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Peru – Day 3 – Oct. 18th
This morning I flew from Lima to Cusco – from sea level to 11,300 feet. The approach into Cusco was spectacular. At times we were flying between two mountain ranges – truly cool! On taxi ride to the hotel, I saw a vendor walking among the cars in the traffic selling soft drinks, bottled water and rolls of toilet paper. I saw this practice in Lima as well. Evidently, as a cultural practice in some countries, it is common for public toilet facilities to provide only a toilet, and for people to bring their own paper or purchase some from a nearby vendor for a small fee. For example, in some parts of China,…
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Peru – Day 2 – Oct. 17
Because our flight was delayed yesterday out of Atlanta, when we landed in Lima I went straight to the hotel and fell asleep at around 1 a.m. I did not eat breakfast in the morning because I had booked a 4-hour food tour that started at 9:30 a.m. So, this morning I met our guide, who has indigenous, Spanish and Japanese ancestry. He would focus on the Barranco area of Lima. And this was the review I left. “First of all, David, our guide was not only knowledgeable, but was also warm and sincere. And I not only learned a great deal about the Lima and Peru culinary scene, but also a great deal…
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Peru – First Day – October 16th, 2025
Today I begin an 11-day trip to Peru. Having left Richmond, I have a layover in Atlanta before my 7-hour flight to Lima, arriving around 9 pm this evening. This is a “Backroads” trip with my friend Pete. I will be spending two days in the coastal capital of Lima (elevation – sea level)g, two days in the mountain city of Cuzco (elevation – 11,300 ft) and time cycling and hiking in the Andes Mountains (elevation 11,000 to 13,000 ft), including the “Sacred Valley”, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. I have already started taking acetazolamide – to prevent altitude sickness. Hopefully, it works. The last time I spent this…
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Ireland 2025 – Last two days on The Dingle Way – September 14 & 15
On the last two days of our hike (Days 7 & 8 on The Way), we enjoyed some shorter hiking days with 10 miles on Day 7 (some did hike over 16 miles on this day) and 6 miles on Day 8. On both days, we did a lot of “Beach Hiking” and had to cross several streams that flowed from the hills down to the beach. It was fascinating to watch my fellow hikers decide how to cross each of these. Some just went right through and did not mind that their hiking boots got wet. Some took their boots off. Lizzy did this a few times. And when…
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The Power of Positive Intent and the Raw Power of AI Writing Tools 9.18.25
Yesterday evening I had a conversation with a friend who attends church with me. Afterwards, I realized that I had used a part of that discussion to complain about some things at our church. And to be more specific, I shared how some older people in our congregation who have been members for many years feel dismissed by our relatively new Rector because the new Rector seems more focused on recruiting young families to our Church. And then I added on to this general statement with the following experience I had. During our Ministries Fair several Sundays ago, I approached two young men who were staffing the Men’s Softball Table.…
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A poem -“The Merry Dingle Soles” 9.15.25
We started in Dublin With lots of things “happenin” Including Temple Bar And singing on Grafton We journeyed to Tralee To start The Dingle Way A 110-mile excursion With feats each day We walked Tralee to Camp Where streams ran strong With views of Tralee Bay Where we met MAGA John To Annascaul we marched On a wet Day two As we swam in the sea Dining at South Pole Pub too From Annascaul to Dingle We trudged through the “mud” Not wanting to know What was in that Crud In Dingle we played And had a great time Dining on Oysters With Guinness and wine On to Dunquin Around…
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Ireland 2025 – Day 6 of Hike
Day 9 of our trip would be Day 6 of our hike on the Dingle Way. The 13-mile hike to Cloghane is one of the most remote and dramatic sections of the DINGLE WAY, and the most challenging as we reached the highest point. The trail offered a combination of history and breathtaking views. We crossed the shoulder of Mount Brandon, one of Ireland’s highest mountains and passed by groups of standing stones. This was by far the coldest day of the hike due to the elevation. We were literally hiking in the clouds. The descent down the mountain was steep, but we were rewarded by spotting a hut where…
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Ireland 2025 – Day 5 of hike
Day 8 of our Ireland Trip kicked off the second half of our hike. On my last post I mentioned that Day 5 (today) on the Dingle Way should be much easier than Day 4 because it would be slightly shorter and much flatter. Day 5 of our hike started out pleasant and sunny. It would not end that way. Today we would be completing a 13.5 mile hike from Dunquin to Feohanagh. Along the way we enjoyed outstanding views of the wild Atlantic Ocean and a few secluded beaches. Early in the hike we stopped at the workshop of renowned Irish potter Louis Mulcahy at Clothar and had coffee…
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Ireland 2025 – Days 6 and 7 – 3rd and 4th legs of Hike
After a great evening at the South Pole Inn Pub, the next morning we started out on the third day of our hike. As we left Annascaul for our 14-mile hike to Dingle, we headed west, along meandering country roads with views of the Iveragh Peninsula, the fourth of the five peninsulas in Southwest Ireland. By the time we reached Minard Castle, we were drenched, but very much enjoying the hike. Minard Castle, located in a small sandy cove, was built in the 16th century. The castle was partly destroyed by Cromwell’s men in 1650. We then walked some scenic and quiet roads that took us inland through farmland. This…
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Ireland 2025 – September 8&9 – Days 4&5
Today is Tuesday, Day 5 of our trip and Day 2 of our hike. We started Day 1 of our hike yesterday in Tralee, the official start of The Dingle Way. As the capital of County Kerry in Ireland, Tralee is known for its International Rose Festival, which occurs every August. Years ago, our son Davis spent quite a bit of time in this town for a class he was taking in College. The Dingle Way is one of over 30 Irish long-distance walking trails located throughout Ireland. Situated in the south-west of Ireland, the walk completes a circuit of the Dingle Peninsula, starting and finishing in Tralee. The trail…