My DH and I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of two dear friends a couple of weekends back in Newport, RI. The bride is from the area and luckily – between finishing college, attending officer training school, and being shipped off to Guam – the couple was able to celebrate their wedding in such a beautiful locale. They said Newport was nice … no one told me it was freaking stunning. The scenery when driving over the bridge to get into the “vacationy” side of Newport is jaw-dropping. The DH and I must go back this spring/summer for a more in-depth picture taking jaunt. Newport has much more to offer (like windows to die for and all the cedar shake one could possibly handle in a single lifetime).
Here are a few shots from our merry wanderings around the area.
Dock of the bayGolden hour lightCedar shake loveFort Adams golden lightFort AdamsArcs in the afternoonLunchGolden hour boatsPretty sailboats, all in a rowBricks on the beachSunset – Narragansett BayRed tideBee toes!Cliff Walk anglerHistoric home / Cliff walk entrance detailSimba? On the Cliff WalkHistoric home on the Cliff WalkCliff Walk pano 1Waiting for sunset at Fort AdamsThe oncoming stormCliff Walk pano 2Sunset – Narragansett Bay – taken by my DHWaiting for sunset – Fort Adams – taken by my DHWaiting for sunset – Fort Adams – taken by my DHCliff Walk – taken by my DHCliff Walk – taken by my DHMmmmmmm… local oysters – taken by my DHA romantic sunset picnic overlooking the bay – taken by my DH
For our anniversary trip this year, my DH and I took a ‘grand tour of Scotland’ with a whirlwind of Amsterdam thrown in for good measure.
We started in Edinburgh, made our way to Inverness, down through the Cairngorms National Park (with stops in Aviemore and Blair Atholl), on to Glasgow (with a castle stay right outside of Fintry), and finally down to Newcastle to catch a night ferry to Amsterdam.
The trip was great, and we got to see a lot of really cool things, despite Spring being late and most days being cold, wet and windy. We ate a lot of craziness (still craving the Irn Bru, Haggis & Black Pudding we grew accustomed to), walked till our legs felt like they were going to fall off, and took pictures till our hearts were content.
After our adventures in Inverness, we made our way to the largest National Park in the UK – Cairngorms National Park. Cairngorms is huge (around six percent of the land mass of Scotland, holds five of the UK’s highest mountains, and plays host to many threatened wildlife species. What struck me as different from parks in the States is the people – 17,000 people live in this park, with seven major towns serving as population centers.
Our first day was spent in Aviemore. We had intended on taking the funicular railway up to the ski center to get some great snowy vistas, but got shut out due to high winds up the mountain (some reports had the winds at 100 mph). So, we went hiking in the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve instead.
Sweeping vistas halfway up a mountain – taken by my DHA wee loch – taken by my DHA path by the loch – taken by my DHMore birchesSunny pathBirch forestSnowy mountaintops in the distanceSomeone had a bad day hereBirch forest with purple tree topsBeautyA nice place to hideLichenCraggy rock pathBeautyA wee loch and purple treesMy DH with the big lens in his life-saving buff
Blair Atholl
Then it was on to Blair Atholl to wander Atholl Castle and the surrounding countryside.
Under the bridge – taken by my DHSt. Bride’s Kirk – taken by my DHSt. Bride’s Kirk – taken by my DHSt. Bride’s Kirk – taken by my DH
Atholl CastleAtholl Castle ballroomA tree lined driveHeilan’ Coo – I wanted to braid his hairPoor guy – must be heavy, carrying around all that weightPastoral beauty in light and shadowI’m a sucker for a tree aloneAtholl CastleSt. Bride’s Kirk – I wonder how many little crosses have sat in that very same spot over the span of yearsPastoral beauty + sheepMore light and shadowA bridge
Gastography 