Saturday, November 3 – The Ring of Kerry

I was so beat that I slept like a rock last night. I got up at 7:30, took my first good shower, and packed up. Since nobody else was up, I had my breakfast alone, which was, of course, huge, and took off. I had some leftover pizza from the previous night, but I stopped at the bakery to pick up some bread, a croissant, and a scone. I also stopped by the grocery to get a few other items. By 8:45 I was off on my Ring of Kerry adventure.

The first incredible sight was the ancient Staigue Ring Fort. There was one other couple there, but they left just as I was arriving. A box at the gate proclaimed that one had to deposit one euro to “enter this land.” And there were sheep. I continued on and saw the sights. I’ve decided that much of Ireland’s beauty has to do with textures that result from the age of the land and the windswept vegetation. Most everything to visit was closed, but the beauty of the area was almost overwhelming. By the end of the day I had basically overloaded. I had a headache, was sick of driving, and was ready to get to Dingle. Today’s roads were some of the narrowest, roughest, and generally craziest yet. Perhaps the single most awe-inspiring place was a signed private walk to some cliffs with a nearly 500 foot drop to the ocean. Unfortunately, I had to pay to see it, but it was worth it.

I had lunch at St. Finan’s bay where I watched a surfer wrap up and another get started. It was great to just sit there and munch away listening to the ocean and watching the dogs run around. By the way, there was a dog literally lying down directly in the middle of the main road today. He didn’t even get up when I drove around him. I also had two dogs try to herd my car. Anyway, lunch was great except that I felt a bit funny after some cheese made with unpasteurized milk.

The Cill Bhreac house is cute, but not as nice as it appears in photos. It is nice enough, but not as nice as the Water’s Edge in Kenmare. Kinda 70’s or something. Still, Angela is very nice, and I feel welcomed. Also, I finally have free wireless. By the time I got to Dingle I was totally smoked. I figured that going for a run would do me some good. I ran towards the mountains at nightfall, which was amazing. I’m not sure what my plans are for my days here, but I definitely need a day or two to recover from all of this moving around.

I had just enough in me to go to dinner in town. I ate a bar where I noticed a couple whom I had seen at a bar in Kinsale. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sit next to them, but after I finished my delicious beef and Guiness pie, I went over to say hello. I stayed and talked for a while with them. Randy and Madonna are from Orlando. Randy ran in the Dublin marathon last week. It was great to have some actual human contact, but I’m excited for these couple of days to relax by myself.

I apologize for this rather uninspiring entry, but I’m too tired for words right now.