Journey to Ireland - 40th Anniversary
While we await some news of their travels, here is a picture of Dick on one of their anniversary trips a few years ago.
Sept 6: Tomorrow, September 7th, begins the trip to Ireland to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary. They will board the plane in San Francisco, head across country to Boston and then on to Dublin. Stay tuned to follow their adventures through Ireland. If you would like to wish them congratulations on their 40th which is actually September 11, 2017, please leave a message on the contact page of this website and I will post your message on this page along with any pictures and or/stories of their trip they have time to send.
Joining them on this trip is Diane's brother, Jerry. Ellie will be in good company with Allan and Frank.
Ellie's Anniversary Messages
Ellie wanted to go with them but couldn't find her passport.
First family pyramid.
Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom
In San Francisco - Day 1
Jerry (Diane's brother), Diane and Rich,, September 6, 2017.
"This is day one of our trip in San Francisco on a hike near the veterans hospital. Today we head for Ireland. Top of the Day to you.
County Wicklow - First Photos to Arrive
County Wicklow is a region south of Dublin in the east of Ireland. It’s known for its namesake mountains, Irish Sea coastline, country estates and the Wicklow Way. The 129km walking trail traverses the county, passing through Wicklow Mountains National Park. Within the park are glacial lakes, rivers and Glendalough, the remains of an early-medieval monastic settlement in a forested valley.
Which statue is the real one?
Powerhouse Court and Garden
There is a pet cemetary. Anyone know why this one caught their eye?
Sept 9 - Waterford Crystal Factory
September 11
Today we went on the Ring of Kerry. So beautiful and green. The castle is Muckroos Castle.
Driving tour of the Ring of Kerry
We watched a sheep herding demonstration.
Churhfield Bed and Breakfast in Doolin Ireland. 
Cliffs of Moher
The beauty of the Cliffs of Moher is that they offer us a totally multi-faceted experience of Ireland’s incredible west coast – as much a historical landmark as they are a geographical wonder, conservation hotspot and area of immense natural richness and importance.
Birds of Prey
Received September 15
We visited Kylemore Abbey on the shores of Klyemore Lake (Lough). The smaller building is known as the Gothic Church built in the late 1700s by Mitchell Henry, in honor of his wife who died at 45.
Jerry on the steps of the Gothic Church
Editors Note: Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The abbey was founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
Northern Ireland
We are near Bushmills. Diane is on a famous rope bridge on this beautiful hike.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Editor's note:
carrick-a-rede-rope-bridge-county-antrim2
Connected to the cliffs by a rope bridge across the Atlantic Ocean, Carrick-a-Rede Island (home to a single building - a fisherman's cottage) is the final destination.
Suspended almost 100 ft (30 m) above sea level, the rope bridge was first erected by salmon fisherman 350 years ago.
In 2016 Carrick-a-Rede welcomed the highest number of visitors ever to this exhilarating rope bridge experience.
Giant's Causeway
Editor's Note: The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles northeast of the town of Bushmills.
The Bushmills Distillery
The Dark Hedges
Editor's Note: Planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family, the opposing rows of beech trees were meant to create an impressive, scenic road leading up to their estate, Gracehill House. However as the trees matured they began to bend over the road and their upper branches intermingled creating a shadowy arboreal tunnel. The bent trunks and gnarled branches give the road an aura of the supernatural, which has landed the Irish thoroughfare a number of background roles in both movies and television shows such as Game of Thrones. The Dark Hedges have even developed their own ghost story featuring a “Grey Lady” who floats along behind the rows, and disappears just as the lane ends.
One of the murals
