Sun Valley Sheep Dog Trials

Sun Valley.
Trailing of the Sheep Festival.
Sheep Dog Trials. Our dog Zorro didn't win, but we thought she looked fab!

Midland Michigan

First Fargo with Mack,  Mike's 49th... only Hawaii left...

Mack and his gg father.

All in the family.

Yes, that there bling is a Miami 1991 Championship Ring! Special Teams coach.

Dow Gardens walk.

Sporty at home, under the weather.

Dornoch to Winter Park transition. Tues Sept 10

Saturday nights in Dornoch, they pull out out all the stops. 

And the pipes and drums...

Last sights at Inverness Airport, 5:30 am. A Fly Nip opportunity. 

And a last sunrise over the Highlands. 

Why are you here? What is so special about Dornoch?What does Dornoch say to you?  I ask others. 

And myself. 

The replies: 

Time slows down. Doesn't stop, just slows down. 

Wee tiny manmade places. The homes, shops, streets are tiny. The outside, truly vast. Awesome. Fearless and majestic. 

#14 golf course in world, all holes strong. 400 years of golf here. Natural and excellent. Donald Ross homeland. 

Adventure. Golf, fishing, hiking, 3,000 year old stones, biking, birding, whisky, Ceilidh dancing.

Food. Orkney fudge, and Orkney Fudge Cheesecake. Earl Grey Tea w hot scones. Fresh local lamb, beef, leeks, potatoes, beans, raspberries, blackberries. Cairngorm beer. A handful of folks who know how to cook creatively, using local, delicious. And they love what they do. Good eating. 

The people. Eccentric folks, engaged in the flow of the days. Friendly, but reserved. They've chosen to be here. And love it here. 

A retreat. My mind is quiet, so I can hear my spirit. Float through the days. 

Returning next summer. Miss it already. 

Dornoch, Dornoch, Dornoch. Mon Sept 9

Dinner at Dornoch's newest spot, the Links House. Pre-dinner in the Library. 

The sitting room for after dinner drinks. 

Jimmy found these walking his two labs along the beach this morning, still alive. 

A sunny day for our last in Dornoch,

Who to bother today, the golfers or the livestock?

Royal Dornoch Golf Club commissioned a tartan to celebrate their 400th anniversary in 2016.

Final good bye to Earl Grey, homemade jam, clotted cream, and hot-from-the-oven scone.

Continuing Dornoch. Sat Sept 7

Lest one think Dornoch is all sunshine and balmy... just look at the flags and snow jackets.

Love it!

Walked at Tarbat Ness. 

Or rather climbed over the rocks. 

Mike's at the point, serenely contemplative. 

Being chased back by a wave!

Mike's down there, on the right. 

Can't you just see the old red sandstone rock being pushed up and out, breaking free?

Crannog Bistro presented us with a Thali dinner. Amazingly varied and delicious Indian. 

Finished off by Sticky Toffee Pudding. Which smells too good to eat. But we did. 

Sunset over the cathedral out our living room window. 

Still in Dornoch, Thurs Sept 5

Walking back with the day's grocery bag, I paused to take photo of Dornoch Catherdral's Mercat Cross. 

 I thought, Too bad it's raining the photo will be dull. 

Then I leisurely read the info posted nearby. And thought, I'm standing here happy in the drizzling rain. I must be Scottish.... 

It rains on and off. Then the sun comes out. Then goes in. 

No big whoop.

The grocer I just came from. 

The bakery. There's a second one RIGHT next door. 

One of two Butchers in town. 

Only one bookstore. 

Pharmacy. 

The Cathedral, from 1300's. 

We are second from left in building w four townhouses. 

That's downtown Dornoch. 

Another spectacular walk, Littleferry. 

Saw seals. 

We took the high road/ path. 

Got cackled at by roosters. 

I had energy, so I went off to Skelbo Wood by myself in the afternoon. An arty walk. Remember, Mike has already walked playing 18 holes at Royal Dornoch, so don't be too impressed with my energy. 

I like he is walking away from the path.

Serene.  Beautiful. 

Today Camore Wood. 

At start they have a loop of woodland play spots for kids. 

Tunnels. 

Can't you just see leprachauns, elves, fairies, and little green men living in these woods?