Killarney in Ireland

First, we took a quick walk around the National Forest in Killarney. Then, lunch in downtown Cork. And then off to the Ring of Kerry. This was a five or six hour drive around the southern peninsula. The whole area is a giant peat bog, but it's very beautiful. Part of it is right next to the ocean, we could see the US off in the distance. Just teasing. We visited a bog farm where they cut out the peat and stack it to dry. Then they use it to heat the homes instead of wood. It does have a certain ...odor... about it. We made a stop in Sneem for the Bailey's Irish Coffee and ice cream. Then, we stopped at the beach in Waterville for lunch. The last thing on the Ring of Kerry was a pretty waterfall where Emmett proposed to Jennie, very exciting! I didn't see it, but she came back waving her ring. Finally, we took all the kids and went to a pub for music and dancing. They had a blast! However, Jennie and Rocky were doing some kind of wild reel, and Jennie ended up spraining her ankle. Spent the night in Killarney.

Killarney in Ireland

Visited Blarney Castle this morning. It was magnificent! But it's not the nice, even castles of Merlin or Camelot. This castle had a lot of uneven floors, twisty passageways, and tiny stairs going up and down. Still, it was very large. And I'm sure it was wonderful in it's day. The famed Blarney stone was all the way upstairs. I did kiss the stone, but you've got to do it laying on your back and upside down. Thank goodness for the modern iron bars keeping you from falling to your death! After the castle, we went on a walk through the poison garden where there were all kinds of beautiful but deadly flowers and bushes on display. We also walked through the Rock Close nearby where there were a number of small caves, waterfalls, and witches dens. Then we visited the Queenstown train museum. This is the last port that the Titanic stopped before the fateful runin with the iceberg. And the Lusitania which was torpedoed a hundred miles off the coast. Finally, we made it back to the inn in Killarney for dinner. Then off to a pub for drinks. We had a great time with Jean Paul, Tammy, and Nicole, but no live band. Later, Brian the tour guide and Danny the bus driver showed up and added to the hilarity.

The National Stud and Blarney in Ireland

Spent a fair amount of time on the bus. First stop, The National Stud. This was a fascinating day in the life of a thoroghbred horse. Our guide was very knowledgable and made the presentation fun. Also at the National Stud was a Japanese Gardens. They were absolutely beautiful! There were 20 stations of life portrayed, in chronological order of a life. Then off to the Rock of Cashel where we had a very expensive lunch. It was good, but definitely overpriced. The Rock of Cashel castle was nice, but Bill and I didn't go in. The boys did, and they had a blast. Finally, we made it to Blarney where were spending the night. Bill and I took a quick walk around the square, which wasn't very big at all! Then dinner which was Blarney stew, an extremely tasty meal. Finally, I went out with the girls to the local pub where we were treated to songs by a local group, The Ferry Men. Played darts with Nicole. I was way ahead in points, but couldn't get a bullseye. she had the bullseye, and got about 6 more bullseyes. We finally both quit the game cause it was taking so long! Here's a sample of the music a the pub

Dublin, Ireland

Went to St Patrick's Cathedral first. Lovely! Apparently Sir Benjamin Guinness was a big benefactor. Then, took a driving tour of Dublin and the parks. Trinity College where we saw the Book of Kells. Then we had about 6 hours of free time. A group of us went to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, then a wonderful tour of the Guinness factory. Finally, dinner in a pub and a live Irish music/dance show.

Dublin, Ireland

Left for Ireland, finally! When we finally arrived, it was pretty easy getting through immigration and customs. Our tour guide, Brian, met us and sped us on our way. Didn't get much sleep on the plane, but we powered through it. Dublin is beautiful! Old and historied, it has a presence. We visited the downtown area seeing Trinity University (briefly), Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, and strolling through the streets. We had some free time which we spent looking for a mall but never found. Then we decided to go to Starbucks and rest our aching feet. On the way, we saw the Hard Rock, so I had to get a guitar pin. Hung out at Starbucks for about an hour, then headed back to the bus. We had dinner at Portabella Pub, delightful. It was mostly standard fare for bus groups, but we were hungry after all that walking. And they had live music! Turned in at the hotel pretty early, everyone was tired.

