A little way down the path lies a quaint converted shack–yes, the Slaughter House is a coffee shop–and a mighty tasty way to get your buzz on, too.
With the chilled breeze coming off the firth, waiting by the pot belly stove to warm us sure made our day while we waited for our order–
We enjoyed our brews outside in the shelter and watched the water lap against the shores of the Cromarty firth–no dolphins sighted today but there were plenty of sea gulls and birds on the wing. My friend, Kevin, and I braved the cool chilly wind to sit outside under the Shelter to enjoy the stunning view and our warm coffee-
The Slaughterhouse is a place not to be missed–and we would have missed it if a local hadn’t recommended this hidden gem to us!
The Oil Rig stands (I believe these are repair stations?) sit firmly in the firth. I have always thought they looked like Iron Giants, ready to be summoned.
The Slaughter House-CromartyEnjoying our bean buzzSitting by the fire pit while our perks brewDrinking the beanBestest Friends hanging out
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
The group of 8, myself included, arrived yesterday, via ways of Newark, New Jersey airport! We arranged this vacation some months ago and it has come to fruition! I am the youngest of the group and my grandfather is the senior adventurer at a few months shy of 90!
Yesterday, upon arrivel in the evening, we all checked in to our prospective rooms and got ourselves set up and met up for dinner at the all inclusive resort.
The “first” day on the restort, I spent the bulk of it on Tortuga beach at the enclosed resort–which included playing with a local Macaw and got a beach side pedicure–from a beach pedicurist–an absolute delight and much needed–which inspired my grandfather to also get his feet worked on–we both were calloused and crunchy but when our lovely lady was finished, we became beach worthy!
The other’s in my group decided to spend the day in the pool with the swim up bar and live entertainment, about 1 block away–and enjoy the full amnenities of the resort.
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.
The days are growing longer and springing forward with the time change today extends the sunshine, albeit cutting an hour of sleep off. What’s a person to do but to catch the rays on the riverbanks and perhaps rock out to the humms of the rapids.
While seeking a different venue (my digital map wasn’t working properly) I came upon the river and it’s idealic location, simply because Lay Bridge Road is closed/blocked off, allowing a pseudo parking area to be created and locals/adventureres to enjoy the serenic setting. Catechese Dam on lay bridge road is also a minor historical site as well.
I stopped by the local store and chose a few items for a picnic, sticking my purchase in a re-usable small shopping bag as I don’t currently own an actual picnic basket and the durable bag makes it easy to carry my food items to and from the site (plus, the handles don’t dig into my fingers, especially important when carrying items on an adventure!)
While I am a fairly skilled person I realized that hunting and gathering for my food isn’t really conducive for feeding myself, packing a picnic is a very affordable way to eat well without breaking the bank or spending a small fortune on take-out (my entire picnic would have easily fed 2-3 people for less than $8 total.) I usually pack a bit extra–in case I stay out a bit longer than expected, meet a new friend, etc-one may never know what excitement adventures lead too and who doens’t like good snacks and food to eat and share?
The weather has been dreary, grey rainy skies lately and with a clear, sunshine filled cool day, it was a lovely adventure to enjoy the river and lay on the banks and soak in the sun, eat my picnic and enjoy the sounds of nature serenade me with their melody. A special treat? A group of 4 kayakers paddled by with their colorful paddles and head gear on!
A little video I snapped of the river, about 1/4 mile from the historical damn sign
I am not sure of the history but dang, the area is absolutely stunning, not only the drive to get there from Pickens County, South Carolina to the National Park, even in early December, was beyond compare!
The leaves, what few remain, are still very colorful as the remininents of Autumn linger on and the weather very mild, sunny but with a cool breeze– perfect for a trail, a wooden staircase, and a wonderful waterfall just over the state line in the Blue Ridge Parkway and Nantahala National Park.
The trail walk and stairs to the waterfall and returning to my vehicle at the parking area took me almost an hour (which definitly got my heart rate up!) and it’s rated moderate.
Recently I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and prediabetic/diabetic and was put on medicaiton. With this diagnosis, I would like to kick it once and for all and get healthier, so choosing a fun way to get out and get more active, in addition to other lifestyle and dietary changes, more adventures are to come!
My Travels 