Robyn O'Neill » travel

HAPPY ST. PADDY’S!

robyn — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:38:01 +0000

In 2001, Lynn West and I took a two week trip to Ireland. I had just purchased my first SLR (a Pentax ZX-50) and I took 17 rolls of film. These are just a few.

The Round Tower at Glendalough

Sunset on the River Liffey

The Cliffs of Moher

Dingle Harbor

Ross Castle in Killarney National Park

Blarney Castle

The Lakes of Killarney

Celtic Cross at Cashel

Dingle (this was the view from our B&B)

Dingle Peninsula

Swift Creek

robyn — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:43:07 +0000

I had two shows yesterday – one at 2:30 and the other at 8:00 – which left me about three hours in-between to shoot some of the spectacular scenery that often goes unnoticed by audiences who go straight into the theatre without looking around the property. This is a popular spot with actors on two-show days. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picnicked here in the spring, summer, and fall. It’s a splendid spot!

According to Swift Creek Mill Theatre’s website, records indicate that Swift Creek Mill was in existence as early as 1663, and is believed to be the oldest grist mill in this country. On May 9th and 10th, 1864, a battle was fought around the mill when General B.F. Butler’s Army of the James attempted to cross Swift Creek. Good thing they weren’t attempting to do that in the winter. Look how the ice is still covering the branches in the falls.

The water level of Swift Creek has gotten way above this marker many times. The Granite Room, which is the lower dining room in the restaurant, has been completely under water on several occasions. The most famous story of water in the Mill was when the show Two By Two, a musical about Noah and the Ark, lost its closing night due to the flood in theatre.

If Swift Creek Mill’s food isn’t your thing (and it’s not mine), Wagstaff’s Steak House is right on the other side of the creek.
(But take the bridge. The water is cold and rough!)

So come on down and see Pete ‘n’ Keely. And while you’re there, take a look around. You’ll be glad you did!

Philly

robyn — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:29:45 +0000

Although my sisters and I have all moved South, my dad and most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins still live in Philadelphia where our ancestors first settled when they came to the United States from Ireland, England, Wales, and Germany. My dad loves to tell me stories about his childhood, so when I was visiting him in April, I asked him take me on a driving tour of his old neighborhoods. They certainly have changed.

This is Darien Street. My dad lived here when he was a kid.

The house that he lived in on 12th Street is literally gone! There’s nothing left but this empty lot in the middle of the block.
It was apparently really nice in the 1950s.

Key West #7 – The Beach

robyn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:22:31 +0000

I’m not much of a sun person. We fair-skinned, redhaired, Irish girls tend to burn. But I do love the beach if I can have some shade – or a big hat. So we rode our bikes to the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and then strolled along the Gulf Coast. The water is way bluer here than at the Jersey Shore!

This boy was having a blast throwing sand into the water.

I also found the birds quite amusing.

I call this one Free Lunch. It was so funny to watch the sea gull sitting on the pelican’s back just hoping for a morsel of the bigger bird’s catch.

Key West #6 – Stops Along the Tour

robyn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:20:35 +0000

We took a trolley tour that took us all over the island. Our guide’s name was Michael and he was “awesome!” (that’s what he asked us to put on his comment card). While I was dreaming of giving up my job and moving to Key West, I decided that being a tour guide was a job I would probably be pretty good at. Anyway, here are a few of the places that Michael pointed out during our tour.

Sloppy Joe’s – Ernest Hemingway’s hangout

Capt. Tony’s Saloon – Original site of Sloppy Joe’s

Original Schoolhouse – see the bell on the upper porch

Cypress House – An old ordinance made it so you didn’t pay property taxes on your building until it was completely finished, which usually meant painted. So they never painted. That ordinance has since been changed.

Key West #5 – Randy Roberts

robyn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:12:38 +0000

We saw a great female impersonator by the name of Randy Roberts on our last night in Key West. What a fabulous time! He looked amazing (especially his Cher!), was really funny, and sang his ass off! We just loved him! (hence all the exclamation points!!!)

Key West #4 – Chickens and Roosters

robyn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:01:47 +0000

While we were out riding bikes around the island, I heard a rooster crow. I thought “how funny! someone has a rooster.” A little while later, I saw a rooster and a chicken cross the road – seriously – they crossed the road. I found out later that Key West is a bird sanctuary, and since chickens and roosters are birds, they are protected under a city ordinance and run wild all over the place!

Key West #3 – Hemingway House

robyn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:00:21 +0000

I suppose everyone who visits Key West takes at least a couple of hours to tour the Hemingway House.

This is the studio.

and the famous Hemingway cats

See how this cat just worships our guide? It probably has something to do with the treats in his pockets.

The bottom section of this water feature was a urinal taken from Sloppy Joe’s bar when it moved to its current location. The cats WILL NOT drink from it!

Key West #2 – Butterfly Museum

robyn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:59:03 +0000

One of the places that we visited while in Key West was a butterfly museum (I’ll find the name here someplace). It was quite an amazing sight to see.

There were birds, too.

Key West #1 – Sunset

robyn — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:58:30 +0000

(originally posted in February)

We just got back from Florida yesterday. I’ve got 941 photos to dig through, but here’s one that quickly caught my eye. More (much more) later!