB157wy_vtRk1hfUz-F9NkZMAoqUhXjA89Q0D__69dHx2usLLvTW-Z4IDMeUQW4-tFvBlpu0Xj4g-lJPXqDmfDhS_jNI1ujcM91od4TkuJMMT6mX6jCiYh60CQJDyeflEZWz2_bbSBQFcQrnk2DTic6IDVjALUWWoTET52r3QtmicaC-2ry4IbY7B-P/s2046/20231026_105120-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocrB157wy_vtRk1hfUz-F9NkZMAoqUhXjA89Q0D__69dHx2usLLvTW-Z4IDMeUQW4-tFvBlpu0Xj4g-lJPXqDmfDhS_jNI1ujcM91od4TkuJMMT6mX6jCiYh60CQJDyeflEZWz2_bbSBQFcQrnk2DTic6IDVjALUWWoTET52r3QtmicaC-2ry4IbY7B-P/w640-h640/20231026_105120-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This touching mural, called "The Death of Innocence,"<span> i</span>s of a 14-year-old student, <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_McGavigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Annette McGavigan</a></b>, who was the 100th victim of the Troubles in Derry.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA2zhy8Lj0gLNk7TyJEkdT81jfUZz9NS8DP9AFh2zo64zfRYEv-yaI67fPd-XcYSgixqIY5LM9qqWaNl2LWcwVY8oaqgBXYyRryWbf8LBVSCdXGgYhKT8P_w0Cx9texrV56l53ZGX8vl_RZkr05YixKoIQw6TvrA3Ear9-Suvit_1Dbn099vqvhHk2bE5/s3611/20231026_110050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3611" data-original-width="2450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA2zhy8Lj0gLNk7TyJEkdT81jfUZz9NS8DP9AFh2zo64zfRYEv-yaI67fPd-XcYSgixqIY5LM9qqWaNl2LWcwVY8oaqgBXYyRryWbf8LBVSCdXGgYhKT8P_w0Cx9texrV56l53ZGX8vl_RZkr05YixKoIQw6TvrA3Ear9-Suvit_1Dbn099vqvhHk2bE5/w434-h640/20231026_110050.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also passed this colorful mural of a dove of peace. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Derry--Londonderry has officially been declared a <b><a href="https://www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">United Nations (UN) International City of Peace.</a></b> The accolade was awarded in recognition of the city and district's transition to peace over the years following Northern Ireland's Troubles.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSicCii9ahcsL2lh2lnN_jY0vMa7yLqnQHAO19g5hWbBrvAwO2niLu1MhpEmqf3OXG0z3c02G51hzLUNtyjAZCatY5MHnupwyGA_TUkql9veD_-gSgHgjmXirYzqSNG2JwxpS5GW906C_S0gVYqsU-8JMUEChUxXK0YFCW4MU9piwUMt_eSZWU7lq5muP-/s1830/20231026_122453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1830" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSicCii9ahcsL2lh2lnN_jY0vMa7yLqnQHAO19g5hWbBrvAwO2niLu1MhpEmqf3OXG0z3c02G51hzLUNtyjAZCatY5MHnupwyGA_TUkql9veD_-gSgHgjmXirYzqSNG2JwxpS5GW906C_S0gVYqsU-8JMUEChUxXK0YFCW4MU9piwUMt_eSZWU7lq5muP-/w640-h430/20231026_122453.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>\</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'll admit when we were back on the tour bus again and passing bright green fields full of grazing cows I breathed a sigh of relief and felt far removed from the reminders of the sad times Ireland has faced in its history. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I wish and pray that the entire world could also solve its continued "Troubles" of war, hatred, and prejudice, and work towards peace for all.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We were now headed for Belfast, Northern Ireland, where we were staying the night and then later the next day taking a ferry to Scotland--see my next post.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Critters,</a> <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-59875164095512660862024-02-12T00:51:00.002-05:002024-02-12T00:53:36.966-05:00Galway, Ireland, along the Wild Atlantic Way<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt74GUU-FKGgwoCQ5N-ST_l7WiP-ryijP-p61tBJz59IDZ0M8U661MDaIJcgzOOQbr_Zxy7eO-2Egm0VhfF_pxeHJKbMb8s1HEvD0FcyBnYtDm4N1cZPjjbslUClRdxtU4TbXX1baOCEia8ujpEFKzdYEwkAWC-ewi9noFp7ywZt5eGCYs074TArnvalD2/s2495/20231025_113902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1823" data-original-width="2495" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt74GUU-FKGgwoCQ5N-ST_l7WiP-ryijP-p61tBJz59IDZ0M8U661MDaIJcgzOOQbr_Zxy7eO-2Egm0VhfF_pxeHJKbMb8s1HEvD0FcyBnYtDm4N1cZPjjbslUClRdxtU4TbXX1baOCEia8ujpEFKzdYEwkAWC-ewi9noFp7ywZt5eGCYs074TArnvalD2/w640-h468/20231025_113902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After departing <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-medieval-banquet-in-limerick-ireland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Limerick, Ireland</a></b>, the "Highlights of Ireland and Scotland" bus tour my husband and I went on in October 2023, continued traveling along the west coast of Ireland on <b><a href="https://www.thewildatlanticway.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Wild Atlantic Way</a>. </b>The Wild Atlantic Way is a road that was officially opened in 2014. The 1,600-mile (2,500 km) driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching from Kinsale, County Cork, in Munster, on the Celtic Sea coast. to County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster. We were on our way north to Galway, where we would make a stop for lunch and sightseeing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGeobZz0D2CaQsWwhU4tYjDgekFDahc9m-cjg4kMNUyGQLdep_YLcOHRjA3qlrFono5OpmpuGntxNW7zoS8FK-gN23_9mu9mEoqXuIE_jlyZY4lo6JGwVI8DJ1IScsb3DMasyOg7_7kiHR6CrfxhOodhJ7B2BYoELSP2dU8qBjF7Pvfl4ABWvfflthyphenhyphenmC/s2046/20231025_131202-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGeobZz0D2CaQsWwhU4tYjDgekFDahc9m-cjg4kMNUyGQLdep_YLcOHRjA3qlrFono5OpmpuGntxNW7zoS8FK-gN23_9mu9mEoqXuIE_jlyZY4lo6JGwVI8DJ1IScsb3DMasyOg7_7kiHR6CrfxhOodhJ7B2BYoELSP2dU8qBjF7Pvfl4ABWvfflthyphenhyphenmC/w480-h640/20231025_131202-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galway" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Galway</a> </b>is a harbor city on Ireland’s west coast, where the River Corrib meets the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Atlantic Ocean. Our tour bus</span><span style="font-size: large;"> stopped in the Latin Quarter of Galway, known for its cafes, pubs, shops, and art galleries.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULllkZiAeu5BbRRmaDeciVRl_yPQeE9U_oF_WwOGm4rclJttCgJ_YPzNshswv9bglv0jtslVGYGeHUCZpygk2nbJcehZHQkV8FJ2nLqQmIzhwVjt_pQMXESGBUoCt8fcWPUEM1cOMKCupD63chOU1B3r0X1-X_oGY2RMbmWc8ckBO17TeMl7VDqvtqFka/s2047/20231025_123327-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULllkZiAeu5BbRRmaDeciVRl_yPQeE9U_oF_WwOGm4rclJttCgJ_YPzNshswv9bglv0jtslVGYGeHUCZpygk2nbJcehZHQkV8FJ2nLqQmIzhwVjt_pQMXESGBUoCt8fcWPUEM1cOMKCupD63chOU1B3r0X1-X_oGY2RMbmWc8ckBO17TeMl7VDqvtqFka/w640-h640/20231025_123327-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We walked around the winding streets, enjoying the views. Galway is known for its vibrant music scene, especially traditional Irish music. It also has the largest <b><a href="https://www.galwaytourism.ie/the-gaeltacht/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gaeltacht</a> </b>(Irish-speaking community) in Ireland.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPBDuakhG5zHKLtgCMtCo9zI5C1eBOIvG-5Po8Rz_nFvFhtIont4Ir9OsodB4qIc1uJY-v2qk4woqbv9058RqHTYYwIRM9ZnU0afigfmWP9LkFLR827xVVBBj-7-H7dGVLNhBJl0o6ueDl8km6JuESNuCwn7ZSjPEchr62JUkBJEZbAMerc0TK0iwM2dZ/s2046/20231025_131056-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPBDuakhG5zHKLtgCMtCo9zI5C1eBOIvG-5Po8Rz_nFvFhtIont4Ir9OsodB4qIc1uJY-v2qk4woqbv9058RqHTYYwIRM9ZnU0afigfmWP9LkFLR827xVVBBj-7-H7dGVLNhBJl0o6ueDl8km6JuESNuCwn7ZSjPEchr62JUkBJEZbAMerc0TK0iwM2dZ/w640-h640/20231025_131056-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Galway is also known for the ancient fishing village of Claddagh which became the birthplace of the Claddagh symbol of a crowned heart being held by two hands. Claddagh is known worldwide thanks to the popularity of the <b><a href="https://www.thecladdagh.com/the-legend-of-the-ring" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Claddagh ring</a></b>. The ring is said to originate from the village over 400 years ago! Traditionally the Claddagh ring was handed down from generation to generation as a wedding ring. Today it is a token of friendship and love. The Claddagh ring has become a symbol of Irish heritage and is much loved for its unique design that is representative of love loyalty and friendship</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyFed5fti7FMttOM1D621okXog7C-oBJ5XbgI8SZFawKMml1suJncFzhIWlYNQn3aGY9RXTI7eiawmZPLdsgxZjO5hRAjNiqJfHgXUQQwkuLgLqPu7Z2L795xhav0vP3IBQxZTrzcvF2MDcm98Y6kqvkD5CietNXZiY4cxiEA1Vt9XEVmtBD4zlHMJdQL/s2047/20231025_131912-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyFed5fti7FMttOM1D621okXog7C-oBJ5XbgI8SZFawKMml1suJncFzhIWlYNQn3aGY9RXTI7eiawmZPLdsgxZjO5hRAjNiqJfHgXUQQwkuLgLqPu7Z2L795xhav0vP3IBQxZTrzcvF2MDcm98Y6kqvkD5CietNXZiY4cxiEA1Vt9XEVmtBD4zlHMJdQL/w640-h640/20231025_131912-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stopped to have a light lunch at <a href="https://www.thekingshead.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>The Kings Head Pub</b></a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The </span>Kings Head is a true piece of living history, as the building itself dates back over 800 years to the 13th Century. We both chose a bowl of fish chowder and had a Murphy's stout.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVrUMPtz_GXDZD31cALOtCNk8KI5P-nBrNWmlcwHpWJmI4-fBWnX6M4VEXnraDOHH-2z4vbW-6XUc2iIEcmli__yJkPstwYkZh0lQh_4qyqdv5_2Ax2jqnrCqxQ-DWQmzhgOegKR12R-mVFRCXfZOmZW9GpSRETAQylUrOj1SUBi0Ijv9jIVYE3sw-iaJ/s2047/20231025_130414-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVrUMPtz_GXDZD31cALOtCNk8KI5P-nBrNWmlcwHpWJmI4-fBWnX6M4VEXnraDOHH-2z4vbW-6XUc2iIEcmli__yJkPstwYkZh0lQh_4qyqdv5_2Ax2jqnrCqxQ-DWQmzhgOegKR12R-mVFRCXfZOmZW9GpSRETAQylUrOj1SUBi0Ijv9jIVYE3sw-iaJ/w640-h640/20231025_130414-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">More scenes from our walk around Galway.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFT3Q9v2PSHTbP4zKAtjGMmemeMV34-RtjC5BWtxQOkUkgDx-Q-vBXTF0l1cG1F4TWQnIRoQOQlDZzSNQCsHwg8Yd0J97nYTgfS2yfBXvjmRgga2Ew7ZnPe_cChzySdhMTwyL3XvrF5r0xYNMK3K7-tsNOrGw04644PNH7v6t_n1eezU_CxUUZA-nuvCz/s2046/20231025_113239-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFT3Q9v2PSHTbP4zKAtjGMmemeMV34-RtjC5BWtxQOkUkgDx-Q-vBXTF0l1cG1F4TWQnIRoQOQlDZzSNQCsHwg8Yd0J97nYTgfS2yfBXvjmRgga2Ew7ZnPe_cChzySdhMTwyL3XvrF5r0xYNMK3K7-tsNOrGw04644PNH7v6t_n1eezU_CxUUZA-nuvCz/w640-h640/20231025_113239-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We returned to our bus and continued on our way along the Wild Atlantic Way towards<b><a href="https://www.sligo.ie/visit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sligo, Ireland</a>, </b>where we would be having dinner at a hotel and staying the night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The town of Sligo, in the north of Ireland, straddles the Garavogue River where it meets Sligo Bay. It’s known for its literary heritage and rugged countryside. Ruined medieval Sligo Abbey has carved tombs and a 15th-century altar. Sligo County Museum displays memorabilia of local poet W.B. Yeats, paintings, and Stone Age artifacts. </span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfBC67KcVwfUbQ2iaGoCs_0mkzzhooOpT-q0ldgM1DkgFhhoMZFPgVV7TtcuztD2_WXBiZ7K6C9vgA-TJRX67YxCcqiTgo0bXs_5rn4ZrPC8vrh72b3-bELvrvSRCYfC8Z6wo0ARD52qPtjM5r8pZVrA7AdyYkQxedaOnVzs6vQKGbDkyE-SuK-yKPZQH/s1964/20231025_115047-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="1964" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfBC67KcVwfUbQ2iaGoCs_0mkzzhooOpT-q0ldgM1DkgFhhoMZFPgVV7TtcuztD2_WXBiZ7K6C9vgA-TJRX67YxCcqiTgo0bXs_5rn4ZrPC8vrh72b3-bELvrvSRCYfC8Z6wo0ARD52qPtjM5r8pZVrA7AdyYkQxedaOnVzs6vQKGbDkyE-SuK-yKPZQH/w640-h640/20231025_115047-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed watching all the beautiful rugged scenery that passed by our bus window.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlSQwPqnzV9ZGEYxxxUcRA5M0Qw-2l4XIpXqus-BfCukOcVD-zamGaG1zjiBHbX3G9shH4xxdq8yiLzj05PQ3qa2ErdYiWrH2E_d8jtMMy7y4to_Skpd9NlrftctCzsNFzEFjtyp2a6RjJQBMPB6_dnpT0XAiZWEAawymzjT4mQjD3obSBDdbJg48_Bwk/s2984/20231025_113602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2786" data-original-width="2984" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlSQwPqnzV9ZGEYxxxUcRA5M0Qw-2l4XIpXqus-BfCukOcVD-zamGaG1zjiBHbX3G9shH4xxdq8yiLzj05PQ3qa2ErdYiWrH2E_d8jtMMy7y4to_Skpd9NlrftctCzsNFzEFjtyp2a6RjJQBMPB6_dnpT0XAiZWEAawymzjT4mQjD3obSBDdbJg48_Bwk/w640-h598/20231025_113602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One of the touching sights we passed was the ruins of abandoned "famine houses." Between 1845-52 Ireland suffered a period of starvation, disease, and emigration that became known as the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Ireland)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Great Famine</a></b>. The potato crop, upon which a third of Ireland's population was dependent for food, was infected by a disease destroying the crop while other crops were shipped to England in disregard to the plight of the starving. Part of my heritage is Irish that immigrated from this area in Ireland and they arrived during the famine years, as did many other refugees from Ireland. Between 1845 and 1855, at least 2.1 million people left Ireland.--it was one of the greatest exodus from a single island in history.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Inst</a></b><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKQeLrMBfqUR0MMjVCF06futapQi1gfeUqAnFKYp2pIDOd7uzj2P1cgq1kcAihP6nx3aKFzer1qLPeHndZdiDPwqwuPMjFHsNvz4CbEdi_jZiZclee8mQC2tXSihKQtJhAcBkYMtrrcQYF0f2QTexsIe5VnWGpI6GTT3R0kz9pn27X4P6F3qr5QoupS5i/s2046/20231024_145254-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKQeLrMBfqUR0MMjVCF06futapQi1gfeUqAnFKYp2pIDOd7uzj2P1cgq1kcAihP6nx3aKFzer1qLPeHndZdiDPwqwuPMjFHsNvz4CbEdi_jZiZclee8mQC2tXSihKQtJhAcBkYMtrrcQYF0f2QTexsIe5VnWGpI6GTT3R0kz9pn27X4P6F3qr5QoupS5i/w640-h480/20231024_145254-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were traveling on the Highlights of Ireland and Scotland bus tour in October and left the charming town of Adare--<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2024/01/thatched-roof-houses-of-adare-ireland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">see prior post</a></b>-- and drove north to <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerick" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Limerick, Ireland</a></b>, where we would be staying for the night. <span style="text-align: center;">Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, after Dublin and Cork, and is located next to the Shannon River. </span> It was founded by Scandinavian settlers in 812, during the Viking Age.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived just in time to settle into our hotel room and then leave for an optional outing to attend a banquet and show at a Medieval-era castle now called <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knappogue_Castle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Knappogue Castle.</a></b><br /></span><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPExFLJ3qzdHl4vtGFx0lwDJr-Xn3GcWZNJocR_ivSR2pmiTPl-zsr8Li6XiEQEWrbYU-GfSv3KVXwg7GYpduzJflN-UxcZjeZsQJx77yyHmr44L8WtwRWMeF-g0tOKoE2zM2g7Sdnu6omkeeWegEJhIbw8npjxdIxriTFUDTb4d0BWq32GnGcS4Fod7gU/s2047/20231024_180856-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPExFLJ3qzdHl4vtGFx0lwDJr-Xn3GcWZNJocR_ivSR2pmiTPl-zsr8Li6XiEQEWrbYU-GfSv3KVXwg7GYpduzJflN-UxcZjeZsQJx77yyHmr44L8WtwRWMeF-g0tOKoE2zM2g7Sdnu6omkeeWegEJhIbw8npjxdIxriTFUDTb4d0BWq32GnGcS4Fod7gU/w640-h640/20231024_180856-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour bus drove through the beautiful pastoral countryside as the sun was beginning to set.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDASToukWmkXdDgaXmRmCXywQaRZ-b1QSXMTEZwSlIwmrvcFs5HdWlEtgAmeg6-V2mlqDE_e3Hua6LA67s7-8FsgTiBV_NZKUQRN6ypKYIEVQesdJG-b4JHCSV7wrB7grngBpogDF5fq1-YXtiG_iYjS5rzjSihoUQJW63iLtkbmEuBj3o-pmSgn9EQN7u/s2046/20231024_182611-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDASToukWmkXdDgaXmRmCXywQaRZ-b1QSXMTEZwSlIwmrvcFs5HdWlEtgAmeg6-V2mlqDE_e3Hua6LA67s7-8FsgTiBV_NZKUQRN6ypKYIEVQesdJG-b4JHCSV7wrB7grngBpogDF5fq1-YXtiG_iYjS5rzjSihoUQJW63iLtkbmEuBj3o-pmSgn9EQN7u/w640-h640/20231024_182611-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at Knappogue Castle and were greeted by some of the actors and actresses who were performing that evening.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinmdYQC1tosI7lfL9_0a1gMQrWMfen9loKutruykf-Rg6UR4SO3C7vUbNWJCU_jVRB46TRLw-5-pnwodYWWm5ySXXRGEE6Dz5X5g1XdEK-E7q5I82dYBOc-Ou-FwtO8zK_3rbPvyXY2blgz6CC-pWo3FLTO4uxJKJEatqriMKvRfjmdhYQBFoooXash6q/s3401/20231024_183316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3401" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinmdYQC1tosI7lfL9_0a1gMQrWMfen9loKutruykf-Rg6UR4SO3C7vUbNWJCU_jVRB46TRLw-5-pnwodYWWm5ySXXRGEE6Dz5X5g1XdEK-E7q5I82dYBOc-Ou-FwtO8zK_3rbPvyXY2blgz6CC-pWo3FLTO4uxJKJEatqriMKvRfjmdhYQBFoooXash6q/w564-h640/20231024_183316.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the photos above to read the interesting history of the castle built in 1467 by Sean MacNamara.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX_zG7-cS5X_CpD3hw1h1SmWt4o6-OgwaAFi4mPqBpmi5FPTJtdsAX5FPXpavoZal1S746NNxLYosuYphRLky5TnJN3v6Qddnlr_Z4QYzJfv-pdk3RKDromLj1pHDBhmKYA9zXm8FWAV1cYCn4qsY5O3i4zqUURQsGpZatfZqJZ1vh_eE9hY-9Qi9gqEl/s2046/20231024_183305-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX_zG7-cS5X_CpD3hw1h1SmWt4o6-OgwaAFi4mPqBpmi5FPTJtdsAX5FPXpavoZal1S746NNxLYosuYphRLky5TnJN3v6Qddnlr_Z4QYzJfv-pdk3RKDromLj1pHDBhmKYA9zXm8FWAV1cYCn4qsY5O3i4zqUURQsGpZatfZqJZ1vh_eE9hY-9Qi9gqEl/w640-h640/20231024_183305-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were offered a glass of mead when we entered the castle, as musicians performed, and a few members of our tour were chosen to be the King and Queen and were given crowns and cloaks to wear.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were quite a few fun "My Lords and Ladies" dialogues and skits from the performers during the evening.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfJphadHUFrnZHjCIbHrb-NtNWgDrVNdwyohkREbx4zzHa2_w9OqhC-lK7eVQRR7pwTvCaMWrZ1s0gq82IL28l1CQHd-c9QJIBLEMNkoR8T3a6zrs-dBIh9tcyQSEAZoZKei1hJYdHtZOxjeQpaGX65jq-VNPrYRTPivEsPsSgYHZvROLaTUwKf8guAkt/s3092/20231024_193248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfJphadHUFrnZHjCIbHrb-NtNWgDrVNdwyohkREbx4zzHa2_w9OqhC-lK7eVQRR7pwTvCaMWrZ1s0gq82IL28l1CQHd-c9QJIBLEMNkoR8T3a6zrs-dBIh9tcyQSEAZoZKei1hJYdHtZOxjeQpaGX65jq-VNPrYRTPivEsPsSgYHZvROLaTUwKf8guAkt/w620-h640/20231024_193248.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> There were a few harpists playing during the evening. </div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> The harp has been a <b><a href="https://epicchq.com/story/how-the-harp-became-the-symbol-of-ireland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">national symbol of Ireland</a></b> for over 1,000 years, playing a central role in Irish myths, folklore, and literature.</span><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2WGdqOR9XMyIJ0fTb8AJUUh5_hbKNaKvJdpWWTEBm6-MMSDd8D8ZZZz8yK771HXWOtJv9xJEi4RZ2B0VtfogZ98auwslPQUse0dR8gKhHEBnWnp5EcjY5mRgEZYIIHnZmY8Uc_G4Cm2tmjWf1eaOAGQwqk9kWYa8bXukJlkhOiD6Lt00UgL-CRiU1ITU/s2046/20231024_195355-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2WGdqOR9XMyIJ0fTb8AJUUh5_hbKNaKvJdpWWTEBm6-MMSDd8D8ZZZz8yK771HXWOtJv9xJEi4RZ2B0VtfogZ98auwslPQUse0dR8gKhHEBnWnp5EcjY5mRgEZYIIHnZmY8Uc_G4Cm2tmjWf1eaOAGQwqk9kWYa8bXukJlkhOiD6Lt00UgL-CRiU1ITU/w640-h640/20231024_195355-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed watching the entertainment -- acting, singing, and dancing-- as we dined. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wz9t-1-9N4o" width="320" youtube-src-id="wz9t-1-9N4o"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A short<b><a href="https://youtu.be/wz9t-1-9N4o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> video</a></b> above of some of the singing and dancing during the show</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CjMCFQGsVQ8qEYdlXb7weJ28LKopJZGdcVdnPRoOJcUWv58UT3aHyAuKYQlTH-wDiMBu7GFKJOePCX_YJcrFeyY_XBKYadOHdfC-__V3Hp4dqeVDrl2iVEkiEEaqLDCkqskECPmiBaEMbYS1Z2OsKozNvMl-vzKFAo-XxihQVL_18t_B_DVUuOuwGBXi/s2046/20231024_191201-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CjMCFQGsVQ8qEYdlXb7weJ28LKopJZGdcVdnPRoOJcUWv58UT3aHyAuKYQlTH-wDiMBu7GFKJOePCX_YJcrFeyY_XBKYadOHdfC-__V3Hp4dqeVDrl2iVEkiEEaqLDCkqskECPmiBaEMbYS1Z2OsKozNvMl-vzKFAo-XxihQVL_18t_B_DVUuOuwGBXi/w640-h640/20231024_191201-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The food was very good. We had a smoked salmon appetizer, root vegetable soup, roast chicken and vegetables, along with unlimited bread and wine, and dessert.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5-6enks6GkbXTxLP1wcPfdyFa3cstsSy0_-Hw3YyDLzpnNq2jJ4LKTXXHM3jvW9CFUbDqPriLdFbXDqDdGZ6o-4j2jIAex4Fz2Mi2RJep1vbXKuJiLfgnlya6ZIF55hWzDc8QkS-CcEhXTJPV0Ga8U55VxQgQSKgDFLju69JqtDnBI6qQz8srTU5KYP9/s2268/20231025_092634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2268" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5-6enks6GkbXTxLP1wcPfdyFa3cstsSy0_-Hw3YyDLzpnNq2jJ4LKTXXHM3jvW9CFUbDqPriLdFbXDqDdGZ6o-4j2jIAex4Fz2Mi2RJep1vbXKuJiLfgnlya6ZIF55hWzDc8QkS-CcEhXTJPV0Ga8U55VxQgQSKgDFLju69JqtDnBI6qQz8srTU5KYP9/w640-h420/20231025_092634.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning we were on our way for a stop at the scenic Cliffs of Moher, then on to Galway and Sligo.</div><br />There was a heavy fog hanging over the outskirts of Limerick, as you can see from this photo I took from the bus window, but we were hopeful the weather would cooperate later in the morning...more about that in my next Ireland post.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Critters,</a> <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div><p><br /></p></div></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-73744048611038712842024-01-29T00:12:00.001-05:002024-01-29T00:16:47.337-05:00Thatched Roof Houses of Adare, Ireland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82SpMLlFBp1kvUC9cxe7wnmiD5VWCqQ592sJlOHGJaQOg7SluThnBX_yZIVoLRw1ID7cKZPS40c9ROsC3n1ttrXUbl4o2aXvWuL-oBLaFbfL8TpN8QkMvoPK2KvxrkYwYAgl_GG9iaRsT3mgpDY-hwx5IAGbj4O16VK1arXGGSbdT0Nu_76Vivr-SfJoh/s4000/20231024_130800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="4000" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82SpMLlFBp1kvUC9cxe7wnmiD5VWCqQ592sJlOHGJaQOg7SluThnBX_yZIVoLRw1ID7cKZPS40c9ROsC3n1ttrXUbl4o2aXvWuL-oBLaFbfL8TpN8QkMvoPK2KvxrkYwYAgl_GG9iaRsT3mgpDY-hwx5IAGbj4O16VK1arXGGSbdT0Nu_76Vivr-SfJoh/w640-h436/20231024_130800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">On our October bus tour of Ireland and Scotland, we stopped at the pretty village of <b><a href="https://adarevillage.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adare</a>.</b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Adare is a village in County Limerick, Ireland, located south-west of the city of Limerick, It was founded in the 13th century and is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy66_vIEp0MOguck_HG3XVEdGkdBphjirLv5kjRKosnvnegJP70QeVf9RVJqz695_il08U03dQU6JtHm3QCwQTvZrerJFnaTItQYBTMrg2jgNq18hF5hxSiJkQ0ztx67Kgogc_QwTqDrnM2lgp0Q2bgSb__aF6ymwG5vOPteKhKEYI6AqwvwE8ozz1Ud4M/s2925/20231024_130810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2489" data-original-width="2925" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy66_vIEp0MOguck_HG3XVEdGkdBphjirLv5kjRKosnvnegJP70QeVf9RVJqz695_il08U03dQU6JtHm3QCwQTvZrerJFnaTItQYBTMrg2jgNq18hF5hxSiJkQ0ztx67Kgogc_QwTqDrnM2lgp0Q2bgSb__aF6ymwG5vOPteKhKEYI6AqwvwE8ozz1Ud4M/w640-h544/20231024_130810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Adare is widely known as a major Irish tourist attraction and is regarded as one of the prettiest and most picturesque towns in Ireland. as it retains many thatched cottages, historical buildings, and churches.</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1EJqR95jFaKOGFISg67qz4mA_E3xTXsuLe5gufThmIErNYjv0XpfIA1lQB6SAoxlp552AQrbxh5QXiEvZ7IrqqDbiczICGWoeTu42aBX5tmlUzOPcwI8KmDN3UDmzDAKjPNQGXqgFVhyphenhyphen1nwVPa-LQkhL2d_0QkW35Tp5DK1PZArjc6t6HY-I6m9HnhZM/s4000/20231024_131038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1EJqR95jFaKOGFISg67qz4mA_E3xTXsuLe5gufThmIErNYjv0XpfIA1lQB6SAoxlp552AQrbxh5QXiEvZ7IrqqDbiczICGWoeTu42aBX5tmlUzOPcwI8KmDN3UDmzDAKjPNQGXqgFVhyphenhyphen1nwVPa-LQkhL2d_0QkW35Tp5DK1PZArjc6t6HY-I6m9HnhZM/w480-h640/20231024_131038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A close-up view of the thatch that makes up the roof</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">A thatched roof is a roof made from dry vegetation, such as straw, heather, rushes, water reeds, palm branches, or sedges. The vegetation is layered so that water runs away from the inner roof. The vegetation is also densely packed, trapping air and functioning as insulation. They can last as long as a regular roof. Our tour guide said they are now very expensive to replace.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6dJqZQTce7vIjNFkG9HL013Fd9wPkjKZRDrWjEhToDR5vlAe3mMJZiOv7vY86HntqJ5ppa83AdSQvtzbniNmIwEmRPXlGo5Y0onM7TtwoAR6mYeSATdJ1oUh4Xu6I1H2MaTeV22IzWaETdhxmpqQeFRMMF9WC54QWzyJ5q-yxfXcsWiek6saw2mKuBl7/s3802/20231024_131519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3802" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6dJqZQTce7vIjNFkG9HL013Fd9wPkjKZRDrWjEhToDR5vlAe3mMJZiOv7vY86HntqJ5ppa83AdSQvtzbniNmIwEmRPXlGo5Y0onM7TtwoAR6mYeSATdJ1oUh4Xu6I1H2MaTeV22IzWaETdhxmpqQeFRMMF9WC54QWzyJ5q-yxfXcsWiek6saw2mKuBl7/w640-h504/20231024_131519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the houses were semi-attached to their neighbor's home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3bTW3RBeJyofKZOPK4jAiZ1_M9LrXoPJuHxQva4tzMAz-JW1ssvGtiRiSnh3veYNFqNoKrbb2q999ZO-qizzMEACX6ZmXkQlRMTB2jKj9fVkwXVEejO5DbxPnFovC81JZ8xQPB7pF5ZYG1nRTJLGNJ5h3ZjLkA16GQaxwl4lJZzG_cb7fUReY-Psf7ak/s2046/20231024_130924-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3bTW3RBeJyofKZOPK4jAiZ1_M9LrXoPJuHxQva4tzMAz-JW1ssvGtiRiSnh3veYNFqNoKrbb2q999ZO-qizzMEACX6ZmXkQlRMTB2jKj9fVkwXVEejO5DbxPnFovC81JZ8xQPB7pF5ZYG1nRTJLGNJ5h3ZjLkA16GQaxwl4lJZzG_cb7fUReY-Psf7ak/w640-h640/20231024_130924-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They were so charming!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HtuFmJwFsDvlEoM75XZChAPRaBhKJwxm_i3w3aVTnsiOGZS0wLqGCt-YgVqA_ufyiWCQ1klguoDze2l0ubiY5hCiWo8ubPiYZtr3OK2XYcm-Fr70xVPnkF1hEBbrdNM9tFvvlYqbHxdIivy2KzXIzCSPqsYcMV-LeZ5T5tmc1t__8UXFJ-zvCz1r2ek/s1451/20231024_130824-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="1451" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HtuFmJwFsDvlEoM75XZChAPRaBhKJwxm_i3w3aVTnsiOGZS0wLqGCt-YgVqA_ufyiWCQ1klguoDze2l0ubiY5hCiWo8ubPiYZtr3OK2XYcm-Fr70xVPnkF1hEBbrdNM9tFvvlYqbHxdIivy2KzXIzCSPqsYcMV-LeZ5T5tmc1t__8UXFJ-zvCz1r2ek/w640-h640/20231024_130824-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I loved looking at all their details.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GqyomxGe6h50n5CS53_yQcXmmnNg5RkXl0ttjZELb1QQEdqMHJHBJY3SbmMKl6rnJUSP0VBnQuG5U1FlCLnLxquy-CNnxgyScBaDT-gFb4I7km5x_G4xkRSeNJ334Nr0p_nBa7LoBBDxqln0Yd5ibPdjPrBTVPlSq8lixTjXVQjOL7i5V7OxcZdgp-3_/s2046/20231024_130914-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GqyomxGe6h50n5CS53_yQcXmmnNg5RkXl0ttjZELb1QQEdqMHJHBJY3SbmMKl6rnJUSP0VBnQuG5U1FlCLnLxquy-CNnxgyScBaDT-gFb4I7km5x_G4xkRSeNJ334Nr0p_nBa7LoBBDxqln0Yd5ibPdjPrBTVPlSq8lixTjXVQjOL7i5V7OxcZdgp-3_/w640-h640/20231024_130914-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Quite a few were now businesses.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiWUa8TNGYWIYsZM4Lvlx3Jl6LMhJ5t_UoK_2ynYlLl99PzglyzcSrlJcaDCwd-x2jC82rjSEbpFkq7IWHjUch8qVOW2o7YUJxkcGgMxWnmLwBvyHS6fUWTQnKKcmsE6A5GOBdVGhrNslMG-gKUcZk_boQRyXfAucjq3nCitXsJlPTJnTKj5C8eFsRfbX/s2792/20231024_131246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="2792" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiWUa8TNGYWIYsZM4Lvlx3Jl6LMhJ5t_UoK_2ynYlLl99PzglyzcSrlJcaDCwd-x2jC82rjSEbpFkq7IWHjUch8qVOW2o7YUJxkcGgMxWnmLwBvyHS6fUWTQnKKcmsE6A5GOBdVGhrNslMG-gKUcZk_boQRyXfAucjq3nCitXsJlPTJnTKj5C8eFsRfbX/w640-h466/20231024_131246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was surprised to see the <b><a href="https://www.dunravenhotel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dunraven Arms Hotel</a></b> as the Fourth Earl of Dunraven had a connection to Colorado. In 1872 he visited Estes Park to go hunting and enjoyed it so much that he <b><a href="https://www.legendsofamerica.com/earl-dunraven-estes-park/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">acquired much property there</a></b>. You can read more about this on this link on <b><a href="https://www.nps.gov/romo/earl_of_dunraven.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rocky Mountain National Park </a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I learned that the present village of Adare was mostly developed in the 19th century by the Dunraven family. In the early 19th century, the Earl of Dunraven developed plans for townhouses and streets, which are present to this day. It was in these plotted lands that the famous Adare cottages were constructed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtbuhtndpfcXxE5YAh64ib7PyXE4zP1HRonJsxpDVIkU_xa-DB7ojAOOv5C2VQ2KsDcy458dzm7MCOcQOuLgUl9bLOe_CdPm-p4hgWjrKrEAeOm0L8dq4LI-vNs1ELCHLVL7ggCCkBidHPPfbsFeyBPy5MunySTYUtrVrNDwCSc6lX_8MJO7e54AQDV_5/s2046/20231024_131152-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtbuhtndpfcXxE5YAh64ib7PyXE4zP1HRonJsxpDVIkU_xa-DB7ojAOOv5C2VQ2KsDcy458dzm7MCOcQOuLgUl9bLOe_CdPm-p4hgWjrKrEAeOm0L8dq4LI-vNs1ELCHLVL7ggCCkBidHPPfbsFeyBPy5MunySTYUtrVrNDwCSc6lX_8MJO7e54AQDV_5/w640-h640/20231024_131152-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although we were visiting in late October the house gardens were full of beautiful flowers!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsdOu2mpyZouSPGrGpFdAL3pdq5U01QX_2fEShSkBHz8y_LoQ_Yn23A6t9B5xwyCZYGjf7OAB-JM-TyTz8u29T7HmEpGHGnBHDZ8wD4VC2QM4ugydSkDgRB5NcyFx3olklHldTrhLE2lX2w88NaZKrpIUlbBaXLB0Nb6rLDiWkSNa4FHDsUJn6U2_HU7I/s2047/20231024_132156-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsdOu2mpyZouSPGrGpFdAL3pdq5U01QX_2fEShSkBHz8y_LoQ_Yn23A6t9B5xwyCZYGjf7OAB-JM-TyTz8u29T7HmEpGHGnBHDZ8wD4VC2QM4ugydSkDgRB5NcyFx3olklHldTrhLE2lX2w88NaZKrpIUlbBaXLB0Nb6rLDiWkSNa4FHDsUJn6U2_HU7I/w640-h640/20231024_132156-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also came upon the picturesque Adare Town Park, which still had roses blooming!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6IIPo7SskZFvBJ9Ud6JrH0L0TZSLq1fn1FWe6P6f_1celGz_HGONRUxSGvNTS2rc9aiOFG1mnGlyxAvshyphenhyphenkIJ6v-CKfoKZnS8zig265WrjrDE_lxge0LeJ7Y_5LW_WPXVaYgS5LDYeJAcu5y2kp3aAIQ2IWc5vUcerPoWSeG6ZEofHhyphenhyphenpVGIYAYQtN4z/s4000/20231024_132511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6IIPo7SskZFvBJ9Ud6JrH0L0TZSLq1fn1FWe6P6f_1celGz_HGONRUxSGvNTS2rc9aiOFG1mnGlyxAvshyphenhyphenkIJ6v-CKfoKZnS8zig265WrjrDE_lxge0LeJ7Y_5LW_WPXVaYgS5LDYeJAcu5y2kp3aAIQ2IWc5vUcerPoWSeG6ZEofHhyphenhyphenpVGIYAYQtN4z/w480-h640/20231024_132511.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed walking around the entire park.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjV_9AsZTPFzCnF3LohptrR24gpHbojts2R4u-95U_WVMzROCX3VAYeW0TKhHVJCoOy2l_xCjAXbxWjgTfVghgSQFZR1-i6kBRE24TTQGgUtoFp7QHkzs9OGHRYbA8Ti4zw7i7kcNEuzMy8YWX0OAWBfD3VNMMW7aS0ipAY-j75bibuZHn3x9Y6RqCkSd/s2046/20231024_132806-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjV_9AsZTPFzCnF3LohptrR24gpHbojts2R4u-95U_WVMzROCX3VAYeW0TKhHVJCoOy2l_xCjAXbxWjgTfVghgSQFZR1-i6kBRE24TTQGgUtoFp7QHkzs9OGHRYbA8Ti4zw7i7kcNEuzMy8YWX0OAWBfD3VNMMW7aS0ipAY-j75bibuZHn3x9Y6RqCkSd/w640-h640/20231024_132806-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We headed toward the shops in town to window shop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7rgLn-HpOmaejLnWDtSMUXwft2gsbh1XlhuJawdYgQpDxUOv_4cnqkD5DLHTU7GTu5OT8ZGq0-D0AvXUAvbzc8xxWFoIAGlTyiYR64W_8RwbIHNlQjL_jEIy8mStf4x2zCGuS1PGCL94S_8kVqKZyApSfvTXMy47A6-0Y-eSJsoqHeAet2F_I_HCILZr/s3702/20231024_133630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2648" data-original-width="3702" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7rgLn-HpOmaejLnWDtSMUXwft2gsbh1XlhuJawdYgQpDxUOv_4cnqkD5DLHTU7GTu5OT8ZGq0-D0AvXUAvbzc8xxWFoIAGlTyiYR64W_8RwbIHNlQjL_jEIy8mStf4x2zCGuS1PGCL94S_8kVqKZyApSfvTXMy47A6-0Y-eSJsoqHeAet2F_I_HCILZr/w640-h458/20231024_133630.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the photo above to enlarge it to read the poem "<b><a href="https://allpoetry.com/poem/8560385-Adare-by-Gerald-Griffin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">O Sweet Adare</a></b>," written by the poet Gerald Griffen. It is located on the side of a local pub.