Saturday, August 30, 2014

Mahon Falls

On our second day in Kilkenny Conor took us to Mahon Falls. It was about a 45 minute drive from his house in Kilkenny to the falls in County Waterford. The drive was interesting to say the least. The motorway (our highways) was okay except when I had to pass a truck which almost always caused a panic reaction involving a sharp inhale of breath. Once we got closer we were driving on backroads, which Conor then told us we were really in Ireland now. The roads were big enough to fit one car but intended for two way traffic. When a car was coming one of us had to pull off to the side sometimes into a bush. The whole drive was farmlands. Cows and sheep wherever you turned your head. Everything was brilliantly green and once I got comfortable on the back roads I really enjoyed driving them

When we arrived at the falls there was a tiny parking lot and a long trail walk towards the falls. It was misting and overcast but I didn't mind. In fact, I think it made the falls look cooler. The mist was moving over the top of the falls which had to be at least 3 thousand feet high. At the end of the trail we hiked up a bit to the bottom of the falls. The waterfalls cascading down the enormous cliffs was definitely a sight to see. They looked so tiny from the bottom and the size of the cliffs was incredible to take in. It reminded me of a greener table mountain.



Conor suggested hiking to the bottom pool of one of the waterfalls but it involved a bit of scrambling on wet rocks so Danielle decided she'd stay and observe us. She didn't sign up for wet rock scrambling. The bottom pool of the waterfall was amazing. The waterfall fell with such force that it created a wind in our faces as we looked on in awe. The water hit the pool so hard drops of water rises up about 15 feet crashed into the cliffs and rained back down.



Being the adventurer that I am I wanted to climb all the way to the top of the falls. Conor had a pulled muscle and didn't want to further irritate it so I continued up on my own. The climb was a bit challenging with the wet grass, mud, and slippery rocks but well worth it (even though I fell three times)! I passed some sheep who were very standoffish not unlike the dogs in Ireland. The climb had my heart pounding and my legs aching but I was determined to get to the top so I kept going. Once I finally reached the top I was so glad that I did. I looked down over the edge of the cliff to see the waterfall we were below just a little while earlier racing off. The view was spectacular. Little rivers and streams stretched out like veins of the mountain and rolling green hills made up the background. Behind me the valley was flat and the stream creating the waterfalls stretched as far back as I could see. It was quite and peaceful at the top. I was the only person amidst some random sheep looking over the country of Ireland on that overcast yet beautiful day. This was probably one of the top five most beautiful places I've ever been to.



When we got back to Conor's house from the falls we relaxed a bit then Dan and I went into town to get ice cream. We ended up walking up and down the cobblestone streets for a bit before choosing a restaurant for dinner. We sat outside in an cobblestone alleyway and people watched. School had let out so lots of kids in school uniforms were walking around. Our waitress was very sweet and finished every sentence with it's no bother.



After dinner I had to get ready for my very first individual cross fit competition! Conor signed me up for an in house competition at his cross fit box Crossfit Kilkenny. The competition was amazing. The workouts were challenging yet do able and I pushed as hard as I could push myself and ended up winning first place after 4 workouts! The prize was an awesome reebok backpack. Everyone was so nice there especially the coaches. One coach was quite a stud as well! He was quite and shy but very sweet and easy on the eyes.



Once the competition was over we were beyond exhausted but it was Friday night and our last night in Kilkenny so we had to suck it up and go out. I'm very happy that we did because it turned into an  interesting adventure. I drove and while we were still in Conor's neighbourhood I saw two dogs. I opened the window and called to them naturally and one actually came over! He crossed the car and went to Dan's window and even jumped up on the window to say hi! I was so incredibly excited to be acknowledged by a dog after getting the cold shoulder from so many that I didn't consider maybe there's a reason this dog is acting differently. Once I reached over to pet the dog I noticed all the foam at it's mouth. I asked him why he was acting like this and realised oh maybe he's got rabies. As soon as the word rabies left my lips Danielle had her finger on the up button for the window. The dogs sad little paws stayed on the window as it closed on his face and his foam left a streak on the window. I couldn't stop laughing. Of course the only dog that pays attention to us is foaming at the mouth and probably had rabies.

When we got to the pub Conor brought us to we realised that it was "out night" upstairs and some of the most fabulous gay men I've ever seen were dancing up a storm. They were fabulous because their dance moves made me feel like a stellar dancer. If you know me, you know this is not the case. My awkward moves fit right in! I love the way Irish people dance! I stepped it up a notch and broke out the sprinkler and the lawn mower. I didn't think they were ready for the shopping cart so I left it at that. It was a great day and a fun night.


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