New York, New York

After Ireland, it was on to New York. It's a great place to shop, hit a few fantastic art museums and recover from jet lag.

My sister-in-law and niece flew in to meet us there for some fun. We stared at really awesome art - modern, classic and strange. We ate food with flavor (sorry Ireland). We watched Kaela master the art of hailing a cab. We got caught in a massive rainstorm, got completely drenched and then took cover in an Olive Garden (but not before a photo with the Naked Cowboy). We know how to really live it up!

Twirling in the rain. Go Kaela! Uhm... We're dripping!

MoMa, Guggenheim and "Met" - so super!

Life imitates art...or is it the other way?

Emerald Isle Adventures

I really am a lucky girl! I spent a lovely week in Ireland and believe me, it's something remarkable. Everyone should see that country at least once. I have a little posting for each day - enjoy!

Ireland - Day Seven

Day Seven - our last day in beautiful Ireland. We went to Powerscourt. We went out with a bang! It's an old property with incredible gardens (think Versailles without so much walking). Like most old castles with land...skip the house and head outdoors for the real show.
Insider tip - best food we had in Ireland was the cafe here. I know!
The "house"

Lorie is striking a pose
My Knight!

Teeny, tiny Lorie as viewed from the top of the tower

So great!

Last picture of Ann in Ireland

Ireland - Day six

Today's post is all about Dublin!
Did you know that Dublin got its name two Gaelic words: 'dubh' meaning 'black' and 'linn' means 'pool' (or 'mire') - Black Pool? Excellent marketing, if you ask me! Seriously, it's a very nice city with very lousy drivers...welcome to Europe.
Did you know that Dublin has a whole church named after me? Technically, the church predates me by a couple hundred years, but I was still tickled to see a giant church with a giant red door with a giant reputation for serving the underprivileged.
Did you know that there is colorful statue of Oscar Wilde at Merrion Square?

Did you know that Ireland has only two spoon sizes: tiny and giant?

Did you know that I had 15 minutes of fame while in Ireland? Actually, it was 15 seconds...and it was just the news...and only the people traveling with me even knew about my 15 seconds. I will take what I can get.

Did you know that Dublin is lovely at sunset?

Other things I recommend in Dublin: Trinity College, Book of Kells, National Gallery, St. Stephen's Green, prayer service at St. Patrick's, Temple Bar and singing tour bus drivers.

Things I don't recommend in Dublin: driving, eating, staying longer than a day or two (spend your time in the countryside...still wouldn't recommend driving or eating there either).

Ireland - Day Five

Bru Na Boinne - Newgrange and Dowth. Seriously cool structures - that are seriously hard to find and since driving in Ireland is not exactly a treat... - older than the Egyptian pyramids. Newgrange has a really cool winter soltice angle and quite an interesting story in general.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange

Ireland - Day Four

Kylemore Abby is super lovely...with a little church and beautiful wooded grounds. That was pretty awesome. After that, we went to Connemara National Park where I climbed (or rather was hoisted) up on a giant rock for the most spectacular view. We got quite an education on peat bogs too (got your curiosity piqued?).

Ireland - Day Three

It's very cold, wet and there's some fog...

Ennis, Cork, Cliffs of Moher (which was totally fogged in), The Burren, and Irish coastline. I loved it lots.