A photo tour of Weeki Wachee Springs

Weeki Wachee Springs has been an attraction for over 60 years. While the mermaids are probably what they are best known for, we certainly enjoyed the boat ride on the river and the peacocks.

Visiting the Belleek Pottery Factory

On our September trip to Ireland, my friend and I drove from our base in Cavan to Belleek in Northern Ireland to visit the factory where the china is made and to take a tour. The tour takes about a half hour and there is also a small museum on site. 

You can have lunch or tea in their restaurant and of course, there is an amazing store. I did some serious shopping and had it all shipped home. Keep in mind that the prices you see are not Euros they are British Pounds which makes things quite a lot more expensive than you might think at first glance. 

Winter in Connecticut

SInce we are enjoying an El Nino winter, at least so far, in Connecticut, I thought I would put up some photos of winter over the last few years just as a reminder of what we are missing. 

I don't know about you, but I think I can live without a White Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas in the Hudson River Valley

This past week, my husband and I drove to Hype Park, New York to visit the FDR Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion. Here are a few of the photo from that trip. The houses have both been decorated for Christmas. 

The Visitor Center decoration at FDR site

Decor at Springwood the FDR Home

FDR's Office

Vanderbilt Mansion

Poinsettias

Stairway at Vanderbilt Mansion

 

One of my favorite photos

I took this photo a few years ago in Dublin.

It is of Oscar Wilde reclining on a rock in Merrion Square.  

Not only is it in color, which when one considers Oscar Wilde’s rather colorful life is totally appropriate but he just looks so relaxed. The sculpture was placed in this position so that Oscar is looking at the address where he lived at Number 1 Merrion Square.

Danny Osborne is the sculptor and the model for the head was Wilde’s own grandson. It is a true to life-size, Wilde was 6 feet 3 inches in life. Known as “The quare in the square” or the “fag on the crag” it is really a must see for any visitor to Dublin given that Oscar Wilde is one of Ireland’s most popular literary figures.

  

A Visit to Gettysburg Battlefield

We took a tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield last week. It was the site of three days of amazing carnage and when you consider the beautiful pastoral setting it is hard to imagine the number of men who died here, on both sides, defending their beliefs. 

A monument on Seminary Ridge

Confederate canon facing Cemetery Ridge

General Lee surveying the battlefield

What Pickett saw before his famous charge

View of the battlefield from Round Top Mountain

 

A Visit to the Clark Art Institute

Located in Williamstown, Mass. The Clark Art Institute has an outstanding collection of European and American art. We stopped there on our recent trip to the Berkshires. 

If you have never been here, I am going to suggest you rectify that as soon as you can. Their collection of Impressionists is exceptional and you will never regret a visit. Here are a few pics to tempt you. 

To see more info visit their website.