Visiting The Cliffs of Moher In Ireland

bob and jean cliffs of moher

Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland

A short distance from Ennistymon brought us to the famed   Cliffs of Moher   in County Clare, one of the most dramatic stretches of Ireland’s west coast.  When first we arrived, a light drizzle dampened our clothing, and a brisk wind swept in off the ocean lending a distinct chill to the air.  With our rain ponchos in place, we were ready for anything. Read more

Chateau de la Bourdaisiere A Magnificent French Castle

An image of Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley in France.

An image of the main entrance gate to Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley, France.

One of my hopes on our trip to France was to spend a night in a “real” castle like Chateau de la Bourdaisiere.  By happenstance we learned about this castle when we came upon a little tourist information booth along a country road in the Loire Valley.  It happened to be staffed by an English-speaking young woman.  Read more

Touring The Palace of Versailles Royal Grandeur

An image of the Palace of Versailles in France.

An image of the Royal Courtyard at the Palace of Versailles in France.

After spending a few days exploring the streets and life of downtown Paris, Bob and I were anxious to leave the hubbub of the city behind.  The Palace of Versailles was our next destination and is actually located in a suburb of Paris.  It is a massive complex…800 hectares of gardens, buildings, water fountains and even a man-made lake called the Grand Canal.  For both Bob and me, it was a given that we would visit the Palace of Versailles considering its history and what happened there before and during the French Revolution. Read more

Arc de Triomphe One Of The Great Things To See In Paris

An image of the Le Triomphe of 1810 sculpture on a pillar of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

An image of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

Without a doubt, we have all seen endless pictures of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.  Similarly, it is probably one of the most popular sights to be both visited and filmed in Paris.  But I have got to tell you that, when Bob and I emerged onto the surface from Le Métro subway stop, the sheer enormity of the Arc de Triomphe and its ownership of the landscape literally brought tears to my eyes.  Standing across the street from it, I just stood there amazed, very moved, and in awe. Read more

We loved visiting Paris in the Spring

Pantheon dome on the left in a sea of Paris domes

Paris downtown - hazy morning

There are few places on the planet that Bob and I have visited that can compare to Paris In The Spring.  And even as our picture illustrates, it does get cloudy in that City of Light.  Paris is a city where time seems to stand still, and as you walk its streets, hills and riverside, the past and present seem to meld into one. Read more

Fall Colors at Algonquin Park and Oxtongue Lake 2012

fall colors, dorset tower view, ontario, pic 1

We took a drive up from Toronto, Ontario on October 1, 2012, to checkout the fall colors in the Algonquin Park and Oxtongue Lake areas.  From atop the Dorset tower, the view of the color sure proved the drive worthwhile.  According to the local people with whom we spoke,  this was the best fall color seen in this area in 10 years. Read more

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