Hot Hurricane in East Texas

Hot Hurricane in East Texas
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

After Hurricane Rita passed through Saturday morning, Mikki and I went to Votaw to check on her Mom's place and on her aunt and uncle's place. To add insult to injury from a large oak through their home, it was 100 degrees on the porch, in the shade on Monday. Not a drop of wind.

The Murphy's are popular in Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Seems we really are of Irish descent. This is kind of like our family though.... A beer sign on a gas pump:-) Most of the Murphy's have gas?

The view from Healy Pass, Beara Peninsula, Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

What a view!

Giant leaf plant on the Beara Peninsuala, Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

If you know what this is, let me know. It is the largest plant leaf I've ever seen.

Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Martha did a wonderful job getting us a "room with a view".

Killarney, Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

I painted one of these guys and carts 30 years ago in art school. Kind of neat to see it for real.

Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Dingle, Ireland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

You like? Really hard to beat this place.

Dairy cows in front of a Castle ruin

Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

This was on the Dingle peninsula. What a beautiful drive.

Dingle, Ireland

Dingle, Ireland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Mikki on the shopping prowl. Dingle is a wonderful little city on the Southwestern coast of the Dingle Peninsula. A great experience. The hotel we stayed in is American owned but you wouldn't know it. It's the Benner Hotel.

Small town Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

I loved this small village on the way to Dingle, Ireland from Cong. The yield sign is in Irish language. This region has all signs in Gaeltic. You cannot use logic to figure too much of it out.

Traffic Calming

Traffic Calming
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

I love this sign. I'm not exactly sure that I got it but I did slow down when I saw it.

Ireland Countryside

Ireland Countryside
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

If you like farming and a country lifestyle, Ireland is one wonderful place indeed. It is the greenest country I've ever visited.

Largest Species of Owl

Largest Species of Owl
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

This was an incredible experience. He is the largest of all the species of owls. His grip is unbelievable. What an experience. What a beautiful bird. I have a new appreciation.

Mikki having a cup of Earl Grey tea at Ashford Castle

Mikki having a cup of tea
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

When in Rome, do as the Roman's do:-) Actually, it is wonderful here. In the 50's and hot tea hits the spot!

I was outside and shot here through the window.

Galen goes back to school

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Ireland Falconry School is at Ashford Castle and I signed up and Mikki went along to take photos. Believe it or not, the Harris Hawks they were letting me fly today are native to South Texas and Mexico:-)

I had the time of my life. I also flew the largest species of Owl. A giant with a grip like you would not believe!

Ashford Castle, Cong Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

This is where we are our first two nights in Ireland. What an incredible place. Built in 1275, added onto in 1700's, owned by the Guiness Family, converted to a hotel in the 1910 era, and added onto again in the 1960's and sold to American and Irish investors. Amazing architecture.

Bridge entering Ashford Castle, Cong Ireland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Edinburgh Castle at Night

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

It was raining, but I was able to shoot this from our hotel window.

Formal Wear Window in Edinburgh Scotland

Formal Wear Window in Edinburgh Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Nice dress man!

Dinner at the Witchery

Dinner at the Witchery
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Our last night in Scotland

Edinburgh Scotland Old City

Edinburgh Scotland Old City
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Mik doing some discovery work.

The Balmoral Hotel we stayed in.

The Balmoral Hotel we stayed in.
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Our room was on the 5th floor. Upper right hand corner facing the Edinburgh Castle. Thanks Martha Sabom! You did well.

Lothian and Border's Police / Edinburgh

Lothian and Border's Police / Edinburgh
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Bryan, this one was for you. I risked a lot to ask these two for a photo:-) They actually got a kick out of it. They were in a Barbour Shotgun shop getting an expensive custom pheasant shotgun worked on for the short guy. Very nice guys.

Edinburgh Old City

Edinburgh Old City
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Edinburgh Scotland, Old City

Edinburgh Scotland, Old City
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Warning, Sheep Crossing

Warning, Sheep Crossing
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Old bridge near Balmoral Castle, Scotland

Old bridge near Balmoral Castle, Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

his was a surprise in the middle of nowhere on the way to see the Balmoral Castle. Oh, it was closed until next July, but we saw a wonderful old bridge.

Which way do we go?

Which way do we go?
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Note that all the names in the Western Highlands of Scotland sound Norwegian.

Old Town Edinburgh Scotland

Old Town Edinburgh Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

A beautiful old city area wonderfully restored.

Another Funny Sign

Another Funny Sign
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

No suggestion, a demand!

No suggestion, a demand!
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Struck us funny. It was beside the sink in a restroom at a restaurant in Carrbridge Scotland.

Beatrix Potter lived here in Scotland

Beatrix Potter lived here in Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

We ran into a museum in her honor in the town of Birnam Scotland, next to Dunkeld. She lived her summers at Dalguise Estate next to Kinnaird Estate where we stayed.

Give Way!

Give Way!
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Lot's of funny signs here. I'm going to post more.

Dig your own Tatties

Dig your own Tatties
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

A trust program for potatoes.

Three wheeled car!!!!

Three wheeled car!!!!
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

They meant it! Yield to Chickens.

They meant it! Yield to Chickens.
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Chickens everywhere here in Torridon.

Post box and Phone Booth in Torridon Scotland

Post box and Phone Booth in Torridon Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

In the middle of nowhere! That is Loch Torridon in the background as well as a message board for hikers and locals.

The Tay River at Kenmore Scotland

The Tay River at Kenmore Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Great bridge. I shot this from the Kenmore Hotel dining room.

Lochcarrin Scotland

Lochcarrin Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

I drove here, almost 60 miles on a one-lane paved road with pull-outs for passing cars, only to find out that they don't change american money into pounds. Wrong bank.

Mik's next land rover, a sheep

Mik's next land rover, a sheep
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

She loves these things. I have to admit that they are cute.

My next Land Rover, the Defender

My next Land Rover, the Defender
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

I love these things.... Diesel.

Mikki with Chris and his Kilt

Mikki with Chris and his Kilt
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

At Loch Torridon Hotel. Nice guy. Seemed to be photographed rather often.

Mikki on a hike in the Highlands of Scotland

Mikki on a hike in the Highlands of Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

The woods in the highlands are full of giant rhododendron plants. That is one to the left of Mikki. I have to believe that it is a beautiful sight when they are all blooming. The local environmentalists don't like them because they aren't native and they are prolific growers in this climate and are choking out native species.

Pine tree in the Highlands of Scotland

Pine tree in the Highlands of Scotland
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Now that is a pine tree.

Galen mock testing passing out at the bar

Galen mock testing passing out at the bar
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

You've never seen so much whiskey.

Mikki mock testing the sauce

Mikki mock testing the sauce
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

What can I say?

Scottish Highland Cattle and Mikki

Scottish Highland Cattle and Mikki
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

We fell in love with these hairy creatures. One baby was limping and I thought Mikki was going to make me bring it home so it could get help.

Loch Torridon Hotel / Scottish Western Highlands

Loch Torridon Hotel / Scottish Western Highlands
Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Built in 1887 and a wonderful place in the most remote area I have ever been in my life (except Labrador).

A Highland Lake in Western Scotland

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

Absolutely beautiful scenary in the Western highlands.

Pheasants on the road to Kinnaird

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Originally uploaded by galenwalt.

We have seen so many pheasant. I can't believe how prevalent here. Like black birds or buzzards at home.