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoAdOFBLUu5r8nH_8HUCH0jW1JGQYHSEDCsbk4v6_u-bLKfkJ8Iv1dKnKe9McqANZFiLUQ50muLDNft-XOJJaJdSDvjvJdTxeYPvP0jJqSpPLAiIFJ3UhHrdamTbm7OXL0HLV6mMd86louelondnFj0xomGAX8yzSyA8DWzEGkpqRLgt4hltabQxd5wtV/s2941/20231024_134044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2466" data-original-width="2941" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoAdOFBLUu5r8nH_8HUCH0jW1JGQYHSEDCsbk4v6_u-bLKfkJ8Iv1dKnKe9McqANZFiLUQ50muLDNft-XOJJaJdSDvjvJdTxeYPvP0jJqSpPLAiIFJ3UhHrdamTbm7OXL0HLV6mMd86louelondnFj0xomGAX8yzSyA8DWzEGkpqRLgt4hltabQxd5wtV/w640-h536/20231024_134044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.adareparish.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Holy Trinity Abby Church</a> </b>in Adare has a long and fascinating history! Although there is no record of the precise date of the foundation, the only Trinitarian Abbey in Ireland, sources suggest that it was established between 1230 and 1240. Dissolved in the 1560s, the Abbey eventually became a ruin. In 1809 the 2nd Earl of Dunraven restored the ruins of the Trinitarian Abbey and gave it to the Catholic Church in Adare. No major structural changes have taken place since 1884 though several modifications and much development have happened during that time.</span><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj6DfDl2OnL8m8BTBFLBVJOmfcnEJyFbanbriKsItNKllqKRWhnbqUWQAnkwVLR2424AE_-WLO2z_Ue5ORheCXhuRH8hWpdp_hPzHGPd8cQQhpfYW16ZZCeKGqOGUdnYPrPv9Jte5MKPnNBdJJWLpFFB9uhh-tpW28xAd0jnHcG6heN1KGV8DjbK6G3PS/s4000/20231024_134120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj6DfDl2OnL8m8BTBFLBVJOmfcnEJyFbanbriKsItNKllqKRWhnbqUWQAnkwVLR2424AE_-WLO2z_Ue5ORheCXhuRH8hWpdp_hPzHGPd8cQQhpfYW16ZZCeKGqOGUdnYPrPv9Jte5MKPnNBdJJWLpFFB9uhh-tpW28xAd0jnHcG6heN1KGV8DjbK6G3PS/w480-h640/20231024_134120.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the photos above to see a placard that shows how the church developed over time. You can read an online booklet on the church's website that goes into great detail about the church's history and features on <b><a href="https://book.designrr.co/?id=70265&token=2154921233&type=FP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YQockauMWbBWKIITXTZwevNdUuYvwPbNArUpjgguzFk0LsAcUdKpNmTsdEL1_Y_BWxKPjRtLXPKkREIoku62jIFr3zfpya7HIqG9dBlPsssiO9IAGbQvY0KZSUB4xrHzYKfbqwJYdGinCD8QijC6aeBEx5VdAqa8X-VaBSlk1KV0PzBEsG2_h1nWg1y0/s2046/20231024_134225-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YQockauMWbBWKIITXTZwevNdUuYvwPbNArUpjgguzFk0LsAcUdKpNmTsdEL1_Y_BWxKPjRtLXPKkREIoku62jIFr3zfpya7HIqG9dBlPsssiO9IAGbQvY0KZSUB4xrHzYKfbqwJYdGinCD8QijC6aeBEx5VdAqa8X-VaBSlk1KV0PzBEsG2_h1nWg1y0/w640-h640/20231024_134225-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some views of the inside of the church.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOiR2bYA5N23IBMWB_mkjxR8Ow7oehhyljlw0ez52abKyyLHxW1vI5ssEmpbSy9LcBnVlX8mutAILBHcTcpxyr4J9HyMvechEG224rI6XnmZ5TVMxtTc8DoxymsnDL3RfGm_grhJtqVA6UEswy1zJ1lEfY1UMwl8oGfau9xDp00P8skE_y9AFOioJwuM1/s1392/20231024_143447-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1392" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOiR2bYA5N23IBMWB_mkjxR8Ow7oehhyljlw0ez52abKyyLHxW1vI5ssEmpbSy9LcBnVlX8mutAILBHcTcpxyr4J9HyMvechEG224rI6XnmZ5TVMxtTc8DoxymsnDL3RfGm_grhJtqVA6UEswy1zJ1lEfY1UMwl8oGfau9xDp00P8skE_y9AFOioJwuM1/w640-h640/20231024_143447-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As our bus drove away towards Limerick, I snapped the photos above. In the collage above on the upper portion is the gate that leads to the magnificent <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adare_Manor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adare Manor</a>, </b>which is located on the banks of the River Maigue, and was the former seat of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Dunraven_and_Mount-Earl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Earl of Dunraven</b></a>. The present house was built in the early 19th century, though retaining some of the walls of the 17th-century structure. It is now the Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, a luxury hotel, and contains the Michelin-starred Oak Room restaurant. The Adare Manor Golf Club will be hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z1JCmbTfLs1CFeeTaI8yqEr4oP5oyfLY68OcpnafGS7xmhJV6Za1_t3kDbTdj7KsWsUppK-Ak_20_LMvz7kptaT6WaOw83Vi8ohC77zZ0GmRphjK7gfegujEONYSMMO7eys5pmSs9FlOr88kX68ozR_KnwL9GGgQqbBA-O5_B2xtEW-TyucBUzKSV9kx/s3059/20231024_143518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="3059" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z1JCmbTfLs1CFeeTaI8yqEr4oP5oyfLY68OcpnafGS7xmhJV6Za1_t3kDbTdj7KsWsUppK-Ak_20_LMvz7kptaT6WaOw83Vi8ohC77zZ0GmRphjK7gfegujEONYSMMO7eys5pmSs9FlOr88kX68ozR_KnwL9GGgQqbBA-O5_B2xtEW-TyucBUzKSV9kx/w640-h334/20231024_143518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The ruins seen in the upper right of the photo collage above are that of Desmond Castle, which also lies on the bank of the River Maigue. The castle was erected with an ancient ring fort around the early part of the 13th century. It became a strategic fortress during the following turbulent years. It was the property of the Earls of Kildare for nearly 300 years until the rebellion in 1536 when it was forfeited and granted to the Earls of Desmond who gave the castle its present name. The castle has tours available in the summer months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could have spent much more time in Adare--perhaps a future visit?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Skywatch Friday</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Critters,</a> <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-83740752064104866722024-01-21T23:11:00.002-05:002024-01-27T14:00:29.234-05:00Killarney National Park and Ross Castle. Ireland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC3eBzQUjrx_cbstyZ5vO3cMAULGoN3zdHECe9Gp2NBGplZA1Pf6I51fsMsmluDytP-LPFZT-C76h8y48Xw_jg37RiWh3P4M0tPbgdktysEXK-vndzNHMPjjqEh_GHxT1wD7Eg69CO7L3NxMHEuAKv3MMU8EYNaV4wI38ROkgNzSIeaMqAa-nvLOSMTDF/s2889/20231024_092036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="2889" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC3eBzQUjrx_cbstyZ5vO3cMAULGoN3zdHECe9Gp2NBGplZA1Pf6I51fsMsmluDytP-LPFZT-C76h8y48Xw_jg37RiWh3P4M0tPbgdktysEXK-vndzNHMPjjqEh_GHxT1wD7Eg69CO7L3NxMHEuAKv3MMU8EYNaV4wI38ROkgNzSIeaMqAa-nvLOSMTDF/w640-h574/20231024_092036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I am continuing with a recap of our October 2023 Cosmos bus tour of the "Highlights of Ireland and Scotland" with my husband, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law. You can see my four earlier posts under the "Ireland 2023" tab on my blog sidebar or <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/search/label/Ireland%202023" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I will periodically update my memories of this trip interspacing with blogs about more recent events.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killarney_National_Park" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Killarney National Park</a> </b>is located near the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killarney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Killarney, County Kerry</b></a>, and is the first National Park in Ireland, created when the<b> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckross_House" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Muckross Estate</a></b> was donated in 1932. The park has since been substantially expanded and encompasses over 25,425 acres (10289.132 hectares) of diverse ecology, including the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakes_of_Killarney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Lakes of Killarney</b></a>, oak and yew woodlands of international importance, and mountain peaks. It has the only red deer herd on mainland Ireland and the most extensive covering of native forest forest. remaining in Ireland</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZjWWUuDLWQiIWyZiT6mHczGakdXkGjhjuCyxclabpg3MRK4OzqWDaOYy83ogJ2dphn19ETDb9N6sCw4GfefF9MC_hCquc1hJJvLmmr9XJR8kjZgC2sD0kkWpRpEBMbYse5huFP07ff4e7pqI98VVTXDpWv-noXIN_c16s_a5Am7E5WcBkFLaqTtL2sfB/s2047/20231024_092532-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZjWWUuDLWQiIWyZiT6mHczGakdXkGjhjuCyxclabpg3MRK4OzqWDaOYy83ogJ2dphn19ETDb9N6sCw4GfefF9MC_hCquc1hJJvLmmr9XJR8kjZgC2sD0kkWpRpEBMbYse5huFP07ff4e7pqI98VVTXDpWv-noXIN_c16s_a5Am7E5WcBkFLaqTtL2sfB/w640-h640/20231024_092532-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour offered a<b> </b><a href="https://killarneyjauntingcars.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Jaunting Cart Tour</b> </a>of the park as an optional outing, and quite a few of the tour guests came along on an early misty morning in October.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbEu_BWIu7GzvzJXsQvwJLj3rcXd-KNU8lRoLYP9bzuTOQedK-y8CGOz0909C4SIbwSJl3i3U28zqBavl_ybadh_AP_z_Phd4C1q3wIAOpYxX17UEC87Zcg0G4kRtju4Rh2_eqRe7x_BkSRE7LMpl35UZlv8T__i2OtJw6cFmYmzb9bbhuaedalGxeHie/s2047/20231024_093433-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbEu_BWIu7GzvzJXsQvwJLj3rcXd-KNU8lRoLYP9bzuTOQedK-y8CGOz0909C4SIbwSJl3i3U28zqBavl_ybadh_AP_z_Phd4C1q3wIAOpYxX17UEC87Zcg0G4kRtju4Rh2_eqRe7x_BkSRE7LMpl35UZlv8T__i2OtJw6cFmYmzb9bbhuaedalGxeHie/w640-h640/20231024_093433-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The clip-clop sound of the draft horse's hooves pulling our jaunting cart through the deep forest and lush greenery was mesmerizing. It was hard not to imagine mystical fairies and leprechauns living here!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZosfXreTZRW0O31tnkgpSBCWR7zYOTSjC__-iu3Zg_3kswIZs1XOnNa3NyBLgXiNXIoqyrV8mcHPiQiJDxA6_DZiAjoc6lRekG2XxkxxWzXugsiwgdCV4gtHA_4V23Gv5dh1sBzpjL4gPGtav38RPQicNqyjRrL_Z-HBW07Dlcj4t7QZ1pmJ8ARheOYGy/s2046/20231024_094024-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZosfXreTZRW0O31tnkgpSBCWR7zYOTSjC__-iu3Zg_3kswIZs1XOnNa3NyBLgXiNXIoqyrV8mcHPiQiJDxA6_DZiAjoc6lRekG2XxkxxWzXugsiwgdCV4gtHA_4V23Gv5dh1sBzpjL4gPGtav38RPQicNqyjRrL_Z-HBW07Dlcj4t7QZ1pmJ8ARheOYGy/w640-h640/20231024_094024-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Killarney National Park is one of the very few places in Ireland that has been continuously covered by woodland since the end of the most recent glacial period approximately 10,000 years ago. Locals were walking by the road, some walking their dogs.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxo3YBGrzpS82IRKhV6zcAtGpgYkvdO-awxewCfismOq6JVDvHYe_lrUFtCBns4ZTY47IxHjFj18aPL789p4d6_Jta5ZZnWjgolxuNgSdbCPvjf9doyG-JUdTMgZ4lGcLZFIYiNctakkkYCZJS4mfqGIjE65t4xxAtVEWBAwmXCb3Ni7WFQFZlDQd8QuO/s2046/20231024_094749-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxo3YBGrzpS82IRKhV6zcAtGpgYkvdO-awxewCfismOq6JVDvHYe_lrUFtCBns4ZTY47IxHjFj18aPL789p4d6_Jta5ZZnWjgolxuNgSdbCPvjf9doyG-JUdTMgZ4lGcLZFIYiNctakkkYCZJS4mfqGIjE65t4xxAtVEWBAwmXCb3Ni7WFQFZlDQd8QuO/w640-h640/20231024_094749-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We approached Ross Castle and left our jaunting cart to get a closer look at the castle ruins</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGawaeMxWcP9dOm_xNAZ6x4OCp9hftOd-1AmDRakGuXM47JT77irsk_CH5Ngc9leqED4LG4_MUjdPOu4SRucMeuv9VekPtrYEu6-qZcadCDvCG_95dyVce4h1ch_ciKJ1ehA_uP8tcQKXL3-HPRSldO6ZHjn_-cUQRJOkn3WGmlIYAGYvEadqNtlCPDgKb/s4000/20231024_094757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGawaeMxWcP9dOm_xNAZ6x4OCp9hftOd-1AmDRakGuXM47JT77irsk_CH5Ngc9leqED4LG4_MUjdPOu4SRucMeuv9VekPtrYEu6-qZcadCDvCG_95dyVce4h1ch_ciKJ1ehA_uP8tcQKXL3-HPRSldO6ZHjn_-cUQRJOkn3WGmlIYAGYvEadqNtlCPDgKb/w640-h480/20231024_094757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Castle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ross Castle </a></b>is a 15th-century tower house and keep on the edge of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakes_of_Killarney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lough Leane</a>,</b> in Killarney National Park. It is the ancestral home of the Chiefs of the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan">Clan</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Donoghue" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">O'Donoghue</a></b>, later associated with the Brownes of Killarney.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLkd7AFX80Mraz4n1lL0iXQinTqWLT64JhzCGBzUqCXWkZkMjhQGEE9is6zfAi43zTPXSIotvETr-UGUDq39f0cAiZN_T2Sk3yjY1lqN02T_jOvjTE97kh-dz8q68yBVlINsAumQdtUggdOBRPoomMZasB65QpbaJweAWH9o8eleuAwsQrrACYkhSkCGm/s2047/20231024_094757-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLkd7AFX80Mraz4n1lL0iXQinTqWLT64JhzCGBzUqCXWkZkMjhQGEE9is6zfAi43zTPXSIotvETr-UGUDq39f0cAiZN_T2Sk3yjY1lqN02T_jOvjTE97kh-dz8q68yBVlINsAumQdtUggdOBRPoomMZasB65QpbaJweAWH9o8eleuAwsQrrACYkhSkCGm/w640-h640/20231024_094757-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The castle was extended in the 17th century. It has been restored and is open to the public, although it is basically ruins. When I saw <span style="text-align: center;">swans swimming on the nearby Lough Leane they reminded me of the famous Irish folktale called the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.discoveringireland.com/the-children-of-lir/#:~:text=For%20900%20years%20the%20Children,arrival%20of%20Christianity%20to%20Ireland." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Children of Lir."</a></b> For 900 years the Children of Lir were doomed to live as swans by daylight and only in the light of a full moon could they take their human form. They lived on lake Davra, the sea of Moyle and the lake Isle of Glora in Mayo, before their spell was broken with the arrival of Christianity to Ireland.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe35Ce-8QDNE5dr9SIA3VZIB5g_RYQpWijlralI_Rw7L6-VuVxQWjV3kf5kiWYqKHN5iZNPBY8m7fOZ5TBDQVyQa90Tk2HcS3sV5lIdDmzCBTYYerXknmhWHcSa5JbSGx6_t2LGq7OH2TriGxyp9JxK7a30WTAfuIvWe60TFtVb0BJ_69Hkf1rx6I-ycr/s4000/20231024_095136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe35Ce-8QDNE5dr9SIA3VZIB5g_RYQpWijlralI_Rw7L6-VuVxQWjV3kf5kiWYqKHN5iZNPBY8m7fOZ5TBDQVyQa90Tk2HcS3sV5lIdDmzCBTYYerXknmhWHcSa5JbSGx6_t2LGq7OH2TriGxyp9JxK7a30WTAfuIvWe60TFtVb0BJ_69Hkf1rx6I-ycr/w480-h640/20231024_095136.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the photo above to enlarge it. This shows what the castle originally looked like and also after its enlargement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewzpM1eqp2TtrSohZD8g4WImW0Vh3wmD12nybjyfH7f4BvYG01QphK49oHErt57ASdE4A19sHxXU4PKqpnQ-sfuNDCNSxPYMRc4enI_McyysFXRk7Z7nq0ejPAsG0IRs1n6ZmCUI681YgG5GlUui6op-cSB6pg2mfNQWx2BVkDW1fm-VfPbtHvEmpmQTe/s4000/20231024_095658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewzpM1eqp2TtrSohZD8g4WImW0Vh3wmD12nybjyfH7f4BvYG01QphK49oHErt57ASdE4A19sHxXU4PKqpnQ-sfuNDCNSxPYMRc4enI_McyysFXRk7Z7nq0ejPAsG0IRs1n6ZmCUI681YgG5GlUui6op-cSB6pg2mfNQWx2BVkDW1fm-VfPbtHvEmpmQTe/w640-h480/20231024_095658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the photo above to read the description sign on the walkway towards the castle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HpXys9YOeJ_LvaB38zUlItngRVXirijL72KeiPahH17_6_eq_sKGatdMHw9LDoMBsx4p8-4uIV8sxEb5klc2EFHfuOwBn_vWuiz9ijKnBs3uGe_xhy7Gc3kkr-MNfs-86xC-KSqOBlmA8qvnVsQLhDHjYrLAZUQMICT2Pn_yz3o_F3ajTFHvihmMBirs/s2047/20231024_095232-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HpXys9YOeJ_LvaB38zUlItngRVXirijL72KeiPahH17_6_eq_sKGatdMHw9LDoMBsx4p8-4uIV8sxEb5klc2EFHfuOwBn_vWuiz9ijKnBs3uGe_xhy7Gc3kkr-MNfs-86xC-KSqOBlmA8qvnVsQLhDHjYrLAZUQMICT2Pn_yz3o_F3ajTFHvihmMBirs/w640-h640/20231024_095232-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We walked all around the castle and enjoyed marveling at its magnificent construction and imagined how it appeared in its glory days.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOw6bPh_ES_p4ZrmKQvShqOOh58D2c2f9JgKdCv0zTKHSYNAn0JX7_DkZGh0I6UISTYFSSqhPasEaa4mYHankxKkVNJlTMJ_7zT_5yoDujTYH1wyAfEgAA4CmSReOpY33PvXhdE9s3JZBWEhPViEWWwtGVaCd8P0HrKF04bYCeYJkKAmc0vdHr_JuogPl/s4000/20231024_095446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOw6bPh_ES_p4ZrmKQvShqOOh58D2c2f9JgKdCv0zTKHSYNAn0JX7_DkZGh0I6UISTYFSSqhPasEaa4mYHankxKkVNJlTMJ_7zT_5yoDujTYH1wyAfEgAA4CmSReOpY33PvXhdE9s3JZBWEhPViEWWwtGVaCd8P0HrKF04bYCeYJkKAmc0vdHr_JuogPl/w480-h640/20231024_095446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please click on the photo above of a placard near the castle that has information about Killarney National Park.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNbmNyBQ5RnF-hZ24OImCJFY9-8Vb9eXsawWhqePfA3TaVMCIDtNY97MSmZWuIzx03O91EXTWiWYPmhrraPOX0W-UAn3eVdpbXqKHqufTZGrLx0wvqHHvgZdtlgDgspp5XbQxQW0usJPTDnnfvs76wFwkReSErYowaXMrmUNv6gDU5-TyT1FwI0x5qRiw/s2734/20231024_100429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="2504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNbmNyBQ5RnF-hZ24OImCJFY9-8Vb9eXsawWhqePfA3TaVMCIDtNY97MSmZWuIzx03O91EXTWiWYPmhrraPOX0W-UAn3eVdpbXqKHqufTZGrLx0wvqHHvgZdtlgDgspp5XbQxQW0usJPTDnnfvs76wFwkReSErYowaXMrmUNv6gDU5-TyT1FwI0x5qRiw/w586-h640/20231024_100429.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After visiting the castle we all returned to our Jaunting Carts for a return ride to our tour bus.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9VzuKtDV_9zbXS3r9PyEe-Fu2dI7jgByJIV7Wvhs7NwjHA6DLkO9L6vGkO0N8fRt1_Wvp9kY76Z908Qtjcy_0nrDV7XP7yBFJDhPZayS9VZ4J0fanNXSkbcLHifY5TlM7cYVJXE857IvgY_nkSIMbyp9aIyPv6hiVoI5hK2ymM1hkFrGi7R_JCHC1hxq/s2046/20231024_093029-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9VzuKtDV_9zbXS3r9PyEe-Fu2dI7jgByJIV7Wvhs7NwjHA6DLkO9L6vGkO0N8fRt1_Wvp9kY76Z908Qtjcy_0nrDV7XP7yBFJDhPZayS9VZ4J0fanNXSkbcLHifY5TlM7cYVJXE857IvgY_nkSIMbyp9aIyPv6hiVoI5hK2ymM1hkFrGi7R_JCHC1hxq/w640-h640/20231024_093029-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As we approached the town we could see some interesting architecture near the park...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9zOboqsOrj2o8lnzJppmi76GD3FS6akmgyJKhh497TB96du0Sd68P-FRU4hGZxyTUtFxsHoN_HLOuI3c4MiiVnVb_VYALS6HTS7G3Dof71EyF5YBUvmSRxQ5KLWwwtNUXQtMK0XacoMD4SumNgAYH1bYUq9acy-An2sDgd8FWshqwO9E7LIpH6hbAOWt/s2804/20231024_101134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="2804" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9zOboqsOrj2o8lnzJppmi76GD3FS6akmgyJKhh497TB96du0Sd68P-FRU4hGZxyTUtFxsHoN_HLOuI3c4MiiVnVb_VYALS6HTS7G3Dof71EyF5YBUvmSRxQ5KLWwwtNUXQtMK0XacoMD4SumNgAYH1bYUq9acy-An2sDgd8FWshqwO9E7LIpH6hbAOWt/w640-h528/20231024_101134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and I turned around to see this beautiful vision of the misty clouds lifting up off the mountains in the park.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FTUHVLLrt2LZe3UdiQ5GM6SEUb26JZmJRJqhEZgMPJaPsdOdHYxhgDoxJUsGUARD1Sw8S7M4H6GmXQzCRL-vZzsw7BR52xJV0VtFZD1nt_G38n4t4xS63mb7CO6hvfjTaumL-SkZcb8LYvZ50EsqYe12emuoremDIo7kcySAs_dJKOnMqi5f8KArglkM/s2046/20231024_101137-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FTUHVLLrt2LZe3UdiQ5GM6SEUb26JZmJRJqhEZgMPJaPsdOdHYxhgDoxJUsGUARD1Sw8S7M4H6GmXQzCRL-vZzsw7BR52xJV0VtFZD1nt_G38n4t4xS63mb7CO6hvfjTaumL-SkZcb8LYvZ50EsqYe12emuoremDIo7kcySAs_dJKOnMqi5f8KArglkM/w640-h640/20231024_101137-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will always remember the beauty of the mountains that seemed to be rising up above the clouds!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fmX-FhOReRkKcymSkSTXCv2evzJASiaFoOcwk0WZZlqC_4dB1i52T5-6Zp_AZMaUaKGhTN-M7quGYnmvTskMb8XnA8aVDIZdmeloNXD8ljXBOsQN1SumpzG6fI2zePMf4MsXBBF-4b0oIrI3QS0FLAz3cKjvxqkBd5R_ZPhBefHoLG2QYMxndo0FW0Ez/s2046/20231024_105129-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fmX-FhOReRkKcymSkSTXCv2evzJASiaFoOcwk0WZZlqC_4dB1i52T5-6Zp_AZMaUaKGhTN-M7quGYnmvTskMb8XnA8aVDIZdmeloNXD8ljXBOsQN1SumpzG6fI2zePMf4MsXBBF-4b0oIrI3QS0FLAz3cKjvxqkBd5R_ZPhBefHoLG2QYMxndo0FW0Ez/w640-h480/20231024_105129-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour guide recommended we grab a coffee before boarding the bus to continue our tour. I was surprised to learn that coffee has become more popular than tea in Ireland since my last visit to Ireland fifteen years ago! I was also so happy to see this cafe was named after the folktale I remembered in the park.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv5SHO6rNC4fpNmYE_6BaydyG8hQFROleHmErTiZdg5OUxMvdLTkawFcSfudxtHk0lUvXqWMmgzZ-Xw4eCjF9OTIKfkqPFxvSS26JCH6Fzr0HXUWVtdYargY4rIQpWiEqIByLqEnFYc6Ndnji7HT4Vnu3FRimUCjd4LnC4duE1A8vlQCTVjhP6UUR8RCE/s2844/20231024_120657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="2844" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv5SHO6rNC4fpNmYE_6BaydyG8hQFROleHmErTiZdg5OUxMvdLTkawFcSfudxtHk0lUvXqWMmgzZ-Xw4eCjF9OTIKfkqPFxvSS26JCH6Fzr0HXUWVtdYargY4rIQpWiEqIByLqEnFYc6Ndnji7HT4Vnu3FRimUCjd4LnC4duE1A8vlQCTVjhP6UUR8RCE/w640-h416/20231024_120657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We then returned to the bus and were on our way north towards Adare and Limerick.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I looked out the bus window the vast view of the sky amazed me...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoALe1ZcqfZUvL3HgcvO71wTmZaMwND3SEF9bnl6eO8Cl7Nfa4foH_vNaEmIUvLUXFnI-pkDKluWhYb31eUIdvFNkOc0PQV6ncLFGhr2EBbyd6EyS7HForoWFjdlDjXJ67zqVb3AYQZYMRMl8PtY_5F1sjL0gRGdWaoKGhxg-NjOomKyuDYyTV2_yWs_b/s2046/20231024_114914-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoALe1ZcqfZUvL3HgcvO71wTmZaMwND3SEF9bnl6eO8Cl7Nfa4foH_vNaEmIUvLUXFnI-pkDKluWhYb31eUIdvFNkOc0PQV6ncLFGhr2EBbyd6EyS7HForoWFjdlDjXJ67zqVb3AYQZYMRMl8PtY_5F1sjL0gRGdWaoKGhxg-NjOomKyuDYyTV2_yWs_b/w640-h640/20231024_114914-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...as did the beautiful "forty shades of green" along the way!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Saturday Critters,</a> <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-53791801577865075322024-01-15T12:26:00.009-05:002024-01-16T16:29:17.533-05:00the Future Era for the National Western Complex<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS4kTiOAXedoFt8bCBnuhvUzcuSBwjxc4J1ln1yK5TBMjVDVbQxansZGSrRS00nmB1c5n1ZtX3lon1mpi8GDuggJn61hIBGiI6HbOQgfu2X-4HvaP9JNGllKedwSl6tAehYHdhN3TBC1Aqyw-WEGBkOKrezUmHSLLej5-YvmLQXzzYBvWMnp6AxqV0FLK/s1876/20240109_135103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1876" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS4kTiOAXedoFt8bCBnuhvUzcuSBwjxc4J1ln1yK5TBMjVDVbQxansZGSrRS00nmB1c5n1ZtX3lon1mpi8GDuggJn61hIBGiI6HbOQgfu2X-4HvaP9JNGllKedwSl6tAehYHdhN3TBC1Aqyw-WEGBkOKrezUmHSLLej5-YvmLQXzzYBvWMnp6AxqV0FLK/w640-h394/20240109_135103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I enjoyed going to the annual National Western Stock Show Parade in Denver in early January --read that post<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-2024-national-western-stock-show.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a></b>--and we decided to take another trip into Denver last week to visit the stock show grounds on the free admission day. We visited the stockyards before, years ago--click <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/search?q=National+Western+Stock+Show" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b> to read that post--and we were excited to see the new construction that we had heard about being in progress. The construction consists of more than 2.2 million square feet of new indoor and outdoor spaces is underway, designed to host innovation and research labs, farmers markets, international conferences, outdoor festivals, and everything in between.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj6fgCj2VNqNFg5WIcHgF66S2ZNcswCjoAzdbFUWSUEBHZgiZyiuoTk5l8R0WtQTQAIgJA8TyXIxITfjMrpvlrri_Fg57WNcYZmBgbWZT7YjVqGwa3knzDZH3vnwOBiau1gRmpUuqJ3UhVwhCOXJXzGCdhvhBiPgKzejsajUZ4mpfSRvtxFEKklOQTWMz/s3840/20240109_123959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2421" data-original-width="3840" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj6fgCj2VNqNFg5WIcHgF66S2ZNcswCjoAzdbFUWSUEBHZgiZyiuoTk5l8R0WtQTQAIgJA8TyXIxITfjMrpvlrri_Fg57WNcYZmBgbWZT7YjVqGwa3knzDZH3vnwOBiau1gRmpUuqJ3UhVwhCOXJXzGCdhvhBiPgKzejsajUZ4mpfSRvtxFEKklOQTWMz/w640-h404/20240109_123959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The National Western Center is being built by the City and County of Denver in partnership with the National Western Stock Show and Colorado State University, along with programming support by History Colorado and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Information about the new buildings from the<a href="https://nationalwesterncenter.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <b>National Western Center website:</b></a><b><br /></b><br />"The National Western Center will be a year-round, global destination for agricultural innovation, western heritage, and culture. People worldwide will convene at the National Western Center and online to lead, inspire, create, educate, and entertain in pursuit of global food solutions. The National Western Center will be the future home of the National Western Stock Show and exploratory learning opportunities through CSU. The National Western Center Authority is the nonprofit that will operate the campus; its offices are located at 4701 Marion St., Denver."<br /></span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSoz20-T5LeqtnUVcGdRrIJulm28GHrIVstEll3z62k-3StD77JABexsMIq9fJ0g_2OzZMXaewvLNLNocLe_2dCpNg-wKxkX-SJwgUCT8-p05opSXdE99FVb3e2E3U-dXUS2m2gqjdimz2FAQbqH3HZ7fH8LRjW1ddvxjUFrAuvHrKxaYK4dkyWPyRf3O/s2046/20240109_130936-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSoz20-T5LeqtnUVcGdRrIJulm28GHrIVstEll3z62k-3StD77JABexsMIq9fJ0g_2OzZMXaewvLNLNocLe_2dCpNg-wKxkX-SJwgUCT8-p05opSXdE99FVb3e2E3U-dXUS2m2gqjdimz2FAQbqH3HZ7fH8LRjW1ddvxjUFrAuvHrKxaYK4dkyWPyRf3O/w480-h640/20240109_130936-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The signs on the construction fences gave more information and some photos of what the buildings would look like.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlA6zl7CPsHsagWX7V0oUq6kn3Iy-c_NG-pFSS_Dg1VojDXQeA3kLgpY_RzyKAystzEvQbPMJNp8l6mPx949JeGNud1-iFplfHFA7_uuuPiJRAkxRRZSwpFUrlvZEJwSLBHoSqTJRcvLmEBOOp7ybyXvfuolUD3AjEz0-FViLClePPEdlqp-iP1eHcZHI/s2046/20240109_131008-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlA6zl7CPsHsagWX7V0oUq6kn3Iy-c_NG-pFSS_Dg1VojDXQeA3kLgpY_RzyKAystzEvQbPMJNp8l6mPx949JeGNud1-iFplfHFA7_uuuPiJRAkxRRZSwpFUrlvZEJwSLBHoSqTJRcvLmEBOOp7ybyXvfuolUD3AjEz0-FViLClePPEdlqp-iP1eHcZHI/w480-h640/20240109_131008-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Construction is expected to be completed by late 2025 or early 2026.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYUcipac3sxZDbJKiD5pTy5GmT6TAaVNLHFLiUTRKpYXMSjN5cf8pQbs-np7T1BpVFlclEb84yM9EolYGHwMQ7nkr9QxcjQpSYClhFWw7Y03GByMwj_FZG4SsDZc_uG7wS2lvMFJeAN_7Rb1hkVFGQOw9qlq4AW37lO1VIDIcqkQkPdJD-IoKUfQvvavg/s2046/20240109_131027-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYUcipac3sxZDbJKiD5pTy5GmT6TAaVNLHFLiUTRKpYXMSjN5cf8pQbs-np7T1BpVFlclEb84yM9EolYGHwMQ7nkr9QxcjQpSYClhFWw7Y03GByMwj_FZG4SsDZc_uG7wS2lvMFJeAN_7Rb1hkVFGQOw9qlq4AW37lO1VIDIcqkQkPdJD-IoKUfQvvavg/w480-h640/20240109_131027-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">From what we could see the new buildings will be amazing amenities to the city of Denver!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM1D2ukqNyswi8G4hSWasC7_GD0hwo0eKODT-TV5mZatDOst0v1ewXzGLuz-mYQlRPAqRZW46gxD1DiJCYpjFJDQ4ABxovRfJ3sdz99Akz2fM6rSAZ8V4TKBuOl1ionU7H254QOVkGw4x83bj-p5JVZhwclfaXcBJlhV4ChJjS8GjFjnqf8EviNP9YowX/s2046/20240109_121620-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM1D2ukqNyswi8G4hSWasC7_GD0hwo0eKODT-TV5mZatDOst0v1ewXzGLuz-mYQlRPAqRZW46gxD1DiJCYpjFJDQ4ABxovRfJ3sdz99Akz2fM6rSAZ8V4TKBuOl1ionU7H254QOVkGw4x83bj-p5JVZhwclfaXcBJlhV4ChJjS8GjFjnqf8EviNP9YowX/w640-h640/20240109_121620-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We walked around to see some of the remaining outdoor stock pens...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHb2Q228rBZaSA9XI2ujuFWwlji7vR5ESXt_cI6Rv4qqTF7weKREdCGRLFQ4J4TWD42sPGNiGWU8XR8fZp7-O4mGi7d-Xc2QRUrybgljChgazPiWJz78KLzrvqNfyJY2lnxUmm7q5MEWRXf5k8jIyW9FrTEJEG4b2owFoc9JfPAP0Ltmb-obv9dOtZBpg/s2684/20240109_123114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2099" data-original-width="2684" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHb2Q228rBZaSA9XI2ujuFWwlji7vR5ESXt_cI6Rv4qqTF7weKREdCGRLFQ4J4TWD42sPGNiGWU8XR8fZp7-O4mGi7d-Xc2QRUrybgljChgazPiWJz78KLzrvqNfyJY2lnxUmm7q5MEWRXf5k8jIyW9FrTEJEG4b2owFoc9JfPAP0Ltmb-obv9dOtZBpg/w640-h500/20240109_123114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and we watched a few of the bull demonstrations and auctions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDrNcVgOnzatfRE1VFrhyphenhyphenIs3bpqpidl-3jroCHT4wTRiVHE9Nc7VVR8ifviFcvqpYqLg5Yw6_PKHr2Fm2QUSGmYPoKEs1WpuzyaYZkJ7mwaZKJz98dv9VKPWVkJ81VIkf1ZtirX-U0vURNasP61DtG3wVDvy6oOUCrDU97z31hmEXsrXV0QkSLBcBypmE/s2047/20240109_124001-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDrNcVgOnzatfRE1VFrhyphenhyphenIs3bpqpidl-3jroCHT4wTRiVHE9Nc7VVR8ifviFcvqpYqLg5Yw6_PKHr2Fm2QUSGmYPoKEs1WpuzyaYZkJ7mwaZKJz98dv9VKPWVkJ81VIkf1ZtirX-U0vURNasP61DtG3wVDvy6oOUCrDU97z31hmEXsrXV0QkSLBcBypmE/w640-h640/20240109_124001-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We then walked over to see the two new Colorado State University -CSU- buildings called <b><a href="https://csuspur.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CSU SPUR</a>. </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>CSU Spur hosts programming from many </span><a href="https://www.csuspur.org/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>partners</b></a><span> — including the Dumb Friends League, Denver Water, the Temple Grandin Equine Center, and the CSU College of Agriculture.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> It is home to real science and research and has laboratories, a veterinary clinic, a market, a museum, an art studio, classrooms, a garden, and an innovation center.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">CSU Spur is always free and is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every day during the National Western Stock Show (Jan. 6-21, 2024) for dog and cat surgeries, rooftop greenhouses, interactive exhibits, and special demonstrations. There was so much to see and do there--we know we will return again to do more.</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can watch a YouTube video at<b> <a href="CSU Spur is always free and there’s tons to see! Visit 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every day during the National Western Stock Show (Jan. 6-21) for dog and cat surgeries, rooftop greenhouses, interactive exhibits, special demonstrations" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a> </b>to see more about what wonderful things are happening in these buildings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2yMD1QSqPt8tgIiPLPu426aHPLcn3fLN_X_-B3ghO-i20WAbj9WSAmQAh5cTbP5x6GTxBvqpwcvvFnISaUN5V_QWACEA7SDwWY7kcgecPkiJnw4jhGrVv_zRZlmsfoKx0OVlGmi6A0_c8WeX_EGB-ItobPML8ctEWBV5gKlT1kBpfVsWiI41bbiq80fU/s2046/20240109_123712-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2yMD1QSqPt8tgIiPLPu426aHPLcn3fLN_X_-B3ghO-i20WAbj9WSAmQAh5cTbP5x6GTxBvqpwcvvFnISaUN5V_QWACEA7SDwWY7kcgecPkiJnw4jhGrVv_zRZlmsfoKx0OVlGmi6A0_c8WeX_EGB-ItobPML8ctEWBV5gKlT1kBpfVsWiI41bbiq80fU/w480-h640/20240109_123712-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We then went inside the <a href="https://nationalwesterncenter.com/stockyards-event-center-yards/" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Stockyards Event Center </a>where there were hundreds of vendor booths selling a multitude of goods and services during the stock show days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMVv5qqvliHT_7sYRoVs5VT_W6SONG8mfdNQb7ut6yW89dzp7wA4TGYYzPwkX-nz_LgbE0q_slHxN5AVSsB_lSo1ksaeSLs5Xxpks45p30UU8amD6MatJAS5d9sdsEMdRpHaUYeUdtYVnoB0BUvgAi3G0qblj1HYLoidp13_Ss4M3ZYZUWoHv4pJtXGUv/s2046/20240109_115608-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMVv5qqvliHT_7sYRoVs5VT_W6SONG8mfdNQb7ut6yW89dzp7wA4TGYYzPwkX-nz_LgbE0q_slHxN5AVSsB_lSo1ksaeSLs5Xxpks45p30UU8amD6MatJAS5d9sdsEMdRpHaUYeUdtYVnoB0BUvgAi3G0qblj1HYLoidp13_Ss4M3ZYZUWoHv4pJtXGUv/w640-h480/20240109_115608-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were also indoor stock pens inside the event center with animals from A --<b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alpaca</a></b> on the right--to Z-- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Zebu</b> </a>on the left.