The Cliffs of Moher… and More and More People….

Cliffs-of-MoherCliffs-of-Moher-20140823-_ALL3866No matter how interesting the local attraction, I dislike being herded into areas with 22 large motor coaches and tour groups of all nationalities, holding group tour flags to keep everyone together.  Tourists take endless selfies, posing in front of yet another scene with arms stretched out and trying for an impossible glamour shot.  Generally these places are closed before the good evening light and are not yet open for the nice morning light.  Herd the tourists in, collect their entrance fee and off they go to the next tourist trap, likely never really experiencing the location.  The nearby town of Liscannor is a complete traffic jam of people buying and hocking touristy items, searching for a restaurant, or just trying to find a spot to park.
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Toroweep Overlook North Rim Grand Canyon

Toroweep-Overlook-20120512-_ALL0797The drive to Toroweep Overlook on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park is long and dusty.  It is 58 miles of dirt road, one way.  The last 6 miles require a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle.  I came across two disabled trucks.  One had three of the five lug bolts sheered off and the other a blown tire.  Another big problem would be to encounter someone going the opposite direction on the narrow road.  I took over three hours to cover the 58 miles when the books say it should only take 2 1/2.

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