Friends & Glendalough: The Return

Last week we had our 2nd visitor from the US.  This time it was a good friend who we knew when we lived in Connecticut.  

While he was here mostly for business,we did manage to take him around some sights, including Glasnevin cemetery.  After were touring the ornate tombs and headstones, which didn't take long because of the foul weather, we noticed that we were locked in!  It was a little weird because we had just seen the security guard drive by, so we know he knew we were still in the cemetery.  Luckily for us, we found a gate that only looked locked, so we undid it, and left.

   

Undaunted by the weather, we took him on a tour of the Howth peninsula and marina.  

 Aaron and Liz being troopers on the seawall.

 Cold and raining sideways.  Summer in Ireland at its finest!  Hope you enjoyed your visit, Will!

Our friend departed back to Washington state that weekend, so it was time for another family adventure.  I still wanted the family to see Glendalough, the Wicklow Gap, time permitting, Kilkenny castle.

 I can see why the Irish love Glendalogh, it's a beautiful place.

 Sariah contemplating by the peaceful river.

 David attempting to navigate across the river.

 Cookie in deep meditation.

 Cookie not knowing I'm taking a photograph.

 Cookie knowing I'm taking a photograph.

 "Ahhh! what is that bright yellow orb in the sky! It hurts my eyes!" (notice her shirt? UDUB represent!)

 Cookie deeply reflecting upon the history, meaning, and purpose of life.

 The cemetery of Glendalough.

 Fashion queen showing off her hot moves.

 One of my favorite pics.

 Just a beautiful place.

 Couple of ducks also enjoying the brief moments of sun and warmth.

As we departed Glendalough we made our way across the famed Wicklow Gap.  Back in March when I took my first trip to Glendalough, the bus didn't make the drive due to the inclement weather.  So, understandably I was pretty excited to see it for the first time and have my fam experience it with me.

I had already seen some pretty amazing views in Ireland and was thinking this was going to top them all. While the drive was beautiful it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. 

Part of that may have been due to a message I received that my mom was gravely ill and in an intensive care unit.  Obviously, we cut the tour short and headed immediately back home so I could make some phone calls and find out what exactly was going on.

As I write this, my mom is back home and recovering nicely after what was a very serious medication accident and infection shut her kidneys down and nearly claimed her life.  Fortunately for us, she has bounced right back and is doing much better.

After calling her and talking to her see how she was doing, one thing she said was that as soon as she gets better she's coming to Ireland!

Caves & Lakes

Saturday June 8, Liz had another fun adventure planned for us, and luckily the weather was in our favor this time.

Our adventure this time consisted of Enniskillen for lunch and the Marble Arch Cave geopark, both in Northern Ireland.

One thing that we keep forgetting when we head north is that our phones don't work much, if at all.  Data is slow and patchy (and expensive; roaming charges, grrrr).

Anyway, once we finally get to Enniskillen to find our lunch spot, it's no where to be found.  We can't look it up on the phone because they don't work, and our GPS is worthless without express lat/long coordinates.  

That's OK, there has to be something yummy just driving around that's indicative of the people and their culture. Our luck is a lot better this time as we are actually able to find a parking spot for the Tank.  As we all get out and start walking around to find a place to lunch.  One of the kids spots a Subway.  Soon they all join in chorus, SUBWAY!  Sigh, we give in, because at least we know we won't be paying big bucks for food the kids won't eat.  As it turns out, we could feed each kid a sandwich and a soda for only 3£!  Not to shabby for a crew of 7.  

After lunch we piled back in the van and headed toward the marble arch cave systems.  

Our scheduled tour doesn't start for an hour, so we start exploring the trails around the park.

 The park includes this little cave, a troll's den of sorts.

 The entrance to the cave itself . . .

 The 'marble' arch itself.  Most of the stone in this area is limestone, which is almost marble.

 The cave itself.  I shouldn't complain, but our tour guides were a couple of jaded 20-somethings who've been in this cave so many times they couldn't care less.  OK, I understand you don't care, but it's MY first time, and I'd like you to not rush us through it like it's our 5,000th time through the cave.

 It's not the most impressive cave system I've ever been in (that distinction is reserved for Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico), but it was still pretty good.  I was even disappointed when we had to turn around and return to the surface; there was still over 3 kilometers left in the main cave system!

 After a long day of hiking and caving, we made our way home and stopped at this beautiful lakeside hotel/pub.  As you can see, the Irish aren't picky who bellies up to the bar . . . Also glad it wasn't an American chain restaurant.

 In Ireland it's easy to be on the Atkins-style all-protein diet!

 Such a lovely day, as the sun sets we noticed is nearly 10 PM!  Love Irish northern latitudes!

A wonderful end to a wonderful day.