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kHymuHqQs1hP00YTBEwHqkEfr7ay62RR9axDd2syCXNqQOB8b4VNFdkTRF2wegUfcEb6z22IQxhp84_rI319Jvwgw3pIgugFHOiGxrGQp0JhWrSspn8QwDnSh-ZmQBGQa-8R_Pdy-7hIm11-8QFrcTZ17CH84yizED1nuDGHk6XkwgPVLZaNCiv1hPDy/s2046/20240109_120540-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kHymuHqQs1hP00YTBEwHqkEfr7ay62RR9axDd2syCXNqQOB8b4VNFdkTRF2wegUfcEb6z22IQxhp84_rI319Jvwgw3pIgugFHOiGxrGQp0JhWrSspn8QwDnSh-ZmQBGQa-8R_Pdy-7hIm11-8QFrcTZ17CH84yizED1nuDGHk6XkwgPVLZaNCiv1hPDy/w640-h480/20240109_120540-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was amazed to see the girth of these two well-fed bulls!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgjQ6Pvypt23RNXEmF5Y8Fx9axXt8Ajv2bLI_N6lO1xUQ7J9yECkT3nAiUrsObbciQkqSFNTubL6PULJBLWMNSz8vxgUqjmSPyEXNePNn91g4mNb8uXnphVJm2437f1U0By7EvTnnbwNyblBoHEFFzLed2Hw5GovP_gR9JtBmwR1AzQ0xj_I302DFdw5X/s2046/20240109_140033-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgjQ6Pvypt23RNXEmF5Y8Fx9axXt8Ajv2bLI_N6lO1xUQ7J9yECkT3nAiUrsObbciQkqSFNTubL6PULJBLWMNSz8vxgUqjmSPyEXNePNn91g4mNb8uXnphVJm2437f1U0By7EvTnnbwNyblBoHEFFzLed2Hw5GovP_gR9JtBmwR1AzQ0xj_I302DFdw5X/w480-h640/20240109_140033-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We also added some girth to our waistlines by having a delicious barbecue lunch at one of the food vendors at the event center! </span><span>I had brisket with coleslaw and a broccoli salad, and my husband had a sausage and ribs platter with beans and potato salad. It was all delicious!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We enjoyed our day out and look forward to many more visits in the future at the new National Western Complex. It really has made Denver remain the premier center of the West!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Skywatch Friday</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-42655750631616305922024-01-08T01:15:00.004-05:002024-01-15T12:35:24.062-05:00The 2024 National Western Stock Show Parade in Denver, Colorado<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj6oi4ZfeCEDju4VT9IwPukAsmwKamaAq3RqYGobEb3voepLcrfHlProqZ0pOVPMoUPnL79X1eJRIoycxrWsFEGylCLShNNSzZIVxbtST4wqO6243wgYDwmMJX-eLZOO6bUeR5W3vhOrzMtprF-uKcvQowS71n5YUNBbBGGo0KaP9OqgHu6TdQKel1sOo/s2046/20240104_120402-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj6oi4ZfeCEDju4VT9IwPukAsmwKamaAq3RqYGobEb3voepLcrfHlProqZ0pOVPMoUPnL79X1eJRIoycxrWsFEGylCLShNNSzZIVxbtST4wqO6243wgYDwmMJX-eLZOO6bUeR5W3vhOrzMtprF-uKcvQowS71n5YUNBbBGGo0KaP9OqgHu6TdQKel1sOo/w640-h640/20240104_120402-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2024 will be a healthy and prosperous year for all! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVl7oZmTbJ5IxMTb7LR3t23fX3Xlh3qKlyuWiESIj72x6711oCRkHtfHllpyTBWeJYbNXAsJBKuFSuNB4z_49w1pOdieMarLOmehUSMdiHQ7kNi9AGOTUvnM8RLnX2S5YQzssM_tWxTSigrOKlVKKCtEXtG4_94c5-bkbzRnVw3N5JEJUIvZzOSaqyfwn9/s2626/20240104_120343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="2626" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVl7oZmTbJ5IxMTb7LR3t23fX3Xlh3qKlyuWiESIj72x6711oCRkHtfHllpyTBWeJYbNXAsJBKuFSuNB4z_49w1pOdieMarLOmehUSMdiHQ7kNi9AGOTUvnM8RLnX2S5YQzssM_tWxTSigrOKlVKKCtEXtG4_94c5-bkbzRnVw3N5JEJUIvZzOSaqyfwn9/w640-h404/20240104_120343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our favorite first activities for the new year is attending the <b><a href="https://nationalwestern.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Western Stock Show</a></b> parade in Denver, Colorado. I've blogged about it in the past--see those blog posts <a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-113th-national-western-stock-show.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">here</a> and<b> <a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2015/01/national-western-stock-show-parade-in.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> </b>and<b> <a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-110th-denver-national-western-stock.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>, </b>but we haven't been able to attend the parade for quite a few years as COVID shut it down a few years and then we were avoiding being in crowds for a few years when it came back. But this year feeling all boosted and healthy we decided to go to</span> <span style="font-size: large;">the National Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAU_2pxifmsJQMtwoVA1btWtTPE2bNxCIBmfVYR6djrdl2VKN9-byJ5_Mxp43XOfGF9JyWIPXygnaJa14EUlRHZleBpIZ-UO_tnxgAhLFwMLYhGYVHTJLDNzrtMJXQPEkqnRQzU81970UtA_0acpijQwH4IsT7PZS233KGXHHtYQLMU8eXJrTkSiM9F_W/s1624/20240104_120345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1624" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAU_2pxifmsJQMtwoVA1btWtTPE2bNxCIBmfVYR6djrdl2VKN9-byJ5_Mxp43XOfGF9JyWIPXygnaJa14EUlRHZleBpIZ-UO_tnxgAhLFwMLYhGYVHTJLDNzrtMJXQPEkqnRQzU81970UtA_0acpijQwH4IsT7PZS233KGXHHtYQLMU8eXJrTkSiM9F_W/w640-h436/20240104_120345.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div><span style="font-size: large;">The<b><a href="https://nationalwestern.com/special-events/parade/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Parade </a></b>route in Denver is on 17th Street from Union Station to Glenarm Street and down 18th Street to McGregor Square. This year’s parade featured the 30 longhorn cattle herded by many cowboys and followed by many professional photographers, down the parade route. They are always an exciting sight to see!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wGAxH3qKI4MOcolnmsVv6LbmwAnfQlEO8M7xWcW5-erYhBuaEFPVNz0X-DjK-d7Xp9tf7XuKvcUCkm9-tGs2bz4nmWRTRDa95IVJZaVoCXurtd2_NClPTDxn38c8TpbQBiYXm01dOQYI1jIKGLAHTQJu1mzhnMvucqq4wBG0hRT72KqpT63VMysd4Xd9/s2046/20240104_120337-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wGAxH3qKI4MOcolnmsVv6LbmwAnfQlEO8M7xWcW5-erYhBuaEFPVNz0X-DjK-d7Xp9tf7XuKvcUCkm9-tGs2bz4nmWRTRDa95IVJZaVoCXurtd2_NClPTDxn38c8TpbQBiYXm01dOQYI1jIKGLAHTQJu1mzhnMvucqq4wBG0hRT72KqpT63VMysd4Xd9/w640-h640/20240104_120337-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span style="font-size: large;">The Stock Show runs through Jan. 21 at the <b><a href="https://nationalwesterncomplex.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Western Complex</a></b>, featuring everything from cattle auctions to professional rodeos, mutton busting, sheep shearing, and bluegrass. In the past we attended rodeos--see those blog posts <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-national-western-stock-show-and.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>--and <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2015/01/super-shootout-rodeo-at-denver-national.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b> --and a Draft Horse Show--post <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2014/02/draft-horse-show-at-national-western.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br /><br />An estimated 700,000 people visit the Stock Show each year in Denver. The event officially dates back to 1906, but there were earlier cattle shows and auctions in Denver as far back as 1874. The 2024 show runs through Jan. 21, 2024.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOmKd1oqh5JCwPnZv7iOJJu8JqMvRxrxHL1qqL3zL0DYwkIejfn4mfKGUFCnRXefVVtQwdQ91ZgQ5MeiQlS_bQiRWyd7c7ASI9sN4ppDgXKiYzCOYOZowwfNvdyLC2aKQxm0cCEBEdMmU4b2PAhWSttI6_sYEKm2GzHYMr8iP3pFlOGOaMP7f2O4jx1QS/s2046/20240104_120513-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOmKd1oqh5JCwPnZv7iOJJu8JqMvRxrxHL1qqL3zL0DYwkIejfn4mfKGUFCnRXefVVtQwdQ91ZgQ5MeiQlS_bQiRWyd7c7ASI9sN4ppDgXKiYzCOYOZowwfNvdyLC2aKQxm0cCEBEdMmU4b2PAhWSttI6_sYEKm2GzHYMr8iP3pFlOGOaMP7f2O4jx1QS/w480-h640/20240104_120513-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Former Denver Broncos All-Pro middle linebacker Randy Gradishar was the official Grand Marshal of the 2024 National Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span face="ibm-plex-sans, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #252931; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrOw8p_z50kgyfglTjHnN27Q8G73D-qjiyjfr2eOCTDPuVWG_6saqPXTrgCL-ENlogh2I9m0P4TEELBCEtkrPWsZEx4UwVvrKHuO8y-PCOEq4-whvsuC0szn5HM61ETxfhQzI9okv1A27ViQJ9dbd7BBPq1KoeNWYgXLKOtx-Ck9h5eD3NCfe25RnzY1p/s2570/20240104_120653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="2570" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrOw8p_z50kgyfglTjHnN27Q8G73D-qjiyjfr2eOCTDPuVWG_6saqPXTrgCL-ENlogh2I9m0P4TEELBCEtkrPWsZEx4UwVvrKHuO8y-PCOEq4-whvsuC0szn5HM61ETxfhQzI9okv1A27ViQJ9dbd7BBPq1KoeNWYgXLKOtx-Ck9h5eD3NCfe25RnzY1p/w640-h396/20240104_120653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face="ibm-plex-sans, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #252931; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="ibm-plex-sans, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #252931; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike Johnson, the Mayor of Denver, was also in the parade.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3-JnRaO0xoGe-b3zNV2LRVhMV3CaKA_zikx4cRIYrbFdnGzHmZ4GIvekq_jkJndzRTuKZ2-ynXqq2UW7Y3KGCh6Gkg1-Hp2pX6FPXt4NrIhDNDg8wLReli_JPM3qKJEcLWb3GbcItcjn5xe7zqSX89qTiF1vjgRvakci_uiO9oiKGJl_IwB11YqWmn_H/s2033/20240104_120853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="2033" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3-JnRaO0xoGe-b3zNV2LRVhMV3CaKA_zikx4cRIYrbFdnGzHmZ4GIvekq_jkJndzRTuKZ2-ynXqq2UW7Y3KGCh6Gkg1-Hp2pX6FPXt4NrIhDNDg8wLReli_JPM3qKJEcLWb3GbcItcjn5xe7zqSX89qTiF1vjgRvakci_uiO9oiKGJl_IwB11YqWmn_H/w640-h438/20240104_120853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a definite Western flair to the parade!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf47qREfulr9cV2ogxBXI3Z4VKu4hCuLijw_BCLHbUO0B3Y8yI5qqIIpCuCfApaPdRYXsyxIg9JEZGuLvlLwSEeuPFID_kmFyGTiVwbxqXVvblXmFv4VVRe8SBn3z-OVvTGvR8R5ChKBE-iL1lRYKglMh_kb5lO_UFBSU_KZPUryRDmF287GnGEy7kYxN8/s2046/20240104_120623-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf47qREfulr9cV2ogxBXI3Z4VKu4hCuLijw_BCLHbUO0B3Y8yI5qqIIpCuCfApaPdRYXsyxIg9JEZGuLvlLwSEeuPFID_kmFyGTiVwbxqXVvblXmFv4VVRe8SBn3z-OVvTGvR8R5ChKBE-iL1lRYKglMh_kb5lO_UFBSU_KZPUryRDmF287GnGEy7kYxN8/w640-h640/20240104_120623-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many horses and carriages passed by...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7xsIZDxsPsnPO2Ax9mGCRlpeNE0GIfXtAvSu7Kk78j0pWKBBHGibKoppXgExL8EZeAJpoIvRfuqu0OYfq9tCwqfcuTMy7Nl599sX7LVTD52eVcuraQ7L1vwZPlqYqzvvu7NrDdKSPsH-GG-Bs-6eHhYCZE9nvxgstHtCjCgwsCDxRk20fmngATt_xAsT/s2046/20240104_121036-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7xsIZDxsPsnPO2Ax9mGCRlpeNE0GIfXtAvSu7Kk78j0pWKBBHGibKoppXgExL8EZeAJpoIvRfuqu0OYfq9tCwqfcuTMy7Nl599sX7LVTD52eVcuraQ7L1vwZPlqYqzvvu7NrDdKSPsH-GG-Bs-6eHhYCZE9nvxgstHtCjCgwsCDxRk20fmngATt_xAsT/w640-h640/20240104_121036-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...as well as mini horses, a college mascot Ram, and a scooter-riding Bronco football mascot!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-Us_OtnELL-7rsNhPAtT9WIgHJ4BB85ZiOj29h4dlFd5SSyJTB-KGZFvJdrtxSS6yqP3cgCph7c46drtV4N99W5UYMTmkEI6Gayq43IxWSGpXbHYt_CAQwYYX7TGA_YbAOMiB1BlEeMyWDCublf_EREEZ-WJjaShI-YxCHksRBzj6d9d2iua8LKut54e/s2667/20240104_121241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2667" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-Us_OtnELL-7rsNhPAtT9WIgHJ4BB85ZiOj29h4dlFd5SSyJTB-KGZFvJdrtxSS6yqP3cgCph7c46drtV4N99W5UYMTmkEI6Gayq43IxWSGpXbHYt_CAQwYYX7TGA_YbAOMiB1BlEeMyWDCublf_EREEZ-WJjaShI-YxCHksRBzj6d9d2iua8LKut54e/w640-h326/20240104_121241.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To see a video reel of this group of <b><a href="https://www.westernaires.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Westernaires </a></b>passing by go to <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/388908043658225" rel="nofollow">this link</a></b> on my Mille Fiori Facebook page. Turn on the microphone icon on the upper right of the video.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">Information from the Westernaires web site: </span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">"We're a non-profit organization located in Golden, Colorado, comprised of over 1,000 dedicated young people, aged 9 to 19. We encourage self-respect, responsibility and leadership through horsemanship and family participation. Since 1949, Westernaires has proudly trained young people to use their talents and skills in the best traditions of the West."</span></blockquote><span color="rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.7)" face="cabrito-sans" style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4S8nDuahxPVCSG85fdQtxR3CFcgO4bCq18OD1jFOjS4gaIRkyfA3T89NUkc2494pKxGqtG-6VuAl_sTM-gruLQ7FdXBST3JwrPVzdT9e16v7Z0kvGd-GJ_UrhfRINdJmIsptOve5QZI0tQ1t9pPlrAHbG4Az2yv1Ygr20pe33jvja4vsXQkdcae8mwfY/s2046/20240104_121420-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4S8nDuahxPVCSG85fdQtxR3CFcgO4bCq18OD1jFOjS4gaIRkyfA3T89NUkc2494pKxGqtG-6VuAl_sTM-gruLQ7FdXBST3JwrPVzdT9e16v7Z0kvGd-GJ_UrhfRINdJmIsptOve5QZI0tQ1t9pPlrAHbG4Az2yv1Ygr20pe33jvja4vsXQkdcae8mwfY/w640-h640/20240104_121420-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were many men and women on horseback...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6HvrpF2p0SmHwLaxpmSIlT0z2Vy8pQdjWaqCx3jDYDdW-63V68XK15tQIQRZRh74hGVo5gJ-JazZdlWsjkDRWw8A9wlqYhNIRPfiXVrlXqb5yNxdnblrUR6dK5xw9UHciIxodWtI0ECKFScd-wF-6FJN_qxhY4GS7dCLvWxgaNF2iZTYRSdrJJ29Sklv/s2047/20240104_121218-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6HvrpF2p0SmHwLaxpmSIlT0z2Vy8pQdjWaqCx3jDYDdW-63V68XK15tQIQRZRh74hGVo5gJ-JazZdlWsjkDRWw8A9wlqYhNIRPfiXVrlXqb5yNxdnblrUR6dK5xw9UHciIxodWtI0ECKFScd-wF-6FJN_qxhY4GS7dCLvWxgaNF2iZTYRSdrJJ29Sklv/w640-h640/20240104_121218-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...as well as marching bands.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOuUDpp1bU5gfZJWw9A8nEJLuIG4GFjUOD_SbzqUyk-ZTaJHWQ8Y3IAlvYP6z7gX_1teEaW1o7KHwoFngyoCtkhZQRyLsn918FLpmnxFKugaCnQFvj_Fabrcff4gy68Wea_7fYEpE4zUZbzGlxq_5QIxXoRiTMQiK1TVt7KAKyhIO4hcL44xad_0apoRB/s3433/20240104_121836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="3433" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOuUDpp1bU5gfZJWw9A8nEJLuIG4GFjUOD_SbzqUyk-ZTaJHWQ8Y3IAlvYP6z7gX_1teEaW1o7KHwoFngyoCtkhZQRyLsn918FLpmnxFKugaCnQFvj_Fabrcff4gy68Wea_7fYEpE4zUZbzGlxq_5QIxXoRiTMQiK1TVt7KAKyhIO4hcL44xad_0apoRB/w640-h286/20240104_121836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another group of Westernaires pass by.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_63V6qD3HKFkQDTnOPmBtnjQsgRey-2Y5rUW6uYdDB3jr2wganoTMtdt4U8U1RyQ9O7BmCa6gywtCoKGfO5LBVhaVM77VL2YjThGyOH2ku2UsyWelUk1fRTcOQiL4m-7W10DXMraL-QChfKMxC2UoFr3VjNvtCIorRNl3eBdfqewdZNin5ORd-O-n2WCL/s2784/20240104_121355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1581" data-original-width="2784" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_63V6qD3HKFkQDTnOPmBtnjQsgRey-2Y5rUW6uYdDB3jr2wganoTMtdt4U8U1RyQ9O7BmCa6gywtCoKGfO5LBVhaVM77VL2YjThGyOH2ku2UsyWelUk1fRTcOQiL4m-7W10DXMraL-QChfKMxC2UoFr3VjNvtCIorRNl3eBdfqewdZNin5ORd-O-n2WCL/w640-h364/20240104_121355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There were 59 different groups in the parade and traditional Mexican dancers performed, as did a group of Native Americans in traditional dress. To see a video reel of the Mexican dancers click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/2302774479919198" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>this link</b></a> on my <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MilleFioriFavoriti" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mille Fiori Favoriti Facebook </a></b>page. To hear the Native Americans dancing and chanting go to<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1758942444578239" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b> this link</b></a>. Be sure to click on the microphone icon in the upper right corner of each video to hear the sound.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PGT1owfgwMq0N6ipE0BeNMB1maW5krwSqlvJkkdvsPylzERYS_5yV0bk6SvyzjBxFCMMkgE6I1vHITM6iLBMaEN5Z_x0SduCsGeXnbwQvreAPr4FCQxv_PweDfuxgivL9UMDQY-KkmfBySgadvhqjZeG6qRDmj3xVtLp-5sD-2AcA4Wu3tani8ZPyvB8/s2046/20240104_122223-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PGT1owfgwMq0N6ipE0BeNMB1maW5krwSqlvJkkdvsPylzERYS_5yV0bk6SvyzjBxFCMMkgE6I1vHITM6iLBMaEN5Z_x0SduCsGeXnbwQvreAPr4FCQxv_PweDfuxgivL9UMDQY-KkmfBySgadvhqjZeG6qRDmj3xVtLp-5sD-2AcA4Wu3tani8ZPyvB8/w640-h640/20240104_122223-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There was a wonderful representation of 4 H groups. 4-H is a community of young people, across America, learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills, and in Colorado, it is supported by the <b><a href="https://co4h.colostate.edu/program-areas/colorado-4-h-project-information/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colorado State University Extension</a>. </b>It was the first time I saw chickens in the parade!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjvJy9MCGu81dITvoYk9dmJI5-jpg-0-ugSCzUJtgfQqss2FoycOgGH4dh57cvgRvQnEwO2k8SMiWDDFW3onolFtBjn3u56GwOddw-4yK1xFOXZDUXLIwjVRngFEoqcbEA5MguYiPK_MuUy6oXtSoqYGBdf9Gd5SMSmHUptv827WrvH16M5o1Ziyi7zh2/s2046/20240104_121939-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjvJy9MCGu81dITvoYk9dmJI5-jpg-0-ugSCzUJtgfQqss2FoycOgGH4dh57cvgRvQnEwO2k8SMiWDDFW3onolFtBjn3u56GwOddw-4yK1xFOXZDUXLIwjVRngFEoqcbEA5MguYiPK_MuUy6oXtSoqYGBdf9Gd5SMSmHUptv827WrvH16M5o1Ziyi7zh2/w640-h640/20240104_121939-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were even some <b><a href="https://nationalwestern.com/family-shows/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Western Extreme Dog Show</a></b> dogs in the parade. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH34TXkYcvLMgMz3Ari5kbinMZKAgjvu70YdSLn2TKWF6qptsNjWkNLo_0Ft4ZZ0zr7kyw8snoymepiqjhwJQQsnWSX6_YRWxV-BH8J3e6hPzWJUBdViEijXXmEfz7RLTj5hEGwRRuq0qbPUCiRmrI94uAGnN3z7lZ9XujDl7nfCH91x5HyPldhYsZMNV/s4000/20240104_122940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH34TXkYcvLMgMz3Ari5kbinMZKAgjvu70YdSLn2TKWF6qptsNjWkNLo_0Ft4ZZ0zr7kyw8snoymepiqjhwJQQsnWSX6_YRWxV-BH8J3e6hPzWJUBdViEijXXmEfz7RLTj5hEGwRRuq0qbPUCiRmrI94uAGnN3z7lZ9XujDl7nfCH91x5HyPldhYsZMNV/w640-h480/20240104_122940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">More Westernaires...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxBeEdKFnr92e1o12gM8UyYyuXFlBxWaalnHx8n2ZfOv_YARtJXu4pGap9m5AmhyqwU573HerkoLulIKyJIvrABggWDdUn0t7_FHtnC6tBGmAwVMNGHOx9hMI2Fhh-xCBC-nmqNNJ_gydtlkgSUHJr3g9T4x2Pz2vUb25bJN2BEc0rkbm1KPRYEjGlxPy/s3462/20240104_123024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3462" data-original-width="2596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxBeEdKFnr92e1o12gM8UyYyuXFlBxWaalnHx8n2ZfOv_YARtJXu4pGap9m5AmhyqwU573HerkoLulIKyJIvrABggWDdUn0t7_FHtnC6tBGmAwVMNGHOx9hMI2Fhh-xCBC-nmqNNJ_gydtlkgSUHJr3g9T4x2Pz2vUb25bJN2BEc0rkbm1KPRYEjGlxPy/w480-h640/20240104_123024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...in a long line riding down 17th Street in Denver.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8T3OFp3RC5-oBg1xE8Q6K2LfId52IdbUeQhjLNPAHiIOcCFkCflGjeXxGjUBfiRsVbQVLggNLDqPq0j9tt6lFyLhnv2H27bPw2oWwhtAADVGLUHlXOSgALiFzLMV0Wgx39nrglc6UIndwgwAf8pNmPPJvSX35mMOEZDYsvMOSnb113NLXweJqmO0pX7z/s4000/20240104_123109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="4000" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8T3OFp3RC5-oBg1xE8Q6K2LfId52IdbUeQhjLNPAHiIOcCFkCflGjeXxGjUBfiRsVbQVLggNLDqPq0j9tt6lFyLhnv2H27bPw2oWwhtAADVGLUHlXOSgALiFzLMV0Wgx39nrglc6UIndwgwAf8pNmPPJvSX35mMOEZDYsvMOSnb113NLXweJqmO0pX7z/w640-h364/20240104_123109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One of the last floats is usually the <a href="https://grizzlyrose.com/" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Grizzly Rose</a>--a country music nightclub and dance hall in Denver that hosts country western music six nights a week. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm8ygCTPLOMEN41zQNUVVBQQU4-AX689iur-nsl8J293DQsPeDcN9l4JJqzpVOro83-jDLrRlG0Usx3ZxjyLkL2chuSRdGK-H4_Dna6oj6sSpwhrZka2A6FPwYDSla08lvzM_i25UYGErMy02YY-luNJ65C0_PXL-G4MfD3CYU0GKOZqWYRJITHnQ0RQq/s2046/20240104_123258-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm8ygCTPLOMEN41zQNUVVBQQU4-AX689iur-nsl8J293DQsPeDcN9l4JJqzpVOro83-jDLrRlG0Usx3ZxjyLkL2chuSRdGK-H4_Dna6oj6sSpwhrZka2A6FPwYDSla08lvzM_i25UYGErMy02YY-luNJ65C0_PXL-G4MfD3CYU0GKOZqWYRJITHnQ0RQq/w640-h640/20240104_123258-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">With all the horses that passed by this becomes the final. well-needed sight following the parade is a parade of street cleaning vehicles!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As always we enjoyed the National Western Stock Show Kick-Off Parade, even though the chilly overcast skies made it the coldest one that we've experienced. It was good to finally put my gloves back on after taking so many photos! I hope you enjoyed seeing it here on my blog. I missed you all while on my holiday break and it's good to be back!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: #c3d9ff; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;" /></div></div><div><br /></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-86480066593795952942023-12-18T00:19:00.002-05:002023-12-18T00:19:53.084-05:00Merry Christmas 2023!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaYmkDR8gjulk8eYo6_Sejoq57RvEWVB-Hkajn-jexqKbaz6co3ShhgNx6KGjBlRPbo0sPgfTAW2wUATmPh2fkO-arQi_9ekmN2hmUtXMEfp5qVpw4n2i3BRQuI6tqujgKhsjWJfDfZodLJeTvH5TzL8MV9k0x1QAaLruLF3w_33D9lyDMwtJ4NwkXrgS/s4000/20231209_185138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaYmkDR8gjulk8eYo6_Sejoq57RvEWVB-Hkajn-jexqKbaz6co3ShhgNx6KGjBlRPbo0sPgfTAW2wUATmPh2fkO-arQi_9ekmN2hmUtXMEfp5qVpw4n2i3BRQuI6tqujgKhsjWJfDfZodLJeTvH5TzL8MV9k0x1QAaLruLF3w_33D9lyDMwtJ4NwkXrgS/w480-h640/20231209_185138.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Christmas tree for 2023!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxEpJDah-AyaBzw7HmE9s-bNURO9jVoM892fwAFEKcsxRFOXBfBBVgmQTUPTowA53uwdf0OivJFbZnbu_hTimFQQy3wglivFPK6_2tvNhD4eaQO5f8qN8AWYEWpW_NM7w5NMEaXSQzRgqb_so7OFL0FeGDkb1GEV3DC2SKvVpiyTgzkKt4SMjDXa6Wagt/s2046/20231209_095830-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxEpJDah-AyaBzw7HmE9s-bNURO9jVoM892fwAFEKcsxRFOXBfBBVgmQTUPTowA53uwdf0OivJFbZnbu_hTimFQQy3wglivFPK6_2tvNhD4eaQO5f8qN8AWYEWpW_NM7w5NMEaXSQzRgqb_so7OFL0FeGDkb1GEV3DC2SKvVpiyTgzkKt4SMjDXa6Wagt/w640-h640/20231209_095830-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">December in our part of Colorado began with cold and snow. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our windows were full of pretty views ...</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62XDtUCW9wZJjAoxxMJ8BBP-RBHjaSW3sSSPEgK6afCC0ARczRy8DmCedwCOktWfHEN_rO8h8BVvF500CFZwSb5SPE1wDzXkUQFRPu6bUjIeysubD2DSocBMr_VfOGR1Z9q-g9jQhpGD4mCN-Ui2slXsOapdEhwO4562EUodXTR6gzizyf5HtdDMdlyDV/s2046/FB_IMG_1700678833655-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62XDtUCW9wZJjAoxxMJ8BBP-RBHjaSW3sSSPEgK6afCC0ARczRy8DmCedwCOktWfHEN_rO8h8BVvF500CFZwSb5SPE1wDzXkUQFRPu6bUjIeysubD2DSocBMr_VfOGR1Z9q-g9jQhpGD4mCN-Ui2slXsOapdEhwO4562EUodXTR6gzizyf5HtdDMdlyDV/w640-h640/FB_IMG_1700678833655-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...including views of many of our local wildlife.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been unusually warm the past week, but there may be some snow on Christmas Day, which is always festive to see.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_txFtpsxI7mFjLn92ktT4Zas-AKIvioTjzHT3mUoJ1Pi83spJAA8OJb2gcjVc7aj2snj1Po035wJ0EPe2LZD0IV_pEOlw9Wed_xHVKHtsLn9Sx64BoFIVLCh776xE286Q7XdotIiImIhw8LTpBrV5l6T-R0yaA4NICRlJ1gEwWwCgl0LgEmqvQtG_Gy_/s1940/FB_IMG_1702777283551-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1940" data-original-width="1940" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_txFtpsxI7mFjLn92ktT4Zas-AKIvioTjzHT3mUoJ1Pi83spJAA8OJb2gcjVc7aj2snj1Po035wJ0EPe2LZD0IV_pEOlw9Wed_xHVKHtsLn9Sx64BoFIVLCh776xE286Q7XdotIiImIhw8LTpBrV5l6T-R0yaA4NICRlJ1gEwWwCgl0LgEmqvQtG_Gy_/w640-h640/FB_IMG_1702777283551-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I have been busy shopping, gift wrapping, and baking for Christmas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The gingerbread cake house on the left in the photo collage above was made using one of my favorite <b><a href="https://www.nordicware.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nordic Ware</a></b> baking pans in that shape, and the large Gingerbread Men Cakes were also made using a Nordic Ware baking pan.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We celebrate on Christmas Eve with the Italian-American tradition of the "<b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Seven_Fishes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Feast of the Seven Fishes</a></b>" although I usually tend to incorporate even more seafood in my recipes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is one of my favorite feasts of the year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TvYX1rZY4d17LnCuiPki0BbOo6vRxckB8exyxxR3iDSkxlvFqtlN0iurO1DwignVHqjEUnGK1G8Pb3mYGdvQInnMXSENmfc9zGfDkBBvQhvbyilASUEvraOuKkiBd6YDh8z-zTBjw08kuAWTIMV6u1Sn86nKIHnKKcEBQUydjmAkKu1U1rJpEzef0UCK/s253/Divider-800434rxp02y55co.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="49" data-original-width="253" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TvYX1rZY4d17LnCuiPki0BbOo6vRxckB8exyxxR3iDSkxlvFqtlN0iurO1DwignVHqjEUnGK1G8Pb3mYGdvQInnMXSENmfc9zGfDkBBvQhvbyilASUEvraOuKkiBd6YDh8z-zTBjw08kuAWTIMV6u1Sn86nKIHnKKcEBQUydjmAkKu1U1rJpEzef0UCK/w400-h77/Divider-800434rxp02y55co.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know many are as busy or even busier than I am but </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I also hope you are enjoying every moment, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2NnDi4eFo0rNOsM-VMu-igkFPDPAO12-2hh_N6KA6CCJmy9v0RBxDywTkbFYKX7nulu06TOhYRrftp5JTcVNTPtEFMxVKveuaKurY5-Iv7kDRW69ZWcLowmi96iI_f08ss3fwQ2kE9ZQH7KLj-3BpYosqpWq1mnZBWY1lajmq3Eenjkq_d2gTNYx8uw_/s4032/20171206_103342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2NnDi4eFo0rNOsM-VMu-igkFPDPAO12-2hh_N6KA6CCJmy9v0RBxDywTkbFYKX7nulu06TOhYRrftp5JTcVNTPtEFMxVKveuaKurY5-Iv7kDRW69ZWcLowmi96iI_f08ss3fwQ2kE9ZQH7KLj-3BpYosqpWq1mnZBWY1lajmq3Eenjkq_d2gTNYx8uw_/w640-h480/20171206_103342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us all remember the reason we celebrate!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9YZB2wJO1i1RRabL5c0CBN540r8IuOb5rrzvVGrvvdGiu1i1rgj_ZhHQKY6-I2wJwWo9WqH0gU4t3cO9egesYFGFJhfQjk8NpEzST204lWEdFXJjW0CnoZzohFZBYXxKhW0GEFoPLAfY0WhZf7VPFo-fv9q4G9syejKGPFcnsVS-oT6c7WMKrZT3DZzq/s2990/20231203_132632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2990" data-original-width="2464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9YZB2wJO1i1RRabL5c0CBN540r8IuOb5rrzvVGrvvdGiu1i1rgj_ZhHQKY6-I2wJwWo9WqH0gU4t3cO9egesYFGFJhfQjk8NpEzST204lWEdFXJjW0CnoZzohFZBYXxKhW0GEFoPLAfY0WhZf7VPFo-fv9q4G9syejKGPFcnsVS-oT6c7WMKrZT3DZzq/w528-h640/20231203_132632.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My hope for 2024</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Peace on Earth, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goodwill towards all!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvx-ZbFJwP0Wga1JNM7qRHtZI_buexRg6suVUWMinma45L7kd7N-kfLL113dnUSu5Bk3gALiE_bj6V_nhCdjAu4Vkg2oF_j-gzFmxt_tezmRjdL8HvyDYN2n6CXTjmS_6OuG3RCxCgaxOAOQOdJUwz7CXCCRo34Xl8WP7s0D1aCAtdZiYuX_jJlvhlJ2vU/s532/christmasgreenery.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="65" data-original-width="532" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvx-ZbFJwP0Wga1JNM7qRHtZI_buexRg6suVUWMinma45L7kd7N-kfLL113dnUSu5Bk3gALiE_bj6V_nhCdjAu4Vkg2oF_j-gzFmxt_tezmRjdL8HvyDYN2n6CXTjmS_6OuG3RCxCgaxOAOQOdJUwz7CXCCRo34Xl8WP7s0D1aCAtdZiYuX_jJlvhlJ2vU/w640-h78/christmasgreenery.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am going to take a blog break and return in the new year--see you then!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.1563px;"> <a href="https://happy-hour-with-picts.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9d1961;">Mosaic Monday</span></a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-49957232399618462732023-12-10T22:34:00.003-05:002024-01-20T22:32:37.794-05:00Kenmare and The Ring of Kerry in Killarney. Ireland.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis35S0vZmsyvNcg5gbkZFkPQd0z0e5CuNwwYwbmD2inHFz3n1qskff5oCOI0F6wvtOhndw-Ivm-eoZF2JR02l7L4-hfRPhQ3L-NY25NI2H5W6sm3wxL6_60fd_ugrLg5E6dbjtHLlVk89fuB-__A2KlwZRroNcSWpAdpFHEDj6N2hA2V8fkVgNyvDEWUpJ/s3811/20231023_152507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2858" data-original-width="3811" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis35S0vZmsyvNcg5gbkZFkPQd0z0e5CuNwwYwbmD2inHFz3n1qskff5oCOI0F6wvtOhndw-Ivm-eoZF2JR02l7L4-hfRPhQ3L-NY25NI2H5W6sm3wxL6_60fd_ugrLg5E6dbjtHLlVk89fuB-__A2KlwZRroNcSWpAdpFHEDj6N2hA2V8fkVgNyvDEWUpJ/w640-h480/20231023_152507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After visiting the town of Blarney in County Cork--see <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/12/east-dunmore-tramore-and-blarney-ireland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">my last post</a></b>-- our tour bus drove on to County Kerry, where we stopped for lunch in the colorful town of Kenmare.</span></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0h2ZnRlT7qPfmwipyNdX04k72UagZnMC61fHBAtPXx4Ga3l0VZC0FNEiz2f24SbSQJDy1mel2Z5loPVQgUA390tn2xCAC3RaPYlHNa6ksB-lXnD1cuNDXJf6qbC0nvbbPDmJ3coZkoTlhPPATKXYvTGtH1iEmfOGWMXvD4q2zz_BmSIb6n285KSbHNUe/s2046/20231023_145553-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0h2ZnRlT7qPfmwipyNdX04k72UagZnMC61fHBAtPXx4Ga3l0VZC0FNEiz2f24SbSQJDy1mel2Z5loPVQgUA390tn2xCAC3RaPYlHNa6ksB-lXnD1cuNDXJf6qbC0nvbbPDmJ3coZkoTlhPPATKXYvTGtH1iEmfOGWMXvD4q2zz_BmSIb6n285KSbHNUe/w640-h640/20231023_145553-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenmare" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kenmare</a></b> is located at the head of Kenmare Bay and lies on two noted Irish tourist routes, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Kerry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Ring of Kerry</b></a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beara_Peninsula" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Ring of Beara</b></a>, approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killarney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Killarney</b></a>. As a result, it is a popular tourist destination and many of the businesses in the area cater to tourists. The town is noted for its food and pubs. We enjoyed walking around the town and looking at the shops.</span><p></p><p><b><br /></b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqV1xfsL08FiCylpf4zS-GjoSNhxVtN2L7jEooqSpyd9Zj_FJt2irPuy5Du5qZQND6KIACIK4FLpEdVd6u8qE4lHCckE9Fh0reixhBiRQgfL8mnxA715Pifi5r4QcZV68kXRLPLoAkXAkFG1gAU8osklFhsMKMMlmPRnU60QpAMkxnit_21gtN3x_1KQC/s2489/20231023_160200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="2489" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqV1xfsL08FiCylpf4zS-GjoSNhxVtN2L7jEooqSpyd9Zj_FJt2irPuy5Du5qZQND6KIACIK4FLpEdVd6u8qE4lHCckE9Fh0reixhBiRQgfL8mnxA715Pifi5r4QcZV68kXRLPLoAkXAkFG1gAU8osklFhsMKMMlmPRnU60QpAMkxnit_21gtN3x_1KQC/w640-h330/20231023_160200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour then drove towards <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Kerry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ring of Kerry,</a> </b>a 111-mile (179-kilometer-long) circular tourist route in County Kerry, that is rustic and beautiful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iqvSfeUe83Yf5iYoghNaf9kQTXXxi173yjp6iAAB5XV_KVnRTr7q0AUmUHeY292KplLJnYkVMB22sq48o00HbqqPEsuMYb62Z6BVfRG42dqtieacwBXcyw2XI63eo_sdp4qpKgplB_o7Y6pIK2gWZH1hKnGZkO-G6mWOZVTmnJtSEPLoWSZiUxrnQiWG/s2758/20231023_155840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="2758" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iqvSfeUe83Yf5iYoghNaf9kQTXXxi173yjp6iAAB5XV_KVnRTr7q0AUmUHeY292KplLJnYkVMB22sq48o00HbqqPEsuMYb62Z6BVfRG42dqtieacwBXcyw2XI63eo_sdp4qpKgplB_o7Y6pIK2gWZH1hKnGZkO-G6mWOZVTmnJtSEPLoWSZiUxrnQiWG/w640-h578/20231023_155840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We passed many fields of grazing sheep along the drive.