I wrote you an essay yesterday, so today you get pictures.

Going on a hike, in Cave County Park! It was highly recommended to us by the friendly Belfast kids we met the first day. I guess I forgot to tell Michael it was almost five miles...

But it was pretty! This is Cave Hill, which overlooks Belfast.

It has caves, hence the name. They were most likely man made, but a very long time ago.

Wait, the cave wasn't the destination?

Nope, we're going up!

Up there? Really? It's so... up.

But we did it! We made it to "McArt's Fort", the highest point on Cave Hill. It's not actually a fort, and McArt is a legendary figure in Irish history/mythology, but it's a pretty cool vantage spot. And apparently there are all sorts of archeological finds throughout the area dating back to the times of earliest settlement, so this spot has figured prominently in local history.

Michael even said, "Ok, that was worth it"

The sun came out and we could see all of Belfast. In the middle of the forest down there is Belfast Castle.

Looking out into the bay.

The walk back down was also lovely - it wound gently down through pastures and country side.

The trail back down (it was loop) was significantly less steep, but no less lush. I took lots of flower pictures today.

Walking through a gap in the hedges.

Pretty wild roses.

The trail headed back into the forest.

Belfast Castle! It was built in 1870 by the third Marquis of somebody as a wedding gift to his new wife. How's that for something.

It had lovely gardens.

Overall, our time in Belfast has been excellent! We wrap things up here and bus down to Dublin tomorrow to continue our adventures!