Author Archives: Pat Feldhaus

After we crossed the river at Kilrush, we entered the Burren, a stark landscaoe in County Clare. Our destinationwas the Cliffs of Moher which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. At Rathaun Farm, a border collie herded sheep, the … Continue reading →

Today we drove 112 miles around the Irish Ring of Kerry, a peninsula sticking into the Atlantic Ocean; saw ancient standing stones (ogham – 5,000 years older than the pyramids); noticed that stone walls had replaced hedges, and finished our … Continue reading →

We drove through rain, fog and intermittent sun to Killarney where Kathy climbed the narrow curving steps of the castle so she could kiss the Blarney stone as my proxy, thereby bestowing both of us with the gift of eloquence. … Continue reading →

Our trip guide, Kristianne, led our 18 member group on a city tour of Dublin where we saw a plethora of Georgian homes, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the statue of Molly Malone, Trinity College in the middle of the town with … Continue reading →

I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland to kiss the Blarney Stone, so when the opportunity presented itself, Kathy, my Montana ER nurse daughter deized the day. Our first night after a “short walk” to the hotel, we were rewarded … Continue reading →

Janice, the CEO of the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce, treated us to luncheon and told us that 9 million visitors come to Niagara, not only to see the falls and Shaw Festival, but also to tour over 40 vineyards … Continue reading →

Our next stop at Niagara Falls was the Inniskillin Winery where Graham, the special events manager, was our enthusiastic host. A picnic table with three special wine glasses for eachof us, an ice bucket with three bottles of wine and … Continue reading →

In preparation for our “Maid of the Mist” sailing at Niagara Falls, blue plastic ponchos were distributed as we walked down the gang plank. I found a bench on the main deck; however, the majority of the passengers stood on … Continue reading →

Our accommodations for the five night stay were at the Pillar and Post, a Vintage Inn that used to house a cannery for peaches and tomatoes. On the first day of our visit, Gunther, our personal tour escort, drove by … Continue reading →

Niagara-on-the-Lake was an early Loyalist settlement, an “underground railroad” destination and the first capitol of Upper Canada. During the War of 1612, it was even invaded by American forces who occupied Fort George and the town for seven months before … Continue reading →