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbJvoPSfape3ac_Pdkof40ebNDS2vT_7wfQud7EMJVj3EePmO-iNqG_caxh17uCv6D43bqIv_RhHX0iWidahyV_zhQl8v07AwVxvqDVgCeiRMEAzg-LACIhgl-hI0jlrF3U0x6HPUcaNW0F44sVLSS8ZWRTs6s2Q206S6PsV1VwloZh-R2gtM0Yl6Jb3Y/s2046/20231023_155653-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbJvoPSfape3ac_Pdkof40ebNDS2vT_7wfQud7EMJVj3EePmO-iNqG_caxh17uCv6D43bqIv_RhHX0iWidahyV_zhQl8v07AwVxvqDVgCeiRMEAzg-LACIhgl-hI0jlrF3U0x6HPUcaNW0F44sVLSS8ZWRTs6s2Q206S6PsV1VwloZh-R2gtM0Yl6Jb3Y/w640-h640/20231023_155653-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a lovely drive!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW43CaDA0KJBaSDO5ziMSrOiLdtfDTYG-g0ZGFyhZoW5SW5njLB2-3pBy1tafyh-40nAMz8JBHqzCdCynsV7Dl80NxYSO5z8A5RQY-qVH_HWvN5wt5VyvZLYW8vtavsuG4IlEPiSjQeXIOBLSwCsTk4T_p1prqqFbBkrAfkOVmytfFlzMQ9BgnP47YSRUy/s2046/20231023_160623-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW43CaDA0KJBaSDO5ziMSrOiLdtfDTYG-g0ZGFyhZoW5SW5njLB2-3pBy1tafyh-40nAMz8JBHqzCdCynsV7Dl80NxYSO5z8A5RQY-qVH_HWvN5wt5VyvZLYW8vtavsuG4IlEPiSjQeXIOBLSwCsTk4T_p1prqqFbBkrAfkOVmytfFlzMQ9BgnP47YSRUy/w640-h640/20231023_160623-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour bus came to a stop at <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladies_View" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ladies View</a></b> where we all disembarked to take in the views and take photos.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3npdWuZNmycr5WxAleHE0yWO30825zlO5ihTimDXmCTVxzIFOdZm7ZbXVkKCSLOJyc2aOazXwSn6ZbIDhD-joKgUcXLyELDV2I1444ey4W2rdbdPhP6S-zS5nEaPbypHf1tWRWsKh6s_bG34wf46RuBan3Dl6cwv8ruXLm4zf1DuQ4qy-W7mG6Sa0bCVa/s4000/20231023_161335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3npdWuZNmycr5WxAleHE0yWO30825zlO5ihTimDXmCTVxzIFOdZm7ZbXVkKCSLOJyc2aOazXwSn6ZbIDhD-joKgUcXLyELDV2I1444ey4W2rdbdPhP6S-zS5nEaPbypHf1tWRWsKh6s_bG34wf46RuBan3Dl6cwv8ruXLm4zf1DuQ4qy-W7mG6Sa0bCVa/w640-h480/20231023_161335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were visiting in late October and the autumn colors were beautiful!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bC7sPIvC9W29T60moiypkM4xOq_IHTw_BKNc2ERJmNNfklSE3-jf7GCAVU6Gi8U60NjifTarjT7kiUa4g7DcAjQ6bAg-3bFM13RlghWFhgEJ7r3wO91HagMXEfbQ4L488mz31Grt1Lv_eK3IR6ZkRBCmnHRnZGQg7KstepGMoFzbo3hqw_u5b4wtRgG3/s2779/20231023_161541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2211" data-original-width="2779" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bC7sPIvC9W29T60moiypkM4xOq_IHTw_BKNc2ERJmNNfklSE3-jf7GCAVU6Gi8U60NjifTarjT7kiUa4g7DcAjQ6bAg-3bFM13RlghWFhgEJ7r3wO91HagMXEfbQ4L488mz31Grt1Lv_eK3IR6ZkRBCmnHRnZGQg7KstepGMoFzbo3hqw_u5b4wtRgG3/w640-h510/20231023_161541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The name "Ladies View" stems from the admiration of the view given by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting during Victoria's 1861 visit to Ireland.</span><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqmpxgL-BwC_B4DppOY3nykxwUNC5SHSRzk_kRlhnbHXVjSKDLStn0bESI-ad6FjKi4_2rbYGEm7pJ5Xevd0OwRzEC-Dq6UxbmwepdXY_TC5C9f3P3XD19fMYWy0HSUbbuDSbVaGkYbBgTiKjR_3YzcVhyphenhyphenE24uyymuw9J_mLtjfhLjiGyTBHHS9QA6_G/s2047/20231023_161541-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqmpxgL-BwC_B4DppOY3nykxwUNC5SHSRzk_kRlhnbHXVjSKDLStn0bESI-ad6FjKi4_2rbYGEm7pJ5Xevd0OwRzEC-Dq6UxbmwepdXY_TC5C9f3P3XD19fMYWy0HSUbbuDSbVaGkYbBgTiKjR_3YzcVhyphenhyphenE24uyymuw9J_mLtjfhLjiGyTBHHS9QA6_G/w640-h640/20231023_161541-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The view brought back memories to me as I visited the area in both 1972 and 2008. We were happy to see it this time with my husband's sister and our brother-in-law.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsggpDsy3aOV-VdaFm1TCLUj_ahMzTxlOcyUlZk8H1IOAczL0GAlLKptl1wOrceTBKDegYOG5Lwu-z_yLu0xhlYnOm5egTU_MiC4uZJcNi6k9w_0HUcmjcHZsqJ86X-Ax1hbvZX6fCZgQptF-ELR5PRPAGmVxjD_L5hW2kewzs5Mlj9sdCjB19Y48NNr3/s2356/20231023_164044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="2356" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsggpDsy3aOV-VdaFm1TCLUj_ahMzTxlOcyUlZk8H1IOAczL0GAlLKptl1wOrceTBKDegYOG5Lwu-z_yLu0xhlYnOm5egTU_MiC4uZJcNi6k9w_0HUcmjcHZsqJ86X-Ax1hbvZX6fCZgQptF-ELR5PRPAGmVxjD_L5hW2kewzs5Mlj9sdCjB19Y48NNr3/w640-h500/20231023_164044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we returned to the bus we saw a beautiful rainbow!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYlDNyOCzdWiOoUT4edUUFMDqu3UrzG3yeZHKm5j19DJFJrBpGMvo63L2kJJnNs9tShnQatfcPJoBOttyeJinaYPsTGfrCJsw4GiqNrP6yrDwh8ehV_UKxurqBA8Y1DEpC99SRs4yZEC82EUZrj8gydrkbsBL16z-YAGYK1ODiKdnQ_8EY4MiSOWBnjVM/s959/20231023_164448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="959" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYlDNyOCzdWiOoUT4edUUFMDqu3UrzG3yeZHKm5j19DJFJrBpGMvo63L2kJJnNs9tShnQatfcPJoBOttyeJinaYPsTGfrCJsw4GiqNrP6yrDwh8ehV_UKxurqBA8Y1DEpC99SRs4yZEC82EUZrj8gydrkbsBL16z-YAGYK1ODiKdnQ_8EY4MiSOWBnjVM/w640-h416/20231023_164448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we drove by the lakes its color intensified.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW-na38ZvWdkCI3TNya906MVER8OFSOHHIyeBdSoVeZuXvbdQCbSqjShXeK9Tu0jPGnYEmLl5s13H02y47jYVuELmf-BGc2ZQXn79_59BqZq9rEyV8Um2ThjmhDvWGe1Wew8eWjLmkKFxF2nuUoO1DSy7uVtgsKjgN45gjr46OlE6kOTDCcJs7YJiyKDi/s1467/20231023_164119-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW-na38ZvWdkCI3TNya906MVER8OFSOHHIyeBdSoVeZuXvbdQCbSqjShXeK9Tu0jPGnYEmLl5s13H02y47jYVuELmf-BGc2ZQXn79_59BqZq9rEyV8Um2ThjmhDvWGe1Wew8eWjLmkKFxF2nuUoO1DSy7uVtgsKjgN45gjr46OlE6kOTDCcJs7YJiyKDi/w640-h640/20231023_164119-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rainbow followed us all the way to the town of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killarney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Killarney</a></b>! </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioC4z2wUdRZ6SSZvX8IzPWsi4zALmYX1owxXAFYf6zk8V1tWJkRt7fl26IATdt637OGxNFw3rhi-DQfK145dz6LVRu4QO7SZ3oGUOsj3vMpyp6oqxUgbQCvtXCe7N90sy5XWMk-f96NNlsvV0PD1uefmg-Mlf5YaN0l5hIbeoShKRFjnKwPtvXKv_0FJdd/s2047/20231023_165553-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioC4z2wUdRZ6SSZvX8IzPWsi4zALmYX1owxXAFYf6zk8V1tWJkRt7fl26IATdt637OGxNFw3rhi-DQfK145dz6LVRu4QO7SZ3oGUOsj3vMpyp6oqxUgbQCvtXCe7N90sy5XWMk-f96NNlsvV0PD1uefmg-Mlf5YaN0l5hIbeoShKRFjnKwPtvXKv_0FJdd/w640-h640/20231023_165553-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We stopped for the night in Killarney and we walked into town to have dinner in a local pub. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything was delicious!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_7TWa6_rza9zyo4K6DD8-S45l8kb83ihqFhuE0qK7v7GBPYbX8wMSWEfOhRKs8ezebZj7o45GDfkFkOk8vTQt_HiL45azN1G9rR6KEdAsF6ufPae8DSJDZIY6qW-raL5440THta4fWl0q9gnWlzKXBopLUv_10TnVBECzkf-8XTDeTctypGjSVCc-BlA/s3804/20231023_210606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3804" data-original-width="2853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_7TWa6_rza9zyo4K6DD8-S45l8kb83ihqFhuE0qK7v7GBPYbX8wMSWEfOhRKs8ezebZj7o45GDfkFkOk8vTQt_HiL45azN1G9rR6KEdAsF6ufPae8DSJDZIY6qW-raL5440THta4fWl0q9gnWlzKXBopLUv_10TnVBECzkf-8XTDeTctypGjSVCc-BlA/w480-h640/20231023_210606.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">I had to take this photo of gasoline prices at a gas station in Killarney At 1.82 Euros per liter of gas at that time in Ireland, it would convert to paying $7.43 for a gallon of gas in USA cash! It was a reminder that inflation certainly exists worldwide.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsiGJFRYjGG3jAalWTAtgsC6A2vBouNUnEISoezH6YsJjMAS_JADJtgjz4gi8PCXeoDitWpanY5IDzCnn1rptK2LK_W18ijHomovXRjN-IQk5lHIm0MdYB_-ZtXAs7Ku77eCFiGRKzTTJF3DWgfSosO5nIhfI2irKMo7xatFxp5zEVNfW8qSkLEVHCcoA/s253/Divider-800434rxp02y55co.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="49" data-original-width="253" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsiGJFRYjGG3jAalWTAtgsC6A2vBouNUnEISoezH6YsJjMAS_JADJtgjz4gi8PCXeoDitWpanY5IDzCnn1rptK2LK_W18ijHomovXRjN-IQk5lHIm0MdYB_-ZtXAs7Ku77eCFiGRKzTTJF3DWgfSosO5nIhfI2irKMo7xatFxp5zEVNfW8qSkLEVHCcoA/w400-h77/Divider-800434rxp02y55co.gif" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Currently, I have been busy decorating for Christmas and enjoying this beautiful time of the year, and I hope you are too! I hope to share some of my holiday preparations here next week before continuing on with memories for our Highlights of Ireland and Scotland tour. See you then!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Inst</a></b><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: #c3d9ff; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;" /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-79047621610228871202023-12-04T01:06:00.002-05:002023-12-09T14:52:45.732-05:00East Dunmore, Tramore, and Blarney, Ireland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IUhhtI5Uj0wQDgpcmM434RVwl92WflTKgwqrH2hbJD-FyP6UWxF9n1_n_xiFuoQNe4oLREs6VXr4ywwdAPZezze2RmK52yiyhAzhE9rSjLd2bWvIgdEUWnUtqkxnwHR2xB5QyXPFzegzNnN5lNMlivaYAaAt14T7jclczMLv5I7rLg7nW0RtIfgvxbU2/s4000/20231022_155150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2494" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IUhhtI5Uj0wQDgpcmM434RVwl92WflTKgwqrH2hbJD-FyP6UWxF9n1_n_xiFuoQNe4oLREs6VXr4ywwdAPZezze2RmK52yiyhAzhE9rSjLd2bWvIgdEUWnUtqkxnwHR2xB5QyXPFzegzNnN5lNMlivaYAaAt14T7jclczMLv5I7rLg7nW0RtIfgvxbU2/w640-h400/20231022_155150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div><span style="font-size: large;">After leaving Waterford City, our tour bus traveled SE towards our hotel stay for the night in Tramore, Ireland, but first, we made a stop in <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunmore_East" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dunmore East</a></b>. Dunmore East is a coastal fishing village with many beautiful thatched-roof cottages and is situated on the west side of Waterford Harbor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCy7R_CF-7lwjC1-B0t2xMcByznXf6ZmDrHbpwQMgLqd7_nrncwm2GBKQ-D06LZItYBlWokFNfpRnKxlnXNXSFoeZklUibq1abnXvG1E-00YK4utALoajkAk-_U6JkeNTj0ySCpth_hEQpiavuOlhAaP4Wd5kruEXDJ0QZlvlmWR2Tr3nAQG_4Upo_6ql/s2047/20231022_155001-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCy7R_CF-7lwjC1-B0t2xMcByznXf6ZmDrHbpwQMgLqd7_nrncwm2GBKQ-D06LZItYBlWokFNfpRnKxlnXNXSFoeZklUibq1abnXvG1E-00YK4utALoajkAk-_U6JkeNTj0ySCpth_hEQpiavuOlhAaP4Wd5kruEXDJ0QZlvlmWR2Tr3nAQG_4Upo_6ql/w640-h640/20231022_155001-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">East Dunmore is a charming town that is a popular tourist stop, especially for cruise ships in the summer. I was mesmerized by its unique trees.<br /></span><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuXObTPV9A6IgOe59c4dCaDZGGIS4mfbsYiJeKWXRTHSo9TlU8zeGHANVGhhT87519rXY0oXrJQuFp76qT4KcFGziO5Xl0B7kuK7FfNmfn8SUALwVma1DW54sJdq3QaME_uYSMwXZZeZz0e9rRqeh2QApt6CzUzgsliU3x8QD58BJNR5H_7dnM3r6-Cyf/s2461/20231022_155307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="2461" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuXObTPV9A6IgOe59c4dCaDZGGIS4mfbsYiJeKWXRTHSo9TlU8zeGHANVGhhT87519rXY0oXrJQuFp76qT4KcFGziO5Xl0B7kuK7FfNmfn8SUALwVma1DW54sJdq3QaME_uYSMwXZZeZz0e9rRqeh2QApt6CzUzgsliU3x8QD58BJNR5H_7dnM3r6-Cyf/w640-h366/20231022_155307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we drove into town we had a good view of the harbor and lighthouse from our bus.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZ94-9QmG18Usv7YbV8lK2swaJaUdNsbvgOCOr_AM6AItqQaa4jdK8T8PNF-C5QNdPp-jwtBrT1EhoCvOVt0gGERrKmA8g3TjV-dORzelpb4jreAUsFV0gFtVxR2PVk7qj7kNxMYB-aeFztNdCHvB_RJ4ns-a0qE2g_Jii54HVEzGzMbG9kpqxYe7Ymo/s2974/20231022_155429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2226" data-original-width="2974" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZ94-9QmG18Usv7YbV8lK2swaJaUdNsbvgOCOr_AM6AItqQaa4jdK8T8PNF-C5QNdPp-jwtBrT1EhoCvOVt0gGERrKmA8g3TjV-dORzelpb4jreAUsFV0gFtVxR2PVk7qj7kNxMYB-aeFztNdCHvB_RJ4ns-a0qE2g_Jii54HVEzGzMbG9kpqxYe7Ymo/w640-h480/20231022_155429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We stopped for a few moments at the poignant "Lost At Sea Memorial." </span><span style="text-align: center;">The monument was commissioned by the people of Dunmore East in </span><span style="text-align: center;">remembrance of loved ones, those lost in local waters, and those lost at sea. </span><span style="text-align: center;">The wall behind the sculpture lists all the names of those lost.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbzPt_4PXxhHeaEP4J_7RLHYZROPDYjNt0BPPdNX1mQFzqQmZSyDZMvCeoRg_r4u34grfNp0TXHFpSC8KhyyHvhZ2Pcn928dSJmln7_VZIlp0am9cOl5pepedAJDtKxCGjlomBZlRy8EtyHbIY74TD8QUufNMSvcRERg57qzYEr7eGcegrB-snEHXcgyY/s2046/20231022_155314-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbzPt_4PXxhHeaEP4J_7RLHYZROPDYjNt0BPPdNX1mQFzqQmZSyDZMvCeoRg_r4u34grfNp0TXHFpSC8KhyyHvhZ2Pcn928dSJmln7_VZIlp0am9cOl5pepedAJDtKxCGjlomBZlRy8EtyHbIY74TD8QUufNMSvcRERg57qzYEr7eGcegrB-snEHXcgyY/w640-h640/20231022_155314-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Our bus parked and we were able to walk along the harbor pier. there we had a good view of the coastline and the lighthouse. In Ireland, it’s common for coastal villages to have a lighthouse, and this one was built in 1825 and is a 52-foot high (16-meter) sandstone tower. This Doric-style lighthouse is the only one of its kind in Ireland: there is no other lighthouse of this style on the Emerald Isle. It is always active, emitting white and red flashes at 8-second intervals, depending on direction.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXEaN4jV1Hny_u5L2nMxenJrPVdqceGA1vPo5GMHdNS2D9hzNTe7SXfV2k7P4BzgUVs8dM9mGigCnLZop6m4dpi5A04BRn38iRKrAnG_HlljSB5MtsbxSyG6Z0fmMYCY-QYGqGdHtmPTebm6dt6GJf0S3Iwjv4YLpLUqv0bDR7dQV2AoOV296t5PwvUJu/s2354/20231022_160910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="2354" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXEaN4jV1Hny_u5L2nMxenJrPVdqceGA1vPo5GMHdNS2D9hzNTe7SXfV2k7P4BzgUVs8dM9mGigCnLZop6m4dpi5A04BRn38iRKrAnG_HlljSB5MtsbxSyG6Z0fmMYCY-QYGqGdHtmPTebm6dt6GJf0S3Iwjv4YLpLUqv0bDR7dQV2AoOV296t5PwvUJu/w640-h488/20231022_160910.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Across the harbor, we had a view of the oldest lighthouse in Ireland The Hook Lighthouse also known as Hook Head Lighthouse, is a building situated on Hook Head at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, Ireland. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, and the second oldest operating lighthouse in the world, after the Tower of Hercules<b> </b>in Spain. This iconic and unique monument was constructed by the powerful medieval magnate William Marshall in the early thirteenth century, thought to be sometime between 1210 and 1230.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK9Olhj9AVbkMfm6ub7gthpXfztBmwxz8Yxj4n4nzPsU_wQkBE10QSga-Qw23GEx-3L8g4nM0i2BadML-lEPWJaAqCC-3ZGunURw3tu4CN_cB8Ma2NVJbD9reuQtZKLm0Z6XGVE3roOiKc6atkqBLQedFjnfG8Y1pQ3LwxrbwKlDFJsCZpj_D_sDowoRv/s2948/20231022_162634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="2948" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK9Olhj9AVbkMfm6ub7gthpXfztBmwxz8Yxj4n4nzPsU_wQkBE10QSga-Qw23GEx-3L8g4nM0i2BadML-lEPWJaAqCC-3ZGunURw3tu4CN_cB8Ma2NVJbD9reuQtZKLm0Z6XGVE3roOiKc6atkqBLQedFjnfG8Y1pQ3LwxrbwKlDFJsCZpj_D_sDowoRv/w640-h432/20231022_162634.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We traveled south to <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramore" rel="nofollow">Tramore</a></b>, another seaside town in County Waterford, where we were staying overnight. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had dinner at the hotel and then had an evening excursion in town...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx92ZaEG4kNZGyadamklb10mmUm3e5BgO2HHpskZnTcj1v99df5z70s7NVaVwhJRAfYenFq9jV9HWZQJj1yDUvV8-4g0UhVsnTDxCkjWeAVLmqskLR-dD7FRs5DiT5l9Lmas3AcCf7jaZIRoiOXkmZIXUeLVEVAhDZgwHHE3AgJI5jfLfJD_xWLQTPOZ2/s3803/20231022_163255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="3803" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx92ZaEG4kNZGyadamklb10mmUm3e5BgO2HHpskZnTcj1v99df5z70s7NVaVwhJRAfYenFq9jV9HWZQJj1yDUvV8-4g0UhVsnTDxCkjWeAVLmqskLR-dD7FRs5DiT5l9Lmas3AcCf7jaZIRoiOXkmZIXUeLVEVAhDZgwHHE3AgJI5jfLfJD_xWLQTPOZ2/w640-h480/20231022_163255.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were driven to a charming little pub called <b><a href="https://www.jackmeades.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jack Meade Bar and Beer Garden.</a> </b>The pub dates back to 1705 and has been in the present family since 1857. </span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipzkp1Rcg378vW0kJNX0jQ79ha6kHi1pa0YGCbdCcnJx9x3MG0Hf0sfFVPkPBBN4DI_-Rmmof3-qB8CJKP6Zc-_NPnXw7vDXNdzgbQ9PMZPm0PMPBdxkBHQSK1WH-dRzH3II7A3mNs3M8FUHibyFqIy88kVLsqW2rphazMdud1klE-K8oaelnTqzEIyCF/s2047/20231022_163255-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipzkp1Rcg378vW0kJNX0jQ79ha6kHi1pa0YGCbdCcnJx9x3MG0Hf0sfFVPkPBBN4DI_-Rmmof3-qB8CJKP6Zc-_NPnXw7vDXNdzgbQ9PMZPm0PMPBdxkBHQSK1WH-dRzH3II7A3mNs3M8FUHibyFqIy88kVLsqW2rphazMdud1klE-K8oaelnTqzEIyCF/w640-h640/20231022_163255-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There we sat at a table by a wonderful peat-burning fire, had traditional Irish potato chips and a stout beer, and listened to an enchanting few hours of traditional Irish songs!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Would you like to listen to a few songs? Go to <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1520008625424572" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b> on my Mille Fiori Facebook page to hear us join in on singing "The Wild Rover," and <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/288000910278974" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b> to hear " Forty Shades of Green," and <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/3539228753005713" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link </a></b>to hear my favorite Irish song, "Danny Boy." Just make sure to turn on the sound by clicking on the microphone icon on the top right of each video reel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23E7tpLJ8NmE-LMq-6_7b8hzU81v6F-ahpVtkh9ILE63zpJMSLYMFRJTJWpHGMdmAOlDTSDPY_gLhLlWkr-3livi5Xbv44cvWpgHhlelevSMDEXem0pWFABsXXTS3yTn0QvKeHmie8LCpMAxBIMnn7ke0g6fkgdxHEA9DxYlwvDSUORv2znV7Wq6gUMBL/s5120/Saved%20Pictures44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23E7tpLJ8NmE-LMq-6_7b8hzU81v6F-ahpVtkh9ILE63zpJMSLYMFRJTJWpHGMdmAOlDTSDPY_gLhLlWkr-3livi5Xbv44cvWpgHhlelevSMDEXem0pWFABsXXTS3yTn0QvKeHmie8LCpMAxBIMnn7ke0g6fkgdxHEA9DxYlwvDSUORv2znV7Wq6gUMBL/w640-h360/Saved%20Pictures44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I am sharing some old photos from <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2008/03/blarney-castle-county-cork-ireland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a blog post from 2008</a></b> when my husband and I visited Ireland. We kissed the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle in Blarney, Ireland. This was actually the second time I had kissed the stone, as I had visited in 1972 with my oldest brother and sister-in-law. At that time, we were visiting her family in a town near Blarney in County Cork, as she was born and raised there, and we also made a visit to the castle at that time. </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrhwY9VfuczeE6CElsH3mk59wLgPqVnOSF0GUM4PcVGxths0T2cdzMzs4Bjd4ivOza6R0rVeIKAGls4q405vwDFAQHeaaTZHcwak2NmXlGpT-FNqEE7kgJ4tyKGINDDjeeOYHWp0A3TECRSdzxk0pC5ALDQ-aXWPENobIs4c9VitWLW-agQT8_nJhU3oN/s2047/20231023_104513-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrhwY9VfuczeE6CElsH3mk59wLgPqVnOSF0GUM4PcVGxths0T2cdzMzs4Bjd4ivOza6R0rVeIKAGls4q405vwDFAQHeaaTZHcwak2NmXlGpT-FNqEE7kgJ4tyKGINDDjeeOYHWp0A3TECRSdzxk0pC5ALDQ-aXWPENobIs4c9VitWLW-agQT8_nJhU3oN/w640-h640/20231023_104513-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Cork" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">County Cork</a></b> covers much of Ireland’s southwest. Its capital, Cork, is known for St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, a neo-Gothic structure with tall spires and stained-glass windows. Across the River Lee is the castle-like Cork City Gaol, built in the 19th century. Northwest of Cork is the 15th-century Blarney Castle.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">During our visit, instead of going to the castle or kissing the stone again, we met my sister-in-law's sister at the <b><a href="https://www.blarney.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blarney Woolen Mills</a></b> across the street and had a nice chat in the cafe there to catch up since our last visit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80bSqwf_MOIFVuykkG-02zxZo1j6q6xjJoM6FFtw6emgp2u1VZ7rH6WJhL5_BgCWy_2_mHFj6A7TJU9jYV74Ispn6gXheTr3ByMMo49ltk0IcOrALVZHEsMvSO5MOljal7tv9BVx-1zdJ7UZD1yIBP8R2vwv-bsmdULHZ-nVMjte_cXFRRBcWIchZW0db/s1806/received_167397446394350-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1806" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80bSqwf_MOIFVuykkG-02zxZo1j6q6xjJoM6FFtw6emgp2u1VZ7rH6WJhL5_BgCWy_2_mHFj6A7TJU9jYV74Ispn6gXheTr3ByMMo49ltk0IcOrALVZHEsMvSO5MOljal7tv9BVx-1zdJ7UZD1yIBP8R2vwv-bsmdULHZ-nVMjte_cXFRRBcWIchZW0db/w300-h400/received_167397446394350-COLLAGE.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kissing the Blarney Stone in 1972</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure I could bounce up from kissing the Blarney Stone for the "Gift of Eloquence" any longer at my age! Do you think you would do it?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrFKLR1ldko6oYL4d70lDtO4iubxiF2kh1KyGW1tvzaixGDlcAo_Ad5S1WEm-F-t0yonvmlfLEgae1eF-ljdW6i433a7VWyttqCbe9pv4pnIBPbk8-zN5Wbpp6UqbSHBkD_5Mhip7tGs3nYMwht_TLVudJ7bkFzxcc1ktTrPRqXWSCVOqNZ-VVc9r7FWC/s2046/20231023_141523-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrFKLR1ldko6oYL4d70lDtO4iubxiF2kh1KyGW1tvzaixGDlcAo_Ad5S1WEm-F-t0yonvmlfLEgae1eF-ljdW6i433a7VWyttqCbe9pv4pnIBPbk8-zN5Wbpp6UqbSHBkD_5Mhip7tGs3nYMwht_TLVudJ7bkFzxcc1ktTrPRqXWSCVOqNZ-VVc9r7FWC/w640-h640/20231023_141523-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour guide told us that sadly a few places in County Cork were badly flooded by <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Babet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Storm Babet</a></b> which had passed over Europe, Ireland, and the UK a few days before our arrival, but as we traveled the next day we didn't see any flooded areas. only beautiful dairy farms.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZakwxmHFEAqVB8yBXOyFX1WEoTA9DmOb7vs2ji4o-rCnOyREjjs_AxYMAZi5RiwcVHuxRXheql_HxNNm3aHyP2GcofVMWXqjQJyt6SROFu57EYsvvXtXi2vB0if7pbYaD2pbA5waGEN7x31DR5okRaMbvbLWlkL14-rTfy8BjQOhdl0yhri2vTACrisp0/s2948/20231022_162634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="2948" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZakwxmHFEAqVB8yBXOyFX1WEoTA9DmOb7vs2ji4o-rCnOyREjjs_AxYMAZi5RiwcVHuxRXheql_HxNNm3aHyP2GcofVMWXqjQJyt6SROFu57EYsvvXtXi2vB0if7pbYaD2pbA5waGEN7x31DR5okRaMbvbLWlkL14-rTfy8BjQOhdl0yhri2vTACrisp0/w640-h432/20231022_162634.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next post, we are going to visit the southern Ireland town of Kenmore and then on to the stunning landscape of Killarney, Ireland</span>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-75924825423827091932023-11-26T21:36:00.004-05:002024-01-20T22:35:02.210-05:00Waterford, Ireland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6BK8xRS5eXWlvOMBPBF-9KzLe4rT7WcoDVqyYCdmTJKZrUpFnb9ZbU21j0jv6B2VdVOwUBs01GpC-Z8OANGFkoT8VOhxO31dtIXHapd8FSo-7ef6bELtP5NYNmMFi9IIozuofCHoqINNaL0lUiweniuiEGXrMTFPZIGGjrVWMqmpE0WWuuawAbusbkZc/s3914/20231022_132659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="3914" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6BK8xRS5eXWlvOMBPBF-9KzLe4rT7WcoDVqyYCdmTJKZrUpFnb9ZbU21j0jv6B2VdVOwUBs01GpC-Z8OANGFkoT8VOhxO31dtIXHapd8FSo-7ef6bELtP5NYNmMFi9IIozuofCHoqINNaL0lUiweniuiEGXrMTFPZIGGjrVWMqmpE0WWuuawAbusbkZc/w640-h330/20231022_132659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> <span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">In </span><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/11/kilkenny-ireland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">my last blog post</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"> about our recent trip to Ireland and Scotland, which we began in </span><span style="text-align: left;">Dublin</span><span style="text-align: left;"> --see </span><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-trip-to-ireland-and-scotland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">that post here</a></b><span style="text-align: left;">--after visiting Kilkenny we drove further south in Ireland to the city of Waterford. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Waterford, located in the province of Munster, is situated at the head of Waterford Harbor. It is the oldest and the fifth most populous city in the Republic of Ireland. </span><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I visited Waterford for the second time. Our first visit was about 15 years ago when we were on a tour. During that visit, I bought a few beautiful pieces of Waterford crystal, which we have enjoyed using over the years.</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs823ErUAOgMk-hu70bEkRV7mvpjIE0ihHz4b269dOdV-bt3PDv8TUGoPDEiGyV1kSA7QLZ6NAo1wJpm-Cl12p5QgQCW4bLmadAjaqrDZMMtUM4G167WlQZQ5kujOnpFj1VsCe__XNJ9jkEc3eyEYOlSJ9eKz-J4NdAoZm15k_NgQ20gtRPS1whEuVQKqK/s2046/20231022_135835-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs823ErUAOgMk-hu70bEkRV7mvpjIE0ihHz4b269dOdV-bt3PDv8TUGoPDEiGyV1kSA7QLZ6NAo1wJpm-Cl12p5QgQCW4bLmadAjaqrDZMMtUM4G167WlQZQ5kujOnpFj1VsCe__XNJ9jkEc3eyEYOlSJ9eKz-J4NdAoZm15k_NgQ20gtRPS1whEuVQKqK/w640-h640/20231022_135835-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waterford was founded by Vikings in 914 A.D. and parts of its ancient walled core remain. Throughout the city, there were many interesting and fun displays profiling its Viking beginning </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ccdl-bTUfgIMmCFOi0TRmLMSAqvg08gYTKyRiqoaFw0Sc3UElRa910J0zje6nlvFnzLF0oTP_ftzVUAGe34Et2DvBDYEBfAPjJuca8xaaZyt11y0auXhw-yQNiAJaeus_YDrzkh9O0_qEcvT0gglD6sKMsMi8C-qaJoryJ99lcskdsScsaajiK4uSJXr/s2046/20231022_135336-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ccdl-bTUfgIMmCFOi0TRmLMSAqvg08gYTKyRiqoaFw0Sc3UElRa910J0zje6nlvFnzLF0oTP_ftzVUAGe34Et2DvBDYEBfAPjJuca8xaaZyt11y0auXhw-yQNiAJaeus_YDrzkh9O0_qEcvT0gglD6sKMsMi8C-qaJoryJ99lcskdsScsaajiK4uSJXr/w640-h640/20231022_135336-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Thomas Francis Meagher was born on 3 August 1823 in Waterford and a statue of him on horseback stands on the mall. He was one of Waterford’s and Ireland’s most famous nationalist leaders, and he also has an American connection. Meagher protested and fought vehemently for Irish Independence from British Rule and during the battle for independence he designed and introduced the green, white, and gold tricolor flag which later became the national flag of Ireland still used today. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Meagher was arrested and convicted by the British authorities on charges of sedition and was subsequently sentenced to death. This sentence was later changed and Meagher was instead exiled to Tasmania in Australia, then known as Van Diemen’s Land. In 1852 Meagher escaped to America where he studied journalism and law and later joined the U.S. Army where he gained the rank of Brigadier General and led the Irish Brigade during the American Civil War. Before his death by drowning accident in 1897, Meagher had served as Governor of Montana. A similar statue of him stands in front of the Montana State Capital in Helena. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrgQbRzGkcIqzomd9Uhjz5dq72Y8TRgEyKMhT8IZc3zB1ttAfnquwPGFhJs02V7abv9DmssizFrLeVDWbvNYmILLUNzLau9xMfxwunhjyW2XZ_6cUcz8IO3RPZtJDvZZpGIVFsL3tYGJINi8ljZkuuFyzQ8dKlx1ABbdsbUpEqdnK-QRUPbYa1iCvXMSt/s3104/20231022_142116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2276" data-original-width="3104" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrgQbRzGkcIqzomd9Uhjz5dq72Y8TRgEyKMhT8IZc3zB1ttAfnquwPGFhJs02V7abv9DmssizFrLeVDWbvNYmILLUNzLau9xMfxwunhjyW2XZ_6cUcz8IO3RPZtJDvZZpGIVFsL3tYGJINi8ljZkuuFyzQ8dKlx1ABbdsbUpEqdnK-QRUPbYa1iCvXMSt/w640-h470/20231022_142116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We had a few hours of free time to explore the city on foot.</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VAnyxTIbP8NxO0oKhnf3019a-vvfq50nuCd6GFz0Go2q6kNQnWL3sLev_aZNj3NdqKqslqKbZW3HZB3Psar2p_f1hxcsnSqQTTyz8ptUM_gf-x09mqAd4a0Hdo_lNxnEnMKyro3aQ94auELFpeFuUs8UeBr6RD9JVKQr3VHfXKJeu2VC1_YKdX4oH8pV/s2047/20231022_140108-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VAnyxTIbP8NxO0oKhnf3019a-vvfq50nuCd6GFz0Go2q6kNQnWL3sLev_aZNj3NdqKqslqKbZW3HZB3Psar2p_f1hxcsnSqQTTyz8ptUM_gf-x09mqAd4a0Hdo_lNxnEnMKyro3aQ94auELFpeFuUs8UeBr6RD9JVKQr3VHfXKJeu2VC1_YKdX4oH8pV/w640-h640/20231022_140108-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed seeing the architecture and walking along the riverfront.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0IonNUNEsRz8c-bjOhueiTheGKHbOAYi5kZHxHUSboREnAhffK6mGKxFLWW26kC2BY_iJ3rdVKXjZGVBj4Q7F5gCkhL6VkE1CQYmRe3ykZG6v0EMepLDEGvNvsT0wMP0Gpc1fXKECYvbPxoyb_zvIim9e-5acOaP5dO7aLP01u8mvaYPWIcIhLa7VgyZ/s2046/20231022_140448-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0IonNUNEsRz8c-bjOhueiTheGKHbOAYi5kZHxHUSboREnAhffK6mGKxFLWW26kC2BY_iJ3rdVKXjZGVBj4Q7F5gCkhL6VkE1CQYmRe3ykZG6v0EMepLDEGvNvsT0wMP0Gpc1fXKECYvbPxoyb_zvIim9e-5acOaP5dO7aLP01u8mvaYPWIcIhLa7VgyZ/w640-h640/20231022_140448-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were many beautiful murals painted all around Waterford!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>They are part of the <b><a href="https://wallsproject.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Waterford Wall Project</a></b>, where i</span>n 2022, over 30 national and international artists created large-scale mural artworks around Waterford City and the surrounding areas. The Festival consisted of 10 days of live art, music, workshops, guided tours, and much more. You can see some more photos of the murals on <b><a href="https://wallsproject.ie/gallery/waterford-walls-festival-2022/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZXr0bPujsJpS0j5WzeBTcKCVK8tJWbdIV-Q9kCLljwSayhGZo9bh-5fOC9srEK5yU7dYi01ULxWgZlNqnxLUzucrXPLB1sNki8yCC8Mf8BECIlzjLNxlaeA6wAr9abYXt1a9MX8brF1hUyvXaYz9s5fJIRJ8YAK6kAzzk-tP4BwTF3KSrKemhP07rYac/s2047/20231022_133353-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZXr0bPujsJpS0j5WzeBTcKCVK8tJWbdIV-Q9kCLljwSayhGZo9bh-5fOC9srEK5yU7dYi01ULxWgZlNqnxLUzucrXPLB1sNki8yCC8Mf8BECIlzjLNxlaeA6wAr9abYXt1a9MX8brF1hUyvXaYz9s5fJIRJ8YAK6kAzzk-tP4BwTF3KSrKemhP07rYac/w640-h640/20231022_133353-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We stopped at the new <b><a href="https://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">House of Waterford Crystal Visitor Center.</a> </b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Waterford is known for its former glassmaking industry, including at the Waterford Crystal factory, with decorative glass being manufactured in the city from 1783 until early 2009 when the factory sadly closed following the receivership of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterford_Wedgwood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Waterford Wedgwood.</a></b> The Waterford Crystal visitor center was opened in the city's Viking Quarter in 2010 under new ownership by <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiskars" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fiskers</a>.</b> Visitors can take a tour to see the glassmaking and cutting </span><span style="font-size: large;">process, although most of the crystal is now made outside of Ireland.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The 12,000-square-foot retail store inside the center has the largest collection of Waterford in the world, and pieces are available for sale. I admired many pieces but did not purchase anything on this trip as I have entered a more minimalistic stage of life.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNEXUhkN8APXwFRMQ2Rhyphenhypheno1TX9Ur1qdihTue4xNd0XDZ8SXun9PKS5KqRZhokNLhDqo9j3ec0SgoG_W1o4X7NfhiuwftmNKIK4iwKG4fdDjqsYhyV-I7wAPQx8gycbWLH8fzBDKEhBmJ3z-Vq1V4ivbvELNSMpJPy_pNUkek_oVRpAlATKU7qiG80Tq1N/s1115/20231022_143427-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1115" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNEXUhkN8APXwFRMQ2Rhyphenhypheno1TX9Ur1qdihTue4xNd0XDZ8SXun9PKS5KqRZhokNLhDqo9j3ec0SgoG_W1o4X7NfhiuwftmNKIK4iwKG4fdDjqsYhyV-I7wAPQx8gycbWLH8fzBDKEhBmJ3z-Vq1V4ivbvELNSMpJPy_pNUkek_oVRpAlATKU7qiG80Tq1N/w640-h640/20231022_143427-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We walked by <b><a href="https://www.christchurchwaterford.