bmwratsontour

Loaded up, gassed up and headed for Killarney and the famous Ring of Kerry. Made a stop at the Drumberg Stones also known as Druids Alter. The site is over 3200 years old and it is rather amazing what was done before modern instruments. In the winter solstice the sun shines between the 2 large stones in the circle and onto the alter. Made a miscue on the trip planning and discovered that a I road can be like a farm path with grass growing up in the center. I found that out. It is 145 miles on this leg and I only took up 8 hours. Passing is not going to happen often and there are car drivers out there that like me are not comfortable on the wrong side of the road. Oh well, ... read more

Woke up today to rain or should I say a realheavy mist that lasted till 7pm and then out came the sun. One thing that became rather apparent was that nothing really starts before 10 or 11. Banks open at 10 and all attractions at 10 or 11 and they close at 5. This can make for short tour day, We had a 2 hour lecture and skit on the 1918 revolution and went to see the Book of Kells and the LARGE library at Trinity University and then on to the Museum of Archaeology,Natural History,etc. No trip to would be complete without the visit to Brazen Head Pub...the oldest pub in Dublin. Only thing I can say that of all the pubs I have between in here it was the only one with a Coors ... read more

Well here we go. Wonderful news yesterday as my hotel in Dublin was CANCELED. Seems they sent me an email and I did not respond. Checked my emails....nope not a one in spam or email folder. Hmmm Euro has changed since March, maybe they wanted more funds. Rebooked at a higher price but hopefully there will be a room or we will adding to the Irish homeless quantity. Ralf has run off the bartender but hopefully he will be back before the 2:45 departure. Dallas has a small Skyclub and limited alcohol selection but they are plentiful with what they have in stock. NO Boonesfarm! And they took Ralf's away thru the TSA Check! For those of you who followed before....I can't seem to get this on the right blog. Soooo.....Sorry...I an not technilogicly inclined' I ... read more

Well, we are home now. Welcome to the heat and humidity that keeps us locked in our AC edifices. I really want to go back to the West Coast. It is the most beautiful coastline and I was blessed to ride it. Funny how when you ride a motorcycle people come and talk with you. They don't do that when you drive in a car, do they? I have met some incredibly interesting people through my motorcycle travels. I guess you could say looking at America through a face shield gives it a certain beauty not found in a "cage". As we passed fields of fragrant lavender and such you can smell more vividly than enclosed in a 'cage". We had incredible weather but it did not snow on us this time. Since I crossed the ... read more

Now begins the 1200 mile trip back to Arkansas. Mother Nature seems to have us in the temperature temperate zone. Will just have to see if the forcast is real.The road from Paonia hwy 133 wound around to I-70. Passing through a very high pass at Vail Colorado. 10,600 ft and very chilly! Hooray! Stopped in Dillon for night and recommend Super 8. However, there is no elevator. People here just walk more I guess. One can get winded at 9000 feet if not careful, I figured I would have to do cpr on Charlie once or twice! We recommend the mexican restaurant across from the hotel. The rally at Paonia was pretty uneventful so no posts were made. Travel tip: when changing altitudes many times it is a good idea to put your lotions in ... read more