Dinosaurs on the Dunloe

Catching up on the second half of the Ring of Kerry, we heard about a botanical garden that featured dinosaur themed sculptures, which made for a must-stop-and-check-out, especially for my bride, who has a passion for all things dinosaurs.

Truth be told, if there was a real-life Jurassic Park, Jackie would probably still visit it, despite the repeated escapes, misadventures and inevitable Saurian disasters that lurk within its pens.  She just really digs dinosaurs, which works out very conveniently when it comes to being married to this old fossil.

 (Read this in the voice of John Hammond/Richard Attenborough) Welcome to the Kells Bay Gardens in the town of Cappamore in the Killinane parish!
The so-called Jewel of the Ring spans more than 30 acres and features dozens of sub-tropical plants.
And did I mention dinosaurs?

The garden also is home to Dinosaur Walk, which spotlights large dino sculptures made from the remains of various trees felled by storms through recent decades.

Here's the DoYouThinkTheySaurus

Jackie made it clear she wasn't sharing her smoothie with any of the garden's denizens.

The Mad Thinker - (First Appearance, Fantastic Four 15, January 1963)

I'm lucky I didn't start a forest fire with my deep thoughts.

On to the Sky Walk rope bridge 

From the Valley of the Dinosaur, it was time for one final stop along the Ring, an excursion into the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow mountain pass that runs about 7 miles and carves its way between the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain.  The Gap was formed about 25,000 years ago during Ireland's last Ice Age.  The river Loe runs through the carved pass, and to describe this "roadway" as narrow would be the understatement of the trip.

The Gap begins at Kate Kearney's Cottage, and for many, they only dare to venture into the area via a jaunting car, which is a horse-drawn wagon.  We made the attempt in our own wheels, and it was a hold-your-breath nailbiter!

One of the mandatory visits for us along the gap was the Wishing Bridge, complete with Irish lore that says a stop here grants its visitors a wish.  Needless to say, we made our secret wishes, the content of which will remain on the pathway - for now.

Me, I had already got my wish to see this land with this special lady

Again, can't say enough about this particular 11-hour adventure.  This is the kind of place I would love to return to and spend multiple days just hiking, exploring, and unearthing the endless secrets to be found within this unforgettable ring.

Truly, One Ring to rule them all.