It all started in the little town of Wiggins, Colorado…We started our grande adventure in Cromarty, Black Isle of Scotland!
We started off by getting coffee in downtown Inverness at Cafe Nero–and headed to the Farraline bus station to catch our bus (of course, we got the megarider, 4 zone bus card, from StageCoach!)
We dismounted the bus at Victoria Hall in Cromarty and walked down to the firth to watch the water lap up on the shore lines and made our way down High Street, to visit the Library (I needed to use the ladies room) and librarian gave us a local site seeing map.
We continued our walk and picked up another coffee to go at the local venue and we checked out the Gaelic chapel and the courthouse and Hugh Miller Cottage from the exterior as they were closed.
We walked further along the path and came to the East High Church and entered. It has always been one of my most favorite places on the planet. It’s a preserved and restored Medieval Churches, full of carvings and stone scrolled head stones and more.
There so many headstones carved and scrolled out by the Protestant Reformer Hugh Miller, his handywork and skills are seen in so many forms, not only in the graveyard but around Cromarth and Inverness as well. Stunning! As seen by the photos, Kevin can’t get enough of it either!
We followed the signsTaking note of pretty rod iron fences along the wayNoting stone walls and holly treesthe old organ from the churchthe reverands office doorCarvings by Hugh MillerKevin being the walk around the perimeterShopping/goodies tote in haulMe in one of the best places on earthSeveral headstone carved by Hugh Miller, the Protestant Reformer, Fossil Findeer and MasonEast High Church, Cromarty, and Anna PotthoffHeadstones Anna PotthoffAnna Potthoff, AdventurerEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyKevin R. Harris @ East High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyThe coffers help keep the church going as it’s medivel and volunteer supportedEast High Church, CromartyWe had to get coffee before our adventure started Getting coffee at NeroEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyEast High Church, CromartyCoffee timeDropping off postcards on the corner in CromartOne of my favorite houses, I love the gates and the old treesEnjoying the walk towards the firthCoffee @ Nero while we waited for our bus slotOne of my favorite houses, I love the gates and the old treesEnjoying the walk towards the firthDropping off postcards on the corner in CromartGetting coffee at NeroCoffee time
Our group caught a tour/speed boat to Isle Saona, the southern tip of Dominican Republic. We spent a splendid day tour of the National park. There are only 600 inhabitants live in a 1000K radius.
The trip there was taken by Speed boat (as you can see in the video, I was in the front and taking the bounce of every break we hit!)
I have never had much experience with boats/rafts/kayaks/catamarans or any other kind of water or seafaring vessel- so riding in a speed boat and a cataraman in the same day was quite an adventure! the dance party aboard the catamaran on the return voyage as also quite delightful.
While on the Island, the tour company provided us with lunch and beverages, buffet style, and it was lovely–I also picked up a couple of souvenir conch shells as well from a local man.
Enroute to the Island, the speed boat stopped at the lagoon. We swam on and near the sand bars was a splashing good time. According to the tour guide/captain, the area was used for some filming of the movies “Blue Lagoon” with Brooke Shields and some scenes in the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies staring Johnny Depp. Once we re-boarded the speed boat, we left for the Island.
Several hours of play and fun on the island required a 1.5 hour return to Punta Cana, for the end of a splendid day.
The boats are “docked” on the lagoon while we splash and playTrying to be fancy and fun in the sun with my sun bonnetTrying to be fancy and fun in the sun with my sun bonnetBouncing on the boat as I was placed in the front and bounced with every waveAll of us playing in the lagoon with the sandbarsOur arrival boatMe and my Sweetness on the islandI got a conch shell on Saona Island my second Conch Shel a Souvenir for my parentsMy sweetness with his UV blocking shirtPapa and Abuelita Sandra on the CatermerannSaona Island, Dominican Republic Speed BoatPapa and Aunt MargieSweetness on the IslandOur Group, including me, Papa, Aunt Margie, Ms. Sandra, and Mr. JED Horton and Sweetness David Jones Papa and Ms Sandra on CataramaranMe adn my Sweetness
A lovely fun filled day that started off by my sweetheart booking a special, day long tour for me with the concierge desk man, after viewing through some pamphlets and books, everthing was arranged by Thursday evening–so all I had to do was take my receipt and hop on the tour bus at 7 a.m this morning-with promises of a bilingual/multilingual tour guide (English featured.)
To start off, the tour bus stopped at several locations to pick up other adventure goers–and I was blessed to have a nice accountant from Argentian lady set next to me, as it was a very full tour. She only spoke spanish, with a very limited smattering of English and with the multilingual tour guide speaking in Spanish, German adn French and a few words of English, my day was started and finished in Spanish, the most common language of the tourists and German, the other language spoken on the bus-for a day filled with history and exicitement.
First stop was a the Tres Ojos Caves, so aptly named for the three caves, each bearing natural water pools with a different eye color in each. Cynthia, the lovely Argentian lady, and I became travl buddies for the day and enjoy walking up and down the 500+ stairs of the caving system and she assisted in simplifying the spanish for me to understand–reading spanish is easier but listening is a bit hectic when it’s fast!
Las Damas Cave–the legend goes that if you put your feet in the fresh water, make a prayer and a wish and a splash, the prayer and wish comes true
The next few stops included the Christopher Columbus museuem and the Presidental house, neither which are view-able at present for various reasons but still a site to behold–and the seeds are from the palm trees and they are prevelant everywhere!
Eating lunch in the old part of the city inside of ruin walls
The group walked through the aldstatd, the older part of the city with the pantheon ruins, a museum that once was a fortress (see photos) and then the St. Marie De Menos Cathedral and then a free period of shopping and enjoying the plaza and live music!
