In a basket

We are highly anticipating our trip, but we have some stuff to do first. Not the usual: pack, pick up any last minute things, or getting cash. Oh no! Ours is more like: host a family reunion AND a party for 70 people. Both of which have additional tasks that go with it (i.e. grocery shopping, house cleaning, lining up logistics). This is all on the heels of a last minute trip to Albany, NY for the passing of Mike's amazing grandfather. We shall overcome! We have everything in a basket (more like two baskets) and in my mind I am convinced that I just need to organize it all (we will see how that really ends up). That will allow us to still enjoy the wonderful moments prior to leaving.

Here is a quick "down low" on our trip: We have travel companions this time, Cody and Tara are crazy enough to join us!! We are taking a 12 hour flight from Minneapolis to Tokyo, from there a 6 hour flight to Bangkok, we arrive close to midnight (local time), then a fun filled day in Bangkok seeing the sights. We are then returning to the world class climbing and beaches of Riley (see photo)! We will be in country for 10 days total.

We have brought our cameras, so we will keep you posted about our journey!

Thailand here we come!

Back, by Popular Demand

I apologize!! I did get back to SD on Sunday morning. Things have been crazy and I haven't gotten the last info posted. After getting comments from some of the followers, here is my last post on Ireland:

We had our final adventure in Dingle on Wednesday, horseback riding. We were issued the horses for those that are not experienced in English saddle riding. Basically, these horses could have done this trail with their eyes closed!! They were also willing to stop periodically to graze, I guess we were not supposed to let them do that! But they looked hungry...is that a good excuse? Below you can see Jennifer (the one in black) and her horse, Ivy.

We then moved on to the elusive, Ring of Kerry! This is a road that follows the coast through county Kerry. Supposed to be very scenic. Well, if you can tell from the picture above, it was foggy/cloudy all day. Scenic was not the way we would have summarized the day. The photo below is of a mountain/hill, ...enough said. This is a great time to talk about the weather in Ireland. Everyday could be a combination of rain, sun, fog, and clouds. That cycle could also be gone through numerous times throughout the day. There was no telling how to dress and you always had to be prepared for rain.

The following day we headed to Kilarney (through a gorgeous national park). The Muckross House (see below) was amazing. All of the original furniture from the 1800's, beautiful grounds, and stories of Queen Victoria's visit (prior to the death of Prince Albert).
Finally, we ended our trip with with the age old Irish tradition...kissing the Blarney Stone. I was surprised by how this was somewhat scary (sorry, this is the only photo Jennifer got for me). You have to bend over backwards and dangle your head over this hole in the top floor of the castle (I am going to estimate 60-70 feet up). I can say I did it (you are all going to be amazed by my now present gift of gab due to this visit!!). The flight home is a whole story I don't want to go into (still bitter about 8.5 hours on a plane that flew for 2.5). Another time...maybe!

The road less traveled

Yesterday we made it to Dingle!! This is a small community on the western coast of Ireland. A hike at a nearby lake was suggested by the hostel manager. We made our way up the hillside and the scenery was majestic. (see pictures , yes...those are my legs exposed. They haven't seen sunlight in a week!) The sun was out! Aside from the scenic landscape, we also had to dodge sheep scat and the water. It seemed to be abundant along, aside and on the trail. Jennifer's tennis shoes may not make it back home because of how wet and dirty they got!















This morning we decided to brave the seas and head out into Dingle bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It was raining/drizzling the entire time. Thankfully, we were working hard to get out of the bay...against the wind! I am in the background of the picture of Jeff above with the orange hat. (sorry, the pictures of just me were blurry and I thought that I should include Jeff in at least one photo since you got to see Jennifer's shoes!) We also got to be in the presence of a local celebrity, Fungi (pronounced Fun-gee) the dolphin. He has been in Dingle bay for 26 years now and likes to grace visitors to the bay with his presence. It was amazing to have him come within 4 feet of our boats!


So, tomorrow brings horseback riding (ye-haw) and driving the Ring of Kerry (it is a road around the Kerry Peninsula that takes 8 hours to drive).

PS-lots of pictures this time...enjoy!

Fields of Green

These past couple of days have been jam packed. We made our way west from Dublin to the area of Galway. We drove out along the coast line...beautiful country. Then, yesterday we headed south from Galway to see the Burren. This is a dessolate area with little soil and many rocks. This was also where we saw some of the most amazing pieces of archeology. There are stone tombs that are older than the Egyptian pyramids. The remains of a circular stone fort were equally interesting. We then headed the the notorious Cliffs of Moher. They are 700+ feet tall!! We were told we were lucky because it wasn't raining or foggy. (Sunshine is hard to come by in these parts.) We are heading today to Dingle, which is supposed to get quite the small town.

So far, what has amazed me the most is the stone walls. They are EVERYWHERE! Some of them have been there for thousands of years. It is said that farmers used to take the wall apart to pass their sheep through, then rebuild it. I can hardly pick apples at the grocery store without toppling them all down (I have found that buying them by the prepackaged bag is better for me).

(Sorry, no pictures today. Technical difficulties...maybe later.)

We arrived yesterday morning. We had some time to blow before we could get into the hotel, so we wondered around the city (see above). It is gorgious! There are so many things to see (i.e. parks, pubs, cathedrals, tours). There are cathedrals around every corner. They are like Starbucks!
During our search for things to do, we realized that the Guinness Storehouse did tours until 9pm! We thought that would be a good way to end the day. I will have to say the tour was nice, but the best part was the view from the 9th floor of the storehouse. It was amazing!! You could see all of the city AND the country side that lies beyond it! We ended the day at an Irish pub. I got Irish Stew...which was like a soup and it contained Rudabega!! Which has always been a family tradition, but I have NEVER seen it in actual cooking beyond my/my mother's kitchen.

Today, we headed out to check out more of the area we are staying. The Temple Bar area is very popular (by the way, here "Bar" means area near the river). We also went to Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells (a book of gospels from 300 A.D.). We did quite a bit of walking, but it is enjoyable. The temps are cool (50-60 degrees), so that makes it easier. I am pretty sure that Jennifer pulled off a sunburn with the overcase skies...I will offer her SPF 55 tomorrow!

Speaking of tomorrow...we are going to head off to the West Coast. That seems to be where all of the action is! Until then...

Ireland, Here I Come!!

I leave in less than 21 hours for Ireland. I plan on printing off my boarding passes so I don't get a lecture from the guy at the check in counter about how you need to arrive at the airport at least 1 hour prior to international flights. REALLY?!? This is Rapid City and I am NOT checking any bags! I feel that bi-passing that encounter might make a better start to my trip.

I am really going to miss Mike on this trip. :( Who am I going to talk to in the airports during layovers? Who is going to watch my baggage while I go to the bathroom so I don't need to navigate 2 bags in the bathroom stall? Who is going to handle all of the money because I don't want to carry my wallet around everywhere? These are just a few of the issues I will have because I am traveling without my best friend (no offense Jeff or Jennifer)!

Oh, I included the photo above (from the internet) to excite you (and myself) about the majesty of Ireland.