We had some much needed rain this weekend, but there certainly was a lot of it! Unfortunately, that meant no biking. Any time we thought we might be able to sneak out for a bit and radar had rain coming. Oh well. I did manage to get in 5 miles of walking each day between rainstorms and a circuit around the mall 😀
Wet path and humid, but exercise is exercise! Keeps everything green, too.
It was our BIL’s birthday on Saturday and we had a gathering.
Carvel ice cream cake:
I haven’t had a Carvel cake in I can’t remember how long. I actually don’t even remember what it was supposed to taste like LOL!
Then game time:
This is called King of Tokyo and I couldn’t even begin to explain it and have it make any sense. We got it figured out though.
Then some fireworks:
These are the kind that are legal here in NY, the ones that are fountain style on the ground. This next shot came out really cool on my phone:
Probably couldn’t duplicate that again if I tried!
Another thing for a rainy weekend was planning our itinerary for Ireland:
We’ve had the flights booked since February, but we were having trouble nailing down where we wanted to go and what to see. We only have 7 days, so obviously seeing everything is out of the question without being in the car the whole time. And yes, we are renting a car and driving on the left (the wrong side!). That will be an adventure in itself.
John’s job was researching and booking flights. Mine is to find places to stay and with the trip a little more than 2 months away, it’s time. Of course, that means figuring out where we want to go. We nixed Dublin since we are flying into Shannon on the other side of the country. We are going to concentrate on the southwest and Wild Atlantic Way. Here is a map if you’re interested to see it. Click the map to make it bigger.
The plan is:
Day 1 and 2: Ennis base to explore the Cliffs of Morer and the Burren.
Days 3 and 4: Base at Kenmare to do the Ring of Kerry. (This changed, Mom!)
Days 5 and 6: Base of Cork to explore that, Cobh and Kinsale.
Day 7: Back in the Ennis/Shannon area the night before our flight making sure we get to Rock of Cashel on our way there.
This should give us more than enough to see and staying 2 nights in places will keep us from having to pack up every day. Now to book some B&Bs! We are getting pretty excited now that we have a plan!
See, that’s what I mean. Your rain keeps all the plants happy and growing and so green!
It will be so fun to follow along on your trip to Ireland.
Rain is good! I water when it’s dry, but it’s different than getting a good natural soaking.
oooh CARVEL!!!!
I wonder if they still have those in PGH where I grew up!
I AM going home next week 🙂
Rain in July sure does help with making everything not look so brown, but does it have to happen on the weekend?!
Your trip to Ireland is going to be really neat – some friends just went last month and loved it, although they posted a video of them driving and let’s just say those roads are narrow!
I know! The driving is scary, but our saving grace is going at the end of the tourist season so the crowds won’t be as bad.
Carvel!!!! That brings back memories! And that was a cook pic of the fireworks!
So exciting about your trip Lori!!!!!
So exciting about your trip! The first trip Tony and the kids and I did as a family I started researching, and figuring out things to do, etc. Tony told me that he just flies by the seat of his pants on vacation, mostly just relaxing.
As soon as we got to Florida, he looked at me and said “so what’s the plan for today?” Luckily I still had my folder of ideas! 😀
Oh your trip is going to be so wonderful! A little pity you won’t be able to visit Dublin but you have to make choices (that’s why we did only the north part of Sardinia last May). I can’t wait to read all about your adventures.
Now that I know where you will be I looked up flight tickets for Shannon and unfortunately it’s not an airport you can fly to with cheap tickets. A ticket is too expensive, I can go on a vacation for that money. So I am afraid a meet up will not happen.
5 miles of walking a day, that’s impressive. Well done.
I’m bummed. That would have been so cool to meet up, but I understand the cost thing. That’s one of the reasons we flew into Shannon because it was cheaper, shorter flight time and less busy airport. I’m surprised the cheaper flights aren’t to the less popular airports. I don’t think this will be our only trip to Ireland and we for sure will get to the other side of the island.
It’s the more popular destinations where you can fly to for very little money. F.e. if I would fly to Shannon it would cost me around USD 300 for a return flight, would I fly to Dublin it would be USD 57. The “airline price fighters” only fly on popular destinations.
I will check the ticket prices in August again, see if there is any change.
Hey Lori. That is some awesome walking you got in! There have been some recent muggings in the park in the city where I work, so I don’t walk as much during my breaks now.
What a great birthday celebration! And I’m SOOOO excited for you and John! Ireland will be AMAZING!!!