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christ Church Cathedral</a></b>--a Church of Ireland/Anglican Episcopalian church that has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years. The first church on the site was built in the 11th century. In 1170 it was the venue for the marriage of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_de_Clare,_2nd_Earl_of_Pembroke" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Richard de Clare</b>,</a> 2nd Earl of Pembroke also known as "Strongbow", and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aoife_MacMurrough" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Aoife Ní Diarmait</a>. Strongbow was the first Norman conqueror of Waterford and Dublin. Aoife was an Irish Princess, the daughter of King Dermot MacMurrough. The marriage built a political bond between the Irish Gaelic and the Anglo-Normans. The chairs/sculptures by Eithne Ring and Liam Lavery were installed in Bishop’s Palace Garden in 2014 located next to the cathedral.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs2gvnD63yKdjCvBDHFSWvJsx4yeJm2N1AJSqzlGQqYQwgNFOL6kud6CQQrmly1BqQxfWqAEznRH2BS-MuuQcAX6xTYDf0cWN845w2XGxz7ykhVbwkSNHivV0Xz6Kl0ikYt0gLNHPoWyaNUN_yMxoD5yV-Q4eZN7mxqAey-z1PiRfsvRNc-kJVmEtcigV/s2774/20231022_143748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2636" data-original-width="2774" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs2gvnD63yKdjCvBDHFSWvJsx4yeJm2N1AJSqzlGQqYQwgNFOL6kud6CQQrmly1BqQxfWqAEznRH2BS-MuuQcAX6xTYDf0cWN845w2XGxz7ykhVbwkSNHivV0Xz6Kl0ikYt0gLNHPoWyaNUN_yMxoD5yV-Q4eZN7mxqAey-z1PiRfsvRNc-kJVmEtcigV/w640-h608/20231022_143748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please double-click on the photo above to enlarge it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Information about Strongbow and Aoife is given in this informational display nearby.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh5H0i-NeShrgzyLwe21olgIwa-YMUOO5d2N3Hcl2_npHni000WRPPu5aqmxn_ZvvCwFZJw6Ar_UwP4KFdNsjzt3GSp-_MoRGB_kgYx5ob6Yz9NyHKDGdDMVoQYZTXjbBWeI6KRHNwI53lHeu3batg1tt0jlrM9q-h12L_zhubF6hl7Kcu_ouUoMXrvX_/s2046/20231022_141956-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh5H0i-NeShrgzyLwe21olgIwa-YMUOO5d2N3Hcl2_npHni000WRPPu5aqmxn_ZvvCwFZJw6Ar_UwP4KFdNsjzt3GSp-_MoRGB_kgYx5ob6Yz9NyHKDGdDMVoQYZTXjbBWeI6KRHNwI53lHeu3batg1tt0jlrM9q-h12L_zhubF6hl7Kcu_ouUoMXrvX_/w640-h640/20231022_141956-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I was surprised to see flowers still blooming in late October and a very unusual tree!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxrVqlk2Zzi4KaaJVyY7fryal4jThAHttrGnSB43DY3yux2_u8erpsfCfgPrLOzyQRywy24xolkZ80EAvzKAxkSdj7g0M0bL4a4J_YylDc0BRpyE4_fMB9EVx5On4SPdjuD7zOONB1hO8v7IAJYJQF_luGERnqEcU6Fzx2U6-SbQynhOrF-qydWiY8CwB/s4000/20231022_141959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxrVqlk2Zzi4KaaJVyY7fryal4jThAHttrGnSB43DY3yux2_u8erpsfCfgPrLOzyQRywy24xolkZ80EAvzKAxkSdj7g0M0bL4a4J_YylDc0BRpyE4_fMB9EVx5On4SPdjuD7zOONB1hO8v7IAJYJQF_luGERnqEcU6Fzx2U6-SbQynhOrF-qydWiY8CwB/w480-h640/20231022_141959.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A close-up of the tree...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">it had its eyes on us! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><Smile></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Wm6GUBA4JnhsiiQWxs7HopwVngyzwJzw5xxFs84mNEbfG14pTOn9SEoYOhyxBPdY_xHj_4WZgq919TmnKTS63b2zcOWVOeg-Yl4Rxu_Sn1GFgpca9MxsC42vjbLR7F-riXRKvSRzwGDxEqr0CYvOmTzotvklPDqCJMgJ1fEdkzTq3wfVXzd4GEB6vJ7L/s2819/20231022_154628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2819" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Wm6GUBA4JnhsiiQWxs7HopwVngyzwJzw5xxFs84mNEbfG14pTOn9SEoYOhyxBPdY_xHj_4WZgq919TmnKTS63b2zcOWVOeg-Yl4Rxu_Sn1GFgpca9MxsC42vjbLR7F-riXRKvSRzwGDxEqr0CYvOmTzotvklPDqCJMgJ1fEdkzTq3wfVXzd4GEB6vJ7L/w640-h324/20231022_154628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As our tour bus drove away from Waterford we saw beautiful rolling green hills and fluffy white clouds in the sky. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be blogging about our next tour stops at the thatched-roof cottages of Dunmore East, Tramore, and Blarney, Ireland in the future. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe that Christmas is only a month away--a busy time ahead!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-72506254913440091122023-11-12T21:53:00.002-05:002024-01-20T22:35:55.878-05:00Kilkenny, Ireland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWVc3VygHIFxypN4_lyQZnsufL024pz_l93eAeL4yCFA0_F0Ukag_lvuRAb2UhKMAqFnyVuEnZws9bL297qjNsqgtwrO7FfvldIdq1g4MVcnk_jYa8S1p5eYMAfAf_dME_JJj28qZQWVHZCEExXF6I5-RwJ78yk6MG-jMJPmQXnZIhCA0j8nQDmPG8Tm0/s3753/20231022_104905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2190" data-original-width="3753" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWVc3VygHIFxypN4_lyQZnsufL024pz_l93eAeL4yCFA0_F0Ukag_lvuRAb2UhKMAqFnyVuEnZws9bL297qjNsqgtwrO7FfvldIdq1g4MVcnk_jYa8S1p5eYMAfAf_dME_JJj28qZQWVHZCEExXF6I5-RwJ78yk6MG-jMJPmQXnZIhCA0j8nQDmPG8Tm0/w640-h374/20231022_104905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div><span style="font-size: large;">After leaving Dublin, Ireland --<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-trip-to-ireland-and-scotland.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">see my last post-</a></b>-our Ireland/Scotland tour headed southeast to Kilkenny, (Irish: Cill Chainnigh). It is a city in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and is located in the provenance of Leinster. We stopped at <b><a href="https://visitkilkenny.ie/members/kilkenny-castle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kilkenny Castle</a></b>, built in 1260 to control a fording point of the River Nore and the junction of several routeways. The castle was a symbol of Norman occupation, and in its original 13th-century condition, with its four large circular towers, it would have formed an important element to the town's defenses. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yYBq_1pDOq8kzXO-BH3n62L06ZYocHw1RdhJHYPOwDH7ZURkk9wdWWscisVh_XDtp5dJBqDxP2Bux7L0tv-k9Li1Lw3hiIn1RI6OlOdSSgdkM8a6p1sOazTgknnFXZgKh_jHwKhy6SZ4EjNoYj6MkINqk-4Ce8a4BLBu7NRV1F2LoQWG2ur5IA1_kSnm/s2046/20231022_112328-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yYBq_1pDOq8kzXO-BH3n62L06ZYocHw1RdhJHYPOwDH7ZURkk9wdWWscisVh_XDtp5dJBqDxP2Bux7L0tv-k9Li1Lw3hiIn1RI6OlOdSSgdkM8a6p1sOazTgknnFXZgKh_jHwKhy6SZ4EjNoYj6MkINqk-4Ce8a4BLBu7NRV1F2LoQWG2ur5IA1_kSnm/w640-h480/20231022_112328-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The castle grounds entrance with the <a href="https://kilkennycastle.ie/11801/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Ormonde Coat of Arms</b></a> on the top</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-8Zcz_D_ObEwrVlK4cd5bQdoqlZfRIRyvqRcRg8-g7-MSWI6sHSK27o70DYA0Fu6Xd8msAzlxmOUPTM9jLkqzBxe0nWDfWXhTce9x8qwmPLoojMheRnQw4KkzXFbtMxU3tKFgaiT8CcDt9evU9x7tDhfOlW9eTfGSU47JNW4fmwVAy0ynyTNcHZvHt7l/s2047/20231022_102221-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-8Zcz_D_ObEwrVlK4cd5bQdoqlZfRIRyvqRcRg8-g7-MSWI6sHSK27o70DYA0Fu6Xd8msAzlxmOUPTM9jLkqzBxe0nWDfWXhTce9x8qwmPLoojMheRnQw4KkzXFbtMxU3tKFgaiT8CcDt9evU9x7tDhfOlW9eTfGSU47JNW4fmwVAy0ynyTNcHZvHt7l/w640-h640/20231022_102221-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kilkenny Castle was remodeled and restored and set in the 1830’s with a Victorian flair. In 1967, <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Butler,_6th_Marquess_of_Ormonde" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess of Ormonde</a>,</b> sold the castle for £50 to the Castle Restoration Committee for the people of Kilkenny. The castle and grounds are now managed by the Office of Public Works. There is an admission fee to tour inside the castle but the gardens and parkland are open to the public.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I toured the castle on a prior visit to Ireland so we decided to stroll in the gardens and in town during our visit, while my sister and brother in-laws went inside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMw-gQfSlayt5KgvB4fZ1GTDv8Ub2uVw1dfgU5-ZFhpmtlJRided5m6qXa_nERCkS7_TODTjA9wUoVHcfYolsH5HCjm7c0zMar06c3wesnhUjbFZkyHtGzJBQcCY2267bI2MfN27eeJEYZWQLaKu8HtTSB_jfII1sBOElr4YCelrd07bPnElzjGHTxoK1/s2046/20231022_103612-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMw-gQfSlayt5KgvB4fZ1GTDv8Ub2uVw1dfgU5-ZFhpmtlJRided5m6qXa_nERCkS7_TODTjA9wUoVHcfYolsH5HCjm7c0zMar06c3wesnhUjbFZkyHtGzJBQcCY2267bI2MfN27eeJEYZWQLaKu8HtTSB_jfII1sBOElr4YCelrd07bPnElzjGHTxoK1/w640-h640/20231022_103612-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The details in the castle statuary were interesting to see.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6twBjrCg1CiJ2olFLumUspftlYW7WqevsPwg19ePmpztsX5qmSdjYyt2atFkCFEmkaBY4WJwA4GZaP7kCkwO8LCyooJHwnZJOwyzDvHBzddK4lCZhnTSOAZuzWXI6gPzbfKkRvet6L9s6uLic3m860u_yp_nHJdzB6k4DyGyI00c4j8X2mQuGl-TbHiz5/s3137/20231022_120307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3137" data-original-width="2978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6twBjrCg1CiJ2olFLumUspftlYW7WqevsPwg19ePmpztsX5qmSdjYyt2atFkCFEmkaBY4WJwA4GZaP7kCkwO8LCyooJHwnZJOwyzDvHBzddK4lCZhnTSOAZuzWXI6gPzbfKkRvet6L9s6uLic3m860u_yp_nHJdzB6k4DyGyI00c4j8X2mQuGl-TbHiz5/w608-h640/20231022_120307.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The castle is surrounded by beautiful fifty-one acres (21 hectares) of <b><a href="https://kilkennycastle.ie/park-and-gardens/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">parkland and gardens</a>.</b></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDmhf2yA3QsPgz5Cbe2lZhE102fpKpfTUUDs51OJlTG-9CytDgao3j10FezUw4MfY_KCeQh_DpRxijc7JDlBECy46_DBqOX-IcYAQtSmbWIVVaN1pZ4ksLOL4FxVEVkUjloxan-tLlpifxbTxnymU5XXAi6GBKvT2Yzj_8SsLLE_NjrRUFm3SpE7o2TZR/s2046/20231022_104210-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDmhf2yA3QsPgz5Cbe2lZhE102fpKpfTUUDs51OJlTG-9CytDgao3j10FezUw4MfY_KCeQh_DpRxijc7JDlBECy46_DBqOX-IcYAQtSmbWIVVaN1pZ4ksLOL4FxVEVkUjloxan-tLlpifxbTxnymU5XXAi6GBKvT2Yzj_8SsLLE_NjrRUFm3SpE7o2TZR/w640-h640/20231022_104210-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I really enjoyed walking in the gardens and still seeing some flowers blooming in late October and some fall foliage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDDq2lC1amWqhEu0lIsGLShFH_nvCWDL3owGAKb0vHQrJ0tAHjV2e8bT4T2dhmPfrHcM97xO0ylUihj_EDqo8yL6ms1X17-ZcLAzhRhTXuDx82JY0hG92RWsFm7ttKT49Dll8noOnYSVJOPkBzIYNFFX73gKXIP7N4XOXBeayUjCB_25VhYkiBZ2yo7x7/s2046/20231022_104130-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDDq2lC1amWqhEu0lIsGLShFH_nvCWDL3owGAKb0vHQrJ0tAHjV2e8bT4T2dhmPfrHcM97xO0ylUihj_EDqo8yL6ms1X17-ZcLAzhRhTXuDx82JY0hG92RWsFm7ttKT49Dll8noOnYSVJOPkBzIYNFFX73gKXIP7N4XOXBeayUjCB_25VhYkiBZ2yo7x7/w640-h480/20231022_104130-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A sweet little robin and a wise old crow greeted us in the gardens.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLAMdYIRSwXs4I0BcmBvEkp8n40zaG4UXO2KHgTXN547gkTxXHNd9tJ1IZebHulEwhuUBdFE-edtsmSQ3U2wQyCNSwPJ4l_RLkhWOkxdmHqf-UuLYya4X6rZoyrmBDVzQ4PWiVajVz3ryy3YfaGCwQ-SUgCeOMz7sLyRiR5hJn6B8aTJJWtVrTG4amO-n/s1275/20231022_102022-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1275" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLAMdYIRSwXs4I0BcmBvEkp8n40zaG4UXO2KHgTXN547gkTxXHNd9tJ1IZebHulEwhuUBdFE-edtsmSQ3U2wQyCNSwPJ4l_RLkhWOkxdmHqf-UuLYya4X6rZoyrmBDVzQ4PWiVajVz3ryy3YfaGCwQ-SUgCeOMz7sLyRiR5hJn6B8aTJJWtVrTG4amO-n/w640-h480/20231022_102022-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When I saw this lake filled with swans I thought about the Irish Folktale, "<b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Lir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Children of Lir</a></b>" in which a jealous stepmother used a spell to turn her four stepchildren into swans and doomed them to spend 900 years swimming in three different bodies of water in Ireland for 300 years each, until the spell would be broken.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEEq2Ki22vxquY89X_y9yTAQ_jCCzfQ2zxgHcfQe7jS0mtQ61b_freSnsSE7fcEItnYlHex12QLwgZUXzqnIWLYWWnn_G0UBwsE4QJV9kVc8JzMQFuodQRJeXO4VfpVnelbRU_RM3cjJJblYmYv3CYSVHgq5OP3g-BbovYDw6lbnCEiiZH2YHotCgmWKM/s2046/20231022_111048-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEEq2Ki22vxquY89X_y9yTAQ_jCCzfQ2zxgHcfQe7jS0mtQ61b_freSnsSE7fcEItnYlHex12QLwgZUXzqnIWLYWWnn_G0UBwsE4QJV9kVc8JzMQFuodQRJeXO4VfpVnelbRU_RM3cjJJblYmYv3CYSVHgq5OP3g-BbovYDw6lbnCEiiZH2YHotCgmWKM/w640-h640/20231022_111048-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kilkenny is built on both banks of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Nore" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>River Nore</b></a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It reflected many colorful autumnal trees along its banks.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm7Kh6Awywok4dSz2yAqmYx2JQWwGD_FiN66m44Ikz6PTp982gxZKgl0xXPLkRTw-vmkzKO6hIc5KknjHZhLkmxiXzj0vhgNTu1IlT7HvrSDoRwcFKKWPf4wA3Il-rcKXxj2DkAtNnG0rVm-Bmpgqb6_1qDOltXn4eiq9x8Obw6XPIN4RnqJnj8oOEDD2/s3053/20231022_114250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="3053" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm7Kh6Awywok4dSz2yAqmYx2JQWwGD_FiN66m44Ikz6PTp982gxZKgl0xXPLkRTw-vmkzKO6hIc5KknjHZhLkmxiXzj0vhgNTu1IlT7HvrSDoRwcFKKWPf4wA3Il-rcKXxj2DkAtNnG0rVm-Bmpgqb6_1qDOltXn4eiq9x8Obw6XPIN4RnqJnj8oOEDD2/w640-h294/20231022_114250.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://kilkennyheritage.ie/2019/05/kilkenny-citys-medieval-walls/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kilkenny City Walls</a></b> protected the medieval town of Kilkenny. The town was surrounded by walls with regular towers and gates. Remnants of the Town Walls survive such as Talbot Tower (1207), which is also known as Talbot's Bastion or Castle.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvIquXsLM_HCb0PwPMF7erUbqksmsdmD6STu_j3d_XSEzDU3LeW3v-r8apI9OORQvyh12Opvxbsl5nGADgjwtQP0RcDx0Z8-w76PZU2YO_olByQQcuwuP7s1Bv-CTRnRzi53neLoXqVI-cXZBj8U_Nvlvaiq1ywqE2zaNT2MxdNagTxEZCqcv3d-qkex8/s1072/20231022_110604-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvIquXsLM_HCb0PwPMF7erUbqksmsdmD6STu_j3d_XSEzDU3LeW3v-r8apI9OORQvyh12Opvxbsl5nGADgjwtQP0RcDx0Z8-w76PZU2YO_olByQQcuwuP7s1Bv-CTRnRzi53neLoXqVI-cXZBj8U_Nvlvaiq1ywqE2zaNT2MxdNagTxEZCqcv3d-qkex8/w640-h640/20231022_110604-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I strolled into town hoping to visit<b> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Canice%27s_Cathedral">St Canice's Cathedral</a></b>, which is also known as Kilkenny Cathedral. The present building dates from the 13th century and is the second-longest cathedral in Ireland. Unfortunately, we realized the walk was longer than the time we had to be back on our tour bus to leave for Waterford. We had glimpses of the cathedral in the distance as we walked around.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see in the photo collage above, located beside the cathedral stands a 100 ft 9th-century round tower. St. Canice's tower is an excellent example of a well-preserved early Christian (9th century) <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_round_tower" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Round Tower</a>.</b> Accessible only by a steep set of internal ladders, it may once have been both a watchtower and a refuge, and the summit gives a good view of Kilkenny and the countryside around. The hill on which the cathedral stands is believed to be the center of the first major settlement at Kilkenny.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlIJrL9DxNajVD_dCY8-K0ppf3psOgcT16ZZ9fd4_UTOImJDssc38CCAf2CVVVFOKyezRT2lyKB99NCzQkY88ctM6rT7Am4l77ULlzFJBYXHPWZdwdEwXiE8H07f6EkMmHbJTICvcxm0FJ4OkOGLy1sg4oxMp7Oub8WMEENp23GDEB0M29QMSsgoR5nVo/s2046/20231022_113536-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlIJrL9DxNajVD_dCY8-K0ppf3psOgcT16ZZ9fd4_UTOImJDssc38CCAf2CVVVFOKyezRT2lyKB99NCzQkY88ctM6rT7Am4l77ULlzFJBYXHPWZdwdEwXiE8H07f6EkMmHbJTICvcxm0FJ4OkOGLy1sg4oxMp7Oub8WMEENp23GDEB0M29QMSsgoR5nVo/w640-h640/20231022_113536-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">There was a lot to see and do in town but we only had a limited time. The building on the middle right of the collage above had a <b><a href="https://www.smithwicksexperience.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smithwick's Brewery Tour.</a></b> Smithwick’s Ale has been brewed in Ireland since 1710.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I smiled when I saw the cow and sheep vases in a shop window. They are two animals seen frequently all over Ireland!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMZ9VUybAAu1vKF7YQZZS_oqHV7CyrQf_T9XZUvlwzYI4U22zOBYy4oKb78TfsLmLDkNA-9IpyCqpifFLcGqnV1AoSkYM0fQA_EEGx8DnmKu3S3zTT5JVKNbsmF34Is-Jst_KwMSdcXqw4dwoKd7bu3md-MZB5G28I28ggBLXuys6npt8JVSBE9CIBxMx/s3881/20231022_132659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3881" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMZ9VUybAAu1vKF7YQZZS_oqHV7CyrQf_T9XZUvlwzYI4U22zOBYy4oKb78TfsLmLDkNA-9IpyCqpifFLcGqnV1AoSkYM0fQA_EEGx8DnmKu3S3zTT5JVKNbsmF34Is-Jst_KwMSdcXqw4dwoKd7bu3md-MZB5G28I28ggBLXuys6npt8JVSBE9CIBxMx/w640-h330/20231022_132659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our next stop on the tour was the City of </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterford" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Waterford</a></b><span style="font-size: x-large;">--it will be in my next blog post.</span></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; 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line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-6332878746828795722023-11-06T01:16:00.001-05:002024-01-20T22:36:46.508-05:00A Trip to Ireland and Scotland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLpNDbB3QoJrBj2ldnws_YEHxeUjcndKdrCS36_ewyqol_zBR9xO4SA1m66S0ig-NtaAiyWuPhEPrVF6YNP06mn193wvkPfDtlX1HYCNzrfKwoAt2xORHD4b2R2E_gA4OydfnAJ6gld4GOpUuBRL0TrnP3f-DHKiV0A0SirrOvNqeyMinjMFfVwOu8h01/s2047/facebook_1699243268459_7127142837873716291-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLpNDbB3QoJrBj2ldnws_YEHxeUjcndKdrCS36_ewyqol_zBR9xO4SA1m66S0ig-NtaAiyWuPhEPrVF6YNP06mn193wvkPfDtlX1HYCNzrfKwoAt2xORHD4b2R2E_gA4OydfnAJ6gld4GOpUuBRL0TrnP3f-DHKiV0A0SirrOvNqeyMinjMFfVwOu8h01/w640-h640/facebook_1699243268459_7127142837873716291-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Autumn scenes in Ireland</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> When I stated that I was taking a break in my <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-drive-on-million-dollar-highway-in.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">last blog post</a></b> a few weeks ago I said I was going to "take time to watch the leaves fall." What I did not mention then was that I was going to experience autumn in Ireland and Scotland! My husband and I and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law took a two-week Cosmos bus tour called "<b><a href="https://www.cosmos.com/tour/highlights-of-ireland-scotland/9030/?season=2024" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Highlights of Ireland and Scotland</a></b>," at the end of October. We all had a wonderful time and met the nicest people. I've been fortunate to have visited Ireland many times in the past. One of my sister-in-laws was born and raised in County Cork and my husband and I have met her family over the years on trips to Ireland. plus my husband had a few business trips in Belfast Northern Ireland. If interested you can read the total of 37 posts I wrote about those visits under this blog tag: <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/search/label/Ireland">Ireland</a>. </b>This was the first time I visited Scotland, however, and I was very excited to finally see it!</span><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPxXF0Mo_qlD48NQKbzjmpzLc_z8TO2tjApe9Ln-P-lz6oExJ_DP_cnYPU-nbWGI40b0VocPkojViNgEKe501L5Q3VUJiE3J8oHGApSYPxGGJm_Fu0x4Fl81emCgHMlqsn_E9f_nlCsz9Gamip3FhZxzaiw5PlrqUM4fN89Sxg7LOSVuDPMy4cwKX3yaL/s2046/20231020_084102-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPxXF0Mo_qlD48NQKbzjmpzLc_z8TO2tjApe9Ln-P-lz6oExJ_DP_cnYPU-nbWGI40b0VocPkojViNgEKe501L5Q3VUJiE3J8oHGApSYPxGGJm_Fu0x4Fl81emCgHMlqsn_E9f_nlCsz9Gamip3FhZxzaiw5PlrqUM4fN89Sxg7LOSVuDPMy4cwKX3yaL/w640-h640/20231020_084102-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"In Dublin's fair city</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where the girls are so pretty</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As she wheeled her wheelbarrow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Through streets broad and narrow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alive, alive, oh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alive, alive, oh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh"</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived a day earlier than our scheduled tour and had a fun day walking around Dublin and taking the "Hop On and Hop Off" bus. A landmark we were excited to see was the statue of Molly Malone. My husband and I were confused that she was no longer located on Grafton Street, where we had seen her in the past, but she had to be moved to a new location when Dublin installed a light rail system on Grafton. Dublin was certainly busier and had more commuters than we last saw years ago. She is a very modern bustling city! I guess it is pretty evident looking at the statue what part of Molly is considered "good luck" to rub! "Molly Malone" (also known as "Cockles and Mussels" or "In Dublin's Fair City") is a popular song set in Dublin, Ireland, which has become its unofficial anthem.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12UiRoKd8Jw-6Gy94m9eFAcZMyvti7zH1kZwKOO6oPt0F4yQ6b44m3phgbLRPYxkQWcNsQdY-uRlzuMBQZyn2It87uB3gvACT1ymTmbEp4r32z2VYUh7DHdVJWKsQpr2T_efEU1IbB2cGVRWBe84xOa1rlg7CddDV3J_BBcNgocz74zC_OyFX3xu-C_KY/s2046/20231020_084902-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12UiRoKd8Jw-6Gy94m9eFAcZMyvti7zH1kZwKOO6oPt0F4yQ6b44m3phgbLRPYxkQWcNsQdY-uRlzuMBQZyn2It87uB3gvACT1ymTmbEp4r32z2VYUh7DHdVJWKsQpr2T_efEU1IbB2cGVRWBe84xOa1rlg7CddDV3J_BBcNgocz74zC_OyFX3xu-C_KY/w640-h640/20231020_084902-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another Dublin icon is the Guinness Brewery! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The day we arrived in Dublin the aftereffects of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Babet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Storm Babet </a></b>were still being felt as it rained heavily almost all day. I braved sitting on the top of the Hop On Hop Off bus wearing a rain poncho to take photos. You can see the gloomy rainy skies in my photos. Sadly, areas in County Cork and the east coast of Scotland suffered flooding from the storm.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UNu16eQvPxS706We0CQ_KxCDL1hpLcLc88hXaCNP_IwhvddvEaxh0Y4CIQchl2w66s9cTd2Cp0xLiJY5hye7oMrYJ6T-seQo28W0frR7bgZzU-Bq_mLuBae9n-0rlTm-O0dBAlzV-G34w5Hi63USBYc2wAu3fdmKuUWceWVRHRBT09FJldtj9LN8Ld5Y/s1578/20231020_102500-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1578" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UNu16eQvPxS706We0CQ_KxCDL1hpLcLc88hXaCNP_IwhvddvEaxh0Y4CIQchl2w66s9cTd2Cp0xLiJY5hye7oMrYJ6T-seQo28W0frR7bgZzU-Bq_mLuBae9n-0rlTm-O0dBAlzV-G34w5Hi63USBYc2wAu3fdmKuUWceWVRHRBT09FJldtj9LN8Ld5Y/w640-h640/20231020_102500-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Views of the famous <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha%27penny_Bridge" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ha'penny Bridge</a></b> in Dublin.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjEmctVMwU0MXaN76ubyp7kOtYTxF8SFFTrUJ-s5HmPHsk6NhaJpxoGZqHBI5G6tTFINJN7g80lFhB8d17i5cre-IApEaxEJa2N7SSpG830yNSGoSfAlabR2x9byXLJKuPbNmTdxVNSD7cWpOobqCVNldo1D_iDtJJ-bJaLEaeYOWgic6o8GAkeW5ztYE/s2046/20231020_095911-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjEmctVMwU0MXaN76ubyp7kOtYTxF8SFFTrUJ-s5HmPHsk6NhaJpxoGZqHBI5G6tTFINJN7g80lFhB8d17i5cre-IApEaxEJa2N7SSpG830yNSGoSfAlabR2x9byXLJKuPbNmTdxVNSD7cWpOobqCVNldo1D_iDtJJ-bJaLEaeYOWgic6o8GAkeW5ztYE/w640-h640/20231020_095911-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dublin's Phoenix Park was aglow in autumn beauty! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The home of the President of Ireland is located in Phonix Park. The house was built in 1751, and it is nicknamed "The Irish White House" due to its resemblance to the US White House in Washington DC</span>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lqwxPGOXQ6sUxIYFSKfNgiZQXcSHXGUR6ZI1P49BZzVxKONUrAg5EJIGyg-iTi1ayB6y5QTb62NLpZDNz3ILf9YX5oifkcb-qPTzeOtuK6VAKax3D__ps5LnjKn7RY8uQ5S8sDb0JBC1owgAmRiDDqqhdblu5X2_ikwwdvFRhLAz17tAtS_0836DrQo7/s2046/20231020_142110-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lqwxPGOXQ6sUxIYFSKfNgiZQXcSHXGUR6ZI1P49BZzVxKONUrAg5EJIGyg-iTi1ayB6y5QTb62NLpZDNz3ILf9YX5oifkcb-qPTzeOtuK6VAKax3D__ps5LnjKn7RY8uQ5S8sDb0JBC1owgAmRiDDqqhdblu5X2_ikwwdvFRhLAz17tAtS_0836DrQo7/w640-h640/20231020_142110-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also visited <b><a href="https://www.dublincastle.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dublin Castle</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">"Constructed in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, Dublin Castle served for centuries as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland. In 1922, following Ireland’s independence, Dublin Castle was handed over to the new Irish government. It is now a major government complex and a key tourist attraction."</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYJP83RUe4BfdNhIIa33uWKRTQDglfbZwUuSAr2M7M72l4gBoHDGRrmsOGDw9bLlSLAg2heczNBBKqsbZErWtTCaFAOK-avhC9Nxm7us0ElTUpGtpvzXLYnxvUxKq0bH25JYUN6UeFvyrjxFit5DhOuLsWEFzHEdfRAN5aJawrg3e3pxIQPn-4zWiIBoV/s2047/20231020_151537-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYJP83RUe4BfdNhIIa33uWKRTQDglfbZwUuSAr2M7M72l4gBoHDGRrmsOGDw9bLlSLAg2heczNBBKqsbZErWtTCaFAOK-avhC9Nxm7us0ElTUpGtpvzXLYnxvUxKq0bH25JYUN6UeFvyrjxFit5DhOuLsWEFzHEdfRAN5aJawrg3e3pxIQPn-4zWiIBoV/w640-h640/20231020_151537-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">St Patrick's Cathedral</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">"Built on the site where Saint Patrick baptized Christian converts nearly over 1500 years ago, this holy site has been a place of spiritual encounter for countless generations."</span><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi680LNj7Wj6cIsNYDev1fNpx0tKGo31hFZyeZO3LMFn0ZKA4WxjguwgfXEVSFDzxuWO4bAbg9T37JRgE-7JiRJY_WCo4D_jJHXcGtNNvLXzk49HCV893o55MZWh5k6STUZ-RxYBWQEHbmFul_c47TgT-MYFGpRr9bZSX_y_06lgTyc47wsmb3yh7YtdWr/s2047/20231020_102927-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi680LNj7Wj6cIsNYDev1fNpx0tKGo31hFZyeZO3LMFn0ZKA4WxjguwgfXEVSFDzxuWO4bAbg9T37JRgE-7JiRJY_WCo4D_jJHXcGtNNvLXzk49HCV893o55MZWh5k6STUZ-RxYBWQEHbmFul_c47TgT-MYFGpRr9bZSX_y_06lgTyc47wsmb3yh7YtdWr/w640-h640/20231020_102927-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Random photos of Dublin. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed exploring the city again over two days!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OfgNHwYoCA9boP6K5Co5OqHnE9_1YB2C6uutJeQfz0ui6-7-lB8KqRVf1MSbNk3T-6aQUdXahcT2BJbtQIp4NDRrE-4S3E040trrTBIjkDI0r2f0_0bNcP8W2M_rA3Pk06dZPBkR_DewoN25_J0kkYx5L1bBeulKA4NlmsjyKGUZFP-tZ_1JumX1MWKC/s2047/20231021_182427-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OfgNHwYoCA9boP6K5Co5OqHnE9_1YB2C6uutJeQfz0ui6-7-lB8KqRVf1MSbNk3T-6aQUdXahcT2BJbtQIp4NDRrE-4S3E040trrTBIjkDI0r2f0_0bNcP8W2M_rA3Pk06dZPBkR_DewoN25_J0kkYx5L1bBeulKA4NlmsjyKGUZFP-tZ_1JumX1MWKC/w640-h640/20231021_182427-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a tour excursion on our last day in Dublin, we attended the <b><a href="https://www.taylorsthreerock.ie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Taylor Irish Cabaret</a></b>. It consisted of a three-course dinner, a drink, and an Irish Coffee, with a wonderful musical and dance production afterward. If you'd like to see the Irish dancers you can see them on a reel on my Mille Fiori Facebook page at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/704724968274044" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b>. To hear a song by Rob Vicker--an Irish tenor, and hear traditional music click on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/800233161873279" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this reel link</a></b>. Make sure to turn on the sound with the speaker in the upper right corner of each reel.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have many stops ahead on our tour of Ireland and Scotland and I'd love to show you some highlights in my upcoming posts. Please join me again to see them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Inst</a></b><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><br />Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-46723251846011463362023-10-15T21:51:00.000-04:002023-10-15T21:51:04.045-04:00A Drive on the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBKaZdRdV93-YZxfSgKg8OQ5a_hrR2-C23vMC6xspigCLtZF8KSHSTVMD_s0AzKBpuOpOiLKo2FGKi5kjTq0iBih7Y_viK0nIFZR0FVEDxq5dzJR540inkX1xUbO5hWoNTtbZy50bNDQPEbcALdP1FGCTdKlDV-J6dvJnatP_wnvGrcXKcLHbHoeRS6F_/s2046/20230929_090547-COLLAGE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBKaZdRdV93-YZxfSgKg8OQ5a_hrR2-C23vMC6xspigCLtZF8KSHSTVMD_s0AzKBpuOpOiLKo2FGKi5kjTq0iBih7Y_viK0nIFZR0FVEDxq5dzJR540inkX1xUbO5hWoNTtbZy50bNDQPEbcALdP1FGCTdKlDV-J6dvJnatP_wnvGrcXKcLHbHoeRS6F_/s2046/20230929_090547-COLLAGE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBKaZdRdV93-YZxfSgKg8OQ5a_hrR2-C23vMC6xspigCLtZF8KSHSTVMD_s0AzKBpuOpOiLKo2FGKi5kjTq0iBih7Y_viK0nIFZR0FVEDxq5dzJR540inkX1xUbO5hWoNTtbZy50bNDQPEbcALdP1FGCTdKlDV-J6dvJnatP_wnvGrcXKcLHbHoeRS6F_/s600/20230929_090547-COLLAGE.jpg" width="600" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br />After spending a day in <b><a href="https://www.durango.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Durango, Colorado</a></b>, to take a ride on the scenic Durango to Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad--see the blog post about that on--<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/10/durango-and-silverton-railroad-travel.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a></b>--my husband and I decided to take a scenic drive on <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_550" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">US Route 550</a></b>, which in Colorado has the nickname "The Million Dollar Highway," and it is also a portion of the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Juan_Skyway_Scenic_and_Historic_Byway" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">San Juan Skyway</a></b>, on a loop that takes one through old mining towns, spectacular scenery, and exhilarating twists & turns. This loop of state-maintained highway goes through the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Juan_Mountains" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">San Juan Mountains.</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbTQFD1J5-HAK1meGGnaUcB0jt6id9j2S3-9eRNtaNw0mDZnW_qcTy6Tz9GFr-TuUn36i5D6UrR5G4DWflO811vM0q14eu_tiFNJ-uass8PZnRGRB9Onrlf_bdgMSRYnUL_rdu6R0FgJ8swBvb1rMR8QhdXa_PrQ1DSzYUpZvo_nsT2So4zE0UV1_kcd1/s3000/20230929_091255.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbTQFD1J5-HAK1meGGnaUcB0jt6id9j2S3-9eRNtaNw0mDZnW_qcTy6Tz9GFr-TuUn36i5D6UrR5G4DWflO811vM0q14eu_tiFNJ-uass8PZnRGRB9Onrlf_bdgMSRYnUL_rdu6R0FgJ8swBvb1rMR8QhdXa_PrQ1DSzYUpZvo_nsT2So4zE0UV1_kcd1/s600/20230929_091255.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Mears" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Otto Mears</a></b> built a portion of the highway connecting Ouray to Silverton in the late 1880s as a toll road, and it is now one of the most spectacular drives in the USA. There are a few different stories surrounding the road’s colorful name. One legend states that the road was built using a million dollars worth of gold and silver tailings. At the same time, another claims the nickname originates from an exhausted traveler who proclaimed: “I would not travel that road again for a million dollars!