Travel with Carole Newsletter
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At the top of Blarney Castle, you had to trust the same “old”
Irish gentleman to hold you upside down to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and
receive the gift of eloquence. Rather than climb the steep and winding staircase
to get up there, I decided to play-like my gift is still working from the last
time I made the trip! Typical Irish weather is rumored to be foggy and damp.
Sunshine helped to make the Cliffs of Moher my favorite day of the tour. Hiking
to the top of the cliffs, no words or pictures could ever do it justice. The
cliffs, caused by thousands of years of erosion, soar 702 feet above the wild
Atlantic Ocean. The Emerald Isle was a land of green hills and natural
beauty….and very hospitable people.
It was a beautiful and cool day in May when we made our third visit to some of
the premier horse ranches in Denton County. There are at least 300 breeding and
training facilities scattered throughout this region of Texas. These ranches are
producing some of the world’s finest horses, while others train horses and
riders in disciplines such as reining, cow cutting, haltering, and even
therapeutic riding. As we walked through immaculate barns, the beautiful animals
would stick their heads out of stalls, peering at us, asking for a pat on the
head. We watched as a newborn colt stood on its wobbly legs for the first time.
At the Diamond R Ranch, trainers gave reining demonstrations, one of several
disciplines taught to their Toshara Arabians. If you are looking for a way to
relax and enjoy a Sunday afternoon, you might consider some of these country
roads. You will see miles of pipe and rail fencing, beautiful pastures and, of
course, lots of horses.
Now I know why so many men were on the trip to San Angelo a couple of weeks ago.
They wanted to visit Miss Hattie’s Bordello…and that they did! Miss Hattie
appeared at our Ft. Concho cookout and gave all of them a personal invitation.
Not only that, but when they were leaving, she gave them a token to come back
again. The real purpose of our visit was the Hummer House, featured in the June
2010 issue of Texas Highways. Located along the banks of the South Concho River,
this oasis is the summer home to thousands of tiny Black-chinned Hummingbirds.
Just as interesting was watching the Outbackers Bird Banding Group put tiny
little bands on the legs of many other migrant birds that are native to the area
as the seasons change. In Paint Rock, we were shown hundreds of Indian
Pictographs on a ranch owned by a family since the 1870’s. Most of the paintings
are thought to be 200-500 years old. The most common color was red, made from
rubbing bear grease on an ironite rock. There was a spectacular painting with a
“Sun Dagger” appearing at the center of the painting on Winter Solstice –
December 21 – each year.
In this newsletter, please notice some of the trips I’m planning for 2011.
Please don’t think it’s too early to decide where you would like to go next
year. Group space must be blocked with deposits, and the good thing is that
deposits are refundable. Be sure to let me know if you have an interest in the
Canadian Rockies, an Alaska Land and Cruise Tour, or Canyon Country.
Slainte agus go raibh maith agat!
Translated to English, this Gaelic phrase means
“Goodbye, health and life at you and thank you very much!”
Carole
View Excursions!
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To receive itineraries or to ask questions, call: |
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CAROLE HARRIS
538 Rising Ridge Dr. - DeSoto, TX 75115
(972) 230-4500
Outside (214 & 972) 1-800-305-1249
Fax: (972) 230-6266
travelwithcarole@sbcglobal.net |
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