Random snaps of Aberdeen (click for larger view)
The sculpture garden
Dunnater Castle outside Stonehaven. Built 1400-1600. In use until 1718. I had to hike down a million steps and then up half a million steps to get there.
Falls of Feugh
Inside the Cairngorms National Park. Braemer is home to the Scottish Highland Games.
Linn of Dee
Muir of Dennet Nature Reserve
It was raining on the gates to Balmoral Castle.
Bye bye
Alyth, Scotland
Enjoyed my time in Alyth. Stayed at the Tigh na Leigh guesthouse on Airlie street. Nice hosts, clean, excellent food. They serve breakfast every day and dinner three nights a week. I ate dinner one night at the Lands of Loyal hotel situated above town on Loyal hill. Nice views of the valley and good food.
It was a beautiful day so had a nice walk along the Den of Alyth.
I stopped at a cafe in town for a sandwich at lunchtime. It was the meeting point for the local ladies who lunch group. All with their walkers in tow.
In the center of town there is a small museum only open in the afternoon. The caretaker was very knowledgeable and interested in helping people with any questions they had about the history of the area. He spent some time with me working on genealogy questions.
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, Rockford, Minnesota
The light was amazing yesterday at William O’Brian State Park, Minnesota.
We found our back to Sunfish Lake Park. It is even more beautiful in the fall.
They have a prairie restoration project going as well.
When we arrived at the gate we realized entrance was by online reservation only. We had driven over 20 miles to get there so we would not be defeated. We made a u-turn and tackled the website. After a couple of tries we had our tickets. It was a beautiful sunny day.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo, Minnesota is a 3.5 square mile park with 80 percent of the area reserved for preservation and protection. The plan is to have this area revert back to resemble what it was like before settlers arrived in the mid-1800’s. The wildlife includes lots of birds – I saw a bluejay fly across our path – and fox, weasels, rabbits, and deer.
Camping options include Primitive, Rustic, and Modern sites.
The park also includes a very large swimming pond and playground, a boat launch, cross country ski trails, equestrian trails, and hiking. We opted for a hike in the woods.