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoII1wppRtG6EaobJ8y7pmeh0rhP7PqLB7nnWQ1boF-bb4g2swPfYVOsbJVb8TNYIa9CvdGKNsP4AuoMtYHmiMbE71IsL9M1RE_cWNzUOrghMCyiSdCeaj8dRJBeVF1xqNDg8YwkruT0HrFcN_pezbucKkvDk_gzYjckp8FDuaKxoGVtEzB_HUnY3G7x63/s2047/20230929_091925-COLLAGE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoII1wppRtG6EaobJ8y7pmeh0rhP7PqLB7nnWQ1boF-bb4g2swPfYVOsbJVb8TNYIa9CvdGKNsP4AuoMtYHmiMbE71IsL9M1RE_cWNzUOrghMCyiSdCeaj8dRJBeVF1xqNDg8YwkruT0HrFcN_pezbucKkvDk_gzYjckp8FDuaKxoGVtEzB_HUnY3G7x63/s600/20230929_091925-COLLAGE.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were taking our drive during the last week in September, and we were worried that the aspen trees would not have changed into their glorious autumn yellows and golds as yet, but for the most part, the autumn colors along the ride were beautiful!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7hUQqRe_-2DLRKHaroXmPU8OEoLEWMaX_YTldNizuoU284-l-HpDcrMOrR3rhdZm9rJqKnfDjtCsKWhKHpHmCOdUFaWv_YQTvWN1mQlFWHsyi6jHzBN4iO7SYfphkVsLSGEk0zEzkV2uNJXaklcQqhpZFfuimZK_iPj1coK-N_S8lgxOYZWjcthQ95aL/s2310/20230929_092155.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1713" data-original-width="2310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7hUQqRe_-2DLRKHaroXmPU8OEoLEWMaX_YTldNizuoU284-l-HpDcrMOrR3rhdZm9rJqKnfDjtCsKWhKHpHmCOdUFaWv_YQTvWN1mQlFWHsyi6jHzBN4iO7SYfphkVsLSGEk0zEzkV2uNJXaklcQqhpZFfuimZK_iPj1coK-N_S8lgxOYZWjcthQ95aL/s600/20230929_092155.jpg" width="600" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We even saw some bright orange color along the way which is the last color that many of the aspen leaves change to before falling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcU0SuU44TVJcQeRpc2uWaM38jaUiFvvn0vfxeTfJdtqz23CzlC2B7zV5QKMOOwqzxCP_qQA7zH9-2AzloE5q726qLcKvh21PVFMPgBcKYFBVUy1Evt6ji4X28mkaXc-KiOcWWWaWaCioLjnjI1ouRwjoq6nlCsczNEgmv23C0FL_8lltgz3f7LjxmYdL/s1693/20230929_092503-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1693" data-original-width="1693" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcU0SuU44TVJcQeRpc2uWaM38jaUiFvvn0vfxeTfJdtqz23CzlC2B7zV5QKMOOwqzxCP_qQA7zH9-2AzloE5q726qLcKvh21PVFMPgBcKYFBVUy1Evt6ji4X28mkaXc-KiOcWWWaWaCioLjnjI1ouRwjoq6nlCsczNEgmv23C0FL_8lltgz3f7LjxmYdL/w640-h640/20230929_092503-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The drive soon took us over two high mountain passes, <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molas_Pass" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Molas Pass</a></b> and <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_Bank_Pass" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coal Bank Pass</a></b>, that had scenic panoramic views!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvfBovWzFSVHl9u4kFZeQIQf7UMIVE8mUv6OGGM7_SW044QDJ5r2rwfCFscZOogxfXo3rpFcawOdLb-HlRmtQ0AEcya5yA5Ok7JfoapfBbveqK_9aP4nhyxt1aFxrt55CaSLBV_ZI8KwIQD_X9DrMn7y7MDvnNvQK32VTqo_27lNSy-CI2dZohsWAyFeT/s2046/20230929_093012-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvfBovWzFSVHl9u4kFZeQIQf7UMIVE8mUv6OGGM7_SW044QDJ5r2rwfCFscZOogxfXo3rpFcawOdLb-HlRmtQ0AEcya5yA5Ok7JfoapfBbveqK_9aP4nhyxt1aFxrt55CaSLBV_ZI8KwIQD_X9DrMn7y7MDvnNvQK32VTqo_27lNSy-CI2dZohsWAyFeT/w640-h640/20230929_093012-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The autumn colors became more plentiful and brighter the higher elevations that we traveled.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl42YzEq2fZ6C3eXxiVqPQ5eVNs6IGYI7lFTihyphenhyphengoeznDj-Bd1oLJM5uMh9z32WrpetdO8yQW9-MiDOfhWNEyEQixdL-w9iYsPaCnNI9y6JmTIPqG_a36YJt4jXv_6rqVpIrx4dUBQG0F0C1Q95xoWjO1Uxu0p9MHZs90udPXmRp1By7y7fEnB6TphM3H/s3161/20230929_093316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1852" data-original-width="3161" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl42YzEq2fZ6C3eXxiVqPQ5eVNs6IGYI7lFTihyphenhyphengoeznDj-Bd1oLJM5uMh9z32WrpetdO8yQW9-MiDOfhWNEyEQixdL-w9iYsPaCnNI9y6JmTIPqG_a36YJt4jXv_6rqVpIrx4dUBQG0F0C1Q95xoWjO1Uxu0p9MHZs90udPXmRp1By7y7fEnB6TphM3H/w640-h374/20230929_093316.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking closely towards the bottom of this photo you can see US Route 550 cutting across a ridge in one of the mountains.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V2ydUtzxK70sCRXnEtXzg4r3u2_r7yxRi_gFL3nLAn3aw6XrhAXKdTXA2YkNQQ2mXAQdLrvZ5wFwM6-MuCiRVYDMLzjklMfVyDcqyIs7oXTzPPTI0yFCalt6xj0dbNWzwBCs15BRhj9yYaJJHJKocwtiRFWPjaY75QIGWF_b874A24ooAf6WED9JFg7J/s3019/20230929_093917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3019" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V2ydUtzxK70sCRXnEtXzg4r3u2_r7yxRi_gFL3nLAn3aw6XrhAXKdTXA2YkNQQ2mXAQdLrvZ5wFwM6-MuCiRVYDMLzjklMfVyDcqyIs7oXTzPPTI0yFCalt6xj0dbNWzwBCs15BRhj9yYaJJHJKocwtiRFWPjaY75QIGWF_b874A24ooAf6WED9JFg7J/w640-h318/20230929_093917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the San Juan Mountain tops can be viewed here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictt9XzDHroEAmZLZVyvg68iyoquXVNI7QPJTZn18UhTvfkazIKxAkvMC3ubXZPLNjVxB5x8LG0aijdxon1Qrh1j0iYdJ5sBChMJ4VIwIjzlTz53BTeVltoHbjuYkWk5-YSQNfKweaFzznofhT4RbmBI7E1qy4MGMKBmbg7kn4gEYme2xHrnxCsJUQo36U/s1461/20230929_094301-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="1461" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictt9XzDHroEAmZLZVyvg68iyoquXVNI7QPJTZn18UhTvfkazIKxAkvMC3ubXZPLNjVxB5x8LG0aijdxon1Qrh1j0iYdJ5sBChMJ4VIwIjzlTz53BTeVltoHbjuYkWk5-YSQNfKweaFzznofhT4RbmBI7E1qy4MGMKBmbg7kn4gEYme2xHrnxCsJUQo36U/w640-h640/20230929_094301-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The lush thick San Juan Forest went on for many miles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko3pMb6hNtFlRiZIFTb9dPrHUr9hyorUVBIsNoFGOAv4vISaLc-9g7LdwfeeL_gDaOejEs55WmW6x81nbQKP8udCLsAb_Uri8Fj7SdFVWguOMUVryCsq4oBonvuJ0t7tEmwOA5_kKeUks7UI4yAkYYaYiwg50YkH6f7KRJf-ozIRJ5RXKXr_Nh77NBO3L/s3273/20230929_094710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3273" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko3pMb6hNtFlRiZIFTb9dPrHUr9hyorUVBIsNoFGOAv4vISaLc-9g7LdwfeeL_gDaOejEs55WmW6x81nbQKP8udCLsAb_Uri8Fj7SdFVWguOMUVryCsq4oBonvuJ0t7tEmwOA5_kKeUks7UI4yAkYYaYiwg50YkH6f7KRJf-ozIRJ5RXKXr_Nh77NBO3L/w586-h640/20230929_094710.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A view of the historic gold mining town of Silverton in the distance--you can see the road swinging around a mountain that is going towards the town on the left side of this photo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFv_9ZycntsLNYO3TcjYPiB6dYCXA5aFBWZo04Szj8q-buGXAtDMBBpUYcMsmb6ycCuMy6DtkltkdQeYycPKWRIeAuh4LEf_OOXuBnz1Y8Nfxyo5zdx5MWrvr7wUHWuD8VzMlxqLOJzZdUKpE7yLiqR4jLryYgi3yKhMbHJjZO4v2iQG0I0Oe3nE2MYeC/s3896/DSC_9838.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2762" data-original-width="3896" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFv_9ZycntsLNYO3TcjYPiB6dYCXA5aFBWZo04Szj8q-buGXAtDMBBpUYcMsmb6ycCuMy6DtkltkdQeYycPKWRIeAuh4LEf_OOXuBnz1Y8Nfxyo5zdx5MWrvr7wUHWuD8VzMlxqLOJzZdUKpE7yLiqR4jLryYgi3yKhMbHJjZO4v2iQG0I0Oe3nE2MYeC/w640-h454/DSC_9838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I liked this photo as it shows how I took many of the 500-plus photos I took during our drive. Thank goodness for fast camera shutters!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj04JfOTUGHYhNi7HFzsrQhufOndTrM95KD5ACDUK_qYqAXcGeezgy8pl9rnRa1d_LLKmAQ18I2AqubPVCR0mVgfw-piUDpWK9IJ8DEiLqicrsEtliAvEnzmzgziTPzQ_ABfupcSmoO82AIEfhCVc1V7m2cHuaRlmeYdO6Iv9TvPxp3ydlHR8yLLzrHEX/s2993/20230929_094911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="2993" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj04JfOTUGHYhNi7HFzsrQhufOndTrM95KD5ACDUK_qYqAXcGeezgy8pl9rnRa1d_LLKmAQ18I2AqubPVCR0mVgfw-piUDpWK9IJ8DEiLqicrsEtliAvEnzmzgziTPzQ_ABfupcSmoO82AIEfhCVc1V7m2cHuaRlmeYdO6Iv9TvPxp3ydlHR8yLLzrHEX/w640-h444/20230929_094911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Colorful mountain views along the way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApitllGY2_IfQEUSUCve32kJleQGZ_czkFC5dw_H551ZnDx3edj3U6Z1oGWcNvMTFoxUf6JCWK3JqosMB4kfftb-72PpXDWWZoyxDpB6zVgKjv0hUlSB_jjbs7e9-5Zx-22C1XhzM6r6GG-ZzrBsQNOLL_9a2jI7rma107EUJnNwQ8MtrjZj2M-axFIJA/s2046/20230929_095141-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApitllGY2_IfQEUSUCve32kJleQGZ_czkFC5dw_H551ZnDx3edj3U6Z1oGWcNvMTFoxUf6JCWK3JqosMB4kfftb-72PpXDWWZoyxDpB6zVgKjv0hUlSB_jjbs7e9-5Zx-22C1XhzM6r6GG-ZzrBsQNOLL_9a2jI7rma107EUJnNwQ8MtrjZj2M-axFIJA/w640-h640/20230929_095141-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please click on the photo to enlarge it to read the signs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We passed by Silverton, as we had visited it when we took the Durango to Silverton Railroad the day before. It is an active town and open year round.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5t2qmYPMCw3brffQ3CFEbX7_s2hm6tHh5n5tYAWjUQ-c3s7FfqnIjRezfBuNpmVek69OOgUqxX9c7KzpvT5YK0WQYTLrPHXlx_8YSO9nMU9bwMqeM1MajfqXkqzOa25TKhD-Y-S2LNCVU1Al8VEAG7cXqPdL8frVnGGa7nHxCDjBpWsQDijXiDlYtMPd/s2356/20230929_095751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="2356" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5t2qmYPMCw3brffQ3CFEbX7_s2hm6tHh5n5tYAWjUQ-c3s7FfqnIjRezfBuNpmVek69OOgUqxX9c7KzpvT5YK0WQYTLrPHXlx_8YSO9nMU9bwMqeM1MajfqXkqzOa25TKhD-Y-S2LNCVU1Al8VEAG7cXqPdL8frVnGGa7nHxCDjBpWsQDijXiDlYtMPd/w640-h412/20230929_095751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">More beautiful autumn color on a cloudless bright blue sky day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq772qvjembCTNUVGhkbeX40XITmuGuC9hpKwzMvjvr7KakAp5u-E5ncVRo9YiY5arxekYuwVeaeXS9Psjer9aeM7tTEq-2K4TMd6PldWyWBIRtQyoRAy-yMUIR5fWKsIG4iPjyqrZo0HbRY76jvSPtgKyfB0__1IIBwKoAA_i9WxK20isoV_BnqUX22q/s2046/DSC_9819-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq772qvjembCTNUVGhkbeX40XITmuGuC9hpKwzMvjvr7KakAp5u-E5ncVRo9YiY5arxekYuwVeaeXS9Psjer9aeM7tTEq-2K4TMd6PldWyWBIRtQyoRAy-yMUIR5fWKsIG4iPjyqrZo0HbRY76jvSPtgKyfB0__1IIBwKoAA_i9WxK20isoV_BnqUX22q/w640-h640/DSC_9819-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A bit of old mining presence still stands among the gorgeous scenery.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1YNkKbn2Qwos96mwioqIqVhOY9Bh7utjmEWIgZkP3LQuseb2aMcIyZNDAbfS3VLPYYyFSF-ngmzAJ-zgF7cz8JNUo1YEHgQnS6bPhkGJ-J1_RBN68ZRYt0UcEkR0k9ql7ky-Q6_tZ5npqC84GaY-tiSz05RrUs4ksDZLgxYAS-vwohOl3GyDqQs9OIYj/s3000/20230929_101033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="3000" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1YNkKbn2Qwos96mwioqIqVhOY9Bh7utjmEWIgZkP3LQuseb2aMcIyZNDAbfS3VLPYYyFSF-ngmzAJ-zgF7cz8JNUo1YEHgQnS6bPhkGJ-J1_RBN68ZRYt0UcEkR0k9ql7ky-Q6_tZ5npqC84GaY-tiSz05RrUs4ksDZLgxYAS-vwohOl3GyDqQs9OIYj/w640-h350/20230929_101033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A view looking back at the road as we rise up in higher elevation again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu1yAJrX2s_YMiAlk3-_EQ6NDBpDMfxkGqaxlgDHw53jeC-BmdbR_LKO0ueqKClFrKwkwKGj4bOdDfNGwr172MFhyphenhyphenCxUv5bgZiNmw9D7FQ80_vPyiXEQ3_0fG37eXBmd4MoNfmoaCoLMmSoYhkByuG0F6XnYPci0wifHjoOZfKO9cccbhMg4QHNHlSjSW/s2046/DSC_9831-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu1yAJrX2s_YMiAlk3-_EQ6NDBpDMfxkGqaxlgDHw53jeC-BmdbR_LKO0ueqKClFrKwkwKGj4bOdDfNGwr172MFhyphenhyphenCxUv5bgZiNmw9D7FQ80_vPyiXEQ3_0fG37eXBmd4MoNfmoaCoLMmSoYhkByuG0F6XnYPci0wifHjoOZfKO9cccbhMg4QHNHlSjSW/w640-h640/DSC_9831-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Million Dollar Highway earns its reputation as being full of twists and turns with few to no side rails and full of scary cliffside drop-offs. Thank goodness my husband has nerves of steel!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEM_abr5UEQ-ma1j3n1K7PDqHhyphenhyphen9vmLK3XuXcIMqqb7pD5016TPZY2Asah1I1td0ZxmEpIcS1P7NsxoeihUyqFivV2XgCu9A12Dd9IAvjno4LGGFqBowkZJz779OtmFuSyP8QOXb6jT3Lgh-o18V_2h1Flj8qbGymae_2lui_ILHpjM4YXhTJBM3aemM9/s4000/20230929_104932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEM_abr5UEQ-ma1j3n1K7PDqHhyphenhyphen9vmLK3XuXcIMqqb7pD5016TPZY2Asah1I1td0ZxmEpIcS1P7NsxoeihUyqFivV2XgCu9A12Dd9IAvjno4LGGFqBowkZJz779OtmFuSyP8QOXb6jT3Lgh-o18V_2h1Flj8qbGymae_2lui_ILHpjM4YXhTJBM3aemM9/w640-h480/20230929_104932.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But despite being a bit scary at times the drive is well worth taking to see the views!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlChW035O8ngE6TdDCFlQJRC07K-l0UO0aOC3fHfvIVWK_x9eoNx3UKa3CDwiQl-28tLwtL9-VjFmEaaBROGO8dWnbFUOl7RqHsZRc_9sgPo96lUCua9iycZ04S5laciLhQ5_SCQgq6jjM-76uI4RgeF65CiVMGKYIP8TsdXOXAgxVfy3DUAAhA3OCBetk/s4000/20230929_105300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlChW035O8ngE6TdDCFlQJRC07K-l0UO0aOC3fHfvIVWK_x9eoNx3UKa3CDwiQl-28tLwtL9-VjFmEaaBROGO8dWnbFUOl7RqHsZRc_9sgPo96lUCua9iycZ04S5laciLhQ5_SCQgq6jjM-76uI4RgeF65CiVMGKYIP8TsdXOXAgxVfy3DUAAhA3OCBetk/w640-h480/20230929_105300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We "oohed and ahhed" at the aspen colors along the entire drive! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza7ZlhQw256zJ1yyzcrbtPxmTxf_BbtlHB5jVqVy6QT6jNhEAb9ThRVX6zoo2kPH6teIpy-w_0Jj_hl3wwO5lBuZssSYI-TYwk_ZdRJ4QdmarUtikxuFCh8sTPRW0cd02-QZnFVOYlkaqfxAq2ujAUlQvEbtkc2QZ4rTt5mpxjkn4P0_eAhGgqfbEAYnq/s2047/20230929_105510-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza7ZlhQw256zJ1yyzcrbtPxmTxf_BbtlHB5jVqVy6QT6jNhEAb9ThRVX6zoo2kPH6teIpy-w_0Jj_hl3wwO5lBuZssSYI-TYwk_ZdRJ4QdmarUtikxuFCh8sTPRW0cd02-QZnFVOYlkaqfxAq2ujAUlQvEbtkc2QZ4rTt5mpxjkn4P0_eAhGgqfbEAYnq/w640-h640/20230929_105510-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So much autumn color surrounded us!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVPYZm-gf7ZtWIH1xf6iwP2KKVKbZXUPIv3OHBS3gD6BceGvdVBWKUC9WbTl3t7dvA9lakiTXE1aiSkEoN1F_uwMISBzTIZNIWmu-GVOfRfeb5wUAT_s83y23IA05-n7u04aYa72SSuG9TusNc4K-qUOMf6SYX4EfhW6iZi_5fDdR6sIt-vDU5z0FWKav/s2046/20230929_110458-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVPYZm-gf7ZtWIH1xf6iwP2KKVKbZXUPIv3OHBS3gD6BceGvdVBWKUC9WbTl3t7dvA9lakiTXE1aiSkEoN1F_uwMISBzTIZNIWmu-GVOfRfeb5wUAT_s83y23IA05-n7u04aYa72SSuG9TusNc4K-qUOMf6SYX4EfhW6iZi_5fDdR6sIt-vDU5z0FWKav/w640-h640/20230929_110458-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we approached Ouray the road got especially curvy and mountainous.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">The Million Dollar Highway climbs up and over Red Mountain Pass, with a summit of 11,075 feet (<span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156;">3.358m),</span> before clinging to the stunning, steep canyon walls of Uncompahgre Gorge as it makes its descent into Ouray.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/8PIKW1N3Qr0?si=Sv6nEKCIpTOeGa5b" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8PIKW1N3Qr0/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In the short video above, you can catch a glimpse of a stretch of road that we were fortunate to be driving on the mountainside, rather than in the opposite direction where the road's edge is perilously close to a deep gorge.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyejAAQBD_E4ikMgAlSgYEjKl6w9mRFc5bxFLiPagtFhLH-JLmeeSJ-OlgrKB3_fb6XkW-YwQFu7Z4KC_0VSUGygxZjqDradsMXk2mQlfjLG1lHvVve0rukeoxhQdDb11C3K8SnO4_CIoBGkbweZUBWPOwNSwKQ_YZsqK0kNuoqU_uNVon_SDlzr0FdGQD/s2046/20230929_111446-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyejAAQBD_E4ikMgAlSgYEjKl6w9mRFc5bxFLiPagtFhLH-JLmeeSJ-OlgrKB3_fb6XkW-YwQFu7Z4KC_0VSUGygxZjqDradsMXk2mQlfjLG1lHvVve0rukeoxhQdDb11C3K8SnO4_CIoBGkbweZUBWPOwNSwKQ_YZsqK0kNuoqU_uNVon_SDlzr0FdGQD/w640-h640/20230929_111446-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.visitouray.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ouray</a></b>, known as the "<a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/san-juan-mountains-ouray-colorado" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Switzerland of America</b></a>," offers up picturesque mountain views. We visited Ouray in 2016, in late November, and drove a portion of The Million Dollar Highway then--<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/search?q=ouray" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a></b>-- to see that post and what the road looked like with winter snow and ice on it.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILGvdLxI4B5HfGpCBCY4TbnARjsrRHs3juoShsCGnZE4fCmKFoWjTQkEMO3UcjY-0nxnU95e-2eYW_jbs1pwLoKHrm3Xtlxn-MsBE0RGur73ffDgOpSTGgshJWdMMXRuxMVwXLdYi7qmyEbMd5zGVMFEQ7Or1uAiREvVmVXjhoQi-jjm9yvtz1-gafYG8/s2046/20230929_112203-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILGvdLxI4B5HfGpCBCY4TbnARjsrRHs3juoShsCGnZE4fCmKFoWjTQkEMO3UcjY-0nxnU95e-2eYW_jbs1pwLoKHrm3Xtlxn-MsBE0RGur73ffDgOpSTGgshJWdMMXRuxMVwXLdYi7qmyEbMd5zGVMFEQ7Or1uAiREvVmVXjhoQi-jjm9yvtz1-gafYG8/w640-h640/20230929_112203-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Ouray is a charming high alpine community sitting at 7,800 feet (2377 meters) in elevation. Set in a geographic bowl formed by rugged and steep mountainsides that lead up to jagged 12,000 to 13,000-foot-high (3962 meters) peaks with several creeks cascading down through valleys and canyons into the city. It is also known for its <b><a href="https://ourayhotsprings.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hot springs</a></b> and ice climbing at the <b><a href="https://ourayicepark.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ice Park</a></b>!</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNlpm_a5MOn2KzN7qOUEWPs0zLUu2pGOzpIQx_OOq1zXFOYj4x0YxdpQ2RIlACOioLgP8tIeGj4FKFrn6sndU0mv7rrB3MobxXZwYdvJssyMXR56MGtvIVpeMLHDkeyGWa22OGpEiiSQ40hVOZlmAgMqU-hf0tIBXyaVOS_w4KAXy1j62AOtCvgi6WqV8/s4371/DSC_9866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="4371" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNlpm_a5MOn2KzN7qOUEWPs0zLUu2pGOzpIQx_OOq1zXFOYj4x0YxdpQ2RIlACOioLgP8tIeGj4FKFrn6sndU0mv7rrB3MobxXZwYdvJssyMXR56MGtvIVpeMLHDkeyGWa22OGpEiiSQ40hVOZlmAgMqU-hf0tIBXyaVOS_w4KAXy1j62AOtCvgi6WqV8/w640-h420/DSC_9866.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ Elizabeth Lawrence </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am going to take this advice and I will be taking a short blog break. Enjoy autumn if you are in this hemisphere or spring if you are in the southern hemisphere. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please pray for world peace during these sad and trying times. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15.73px;"><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Skywatch Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Friendship Fridays</a>,</b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div><div style="font-size: 15.73px;"><br style="background-color: #c3d9ff; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" /></div></div></div></div></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-73720009808888571052023-10-08T15:52:00.003-04:002023-10-08T15:52:37.452-04:00Durango and Silverton Railroad a Travel Adventure in Colorado!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FxzDqViSFFNerhWSHOq0llEEd6ltC0NVPc8mEYmYAKQYKzxhQPhFYkDejhCrHNmWB1JjCzNwYMuJCRsNYmiJeqLA6WrYNxAiy6xGaunOvQQeTu7rwOvW1OZi41VttCC8wHZDXmHwIE0M1qSFIw-jLaLQjrH9We9Ja5uM9vPeK-9FG1hwBJD8k_O1vuDM/s4800/DSC_9793.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="4800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FxzDqViSFFNerhWSHOq0llEEd6ltC0NVPc8mEYmYAKQYKzxhQPhFYkDejhCrHNmWB1JjCzNwYMuJCRsNYmiJeqLA6WrYNxAiy6xGaunOvQQeTu7rwOvW1OZi41VttCC8wHZDXmHwIE0M1qSFIw-jLaLQjrH9We9Ja5uM9vPeK-9FG1hwBJD8k_O1vuDM/w640-h426/DSC_9793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Do you love taking a historic and scenic train ride? Colorado has many, and my husband and I have made a point of taking a ride on them all. I have twelve train rides featured on my blog under the label <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/search/label/Colorado%20Railroads" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colorado Railroads</a>, </b>beginning with this post and continuing back to the first one we took ten years ago. Each train ride offers wonderful views and experiences. We typically enjoy these train rides during the fall season when the stunning colors of the Colorado aspen trees enhance the beauty of each journey. and the <b><a href="https://www.durangotrain.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Durango Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad</a></b> was no exception! This time of the year is also around our anniversary and we celebrated number 49 this year!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77LhSvWXsHwSj8l0aGhaeDWBEAKaQtF9yC-udM8nfvrn_ZzyDPSQybLS189MMtu_jgyV7XxvmadDButmQ8076N-KxWOK-PcEqOE61kN3E42yaKhpXi53j-xEkcW_qzIsBnDq4Kcha7TAXl2p6mfGoIicDehyphenhyphenA2Vo-ShPCUyICcYlJcmjZzSI875rk6QgE/s2046/VideoCapture_20230930-110541-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77LhSvWXsHwSj8l0aGhaeDWBEAKaQtF9yC-udM8nfvrn_ZzyDPSQybLS189MMtu_jgyV7XxvmadDButmQ8076N-KxWOK-PcEqOE61kN3E42yaKhpXi53j-xEkcW_qzIsBnDq4Kcha7TAXl2p6mfGoIicDehyphenhyphenA2Vo-ShPCUyICcYlJcmjZzSI875rk6QgE/w640-h640/VideoCapture_20230930-110541-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We began our journey by driving from our area of the Colorado Front Range to <b><a href="https://www.durango.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Durango, Colorado</a></b> which is located in South West Colorado in the San Juan Mountian region. There is so much to see and do in Durango but our time was limited on this trip so we were there primarily to take the round-trip train ride that we scheduled ahead of time. The train fills up quickly this time of year so it is best to make advance reservations. We chose the 9-hour roundtrip journey (includes a 2-hour Silverton layover), but there are <b><a href="https://www.durangotrain.com/ride-us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">other shorter options if desired</a>,</b> and special train rides such as the upcoming <b><a href="https://www.durangotrain.com/events/the-polar-express-train-ride/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=polar_announcement" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Holiday Polar Express train ride</a> </b>that begins in November and ends at the end of December.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ei-ueK8lES_cWN8XFlkreGKNZjeXcx0FcgJfrgFgFS0uKr2iJvdB1SSXOg0sGmnQ1t25KQG3Tis6-HAD5ldZAExqiE9iiZMacHVRipd06o7WPKDYtHGgGuzTTTTbdsjvXyu6jPkMz4g7YAFYiBUBuf8jpFAYsivJAlSm6-2xscuKaCIXU3NVVM5Vu07V/s2047/DSC_9492-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ei-ueK8lES_cWN8XFlkreGKNZjeXcx0FcgJfrgFgFS0uKr2iJvdB1SSXOg0sGmnQ1t25KQG3Tis6-HAD5ldZAExqiE9iiZMacHVRipd06o7WPKDYtHGgGuzTTTTbdsjvXyu6jPkMz4g7YAFYiBUBuf8jpFAYsivJAlSm6-2xscuKaCIXU3NVVM5Vu07V/w640-h640/DSC_9492-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I reserved our seats on the open-air Gondola Car as we enjoyed seeing the sights from all sides of the train and having the flexibility to move around the car. The Gondola Car had an outward-facing bench on both sides as assigned seats but there was a lot of flexibility to take photos and I took hundreds! I made these photo collages to make sharing them much easier. to see more detail each collage can be clicked on and it will enlarge. As the Durango Silverton Train left Durango we passed, businesses, homes, farms, and ranches as well as the <b><a href="https://durangohotspringsresortandspa.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Durango Hot Springs</a></b> area.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvfzfo5bOaHkmoekfAEx_aikUJR4yEMywRbDdCKsQEazgYOpRvDcW43hSNB8Yve_WWqQOJ9RwcZzt2G5FvBk0YKL7VB215rrNhdyjGSHtQHSUIlvpzata8Lckl31JQs-_D9DTQknSo7VKGYeQj8-FodC7g7eaJa5IfN5x4pdTWvu9MYgOZr0xf61Nz0oX/s4000/20230928_093554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvfzfo5bOaHkmoekfAEx_aikUJR4yEMywRbDdCKsQEazgYOpRvDcW43hSNB8Yve_WWqQOJ9RwcZzt2G5FvBk0YKL7VB215rrNhdyjGSHtQHSUIlvpzata8Lckl31JQs-_D9DTQknSo7VKGYeQj8-FodC7g7eaJa5IfN5x4pdTWvu9MYgOZr0xf61Nz0oX/w480-h640/20230928_093554.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As the train rose higher and higher up into the San Juan Mountains we saw beautiful vistas and autumn color. The train follows the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animas_River" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animas River</a></b> route and crosses over and around the river five times during its journey. You can watch a video short I took of the train climbing up into the mountains<b><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/Ec7bTc357DA?si=2FHmZbmjpE18xg7p" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> on this YouTube</a> </b>link<b> </b>or on my Mille Fiori Facebook page<b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1016957302763043" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">at this link</a>.</b></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ManT1BidGWopyAA3iby02lLFsAva8OgtDWT2WAwEI0lUEFkzdEY_5YxhnKDHxfbsFklYY_-7OSqmmRC-fREyxMN_ZqdAsGN33Thndd6M5dNtLd0Zs3E9wadj7gSWw0_2c-f0VP51NzGpt8d0TLyj6Y58tU-yorp4zZMMCms1Ns0R6PMPJLX18R5aZKR9/s2047/20230928_093255-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ManT1BidGWopyAA3iby02lLFsAva8OgtDWT2WAwEI0lUEFkzdEY_5YxhnKDHxfbsFklYY_-7OSqmmRC-fREyxMN_ZqdAsGN33Thndd6M5dNtLd0Zs3E9wadj7gSWw0_2c-f0VP51NzGpt8d0TLyj6Y58tU-yorp4zZMMCms1Ns0R6PMPJLX18R5aZKR9/w640-h640/20230928_093255-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The scenery was breathtaking!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4pxj6URMkIE7xkAihr0Jp4zg4eou5RjQCtDUR1B4TvqaeIEQs3zeIvR7p6VH2wyr2XcDxKFZh1f6yEYchfgNqVqP4DMvNTGNRx0q7q6x77lrzGd2xy6uA5-haAe1-UNl2mGXVALWysDO-HJm7SDehptTJAwGc6B9q4z_zsJ-kmoQhmJXOhj86_eoCJZc/s2047/20230928_095924-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4pxj6URMkIE7xkAihr0Jp4zg4eou5RjQCtDUR1B4TvqaeIEQs3zeIvR7p6VH2wyr2XcDxKFZh1f6yEYchfgNqVqP4DMvNTGNRx0q7q6x77lrzGd2xy6uA5-haAe1-UNl2mGXVALWysDO-HJm7SDehptTJAwGc6B9q4z_zsJ-kmoQhmJXOhj86_eoCJZc/w640-h640/20230928_095924-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The colorful fall foliage, the vast San Juan Mountain vistas, and the icy blue/green Animas River views were stunning!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO_XSQmsezT23MN1e0NX2tVkSAEa5h8D4SIjha4ZP7stQZvi4IaHiNbrbiQCJcAGCVfzIzzCkNgwtiixpqZWP9cDgBt8NAtrehA03dpEV7VIYzIkSDYr5A_1RftXcJlg6_nZOvkDX0u8CSj3hmijvHi4wbLtyBYSEXh_Ns9r2hrJgoibhUjLEHnESX936/s2047/DSC_9612-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO_XSQmsezT23MN1e0NX2tVkSAEa5h8D4SIjha4ZP7stQZvi4IaHiNbrbiQCJcAGCVfzIzzCkNgwtiixpqZWP9cDgBt8NAtrehA03dpEV7VIYzIkSDYr5A_1RftXcJlg6_nZOvkDX0u8CSj3hmijvHi4wbLtyBYSEXh_Ns9r2hrJgoibhUjLEHnESX936/w640-h640/DSC_9612-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">At one point the train stopped at a mountain resort and some backpackers disembarked to hike. we also saw a man zip by on a zip line-- see the last photo in the lower right in the collage above</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">If you'd like to see a short video reel of more of the train ride on my Mille Fiori Facebook link <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1092440538696112" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Click Here</b></a>--make sure to turn on the sound on the video to hear the sound of the steam train and the train whistle at the end of the video--it is very iconic and a bit romantic to me.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm_xd8JeOXeu7w6dhowHa2zUzA2wMjuRMTWuTwCsq4ZUxBzx1hbw0u1iwcvlOX25OUsVtsI-QLjjcv0IUUdfXma-B0V3nxdOFGhJFjnvvokblQlGoaP3sMmIu_XaC_Bxw-wp0U_JIVdbfc34W__eeSojgEZcogfZnUhLJyoo7soMtfQ3BcZbwnFFHL-ay/s2046/DSC_9782-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm_xd8JeOXeu7w6dhowHa2zUzA2wMjuRMTWuTwCsq4ZUxBzx1hbw0u1iwcvlOX25OUsVtsI-QLjjcv0IUUdfXma-B0V3nxdOFGhJFjnvvokblQlGoaP3sMmIu_XaC_Bxw-wp0U_JIVdbfc34W__eeSojgEZcogfZnUhLJyoo7soMtfQ3BcZbwnFFHL-ay/w640-h640/DSC_9782-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The terminus of the train ride is the <b><a href="https://www.silvertoncolorado.com/history-of-silverton" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">historic gold mining town</a></b> of <b><a href="https://www.silvertoncolorado.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silverton</a></b>. which is nestled in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 9,3018 feet (2,840.1264 meters)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO6NnDtMqIw4JbYvS0_q1xDAkK0C253fmYLYv37C293xQFc6FN_mU4IuUQvoZUZws2BzteEPniCr4RexFrphPWLhXfHYrdxg4_C_gIMFfsjbNQVXSOqJkHKMveW-btm-aWVOntwCCIDAJsW5PX9Z9HtapHLzdUHFMhRPOr2VLBMQAX818hCwXq7FdxUc2/s2047/20230928_124231-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO6NnDtMqIw4JbYvS0_q1xDAkK0C253fmYLYv37C293xQFc6FN_mU4IuUQvoZUZws2BzteEPniCr4RexFrphPWLhXfHYrdxg4_C_gIMFfsjbNQVXSOqJkHKMveW-btm-aWVOntwCCIDAJsW5PX9Z9HtapHLzdUHFMhRPOr2VLBMQAX818hCwXq7FdxUc2/w640-h640/20230928_124231-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">During our round-trip train ride, we had a two-hour layover in Silverton where we enjoyed a nice lunch and took a walk around town to visit the shops.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55Eq8PZycXpgvdnCoKFM-jdrD6W_X2iql2lIfBM9yF_PGgTmD3FDBvjIyP3zJ13Ewue6Q6xk1IyuZ7nNHVRvI0ApjTmIGI-jaa-W7fnvNPkaqh4uusmBSQ__VNIjR1bkOpbcJ1A6_J28vJARbJfI6U3v8IJ0EDyCv0ABB-7JNfn5lXqE02o_qDsYPp-Wm/s1983/20230928_130209-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="1983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55Eq8PZycXpgvdnCoKFM-jdrD6W_X2iql2lIfBM9yF_PGgTmD3FDBvjIyP3zJ13Ewue6Q6xk1IyuZ7nNHVRvI0ApjTmIGI-jaa-W7fnvNPkaqh4uusmBSQ__VNIjR1bkOpbcJ1A6_J28vJARbJfI6U3v8IJ0EDyCv0ABB-7JNfn5lXqE02o_qDsYPp-Wm/w640-h640/20230928_130209-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.silvertoncolorado.com/business/silverton-mountain" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silverton Mountain</a></b> is a thrilling year-round destination for skiing enthusiasts. The mountain boasts of over 400 inches (1016 centimeters) of hefty snowfall during winter, leaving the trails ungroomed. The current advertising campaign aptly describes the experience as "all thrills and no frills." However, the recent acquisition of the Silverton Mountain area by Aspen Travel Adventure Company may lead to changes beyond the current offerings.</span><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3c1YAlTdlDQxOBmtszD_X0veypp-5Zgi313ETIAT9rOPNbfuAuiqC6KRfK1VL7qerZlGg7S2k5ZIrGit0jXTvcPrOCc_tscF9X-_Fbnsb0D3x8xP3YJFPPIbPi0OaSm1rJchF2RKxBh_QlXCZAVGJ3a9BlSUW-6e0ZsCIT1vQv-MoixJRB9HkTUsmXeT/s2047/DSC_9808-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3c1YAlTdlDQxOBmtszD_X0veypp-5Zgi313ETIAT9rOPNbfuAuiqC6KRfK1VL7qerZlGg7S2k5ZIrGit0jXTvcPrOCc_tscF9X-_Fbnsb0D3x8xP3YJFPPIbPi0OaSm1rJchF2RKxBh_QlXCZAVGJ3a9BlSUW-6e0ZsCIT1vQv-MoixJRB9HkTUsmXeT/w640-h640/DSC_9808-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our train ride back to Durango was equally scenic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAjzaSGLWAMM_38q5Rrb7wsGGYakQ6KnHMhPMFVwRCfwYDZSrnPa1RXGWWkisK7rNXTaOb9etWwYhamw573BLtj8knTgvAVD3kYDVmyIYrRhuWns3X46f2cw3aLtJkkPhRPFjD6qfxJaLfRsq9yY-WM1XvVoqbUKMbRZHxzQEMaPT5FrpNt1WWAcFTU-W/s2046/20230927_175824-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAjzaSGLWAMM_38q5Rrb7wsGGYakQ6KnHMhPMFVwRCfwYDZSrnPa1RXGWWkisK7rNXTaOb9etWwYhamw573BLtj8knTgvAVD3kYDVmyIYrRhuWns3X46f2cw3aLtJkkPhRPFjD6qfxJaLfRsq9yY-WM1XvVoqbUKMbRZHxzQEMaPT5FrpNt1WWAcFTU-W/w640-h640/20230927_175824-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>We ended the day with a delicious dinner in the <b><a href="https://strater.com/diamond-belle-saloon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diamond Belle Saloon</a></b> at the historic <b><a href="https://strater.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Strater Hotel</a></b> in Durango, where the diners were serenaded by a wonderful Ragtime Paino Player during dinner. It was a wonderful way to begin our 49th anniversary! </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The next day we took a drive on the famous "Million Dollar Highway," US 550. from Durango to Ouray, Colorado. Photos will be in my next post, where you will see how it may have gotten its nickname.