My Argentianian companion described the day perfectly, lots of really informative venues, many cool sites and it’ was so hot outside, we were the butter on the stove (we were melting!)
And if any one has an opprotunity to try it. Mamanhuana is worth drinking! I also drank coffee and enjoyed the live music from an elderly musician on the Parque Colón, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
My siblings and I always love to watch the pigeons (which we say “PIE-GONES” beause my brother mispronounced when he was a kid) and so if I see pigeon in the plaza, i got to take photos Drinkingcoffee on the plaze
A day excursion first to Higuey for a bit of local shopping, and yes, I picked up some goodies, and then our chauffer drove us to one of his favorite locations to eat a late lunch–I never caught the name of the venue but it was amazing with fresh catch of the day–under a thatched dining area overlooking the “Goonies” style cove–absolutely stunning and lovely get away from the resort and it was tourist free (besides us) and my bilingual boyfriend was able to talk for all of us–what a splendid experience! Well worth the efforts to get there@
Boca De Yuma CoveMr. Horton and Ms. SandraOur GroupGoonies looking coveMs. Sandra and Mr. HortonMe and my SweetnessNatures Best at the coveThatch roofing is so common hereFresh Caught Shrimps in a creamy sauce in a Plantain bowl, a local favoriteFresh Catch of the dayFresh Caught Snapper
Listed below in the Gallery are just a few of the beautiful pieces for sale on my eBay, all kniited and painted by myself, Anna Potthoff. I am selling my art and knitted crafts (plus other odds and ends) on eBay to help support my adventures and 10% of each sale also goes to the Wild Life Sanctuary in Keensburg, Colorado!
I have a special trip to Scotland coming up in a few weeks and would love to have fun spending money while I am there–you get a great item to hang in your home, give as a gift for a friend or loved one or to simply treat yourself while it’s the gift that keeps on giving as it helps others in the process! Happy Shopping!
Hand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfOriginal art, hand paintd canvas of autumn, halloween/withes Flower cake painting with original art by Anna PotthoffPotraits of ancient man at Rosemarkie Firth
It’s true! After more than 2 decades (21-22 years) of smoking cigarettes, I have finally quit! 😊😊
Yes, I started smoking years ago, while in college in North Carolina. Why did I start? Silliness? Stupidity? The convenience of smoking- in restaurants, hotels, practically everywhere a person attended or walked into, a person could smoke (even most McDonalds had a smoking area!)
Alas, times have changed but it has been know for quite some time that smoking is not good for one’s health or pocket book/wallet–and I felt it long overdue that I quit.
I sought assistance from my GP, though, as I tried in the past to quit cold turkey or with gum/lozenges or patches, none of which suited to what I need to quit–but with a prescription from my GP, I am 30 days nicotine and cigarette free (and not using vape or anything else!
While there are challenges and more, it feels great to quit and to celebrate, my Sweetness and w I went on a 2 mile (total, round trip) mini hike to a waterfall!! While quitting smoking isn’t a traditional adventure for me or others, this is a lifelong changing adventure for myself and my well being for now the future!
P.S. To aid in my quitting, my knitting has exploded as it helps to keep my hands busy, so check out the new goodies on my ebay!
Sweetness is happy too! I made it to the waterfall without wheezing!Playing in the waterfall, of course, shoelessMe and my SweetnessSweetness DavidI finally quit smoking
Adventures are amazing where there is so much beauty!
There is a trail head, just off the shoulder of HWY 11 (near Walhalla, S.C.) that I parked at, feet from the trailhead that lead to the Station Cove Falls–as seen in the photos, there are a several different informational placards, which is super helpful, not holding for “treasuring hunting” the local flora and fauna (seeking only, no harvesting or picking!)
Even with a funky knee, the trail was pleasantly mild and traversed it in roughly 35 minutes one way–it’s not wheel chair or scooter friendly for those whom need assistive devices but it’s family and adventure friendly for sure! Saw families enjoying splash time in the small creeks along the way and other families walking their bull mastiff and other dogs, so everyone one could be included!
Crossing over 4 different food bridges made it more fun (always reminds me of fantastical legends and lore to cross over small bridges!) The ferns, mushrooms and monks caps were fun flora to find along the ways to the Falls, which of course, I splashed around, enjoying the showers falling over myself–coming out looking like a soaked hooligan but well worth it!
Want to help support adventures? Purchase unique items from my eBay!
Station Cove Waterfall at the end of a very mild walking trail, 3/4 mile one way (1.5 miles round trip from parking area/trail head to waterfall and back!)
Nicole Maneri is a fellow co-worker and our manager has set up a GoFundMe to help Nicole out.. She had an unexpected medical emergency and has been hospitalized. She was admitted with Mxydema Crises along with a kidney and liver infection. She has been at the hospital for a week and will continue to be there next week. She has 2 young boys that she has to provide for and will not have income coming in for 2-3 weeks. Please help me raise money so she can feed her children and pay her bill-even $5 would help!
A lovely and delightful way to enjoy Spring time in Upstate South Carolina–Clemson hosts a lovely waterfront park, just off of Tiger Boulevard (parking is easily done at the local Wendy’s and the trail head is just a 1/2 block away!)
The trails are all marked and either paved or done with a board walk style, offering many picnic tables and benches and hanging swings over beautiful docks and more! I witnessed many couples and groups of friends using the lovely accomodations along the trail!
I walked a total of 40+ minutes, taking a little break in the sunshine to get some sunshine on my very winter white legs, while I enjoyed a picnic that I purchased at Wendy’s-I chose the $5 grab bag (with a slight upcharge for a larger drink!)
The breeze was blowing lightly off of the Lake while I enjoyed watching the fishermen ply there talents and skills from their boats, thoroughly enjoying the light refreshing days of Clemson, S.C.
