MeliGoesRogue

Ok another side note- it’s absolutely possible that these gardens are beautiful in other seasons so if for your are going to Ireland-please stop and see. I definitely don’t want to be held responsible.

Back to my hatchback Hyundai- I went on to Ross Castle which would be the last stop in Killarney. I never expected to go up the castle tower but for a few euro I was welcomed onto the tour that had started just minutes before my arrival. There is no photography allowed in the castle so there aren’t pics inside.

Speaking of- ok this is not technically a side note but whatever, why would there be no photography? It’s not like there are paintings that will suffer from my flash and it’s not like I’m going to steal the technology of building a castle. I mean let’s be real everyone used to sleep in the same room and there was no light, TV or Internet. I’m yeah I’m going to pass on replicating your castle. Ok sorry back to the “often replicated castle” can you guess how you get up the castle- other than the obvious need to go up, it’s a freaking spiral staircase. Wait that’s not all apparently as castles go they built it for defense I’m guessing instead of offense,  so the staircase is built with steps of different measurements and widths so one step will accommodate your whole foot, the next half and the next just your tip toes. They called them stumble and fall steps…sure lets make that a tourist attraction, guessing liability doesn’t really matter. The truth is that it’s genius and pretty incredible that there was a time in the world we live in that people lived in constant fear of being attacked. Long story short…lmao the castle was incredible. There is plenty more to say but I’m getting tired and I haven’t even gotten to the Ferry.

I could have just headed towards Spanish Point and the next county on my journey, but I had learned that first day that Ireland was a country you were meant to get lost in. So I turned left instead of right and found myself on the way to Slea Head. I can not offer you words for the vistas that filled my eye line. I had decided not to follow the route exactly- mainly because I seem to love getting lost in this countryside and seeing all the animals roaming freely against that lush green landscape.

In town I was told that I would find a scene of the crucifixion set against the mountain at the curve before Slea Head. Here’s the thing you have to keep in mind about driving in Ireland- the road is just one big curve. It was so rare and welcome when I experienced a straight road even though they were very shortly lived. So as the corners seemed to continue to come it felt as though I would never reach the Slea that had been luring me with signs every which way. Finally coming into view was just the top of that white cross set against the brown and green hillside. I avoided the stop that so many others had fallen prey too- my despair to reach the cliff was met with an open road and one space left to park. As I pulled my satchel over my head and allowed it to rest on my plentiful backside I began to climb the green and rocky cliff. I reached the top and could feel the clouds caressing my head and hiding me from the ant sized people scrambling below me. I stayed as long as I could standing in the silence my eyes desperate to stay open but the increasing peace leading them to betray their desires and instead bring in the dark. Soon the voices came closer and the peace left with the clouds. I turned to see the band of people come up the hill leaving their RV’s parked down below. I was no longer alone so I could no longer stay.

As I looked pass the car park I saw the most beautiful beach, nestled in a corner created only by the pounding of the water. it disappeared from view as I neared my car and just as I reached the door I pressed on. No I hadn’t come to see a beach, I could see that at home. This however was no beach, it was a chance to be between the ocean and its master. I managed to contain my surprise as my bare feet took their first steps into the sand, while the day had been sunny with pillowy clouds the air was cold and winds took on a real meaning. Before I could get to the water a passage has been made by a very small waterfall in the rock. Although the picture doesn’t show the water itself, it does show the trail if left behind as it desperately sought to be reunited with the great big blue.

Finally I reached the water, its color was one that was definitely not included in my Crayola coloring box, not even the big one had it.

It seemed as if someone had thrown all the diamonds in the world into the ocean and they had all found there way to this beach  . I knew the water would be cold as the sand had indicated, but nothing would keep me from signing the guest book so I stood at the edge of the outline from the last wave and waited. You know how waves “crash” its possible these had etiquette lessons because they would show their strength out in the distance and then slowly show their tenderness at my feet.

I lasted only a few more minutes at the water’s edge, the winds were picking up and the pants that I had so lovingly rolled up had begun to seek out the water. I retreated from the edge and rested against one of the boulders that guarded the water’s edge. I looked out into the water expecting to have some deep thoughts and realizations as most of this trip had offered me but she offered no illuminations. I thanked her for welcoming me and bid her farewell. As had become custom in Ireland I “climbed” the stoney path back up the hatchback that was patiently waiting for my return.

I said goodbye and looked ahead.

I finished the drive without any other stops, nothing would demand me more than Slea had. When I reached the end of the route I congratulated myself for accomplishing the trek and treated myself to an ice cream. I had noticed every town and every gas station or quick stop sold fresh ice cream, turns out because of the cows and fresh milk its a source of pride and every town’s ice cream taste different.

After finishing my ice cream I entered the geographic coordinates of my next hotel and allowed the car to travel where it was directed. About an hour and half into the drive I found myself driving towards the water, not the way I have in the past where I can see the curve of the road as it lead me away but along the water edge this one was driving exactly towards the water. Suddenly the voice with the British accent informed me ” in 500 meters board the ferry” to which I replied ” bitch say what”. Sure enough there was the Shannon Ferry carrying people, cars, RV’s and fucking semi trucks. So I drove my car really freaking slowly into this floating parking lot.

We crossed the water in just 20 minutes and I was on my way to the next hotel.

This will be the last item for this day and honestly it’s pretty freaking special.

After 20 minutes I arrived at the ocean side “Armada hotel” while the name has special meaning because it’s located in a place called Spanish Point but to me it’s even more special cause some really special, smart and sexy woman I know bears the same namesake

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The hotel and my room exceeded expectations as I opened the door and was treated with vast windows that showed the beach and ocean within my reach-another tub for my soaking pleasure and a bed perfect for a weary sojourner. Tomorrow is and was a beautiful day so get some rest and tune in.

As my Papa Bear would say

Erin Go Brah