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15.73px;"><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Inst</a></b><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">agram</a> </b> <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MilleFioriFavoriti/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; 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line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pink Saturday</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div><div style="font-size: 15.73px;"><br style="background-color: #c3d9ff; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" /></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-61308966763567419262023-10-01T23:29:00.004-04:002023-10-01T23:29:51.450-04:00Autumn Quotes <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKY0HyBpyrh1W0FwxI9InBSw_ZjY6UrWohZC8pV2_2_vhq14AGLiZbV6MT6OlHNScEFKPNYwTFXTjpzPJPzBPzL2FH8nrC6Mn3v5XQyEFoPaSxGlBX78kB8QSXsuuxvR-LU9qAbjwZ7DkHRlfTtxoCrQ2CEfOQ5v3UZJmMW_DdFMj4CkEpcSB9WXMeMFa/s1520/FB_IMG_1632617179883-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKY0HyBpyrh1W0FwxI9InBSw_ZjY6UrWohZC8pV2_2_vhq14AGLiZbV6MT6OlHNScEFKPNYwTFXTjpzPJPzBPzL2FH8nrC6Mn3v5XQyEFoPaSxGlBX78kB8QSXsuuxvR-LU9qAbjwZ7DkHRlfTtxoCrQ2CEfOQ5v3UZJmMW_DdFMj4CkEpcSB9WXMeMFa/w640-h640/FB_IMG_1632617179883-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy October!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A beautiful autumn has arrived in the higher elevations of Colorado!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!"</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">~ Humbert Wolfe</span></i></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAlYvr8qPX2e63nnFF1rOCDdISosIWv8DvheJgWOOSxq2rbj_hlg2yYxjQVTltSjEMCfEKJmzthX7rF0jwzK6LrJ-C-f9T8lSrmfTqdCYPN50V-dgPqFQE7A38aiwCuHQ2s8u39g6Abot301RRz5BJLMJl_LqYvJh_SQ8_Bu-1pUOTV58zkOIdp2fR6k1/s2930/DSC_9533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="2930" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAlYvr8qPX2e63nnFF1rOCDdISosIWv8DvheJgWOOSxq2rbj_hlg2yYxjQVTltSjEMCfEKJmzthX7rF0jwzK6LrJ-C-f9T8lSrmfTqdCYPN50V-dgPqFQE7A38aiwCuHQ2s8u39g6Abot301RRz5BJLMJl_LqYvJh_SQ8_Bu-1pUOTV58zkOIdp2fR6k1/w640-h388/DSC_9533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I love to take scenic drives this time of the year. We packed in many miles and saw many sights last week on our travels. One highlight was taking a ride on the <b><a href="https://www.durangotrain.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad</a></b> in <b><a href="https://www.durango.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Durango, Colorado</a></b>. This is a historic train that travels up into the San Juan Mountains to the old mining town of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverton,_Colorado" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silverton</a></b>. More about this train ride in my next blog post.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few of my favorite Autumn quotes to go along with some of the beautiful scenery that we saw...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpPSTv-yGXd2BWBhi9wGkaQj-kC8x1uNPLQOTK4IhrX51JtMhaxENhPDCupQ-jy2KzvlMiA1Sw_XOya6eGAkFWplOAIlEBmBZqPwTy9g6rC2Y8sHwdwq7vqIRZKXAlHlpLUXglhscUGTqlPca2r8OrdQrAEMOJyNrts4ZlQFm0qh-HHR-QrLHkziHhnQI/s2046/20230927_131318-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpPSTv-yGXd2BWBhi9wGkaQj-kC8x1uNPLQOTK4IhrX51JtMhaxENhPDCupQ-jy2KzvlMiA1Sw_XOya6eGAkFWplOAIlEBmBZqPwTy9g6rC2Y8sHwdwq7vqIRZKXAlHlpLUXglhscUGTqlPca2r8OrdQrAEMOJyNrts4ZlQFm0qh-HHR-QrLHkziHhnQI/w640-h640/20230927_131318-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"October is the treasure of the year."</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">~ Paul Laurence Dunbar</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra4UamfNM6FLprDdxUDzWUeHiqey0XRUIlO9at0MfVJlj3YEF5Zr1mULh-8AHYI1a_fOiqjpVBiMAOY0ANoJd0Y849KWdTWhzWMQHZwarxyaOFjkQ3P_iOQ4kiIyzW1Ykn5idUkmr0ZGZ8dVvAXj32YTSlZ98GLwiSUukSiYbejMU_8pnZs-xZnLdL6NU/s2976/20230929_105909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="2781" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra4UamfNM6FLprDdxUDzWUeHiqey0XRUIlO9at0MfVJlj3YEF5Zr1mULh-8AHYI1a_fOiqjpVBiMAOY0ANoJd0Y849KWdTWhzWMQHZwarxyaOFjkQ3P_iOQ4kiIyzW1Ykn5idUkmr0ZGZ8dVvAXj32YTSlZ98GLwiSUukSiYbejMU_8pnZs-xZnLdL6NU/w598-h640/20230929_105909.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The heart of Autumn must have broken here, and poured its treasure upon the leaves." </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ Charlotte Bates</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_mjDX0NgFsvBAELxpP577rhNY4ZIAoxHODaI_i5UpynNKmxZaHWuF1LWw1h0XWS-m5O5g-jrXzffrbhPI3IiNwW8v6vbRHlSfvDep_t3U3kYp3HyQbNn8MS5C0S4gSZuF7XrOgdCdRYrtFSpKOUjD9KycZe7ZkIBIfAA8bFYf0CZU3NhSxcHOR3aDhiJ/s3721/20230929_110117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3721" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_mjDX0NgFsvBAELxpP577rhNY4ZIAoxHODaI_i5UpynNKmxZaHWuF1LWw1h0XWS-m5O5g-jrXzffrbhPI3IiNwW8v6vbRHlSfvDep_t3U3kYp3HyQbNn8MS5C0S4gSZuF7XrOgdCdRYrtFSpKOUjD9KycZe7ZkIBIfAA8bFYf0CZU3NhSxcHOR3aDhiJ/w516-h640/20230929_110117.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>It is the picture month"</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ Henry Ward Beecher</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJSOzyUraZ4O0VXzzVdfppsC65kW45D2o6R6SSnda2ZQZsVoWqjYkWV2tM-Ab9Uw0yfThmhEvF4eVlQCKSV_zMt5ClzpEUJWZxo2YOis335q_1biPKqN02y4hVixGZNXOtmdIk1NYdLepxjZsXdG2rOP7FuNhfF8hyJ3wIIWLcmtdRnKRaL9WueqBf9PT/s2356/20230929_095751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="2356" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJSOzyUraZ4O0VXzzVdfppsC65kW45D2o6R6SSnda2ZQZsVoWqjYkWV2tM-Ab9Uw0yfThmhEvF4eVlQCKSV_zMt5ClzpEUJWZxo2YOis335q_1biPKqN02y4hVixGZNXOtmdIk1NYdLepxjZsXdG2rOP7FuNhfF8hyJ3wIIWLcmtdRnKRaL9WueqBf9PT/w640-h412/20230929_095751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"As long as Autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and color enough to paint the beautiful things I see."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ Vincent van Gogh</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIyFPnalNdofSynCAVyJ6ZZzxq8c5-r5hmid9TRTLtnejn0eE-XmAe0WHe_A6L6qDxyYdVSRGhPmCO4UPW5OvVL59Bf7TWMxM3ciGy6jOJqK2qucgxxDi8NsXlBDoJ_9M_2F_FSXKUNGY8y9r_Qyic7G-yA7Kxut1TBT3sJKZVxT-i2iANKGrppcdVZYh/s2904/20230929_110245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="2904" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIyFPnalNdofSynCAVyJ6ZZzxq8c5-r5hmid9TRTLtnejn0eE-XmAe0WHe_A6L6qDxyYdVSRGhPmCO4UPW5OvVL59Bf7TWMxM3ciGy6jOJqK2qucgxxDi8NsXlBDoJ_9M_2F_FSXKUNGY8y9r_Qyic7G-yA7Kxut1TBT3sJKZVxT-i2iANKGrppcdVZYh/w640-h564/20230929_110245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ John Donne</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgopUPY9RafJZG5Vnj7CGnRtIs3ff9jx3UYCCKIu3kQrsLg2Cpi8SLGB8h8z5AJG2peWqpbRIu3mhoo5JTQ3Ui451nRjaKN8G2mT0HtcZA7csKVM6lVwKkHaqhT5VX0fWJO-wtfSdNSty0SvjNxL51sUUtS-9hSihudcOwBN-aXhhMIN_Am7eR55suKrg/s4800/DSC_9873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="4800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgopUPY9RafJZG5Vnj7CGnRtIs3ff9jx3UYCCKIu3kQrsLg2Cpi8SLGB8h8z5AJG2peWqpbRIu3mhoo5JTQ3Ui451nRjaKN8G2mT0HtcZA7csKVM6lVwKkHaqhT5VX0fWJO-wtfSdNSty0SvjNxL51sUUtS-9hSihudcOwBN-aXhhMIN_Am7eR55suKrg/w640-h426/DSC_9873.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"October is a hallelujah! reverberating in my body year-round." </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ John Nichols</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy2rOcYTKPloKBJiGj6L2ddm5JrH4UzK4PgLqRdWlCFrYdoa7OgNoVu75gD5RWHicOiItvky5IxB97ijtynBIE9ahQEpl3LAT7KE8lKsPWO5uRHT-aPfDWPKy9fBEvvHi5lfSutspvzTNtE2gOImTxllQpC2jeeHDtic6J97VYfZc5Mm3RH-dr_oI7l0D/s2909/20230929_155335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2402" data-original-width="2909" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy2rOcYTKPloKBJiGj6L2ddm5JrH4UzK4PgLqRdWlCFrYdoa7OgNoVu75gD5RWHicOiItvky5IxB97ijtynBIE9ahQEpl3LAT7KE8lKsPWO5uRHT-aPfDWPKy9fBEvvHi5lfSutspvzTNtE2gOImTxllQpC2jeeHDtic6J97VYfZc5Mm3RH-dr_oI7l0D/w640-h528/20230929_155335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The beauty of the trees,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>the softness of the air,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>the fragrance of the grass,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>speaks to me.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>At the summit of the mountain,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>the thunder of the sky,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>speaks to me,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The faintness of the stars,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>the trail of fire,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and the life that never goes away</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>they speak to me. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And my heart soars!"</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~Chef Dan George</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZaTqLTzCPuD7L0UdWMGBf0ocBTjfEwkaLIVRLuOJDjV9cAvVKQUbxZDnp0zKcUecICGjDPgsb1SnG2zwLufmKTJ-Q2caRgCJpGQ7QhHDZiI9mfGpV_HxtuU2oDLngDQMCHmchRCFfW9R6qO-L-EfLvJjV7_HxIwz_pQ_NEwegB7qEFevSvAJ45s12Su-/s4363/DSC_9931.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2697" data-original-width="4363" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZaTqLTzCPuD7L0UdWMGBf0ocBTjfEwkaLIVRLuOJDjV9cAvVKQUbxZDnp0zKcUecICGjDPgsb1SnG2zwLufmKTJ-Q2caRgCJpGQ7QhHDZiI9mfGpV_HxtuU2oDLngDQMCHmchRCFfW9R6qO-L-EfLvJjV7_HxIwz_pQ_NEwegB7qEFevSvAJ45s12Su-/w640-h396/DSC_9931.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves change."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~ Elizabeth Lawrence</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: #c3d9ff; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can also find me on</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.73px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIWOTDMnpv_1q7FrrPxHbYClTOqC4KIKI1EPaGVWer2Q1o02Q6LPDWem5wkQkqaYcDs44cxLuWBTNecoDMHtdxAjTOxZMLlaBT_d1vfWwtIEfp-cQQVfrq630Et2MDtZtWkWA5eFpAHN9WBOpnZIyZvIIY7GPhq_HCW-s5oKegPisruWt3N0UDwwhdz-/s3201/20230911_171038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2499" data-original-width="3201" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIWOTDMnpv_1q7FrrPxHbYClTOqC4KIKI1EPaGVWer2Q1o02Q6LPDWem5wkQkqaYcDs44cxLuWBTNecoDMHtdxAjTOxZMLlaBT_d1vfWwtIEfp-cQQVfrq630Et2MDtZtWkWA5eFpAHN9WBOpnZIyZvIIY7GPhq_HCW-s5oKegPisruWt3N0UDwwhdz-/w640-h500/20230911_171038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Happy Fall!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Have you been blessed with an end-of-summer harvest of green and red tomatoes from your garden that you would like to cook deliciously? With just a bit of preparation, you can make this savory Tomato Cheddar Dill Pie.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun5U39XoBlwUBYCl_WQTAHApAvZIlGug-gQGk64vTdzdDo6R2Di6deU1cmLdcFjDyuulxiPk4gsvvfj0mLUIyloKbD_BHqC82qYmOO3Qn2ZIrxcnpjObVHEkv5xoPuVpBpEvO1Y6C0bpP5rXwyl9ZVfJLYSYiNY8dPCxDgRhjmjLUAhHno491fw8SnFsd/s3240/20230909_122426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="3240" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun5U39XoBlwUBYCl_WQTAHApAvZIlGug-gQGk64vTdzdDo6R2Di6deU1cmLdcFjDyuulxiPk4gsvvfj0mLUIyloKbD_BHqC82qYmOO3Qn2ZIrxcnpjObVHEkv5xoPuVpBpEvO1Y6C0bpP5rXwyl9ZVfJLYSYiNY8dPCxDgRhjmjLUAhHno491fw8SnFsd/w640-h574/20230909_122426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our son has a "<b><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20thumb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">green thumb</a></b>" and grew an abundance of heirloom-style tomatoes in his garden this summer. His family has been enjoying them in soups, sandwiches, sauces, and salads, but when he gifted me with the basketful above I decided to turn them into one of my favorite recipes: Tomato Cheddar Dill Pie! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I used this assortment of colorful tomatoes, the original recipe can be made with a combination of green and red tomatoes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKPF6xxSJsgBLieql0mU9Q2wLh02HfO5f6KYrqETJ_QEtfZtC9KWyk-XOmloejKD3N1-iHEdk1srQIC-94NDzOnKPoOElICCYvIzVylAgH_0c6JLXwGNJO-VuChWnRElAL1D7jqGtJJTi-ScC3y4cc9FgWT60uHtga6n-TqasjWIBjd_1xFaLJqgO-wYV/s4000/20230911_152247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKPF6xxSJsgBLieql0mU9Q2wLh02HfO5f6KYrqETJ_QEtfZtC9KWyk-XOmloejKD3N1-iHEdk1srQIC-94NDzOnKPoOElICCYvIzVylAgH_0c6JLXwGNJO-VuChWnRElAL1D7jqGtJJTi-ScC3y4cc9FgWT60uHtga6n-TqasjWIBjd_1xFaLJqgO-wYV/w480-h640/20230911_152247.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can use your favorite pie crust or buy a pre-made pie crust, but this one is a perfect one for this pie, and easy to make:</span></div><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">PIE CRUST:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />1¾ cups all-purpose flour<br />¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon plain yellow cornmeal, divided<br />1½ teaspoons kosher salt<br />½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed<br />1 large egg, beaten<br />¼ cup whole buttermilk</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In the work bowl of a food processor, place flour, ¼ cup cornmeal, and salt. Add cold butter, and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. With the processor running, add egg and buttermilk in a slow, steady stream just until the dough comes together. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and shape it into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Let dough stand at room temperature until slightly softened, about 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 14-inch circle. Transfer to a pie pan or cast iron skillet. First, sprinkle the one tablespoon of reserved cornmeal over the bottom of the pan</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Fold edges under, and crimp as desired.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBA1f7ogZAY6brrMfDzkVDrq8qFRhCdlpcg-bA59PaQ5YtrnUc9pyaR3_hXBNNrnpsVLiG8KfKAizdv_BgwAoPnlr7SRMNPhsEOX1kp6LjwRuSuAP34qFL5YbZtcJyOzxAg6ApiboBU9NimOYgSGuxGC5Me7oFF169UCp8Dio2KP35889mwg3-m3it4fA/s2046/20230911_122628-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBA1f7ogZAY6brrMfDzkVDrq8qFRhCdlpcg-bA59PaQ5YtrnUc9pyaR3_hXBNNrnpsVLiG8KfKAizdv_BgwAoPnlr7SRMNPhsEOX1kp6LjwRuSuAP34qFL5YbZtcJyOzxAg6ApiboBU9NimOYgSGuxGC5Me7oFF169UCp8Dio2KP35889mwg3-m3it4fA/w640-h640/20230911_122628-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I had lots of fresh dill growing in my garden so I used fresh dill in this recipe, but you can also use dried dill. I also buy cheddar cheese by the block and self-grate it but you can buy pre-grated cheese to make it simpler.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tomato Cheddar Dill Pie</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">CRUST: prepare your favorite pie crust or see the recipe above. <br /><br />FILLING:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />2½ pounds red tomatoes<br />1 pound green tomatoes (I used a variety of homegrown heirloom tomatoes this time)<br />2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided<br />1 cup mayonnaise<br />2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill, divided<br />1 tablespoon grated onion<br />½ teaspoon ground black pepper<br />1¼ cups shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese<br />¼ cup shredded sharp yellow Cheddar cheese</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Instructions</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Line 2 baking sheets with paper towels. Cut an ¼ -inch slice from the top of each tomato. Using a small spoon, scoop out tomato seeds. Cut tomatoes into ¼-inch-thick slices. Arrange tomato slices in a single layer on prepared pans. Sprinkle both sides with 2 teaspoons salt. Let stand for 1 hour. Pat dry with paper towels. This removes excess water from the tomatoes so your pie will not be soggy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons dill, onion, pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. In another small bowl, combine cheeses.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Preheat your oven to 375° F</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Arrange green tomato slices, overlapping slightly, in the bottom of the prepared crust. Spread with 1⁄3 cup mayonnaise mixture, and sprinkle with ⅓ cup cheese. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Repeat with half of red tomato slices, 1⁄3 cup mayonnaise mixture,1/2 cup cheese, and remaining tomato slices.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Bake for 25 minutes. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Spread the top of the pie with the remaining 1⁄3 cup mayonnaise mixture, and sprinkle with the remaining ⅓ cup cheese.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes more, covering crust with foil to prevent excess browning, if necessary. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Let cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sprinkle with the remaining 2 teaspoons dill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Serve warm</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNp1Ga4hB9Foyen8NK6DrHMSF3FpEcpiY5nwyAsbUJyCSgSCP-f4ynne6Oh-bNcS3myocvAjOl3oQKuTQtjMrBljhurJ7PjFm2dRqEqEmT9uOqfYiLxx35htPEqIXEFlYhXuPoDxikvj-BZffS1kbW8pEA7I_cMs8PNmJ3Yws-4nd2_lZP5QRAfRCzsww/s3724/20230911_162235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="3724" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNp1Ga4hB9Foyen8NK6DrHMSF3FpEcpiY5nwyAsbUJyCSgSCP-f4ynne6Oh-bNcS3myocvAjOl3oQKuTQtjMrBljhurJ7PjFm2dRqEqEmT9uOqfYiLxx35htPEqIXEFlYhXuPoDxikvj-BZffS1kbW8pEA7I_cMs8PNmJ3Yws-4nd2_lZP5QRAfRCzsww/w640-h502/20230911_162235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My pie fresh out of the oven</span></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsCD2iKmVGwGPGNtNTqTcQ40zS5-93Kmz9NCYiEsr07rBc8Tz8JaLViRuJAjA0nVBSSB51KiJAfusBuZLseXFYhz1DJDsZeD_x7uVuOLxmohgQe4BFMGkize2WbkDNgbFBXdcBqwcTPnUbUgBDehyGpbi3ZwHwrmM1he9L-C7IiAqIFYEyB6uR0Ma62a0/s2748/20230912_163633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1763" data-original-width="2748" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsCD2iKmVGwGPGNtNTqTcQ40zS5-93Kmz9NCYiEsr07rBc8Tz8JaLViRuJAjA0nVBSSB51KiJAfusBuZLseXFYhz1DJDsZeD_x7uVuOLxmohgQe4BFMGkize2WbkDNgbFBXdcBqwcTPnUbUgBDehyGpbi3ZwHwrmM1he9L-C7IiAqIFYEyB6uR0Ma62a0/w640-h410/20230912_163633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A delicious slice of Tomato Cheddar Dill Pie!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed slices of this pie as a lunch entree and as a side for dinner along with a piece of meat or fish. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you will also enjoy it!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP40PWteQEgsxkxVepJExfdJMmtBVT7LjCpkAG-5yw2QHmWL3UHLGXjA4JtwdB93PXS_q2N2CNkEvypkPMuqG9Yzre2twmOY-jnsXRB9q-ZHdhz8HDCtukoms6pLOx5e9juHjT6tVvJlhsOYLNdPSnS5H3oSXNcZSrp-uIafooS6GIzz3rsnD_7Mt4q1D2/s4000/20230921_185208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP40PWteQEgsxkxVepJExfdJMmtBVT7LjCpkAG-5yw2QHmWL3UHLGXjA4JtwdB93PXS_q2N2CNkEvypkPMuqG9Yzre2twmOY-jnsXRB9q-ZHdhz8HDCtukoms6pLOx5e9juHjT6tVvJlhsOYLNdPSnS5H3oSXNcZSrp-uIafooS6GIzz3rsnD_7Mt4q1D2/w640-h480/20230921_185208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I captured this stunning photograph during a recent drive with my husband and daughter that I shared on my personal Facebook page. However, I wanted to share it here as well. As we were driving westward, we witnessed the sun slowly setting beyond the Rocky Mountains in the distance. A large cloud bank loomed above the mountains, and suddenly the sun shone through, illuminating the clouds with a breathtaking golden hue. It was an absolutely beautiful moment worth sharing! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope all our days will be full of golden color as fall advances.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I wish you a wonderful season ahead!</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can also find me on</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pink Saturday</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-18983992618423754902023-09-17T23:02:00.002-04:002023-09-17T23:03:54.399-04:00Farewell Summer!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5f86HqlKYTJN6fGqiiUnEBKJKi0ZteqowUyGcbx00vmytEUfT9Mley-RhokE4t6qhOaXuP9sTT3fSb5HxzEMfsGc3WZeNDX_WEYQLxSsgh8YlsGCqw0yBRamkmVTo42pSGwNN99kjCe-_C6bcVEWk2Ab1_A6Wjoxznzvh-Fxe1BLB9jhVDc1UbWdTFCq/s4000/20230906_111904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5f86HqlKYTJN6fGqiiUnEBKJKi0ZteqowUyGcbx00vmytEUfT9Mley-RhokE4t6qhOaXuP9sTT3fSb5HxzEMfsGc3WZeNDX_WEYQLxSsgh8YlsGCqw0yBRamkmVTo42pSGwNN99kjCe-_C6bcVEWk2Ab1_A6Wjoxznzvh-Fxe1BLB9jhVDc1UbWdTFCq/w640-h480/20230906_111904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><ul class="css-19p7hma et3p2gv0" data-node-id="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Charter, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0.9375rem 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem;"></ul><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ Celia Thaxter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The fall season is just a few days away, and although it is my favorite time of the year I'm always a little sad to see summer end. After a cold and rainy spring, our summer weather was mild and our lives were quiet as we stayed home most of the time and cared for our gardens. </span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAscivhX4iupgEVrwwybveHnDv0vq0aObCNRxFsXjGLO-MHlpfa0vSUykBGwfspWdArPJfyPWDluMj5qpqwVWbhpxWiSZq-K6SvBBChzeJlaTOhyXxnKIVoam84SQqY0Jmt79WK0RvHRG3uXGoL1snnFNaauvpNpBjM8yOqyDqkX_rT1bm3ioDyykW2Iki/s2046/20230908_090141-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAscivhX4iupgEVrwwybveHnDv0vq0aObCNRxFsXjGLO-MHlpfa0vSUykBGwfspWdArPJfyPWDluMj5qpqwVWbhpxWiSZq-K6SvBBChzeJlaTOhyXxnKIVoam84SQqY0Jmt79WK0RvHRG3uXGoL1snnFNaauvpNpBjM8yOqyDqkX_rT1bm3ioDyykW2Iki/w640-h640/20230908_090141-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although the deer--and even squirrels--ate many of our tomatoes our patio container pepper crop was a good one. I roast them and save them in my freezer for chili, soups, and sauces.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-nun4xoWJCbADGCuaVGPwuF_QXEIfd8XZrLNPSbwMah0jcrFIa0s55EIX-uQqyvzKVHby3cVStRvvIedVgclBw5eXLEybhgbjq0LJnXD9FiWvi20WasMD3aX_HlSOXQkPy15WVWeDetdLU-p0uWtRU3f1Nlqj0knBdp-yzJJGAHYTBIbpXniS8lLZWod/s2046/20230917_093450-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-nun4xoWJCbADGCuaVGPwuF_QXEIfd8XZrLNPSbwMah0jcrFIa0s55EIX-uQqyvzKVHby3cVStRvvIedVgclBw5eXLEybhgbjq0LJnXD9FiWvi20WasMD3aX_HlSOXQkPy15WVWeDetdLU-p0uWtRU3f1Nlqj0knBdp-yzJJGAHYTBIbpXniS8lLZWod/w640-h640/20230917_093450-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning I was greeted by a deer convention being held on my front lawn. They were enjoying the shade and drinking from our birdbath. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RWzJTytxeeRsODuP2qM7jXNXWQuFDrRYFsCCjmPCsGBUDP48xFEJyTISvoEmuqItQ4x2QWM9yUzG7Cw1ja5k_Xo_PLK6qiULSo90Lv-r60J5n0g9QXZUC2jiFlHVDhBte1oneGgum1U_eqTkhShvffyGm8oNKJqF3POFTUvf3d9kxB3NrgPiG0EJw-QO/s2400/20230917_093501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2114" data-original-width="2400" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RWzJTytxeeRsODuP2qM7jXNXWQuFDrRYFsCCjmPCsGBUDP48xFEJyTISvoEmuqItQ4x2QWM9yUzG7Cw1ja5k_Xo_PLK6qiULSo90Lv-r60J5n0g9QXZUC2jiFlHVDhBte1oneGgum1U_eqTkhShvffyGm8oNKJqF3POFTUvf3d9kxB3NrgPiG0EJw-QO/w640-h564/20230917_093501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even though they ate all my flowers and many of my tomatoes, I can't help but think they are cute!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZJChBy5jGm-aIAfVJwThLpL3DEpgxaeS8tWFrb8PR_ooG0haMMV9eKX1BOJNWbKoSrjSGTH8vGrNLFDToxhJMrAH3oypJ7RchfA3c7MppYeinJKrzsO9aeHqZDYBmb7-GB2yvO9YewtO1mCi50PeUlpHNxpDkwpiNFL4cNdrOxrs_wPT1JyVUDzGEb6r/s2047/20230909_092708-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZJChBy5jGm-aIAfVJwThLpL3DEpgxaeS8tWFrb8PR_ooG0haMMV9eKX1BOJNWbKoSrjSGTH8vGrNLFDToxhJMrAH3oypJ7RchfA3c7MppYeinJKrzsO9aeHqZDYBmb7-GB2yvO9YewtO1mCi50PeUlpHNxpDkwpiNFL4cNdrOxrs_wPT1JyVUDzGEb6r/w640-h640/20230909_092708-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Our grandsons are both busy playing sports--high school football for the oldest and Little League Fall baseball for the middle school child. Our oldest grandson accompanied one of his best friends from childhood to a high school Homecoming Dance this weekend. They have been friends from their baby days as they were born a week apart and both their mothers are also best friends. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPCFxmeHIVnYPmI0i5X7v0MHYwo7VhKMO8gEeq6uYMFqxnxKBUEdzrZKiZoxZ2shzsTmWA-wtDs0Yu9pVvGEBZw7AyoAkaIVVjtTmprSrff5g1tw6iJu-u0dt7oX2q9L1PuK3MWF0-GCuZzFWF1sLMwVpYCLQIV0_VifxAti1ys0vGaRhsa3IZhX-exyf/s2046/20230906_145404-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPCFxmeHIVnYPmI0i5X7v0MHYwo7VhKMO8gEeq6uYMFqxnxKBUEdzrZKiZoxZ2shzsTmWA-wtDs0Yu9pVvGEBZw7AyoAkaIVVjtTmprSrff5g1tw6iJu-u0dt7oX2q9L1PuK3MWF0-GCuZzFWF1sLMwVpYCLQIV0_VifxAti1ys0vGaRhsa3IZhX-exyf/w640-h640/20230906_145404-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our oldest granddaughter, along with two of her classmates, was chosen to take down the American flag and the Colorado state flag at the conclusion of their elementary school day. With great care and respect, they folded both flags and stored them until the following day. Each morning, the students recite the <b><a href="https://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pledge of Allegiance</a></b> and receive general announcements. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ms9GglIT9lRc3BEtXIE0sCi6V0F1NClThQkGG6PXwRNoqNOCen5cq-R3ktqxZAmUjLfFB8kDKnq8dMBKJXdPAJvrMAbfaroXkQ-lRMLek0-fHhfAnGwOjbd4uKNDH3MeH8y8dc4ugQdmjq-sYdR3t79dVyWQ0sRjkthILgeeD_l37q3Y9On5xNT-jhk9/s2047/20230824_090710-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ms9GglIT9lRc3BEtXIE0sCi6V0F1NClThQkGG6PXwRNoqNOCen5cq-R3ktqxZAmUjLfFB8kDKnq8dMBKJXdPAJvrMAbfaroXkQ-lRMLek0-fHhfAnGwOjbd4uKNDH3MeH8y8dc4ugQdmjq-sYdR3t79dVyWQ0sRjkthILgeeD_l37q3Y9On5xNT-jhk9/w640-h640/20230824_090710-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h1 class="quoteText" style="line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”</span></span></h1><h1 class="quoteText" style="line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">~ Laura Ingalls Wilder</span></span></h1><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I hope you all had a wonderful summer!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can also find me on</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; 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line-height: 25.1563px;"><a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Good Random Fun</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.1563px;"> <a href="https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Happiness Is Homemade</a>,</b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="http://rubytuesdaytoo.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ruby Tuesday</a></b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;">, <a href="http://www.stonecottageadventures.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Tuesdays With A Twist</a>,</b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="http://bethere2day.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wordless Wednesday on a Tuesday</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Skywatch Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Friendship Fridays</a>,</b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pink Saturday</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><div><br style="background-color: #c3d9ff; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: left;" /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p></p></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-32794733610134139752023-09-10T23:51:00.003-04:002023-09-16T21:50:52.990-04:00In Remembrance of 9-11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhfjK89aCfK9_0_uIhBBkQVheHX5Igcwp4dCAnITLAl0U0auCyanUTNCaF_MiKC1sl-f9VV9m3ErTThuqhEa8JU0Gsf90_6gifbtZ9DjYbegeras8dHpcoh3fxaufPmyjz9Xw4xoADXY8ZDGVjCs4y5ftB9K1344bqx6dhxF88TXwxytWXtSsIigNygYn/s5120/Saved%20Pictures42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhfjK89aCfK9_0_uIhBBkQVheHX5Igcwp4dCAnITLAl0U0auCyanUTNCaF_MiKC1sl-f9VV9m3ErTThuqhEa8JU0Gsf90_6gifbtZ9DjYbegeras8dHpcoh3fxaufPmyjz9Xw4xoADXY8ZDGVjCs4y5ftB9K1344bqx6dhxF88TXwxytWXtSsIigNygYn/w640-h360/Saved%20Pictures42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Pueblo, Colorado, a 9-11 Memorial is located along the <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2013/07/historic-arkansas-riverwalk-of-pueblo.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">historic Arkansas Riverwalk</a></b>, in front of the <b><a href="https://www.americanvaluescenter.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Center For American Values</a></b>, which is dedicated to the delivery of high-quality civics-based education for our nation's youth (K-12) and houses one of the largest Medal of Honor Portraits of Valor. You can read more about this center in a blog post I wrote in 2013 on <b>t<a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-center-for-american-values-pueblo.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">his link</a> </b>and my post about the historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo, Colorado<b> </b>on<b> <a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2013/07/historic-arkansas-riverwalk-of-pueblo.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a>.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg455BKQRGZB2jrzYZU4qG3ndAYJbyxw-l6WjLoSZgJybJP5-yUoqRp9GH1LCjH5tvvgD44eSef_OS_bzlbugux7hbEdHfewo3YyVeS9OAVCjzuIg4UO8yneH9PdnXgVx4V7ZMa0XL2lJhRQc620eMKHKYW4e7L3Yvy2ARQuvcuz6pXktym7CADvz44k6Rv/s1600/Pueblo2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg455BKQRGZB2jrzYZU4qG3ndAYJbyxw-l6WjLoSZgJybJP5-yUoqRp9GH1LCjH5tvvgD44eSef_OS_bzlbugux7hbEdHfewo3YyVeS9OAVCjzuIg4UO8yneH9PdnXgVx4V7ZMa0XL2lJhRQc620eMKHKYW4e7L3Yvy2ARQuvcuz6pXktym7CADvz44k6Rv/w640-h324/Pueblo2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">A piece of steel from one of the World Trade Center buildings is part of the Pueblo, Colorado, memorial and is facing toward New York City.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to fathom that 22 years have passed since the terrorist attack on the United States that took place on September 11, 2001. At that time, my husband and I were residing in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, where we had a clear view of the top of World Trade Center Building 2 from the front of our home. My husband worked in building 7 of the World Trade Center complex, and we frequented that area of NYC often. Our daughter was studying in college in NYC, while our son was living in Washington, DC for his college education and subsequent work. The memories of that day are still vivid in our minds. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have written many posts about 9-11 since I began my blog--many, many memories and photos that I took in New York and also my reflections about the day after we moved to Colorado in 2013. You can find all those posts under<b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/search/label/9-11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> this link</a> </b>for the posts with the 9-11 label<b>--</b>keep scrolling for more after each post--there are 17 posts in total.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">We will never forget!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4yJNBuKNFN9csA5Yy5lHcRLlhZs8SD-CncMF4GG3C0ppAiT75Z8p7KQXH5qRrzC91RNPPZPd7qGrYvtmiq8cUr_AbIzFKmtf3UlPXmnOOfeCJas5-wbY7zfa8PvdWjroqqVo_82DKFFlCIXC9En6pGz87yA5OVgZXVAGbyYAkScE3UdhBRAFXADcJG1A/s5120/Saved%20Pictures43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4yJNBuKNFN9csA5Yy5lHcRLlhZs8SD-CncMF4GG3C0ppAiT75Z8p7KQXH5qRrzC91RNPPZPd7qGrYvtmiq8cUr_AbIzFKmtf3UlPXmnOOfeCJas5-wbY7zfa8PvdWjroqqVo_82DKFFlCIXC9En6pGz87yA5OVgZXVAGbyYAkScE3UdhBRAFXADcJG1A/w640-h360/Saved%20Pictures43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">All 50 states of the United States have memorials to the Terrorist 9-11, as well as many countries around the world. You can see many of them <a href="https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial/memorials" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">on this link </a>on the 9-11 Living Memorial Website.