I’ve been on a blogging hiatus while dear hubby and I enjoyed an Ireland vacation. Due to the pandemic, third time was a charm in terms of scheduling! Although air travel was a nightmare, with cancelled and delayed domestic flights resulting in us missing the first day of our organized Irish tour.
But we sure were lucky in the weather! Not only didn’t it rain, but most of the time we experienced beautiful blue skies with lots of sunshine. It wasn’t until our very last day in Dublin, that we used umbrellas and rain jackets. Our good fortune, however, may have been another consequence of global warming.
Based on a recommendation from dear friends, we booked a guided tour through CIE. Founded in Ireland, the company has 90 years experience and is the largest travel operator in Ireland and Scotland. Several years ago, our friends had taken a different itinerary.
We chose the 10-day Irish Legends tour, which covered a smaller, more concentrated southern half of the island. After the organized trip, we added two more nights in Dublin to explore on our own. Let’s begin with an overview of our Ireland vacation itinerary. Then I’ll share pictures and descriptions from the first three days; visiting National Stud, Kilkenny, Waterford and New Ross. See why Ireland exceeded our already high expectations!
Returning today to our September 2021 California vacation and visit to breath-taking Kings Canyon. It was the second of a trio of national parks we explored — beginning in Sequoia: Land of Giants and ending in a three-day Yosemite Vacation.
Did you know that Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the US? It’s gorge reaches up to 8,200 feet; thousands of feet deeper than the Grand Canyon in Arizona!
A scenic road cuts through the park ‘s wide canyon, and along the Kings Rivers. In addition to its famous grove of sequoias, there are forests of pine, fir, and cedar, a rocky river valley, waterfalls, lakes, a marble cavern, and expansive meadow. So much of nature’s wonders to see and experience!
Apparently the most common way to “see” Kings Canyon is to simply drive though on Generals Highway —with a stop and short hike at Grant Grove Village. But then, you’d miss the spectacular vistas and deep river valley along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway!
Instead, hubby and I dedicated an entire day and overnight to Kings Canyon National Park. That allowed us time for the amazing roundtrip drive into the canyon itself, with time to explore the richness of the deep river valley.
While vacationing in California last September, we spent two days and nights exploring neighboring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Depending on how you look at it, we were either very fortunate (my view) or unlucky in the timing of our visit.
Much of the state was experiencing drought conditions. That was quite evident during our days wine-tasting in dry and hot Paso Robles. All the ranch and grazing land looked brown and parched. On September 9, 2021, there were severe thunderstorms. More than 200 lightening strikes occurred within the two neighboring parks! Fires were discovered the following day — as we arrived in Sequoia National Park.
We had left Paso Robles early, for the three-hour plus drive to Sequoia. Fortunately, our day and overnight at the park lodge proceeded mostly as planned. But, by the time we left for Kings Canyon, the fires had exploded –closing the park entrance, lodge and highway behind us!
By December 2021, Sequoia and Kings Canyon were devastated by the KNP Complex and Windy fires. As many as 2,380 giant sequoias burned to death, or are expected to die within several years! Mr. Buzz and I are heartbroken by the destruction of those majestic trees.
But, I also feel blessed to have been among the last people to have seen the sequoias, redwoods and parks before the fires. Let me share them with you.
Last September, Mr. Buzz and I spent half of our California vacation exploring the bountiful natural wonders of three National Parks, including Yosemite.
After deciding it was too early to reschedule our pandemic-cancelled June 2020 Ireland trip, hubby suggested California. That March 2021, he had snagged two nights in September at Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Hotel, the crown jewel of national park lodges. We built our entire vacation around those nights. First, we worked backwards, booking other park lodging in Kings Canyon and Sequoia.
Due to the continued uncertainty of pandemic conditions in 2021, we only booked the lodges and other accommodations that were fully cancellable. Several months later — and fully vaccinated —we felt confident enough to book direct flights. Then hubby filled in the rest of our stays at B&B’s and hotels in Monterey, Big Sur, Paso Robes and San Francisco.
It was wonderful to be outdoors, without a mask, enjoying all the mountain fresh air! After having the park closures of Sequoia and Kings Canyon right on our heels, we were relieved to arrive safely in Yosemite with the scent of smoke and fires behind us.
Ever dreamt of stepping into a famous painting that hangs in a museum? That’s what it felt like when walking through the VanGogh Immersive Experience. While visiting family in Philadelphia last October, we attended the long-running show. It was part of the same gorgeous fall trip when we explored Chanticleer Garden.
By the time I got back home, it was Halloween and busy season for holiday posts. I just never had the chance to catch-up and share our experience. Plus, pandemic cases began to steeply rise with the omicron wave. So, it wasn’t the time or seemed appropriate to encourage folks to congregate.
When we went to the exhibit last October, proof of vaccination and wearing of masks was strictly enforced. Tickets were timed to manage crowd size. We felt very safe.
But, it’s not too late to see a Van Gogh immersive experience in many cities across the country. Perhaps there’s one near you? It could also be part of a weekend excursion to another city?
Turns out, nearly 50 different cities in the U.S. (plus others around the world) are hosting some type of Van Gogh immersive experience! That’s because there are five different productions presenting shows. Before I researched this post, I thought they were all by a single company. But the exhibit we saw in Philadelphia is a different production than the one running here in Pittsburgh.
For now, come along with me for a virtual step inside Van Gogh’s famous paintings, including Starry Night, the Sunflower series, and his other most acclaimed works.
We had a wonderful, eight-day Jackson Hole ski holiday over Valentine’s Day, with our eldest son and his girl.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is situated in the spectacular Teton Range of the Rocky Mountains, and is just south of Grand Teton National Park. The ski resort is named after the historic Jackson Hole Valley and is 12 miles — about a 20-minute drive — from the charming Western town of Jackson.
We had visited the area, including Yellowstone, many years ago on a summer vacation when the boys were adolescents. Such gorgeous natural scenery and abundant wildlife, including elk and moose.
Better known as “the Big One,” the Jackson Hole ski resort is best know for its over 4,000 foot vertical drop and steep terrain. It is frequently rated among the top destinations in North America by major ski magazines and travel guides. That comes from it’s world class terrain, luxury resort base amenities, beautiful landscape, and nearby Western town.
I enjoyed our Jackson Hole ski vacation, but admit that the steeper pitch and unfortunate icy conditions have left me a little worse for wear lol!
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Hi! I'm Debbee, a maker of all manner of things, who likes to incorporate themes into craft projects, holiday and seasonal decor, table settings, and parties. My friends call me, the Queen of Theme lol!
Home is the suburbs of Pittsburgh, but I also enjoy exploring the world with my husband. We raised two wonderful sons and are now early retirees.
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Meet Glenfiddich "Whiskey," a brindle coat Scottie and full of vim and vigor!
