Back to Maine: what an adventure

The wandering travelers have returned, and what a great trip we had.  

Miss Tracey's Driving Me

On I95, back in the US after our Scottish sojourn. Now it's hard to stay on the right side of the road! We realize how beautiful the countryside over there was when we see all the billboards and fast food restaurants we have here. No sheep lining the roads! No porridge! No castles! Rats! 

Our last day of travel was spent exploring Stirling Castle. It was an amazing place, 500 years old and full of history. I think we finally have a good handle on Scottish history, as we have travelled from standing stones and cairns to Pictish stones, Robert the Bruce, the Jacobite rebellion, to the Kings and Queens from ancient to present. Rob Roy's grave, even though he may not be buried in it. Learning about the Highland Clearances, crofting, forest management, tourism, woolen exports. The  charm and kindness of Scotspeople. The beauty of the countryside, the excitement/fear and dizziness of roundabouts. The smell of roses and honeysuckle. Purple flowers, foxgloves, thistles by the roadsides. Mist rising from the glens. Green hills and sparkling blue water of lochs. 

  It is hard to pinpoint our favorite places and things we did, but I think Tracey's was the biking in Ballater. And the Highland cattle. Mine was the beauty of the countryside, and of course the wilder the better, and narrow roads with passing places. 

We finally got through customs and found the bus to Portsmouth, and as I put my backpack in the overhead bin, shrieks were heard from the people sitting nearby as my water bottle compressed and sprayed water all over them! All I could do is laugh. At least it was water and not the whisky I brought back!

Quotes from the trip: 

"Stop and smell the roses. All of them."

"Take the road less travelled.. Even it it's a sheep track."

"Look at the half naked guy... The Queen would not approve."

"it's another housing development!"

"We need a wee ice cream."

"Get OVER!"

"You're hitting the curb!"

"Look at that! I'm stopping to take a picture!" ....."AARRG....Put the car in park!!"

That's all from Miss Tracey's driver! back to reality... Goodbye to Brigadoon.

"Caledonia you're calling me, now I'm going home

And if I should become a stranger

No it would make me more than sad..."  ( From the song Caledonia, by Dolores Keane)

Kathy