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In the Colorado neighborhood in which I now live we have a memorial to <b><a href="https://alumline.source.colostate.edu/honoring-a-fallen-hero-of-flight-93-by-helping-young-aviators/#:~:text=The%20Captain%20Jason%20Dahl%20Scholarship,memorialize%20Dahl's%20life%20and%20legacy." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jason Dahl</a></b>, the pilot of Flight 93, the flight the passengers bravely fought the terrorists that took over the plane and it crashed that day in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Jason Dahl lived here --just a few blocks from where I now live--and the community erected this stone that has an eagle figure and the words: "'May he soar with the eagles." In the photo collage above you can see that memorial on the right and on the left is his name on one of the two 9-11 <b><a href="https://www.911memorial.org/visit/memorial/about-memorial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Memorial Fountains</a>,</b> in NYC, that now stand where each World Trade Center Tower once stood. As another memorial, there is a <b><a href="https://www.dahlfund.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">scholarship</a></b> that has been established in Jason Dahl's memory to help young aviators achieve their dreams,</span></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JUtDsIIxGwjRZOjlmeDiGJynqgiruVEJ-xDlUT1sx81qwaW2wxaPvxRr1ikC7DLXm7P5oi8Ko9p5cWyQD9TUHKCU9ayrrUFQ-x4UYc6E8lCobspwixTRtcUboaMtfkYMUjHmJsTFoF6kcIEIO9WUqYme4gDZDlLv3lqBvgn6emtq26VWqVsYu1Xzv8ez/s1080/FB_IMG_1694393519770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1080" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JUtDsIIxGwjRZOjlmeDiGJynqgiruVEJ-xDlUT1sx81qwaW2wxaPvxRr1ikC7DLXm7P5oi8Ko9p5cWyQD9TUHKCU9ayrrUFQ-x4UYc6E8lCobspwixTRtcUboaMtfkYMUjHmJsTFoF6kcIEIO9WUqYme4gDZDlLv3lqBvgn6emtq26VWqVsYu1Xzv8ez/w640-h344/FB_IMG_1694393519770.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The 9-11 Living Memorial Project </a></b>was launched in 2006. The Living Memorial Digital Archive Project is an online collection of photographs that chronicles the 2,977 lives lost on 9/11 and the 6 individuals and an unborn child that died in the 1993 bombing and also documents stories of responders and survivors. Today, the 9/11 Living Memorial is an extensive <a href="https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial/victim-remembrances" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>online collection of over 87,000 photographs </b></a>that will expand over time. Through their partnership with the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City, the 9/11 Living Memorial is now a core component of their "In Memoriam" exhibition, which commemorates the lives lost in the attacks and provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about the men, women, and children who died. There are also <b><a href="https://voicescenter.org/living-memorial/911-stories/survivors" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">survivor stories</a> </b>as part of the website. Please take some time to read some of the stories today if you can. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15IFaQDlbmr63UPunYw4Pm_cLWCTUWUG-EUCDjvnxqqRBTNIfAAo_-B49YZhWVjCEnXYJwnSzbm1f6Qu8dLyhIrcP4AnofhOFRLYD6EX44ZWKQJsNmjR56p01_0pkoKnkK-R5i5eOrnnSc0WpXNA-NBa3JJV1HVbgfVT9c3aY1avqNossUpgJ6cI09P1c/s1494/FB_IMG_1694393484889-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1121" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15IFaQDlbmr63UPunYw4Pm_cLWCTUWUG-EUCDjvnxqqRBTNIfAAo_-B49YZhWVjCEnXYJwnSzbm1f6Qu8dLyhIrcP4AnofhOFRLYD6EX44ZWKQJsNmjR56p01_0pkoKnkK-R5i5eOrnnSc0WpXNA-NBa3JJV1HVbgfVT9c3aY1avqNossUpgJ6cI09P1c/w480-h640/FB_IMG_1694393484889-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/look-museums-memorial-hall#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNo%20Day%20Shall%20Erase%20You,2001%20and%20February%2026%2C%201993." rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">"No day shall erase you from the memory of time" Virgil</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is there a 9-11 Memorial where you live? I'd love to learn about it in your comments below.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">To all our friends, neighbors, and work associates that we lost on 9-11...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"> We will never forget!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can also find me on</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Inst</a></b><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">agram</a> </b> <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MilleFioriFavoriti/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #9d1961;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/gowest/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pinterest</span></a></span></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.1563px;"> <a href="https://happy-hour-with-picts.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #9d1961;">Mosaic Monday</span>,</a> <a href="https://magicalmysticalteacher.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Blue Monday,</a></b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.1563px;"> </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.1563px;"><a href="http://mersad-photography.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Through My Lens Monday</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.1563px;"><a href="https://apriljharris.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hearth, and Soul Link Party</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.1563px;"><a href="http://www.stonecottageadventures.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">You Are the Star Blog Hop</a>,<a href="https://www.create-with-joy.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; 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line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="http://rubytuesdaytoo.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ruby Tuesday</a></b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;">, <a href="http://www.stonecottageadventures.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Tuesdays With A Twist</a>,</b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="http://bethere2day.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wordless Wednesday on a Tuesday</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wordless Wednesday</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="http://myworldthrumycameralens.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wednesday My Corner of the World</a>, <a href="http://pennyspassion.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wonderful Wednesday</a>,</b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Little Things Thursday</a>, </b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://www.myslicesoflife.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Thursday Encouraging Hearts and Home</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/blog/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Skywatch Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Friendship Fridays</a>,</b><b style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"> <a href="https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fantastic Friday</a>, </b><b style="color: #9d1961; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.168px;"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pink Saturday</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #800040; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-48415995849591411442023-09-04T00:25:00.002-04:002023-09-04T00:25:35.045-04:00September Joys: Peaches, Tomatoes and Football!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ005RF3m8ih8DfMJmuhwHQJic4zp3noIAjklbizAmeIVK10VwhuOjtzFCIGksyfuQzwlO_NfSc0Oq4gA7ILxnyAJROHgSLAYktmkE92Jb2Ccbk33Natf-Wm5sW3_5WXLCZvGSCgchNRodUOGkXLXGa5wHNZ7SJLpD160A3tie5Fni_sT2Col_WoXtWuyw/s3482/20230902_114302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="3482" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ005RF3m8ih8DfMJmuhwHQJic4zp3noIAjklbizAmeIVK10VwhuOjtzFCIGksyfuQzwlO_NfSc0Oq4gA7ILxnyAJROHgSLAYktmkE92Jb2Ccbk33Natf-Wm5sW3_5WXLCZvGSCgchNRodUOGkXLXGa5wHNZ7SJLpD160A3tie5Fni_sT2Col_WoXtWuyw/w640-h332/20230902_114302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A beautiful sky over the foothills near Boulder, Colorado</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy September! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Colorado experiences an early autumn due to its high elevation, however, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">there are still a few weeks of summer remaining to enjoy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiyHdKguRduwCr18Lfs6tXStAjUq7X7adZ1Q_dcaQDSMch75ag1R7qEI7K0anD3IsVK_fZSDuguSGpeERQ1GwCUZjizIQHDcResczJ2bdR-3w3gys5ScDCF9dug4KiYl8KIk8JN9P6oarQAVF_Kybv7LXBIicpDaiZWuccYg7Dqkn_phj68os8uMVoX3K/s2046/20230830_141033-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiyHdKguRduwCr18Lfs6tXStAjUq7X7adZ1Q_dcaQDSMch75ag1R7qEI7K0anD3IsVK_fZSDuguSGpeERQ1GwCUZjizIQHDcResczJ2bdR-3w3gys5ScDCF9dug4KiYl8KIk8JN9P6oarQAVF_Kybv7LXBIicpDaiZWuccYg7Dqkn_phj68os8uMVoX3K/w637-h478/20230830_141033-COLLAGE.jpg" width="637" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the joys at this time of the year is Palisade Peaches from the western slope of Colorado. They are juicy and sweet freestone peaches and every year I look forward to them. Last year our daughter had a business trip to Palisade and purchased a box of peaches for us. I made many delicious dishes with them which you can see <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2022/09/palisade-peach-recipes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on this post</a></b>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year, our oldest grandson entered high school and his school orchestra has a fundraiser where Palisade Peaches, and honey from peach grove bee hives, could be purchased. We bought 20 pounds of peaches and a jar of honey-- both so wonderful!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25TAlXxxgySrMgCD_YRpO7l-Ucsdh3WW9aaUzNk6zmA-Xu9I5lxCQzrI3bm7G9THuumktJS5kQEKECH9rdOhCdI01RUSvhn0TuoBcixWhR3L-_vBZH1ADgsX8zMAvwn6yvc0SfI_xHUCilLMPUHR36Iua4Gzr3ytHn-6_59wwoc2CneBRYuwbWb8HV6TT/s2046/20230831_182444-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25TAlXxxgySrMgCD_YRpO7l-Ucsdh3WW9aaUzNk6zmA-Xu9I5lxCQzrI3bm7G9THuumktJS5kQEKECH9rdOhCdI01RUSvhn0TuoBcixWhR3L-_vBZH1ADgsX8zMAvwn6yvc0SfI_xHUCilLMPUHR36Iua4Gzr3ytHn-6_59wwoc2CneBRYuwbWb8HV6TT/w640-h640/20230831_182444-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I recently made a lifestyle change to eat a low carbohydrate diet from now on--see why <a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/08/100-days-of-low-carb.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>on this post</b></a>--but, happily, peaches are one of the healthier fruits that I can consume in moderation. The first meal I made was a Tomato Peach Fig and Burrata Salad, with arugula, basil, and prosciutto added and a balsamic glaze on top. We enjoyed it on our deck as we watched the sunset. It was the perfect meal for a warm evening!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7P59vWOBQRc-wnYNnEjTDcotRxRJKlmkL70NAx4f9S6Yw_rfJNdOdcFfFbiB11uWgXDSLaGna2xhXZNU0cZmwSWfXUw8VqXFQVRGknUHNAsBTMleCl5aw8W2acOYE39jKM7mUzb70JkRWmqwIS_h4nRCRwvfob4GvWTqHBL_TtKNdXX17n_Idfo8YzhH/s2046/20230901_141857-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7P59vWOBQRc-wnYNnEjTDcotRxRJKlmkL70NAx4f9S6Yw_rfJNdOdcFfFbiB11uWgXDSLaGna2xhXZNU0cZmwSWfXUw8VqXFQVRGknUHNAsBTMleCl5aw8W2acOYE39jKM7mUzb70JkRWmqwIS_h4nRCRwvfob4GvWTqHBL_TtKNdXX17n_Idfo8YzhH/w480-h640/20230901_141857-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year I tried a<a href="https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/peach-quick-bread/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <b>Peach Quick Bread</b></a> recipe from the blog "<b><a href="https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sally's Baking Recipes</a></b>" for my husband. It was delicious! It had a cinnamon crumb topping and as well as cinnamon-swirled peaches inside the cake's interior. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRlDOosM2uNcNVsIgZNa8ohpGURiOqlcZMKXNm4dZL2LStdOgEuh7YCnGhJI35_uA5zXIbKtIxYNOUP7kfH6U0JvHhNx6yb4V8HILmDbF7OAel4_0T5SoFujk_jzufZBhg1JRIbsD6Xl8zwEbFEKx-hty-P_e02ApKhWu9v4KVq6KXIon-cpyuHOOSwCq/s4000/20230901_132334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRlDOosM2uNcNVsIgZNa8ohpGURiOqlcZMKXNm4dZL2LStdOgEuh7YCnGhJI35_uA5zXIbKtIxYNOUP7kfH6U0JvHhNx6yb4V8HILmDbF7OAel4_0T5SoFujk_jzufZBhg1JRIbsD6Xl8zwEbFEKx-hty-P_e02ApKhWu9v4KVq6KXIon-cpyuHOOSwCq/w640-h480/20230901_132334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had less success with attempting a low-carb version of a peach loaf using almond flour, coconut flour, and monk fruit sugar substitute. It did not rise too high despite having both baking powder and baking soda added. It may have been because of my area's high elevation as I live at 6,200 feet (1889.76 <span style="text-align: center;">meters) and baking is often a challenge here. It did taste good, and I hope to get better at baking with substitutions so that I can also enjoy some low-carb treats. Does anyone have any low-carb baking hints for me?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgZz7d8P4HyTNKI6e3uFtsD0jEzeFg6DIdzeudEP-K1ugmolBLw9Bcr7aGTep28z7jhpLl2r6XtfogWs45xOgbGlbOIynPcgM3ms82fnJjBqwIDGntlFVIvno-7qJsGpdtKr6fJTeSw4yx8UwTGggiLbLUpDz3MxKRAVLcR2zDLFuLBUNF8Wkok4jPKiU/s3672/20230902_171650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="3672" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgZz7d8P4HyTNKI6e3uFtsD0jEzeFg6DIdzeudEP-K1ugmolBLw9Bcr7aGTep28z7jhpLl2r6XtfogWs45xOgbGlbOIynPcgM3ms82fnJjBqwIDGntlFVIvno-7qJsGpdtKr6fJTeSw4yx8UwTGggiLbLUpDz3MxKRAVLcR2zDLFuLBUNF8Wkok4jPKiU/w640-h508/20230902_171650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A savory dinner with peaches was this one called <b><a href="https://www.closetcooking.com/balsamic-peach-pork-chops-with-blue-cheese/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Balsamic Peach Pork Chops</a></b> with Blue Cheese from the blog "<b><a href="https://www.closetcooking.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Closet Cooking</a>.</b>" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was fabulous!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpznY_dQggrM-wqLy7fbSeoIOL8Nt-cCtVlLpLIP7F9uEjO0rKIEBRF-yiNJuoSRjFpmza6qc8iNmZTOS2OnTYig1fNxci1YTgnZS6ifEhUPWGt1wBUqMCKJjLu2RXCRdt41pAE8yh0ne-6qcFRBiQx0mf1DS8INsuV2UPAs_j9tj0PDir3DlfAdlc86fm/s2046/20230902_171420-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpznY_dQggrM-wqLy7fbSeoIOL8Nt-cCtVlLpLIP7F9uEjO0rKIEBRF-yiNJuoSRjFpmza6qc8iNmZTOS2OnTYig1fNxci1YTgnZS6ifEhUPWGt1wBUqMCKJjLu2RXCRdt41pAE8yh0ne-6qcFRBiQx0mf1DS8INsuV2UPAs_j9tj0PDir3DlfAdlc86fm/w640-h640/20230902_171420-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I used extra peaches since I had more pork chops than the recipe called for. I doubled the recipe and served them separately so I could regulate my portion size. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Additionally, I still have an abundance of zucchini and zucchini blossoms growing in my garden this September, so I made zucchini fritters for my husband to enjoy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dEmzL4kywZZsw7YbCQyRzPl-k_vqD5WVOqHbfNZgoaPH4WRtJZSWbPrkOI2MyRUImKBYus7Fm6_jGo-IExlpI-9aPQr6MopedFgN7J9d9e111mutIw7gA0AzJYd7Zunzb7Mn5n6-gKv9grvoGGQF3_BVJTEGAYvYmzA-LFS6VEFbqRGERz4xRLHzqFDG/s2047/20230824_090357-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dEmzL4kywZZsw7YbCQyRzPl-k_vqD5WVOqHbfNZgoaPH4WRtJZSWbPrkOI2MyRUImKBYus7Fm6_jGo-IExlpI-9aPQr6MopedFgN7J9d9e111mutIw7gA0AzJYd7Zunzb7Mn5n6-gKv9grvoGGQF3_BVJTEGAYvYmzA-LFS6VEFbqRGERz4xRLHzqFDG/w640-h640/20230824_090357-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as gardens go, a disaster hit my patio tomato plants!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> If you look at the collage above you can see the photo in the lower left corner of my plants a week ago. I was picking many red tomatoes every day, as you can see by the basket of ripe ones. I came out this week to find that a deer somehow squeezed past the chicken wire fence around my plants and ate all the tops and tomatoes it could reach! AGH!!! I lost so many tomatoes. Knowing it would probably come back I pulled all the remaining tomatoes and will allow them to ripen inside by a window. The season for tomatoes was coming to an end, but it was sad to lose so many.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlyQdb5SiZ6PfgKTsrm0QF7xAVN8iG0XtVsSSyyTzewrSfScKVXBJST7w8cm6MKBv5Bo0EfO4cyMVrpxJ4__G75YXr19OYKeXFB2kgK68HgijsDAJXseAGpbgysqUSEW664BJO7Kj0zku3TYrQD0esolGQX9LouYKXR_EPghE7YQONtR2PLeSTxhhH4x2/s2046/20230826_091626-COLLAGE-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlyQdb5SiZ6PfgKTsrm0QF7xAVN8iG0XtVsSSyyTzewrSfScKVXBJST7w8cm6MKBv5Bo0EfO4cyMVrpxJ4__G75YXr19OYKeXFB2kgK68HgijsDAJXseAGpbgysqUSEW664BJO7Kj0zku3TYrQD0esolGQX9LouYKXR_EPghE7YQONtR2PLeSTxhhH4x2/w640-h480/20230826_091626-COLLAGE-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, another September joy is watching our oldest grandson play football on his high school freshman team. It is nice to see the team learn sportsmanship and for them to be kept busy in the afternoons after school with practices. He also hopes to play lacrosse in the spring.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRkRtoi0H0FuOdFilGsUCpr_HOMFkkRCWDu9QIHpNODbWYZggE-xW3VIeAtiSDKM5uPbCktYmPFqv5qeVSSU5KvH88OsCuG61BVT5zoOwkxX-7-rqk4QEErHg-xkvl5LBC6cDkS_oy74fbgHScaAEkta5JFr1mSxWQLWge1pb9Cc648PYaa0N2rAErac2/s2214/20230829_145738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="2214" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRkRtoi0H0FuOdFilGsUCpr_HOMFkkRCWDu9QIHpNODbWYZggE-xW3VIeAtiSDKM5uPbCktYmPFqv5qeVSSU5KvH88OsCuG61BVT5zoOwkxX-7-rqk4QEErHg-xkvl5LBC6cDkS_oy74fbgHScaAEkta5JFr1mSxWQLWge1pb9Cc648PYaa0N2rAErac2/w640-h484/20230829_145738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fall's here soon. Let's enjoy these last days of summer!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can also find me on</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Inst</a></b><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/millefiorifavoriti/?hl=en" style="color: #9d1961; 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text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Saturday Sparks</a>, <a href="https://thehouseonsilverado.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #9d1961; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunday on Silverado</a></b></div></div></div></div></div><p><br /></p>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742343364632742295.post-82705414387890086952023-08-27T22:22:00.001-04:002023-08-27T22:45:52.753-04:00Review of Ed Mitchell's Barbeque Cookbook<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDIAI9RuvbG-xDchukZaAxSfqKf2Y4x9F1mLM0EylHG42FY7P3GKcDcDF5TQ4zcR77oOvh0WHNSuSDW0amd9b3v0Tk1rvh2LaJH5lngeMMGs3IHdJsH8kqLTURereCm9XFSONDQ4x3k5mN_Hb9-hLUEtgJ57j3gGO1V9B2yGPSilQTdJuwS-bndGKkWaM/s3007/20230827_174722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3007" data-original-width="2764" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDIAI9RuvbG-xDchukZaAxSfqKf2Y4x9F1mLM0EylHG42FY7P3GKcDcDF5TQ4zcR77oOvh0WHNSuSDW0amd9b3v0Tk1rvh2LaJH5lngeMMGs3IHdJsH8kqLTURereCm9XFSONDQ4x3k5mN_Hb9-hLUEtgJ57j3gGO1V9B2yGPSilQTdJuwS-bndGKkWaM/w589-h640/20230827_174722.jpg" width="589" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">This cookbook has been actively used in my kitchen this summer. It is <b><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/ed-mitchells-barbeque-ed-mitchellryan-mitchellzella-palmer?variant=41057701003298" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ed Mitchell's Barbeque</a></b>--a compilation of recipes written in collaboration with his son, Ryan Mitchell, and Zella Palmer. I won the cookbook in a giveaway on <b><a href="https://www.bookclubcookbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Book Club Cookbook</a></b> website. <b><a href="https://www.thepitmasteredmitchell.com/the-legend" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ed Mitchell</a></b> is one of the most famous pitmasters in the nation, dedicated to authentic Southern, whole hog pit cooking which has led him to rise from a local legend to a national sensation. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV7FeL0Ws8oOGcM6hZOba2ofiK4DecCNawd420X8JQrClsdWKB2SC2PUOCU-c70ElS-rDxbhx-pb2hoODSUMn3srF4Pc2DTpC38M-zR_aQuxpQMILJbzOaGTczkIRQcOJq2L90yVPQqOcf9rTWDCnBVWt55KB5w1OIC6Mp2lowrRthyf7QSBU6BJyyFAJ/s3670/20230823_161741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3670" data-original-width="2421" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV7FeL0Ws8oOGcM6hZOba2ofiK4DecCNawd420X8JQrClsdWKB2SC2PUOCU-c70ElS-rDxbhx-pb2hoODSUMn3srF4Pc2DTpC38M-zR_aQuxpQMILJbzOaGTczkIRQcOJq2L90yVPQqOcf9rTWDCnBVWt55KB5w1OIC6Mp2lowrRthyf7QSBU6BJyyFAJ/w422-h640/20230823_161741.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I was attracted to this cookbook after reading the story within the cookbook of how Ed began his pitmaster career. Ed, the grandson of a small farmer, had the privilege of growing up surrounded by delicious and wholesome food. He cherishes fond memories of those flavors and moments from his childhood. However, for many years, his education, military service, and employment with the Ford Motor Company kept him away from Wilson, North Carolina. It wasn't until 1990, when his father fell ill, that Ed returned to lend a hand to his mother. When his father died he went to the local Piggly Wiggly to buy a thirty-five-pound pig, which is considered a small one, and fired up the coals. As smoke filled the air and the pork skin started to crackle, the few customers at the family restaurant started to inquire about lunch and what smelled so good. By chance, Ed discovered a talent for barbecuing, which quickly became a habit and brought him success.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This story reminded me of one my Italian-born husband always recalled about a tradition in his hometown in Calabria that was held every January called "<b><a href="https://www.saveur.com/celebrating-maialata-italys-festival-pig/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maialata</a>,</b>" where each family would gather and help each other render a pig they raised. They butchered and cooked the meat from head to tail-- nothing went to waste. They preserved every bit to eat during the winter months ahead. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I also remember my father, who grew up in a coal mine town in eastern Pennsylvania, telling me how his family would make pickled pig feet and "head cheese" from a pig. He sometimes bought vinegar pickled pig feet in a jar that he found in the grocery and I even learned to enjoy them. Sure enough, Ed's cookbook includes a recipe for pickled pig feet and "North Carolina Souse Meat," also known as Hog's Head Cheese. This shows how different cultures have very similar food traditions and recipes that are cherished and handed down from one generation to the next.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJMr7geeiJ0mj1wViuoa9vaQxHMqKXeNYJkcESOWR0_sY-4u_TMWaVVkA3VLP6AsKFdPjRDoSacSjw9M8lOlJHV4JPvvSyXaXJSyZpQkpS05bBCGPmVqNExqn6FJfZyvEgPPTdIm_8vr9ArmHwqcxhj11Gg91AF1m1shR0ldoBJbNAlylcG4Wj9ubMQ4K/s2046/20230818_110806-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJMr7geeiJ0mj1wViuoa9vaQxHMqKXeNYJkcESOWR0_sY-4u_TMWaVVkA3VLP6AsKFdPjRDoSacSjw9M8lOlJHV4JPvvSyXaXJSyZpQkpS05bBCGPmVqNExqn6FJfZyvEgPPTdIm_8vr9ArmHwqcxhj11Gg91AF1m1shR0ldoBJbNAlylcG4Wj9ubMQ4K/w640-h480/20230818_110806-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cookbook is full of delightful stories about the family history behind Ed's recipes. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "Ed's Mouthwatering Baby Back Ribs" on page 56 recounts how his rib recipe is the one he used to defeat Bobby Flay on the Food Network television show "Throwdown with Bobby Flay." </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I prepared the ribs the night before with a rub of his special blend of herbs and spices, such as paprika, black pepper, dry mustard, coriander, cumin, and salt.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen0nugBsVaL5FVxdbL75FXnMMebu7BDAFeX2dTVn6zUnsqnpxsXU6pFv-v-EhnliWbQ2qp72hqUUeW4CzsdjcvR2yHy8s1BNyMcQ63CRJNo1m_r0IEkN-BlbvJYbMTMMKRqD8YwE7yF_pZW_dnAL-y-ZN_Jsx7A1fN3BKZF-XA9EmQC-4h43H4r4wclYy/s4000/20230818_163431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen0nugBsVaL5FVxdbL75FXnMMebu7BDAFeX2dTVn6zUnsqnpxsXU6pFv-v-EhnliWbQ2qp72hqUUeW4CzsdjcvR2yHy8s1BNyMcQ63CRJNo1m_r0IEkN-BlbvJYbMTMMKRqD8YwE7yF_pZW_dnAL-y-ZN_Jsx7A1fN3BKZF-XA9EmQC-4h43H4r4wclYy/w480-h640/20230818_163431.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The next day I had intended to grill the ribs as the recipe instructs but as luck would have it we had a very thunderstorm rainy day, so instead they cooked low and slow in my oven for two hours. Toward the end of cooking time, they get brushed with Ed's Eastern North Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce which he gives the recipe for on page 74 of his cookbook. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">They were delicious, moist, fall off bone, ribs! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3IzgvhwcWr9ccsyjAu3BNoilqqnur8JIVmSKHU2wDpWaSb7o_ixfUiUgJtKrEkrXMiE0AoUJIR8rh1G_HrnpWT1OjMK59osxwf9PNcPDs4FUbWZVvx2PSt5Ykudki7QJ_tk47lhe1kGCmRTI-yfB_FnA3yKONP_-WDwnWrnyDNd7MBRgf9Ffp-Exegtl/s2046/20230818_115405-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3IzgvhwcWr9ccsyjAu3BNoilqqnur8JIVmSKHU2wDpWaSb7o_ixfUiUgJtKrEkrXMiE0AoUJIR8rh1G_HrnpWT1OjMK59osxwf9PNcPDs4FUbWZVvx2PSt5Ykudki7QJ_tk47lhe1kGCmRTI-yfB_FnA3yKONP_-WDwnWrnyDNd7MBRgf9Ffp-Exegtl/w480-h640/20230818_115405-COLLAGE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To accompany the ribs I made "Ed's Shing Slaw" on page 98 of his cookbook.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was happy to find Duke's Mayonaise locally and also a pre-shredded mixture of cabbage and carrots which made preparing this coleslaw a snap!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53HbetxUCjcH7dV63tM4q90ivwy2NKT-QT0S33F3fOKcGgEnjdTn08xRfDkcysuMDcN4cal2_6PxhlfiHiHva5lJT6i-hzfoRnDwB3hUym-A26KIv4eopnGg_JpgIa5PhBGW7b-hrzb63cd_TBeFyF8OUqsoM8Xk2yqUGITXDsfPTbR9feY3PZqsVUbsu/s3347/20230818_121022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="2865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53HbetxUCjcH7dV63tM4q90ivwy2NKT-QT0S33F3fOKcGgEnjdTn08xRfDkcysuMDcN4cal2_6PxhlfiHiHva5lJT6i-hzfoRnDwB3hUym-A26KIv4eopnGg_JpgIa5PhBGW7b-hrzb63cd_TBeFyF8OUqsoM8Xk2yqUGITXDsfPTbR9feY3PZqsVUbsu/w548-h640/20230818_121022.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So crunchy and good!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9sPCv50slSmpvrDeiNUkzJcmFA1RwI-VW-BI94Ob7-CoXqFkRwjNXt3LdkUNI8ViN5ouaB1xuaHvtr8f576t7EtAuDBpWYCEq3OAh_bJevLNmMCXmxSzSItlaiFTnI7-BGmgcPstPGlSraC3wmbgqGs5OrTtPiBaZqEUAagDyaHGZmjxk5Uk009i0Q1P/s2723/20230818_163626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2677" data-original-width="2723" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9sPCv50slSmpvrDeiNUkzJcmFA1RwI-VW-BI94Ob7-CoXqFkRwjNXt3LdkUNI8ViN5ouaB1xuaHvtr8f576t7EtAuDBpWYCEq3OAh_bJevLNmMCXmxSzSItlaiFTnI7-BGmgcPstPGlSraC3wmbgqGs5OrTtPiBaZqEUAagDyaHGZmjxk5Uk009i0Q1P/w640-h630/20230818_163626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The coolness of the coleslaw was the perfect offset to the spicy heat of the ribs! I served it for dinner with a saute of vegetables.</span><div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaurSMv-T7BNRLfe-0ZVr3-axcShljjZEaeYo3FURPNJHgedsvz1K762Wvyly2eb80fFmAViNcJgEckXuNDWvqChVmMO9-84pFmycHwE2I4eLLqiq-DNZAjClNu5SXafOcyIsnTBkx1i2FLL_2oPMfPucOulmbvILXWWXuGSV-8gOPZCuvzF5BcEaQ_aYh/s3881/20230823_161719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3881" data-original-width="2935" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaurSMv-T7BNRLfe-0ZVr3-axcShljjZEaeYo3FURPNJHgedsvz1K762Wvyly2eb80fFmAViNcJgEckXuNDWvqChVmMO9-84pFmycHwE2I4eLLqiq-DNZAjClNu5SXafOcyIsnTBkx1i2FLL_2oPMfPucOulmbvILXWWXuGSV-8gOPZCuvzF5BcEaQ_aYh/w484-h640/20230823_161719.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My garden is full of ripening tomatoes so I was excited to prepare the "Hellwig Raleigh Country Club Tomato Pie" recipe on page 160. Ed says tomato pie is a country boy's lasagna and it is on the menu in his restaurant--John Hellwig is his sous chef--and it is a customer favorite. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQuyB8NXig7vI_ks6wGeNfPnx2i5inLgx-WyUBdP35prZLkOoXocTE7feVzHP0PHXWDWOQYYPZFtwwgIby-kMDZz73zil1zQ1yIalD31yZhyLh6jlBrsnCM83A_L3j_hHcn5P8LBlnR4K6KhZK8OdiotTXl9LlrpyexTXU3DIHZmHG8qGV1JIz29k1aNB/s2046/20230823_113052-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQuyB8NXig7vI_ks6wGeNfPnx2i5inLgx-WyUBdP35prZLkOoXocTE7feVzHP0PHXWDWOQYYPZFtwwgIby-kMDZz73zil1zQ1yIalD31yZhyLh6jlBrsnCM83A_L3j_hHcn5P8LBlnR4K6KhZK8OdiotTXl9LlrpyexTXU3DIHZmHG8qGV1JIz29k1aNB/w640-h640/20230823_113052-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My only change in Ed's recipe was not using a prepared pie crust. I have been eating low carb since May --see why <b><a href="https://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/2023/08/100-days-of-low-carb.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on this post</a></b>-- and so I baked the tomato pie in a springform pan with parchment paper on the bottom and instead of using bread crumbs I used ground pork rinds. Ed's mixture of cheddar cheese and gouda with the addition of his <b><a href="https://www.thepitmasteredmitchell.com/pitmaster-products/cayenne-hot-sauce" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cayenne pepper hot sauce </a></b>and brown sugar, along with fresh herbs from my garden made this pie taste fabulous!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTZCu0CI-GZw5CpUk-k4miH4_HkA96aVRmAoI4-m9XXKPJo36BesGJ8QPyJ-Qu2gpghTTWdKBLWShCXq0NaxP59pl-0_cJfUB6wZqOcm1TZR7IkSw9dL094xKT6oGJOsmRkb6wHclBicrxuX3-VWCw5kQtdfD44kfmzgphtIiDKqs5DBn1biYgcvPWgH0/s3527/20230823_161806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3527" data-original-width="2369" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTZCu0CI-GZw5CpUk-k4miH4_HkA96aVRmAoI4-m9XXKPJo36BesGJ8QPyJ-Qu2gpghTTWdKBLWShCXq0NaxP59pl-0_cJfUB6wZqOcm1TZR7IkSw9dL094xKT6oGJOsmRkb6wHclBicrxuX3-VWCw5kQtdfD44kfmzgphtIiDKqs5DBn1biYgcvPWgH0/w430-h640/20230823_161806.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Tomato Pie was so good!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have many bookmarks in Ed Mitchell's Barbeque for other recipes I want to try-- there are many for appetizers, biscuits and cornbread, salads and slaw, beef and pork, poultry, seafood, and even tofu, rice, grits and mac' n' cheese, vegetables, beans desserts, libations and instructions for building an authentic barbeque pit. He tells many interesting stories about his life, along with meeting with chef Anthony Bourdain, becoming a celebrity pitmaster in competitions in the Big Apple--NYC, and what he believes is the future of barbeque.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope I have enticed you to look for Ed Mitchell's Barbecue Cookbook to try some of his outstanding recipes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, again, to <b><a href="https://www.bookclubcookbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Book Club Cookbook </a></b>for this wonderful cookbook!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; clear: both; color: #341473; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.73px; text-align: center;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can also find me on</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #c3d9ff; 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text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.com22