Ireland

All packed and ready to go on vacation for Spring Break. IRELAND! Here we come!

Baseball

Sadly, Chris' team lost tonight, 8-1, to the Yankees. Too many errors and not enough hits.

Baseball

Chris' team played the Athletics yesterday. This time it was a better score, 9-7. The Mustangs still lost, but they put up a good fight! Chris caught in the first 3 innings, and he had a fielder's choice at bat.

Space Center

Spent the day at the Space Center with Joan, Ed, and Maura. It was as wonderful as I remember it. Here's some photos, click the title to see them all!

Chris and Maura

So we were going to walk over to the dock at the river last night after dinner. Joan and I and Chris and Maura. So we're walking, Chris and Maura ahead of us. They went straight while Joan and I turned left to walk by the gazebo on the lake. I said, "Chris knows the way, he'll turn at the road." Joan and I got to the gate by Courtenay, no Chris and Maura. What the heck! So Joan and I walk back up to our street looking for them, still no kids. I said, "Where are they!?" So I walked up to the neighborhood entrance while Joan stayed there. No kids. I was walking back when a car drove by, the guy slowed down and said, "She found the kids, you can go back now." So I met back up with Joan, and there they were. They had walked to the front of the neighborhood and down the side of Courtenay to the dock! Boy was I tired after hoofing it all over the neighborhood.
So we went down to the dock and sat for a spell hoping to see some dolphins. I think it was too late for that, but it sure was nice out. Then we headed back home to see the Supermoon. It did look a little bigger. We had the perfect view off our back patio over the pond.

Baseball

Ok, the latest baseball stuff. Anton won his game against the Rays, 5-4. He got one hit (it was really a reached on error). He played second base and shortstop. He was thankful he didn't play catcher again!

Chris' game was not so good. They lost to the Athletics, 17-2. The Athletics hit 6 (yes SIX) homeruns against the Mustangs. It was done in 4 innings, thankfully. Chris played right field and catcher. He didn't do so well in the batting either. But, he sure looked good!

Aunt Joan, Uncle Ed, and Maura came to visit durig the game. What a lousy game to come to!

Baseball

Anton's team did pretty well last night, 14-7. Anton caught the entire game (two assists), and he was 1 for 5. Got a sweet base hit, along with 3 put outs and a fielder's choice. Gotta work on that batting average...

Edgewood Track

Yesterday was Jean-Luc's first Edgewood track meet. He started the team late, so they're halfway through the season. He did ok, which is to say he came in last place in both Shotput and Discus. Well, actually he tied with Carter in shotput...

Baseball

Anton and Chris had baseball games on Saturday. Anton's team lost, 9-6, to the Braves. Chris has played two games this week. Lost on Saturday against the Rockies, 7-5, then won on Monday evening, 8-4. Anton's got another game tonight. Photos from Saturday...

Latest Headlines

In the week after the "big one" in Japan, here are a few of the headlines:

Japan faces radiation catastrophe threat
Japan’s earthquake shifted balance of the planet
Tsunami tests Japan's resilient spirit

My heart goes out to the Japanese.

Golf and a Movie

A nice day for golf. I tried to apply some of the stuff I learned in last week's lesson, but it went terribly wrong! Anton is at the beach with the Youth Group.

Afterwards, we hit up a movie. Chris has been wanting to see Rango. It was cute, but sort of slow in places.

Delta 4 launch

Gorgeous!

From SpaceFlightNow: The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched a classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket flew in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters.

Chris and the Doctor

Took Chris to the doctor today, and I'll be going myownself later. He's been sick since Thursday with a 103° fever and nasty phlegmy cough. The fever was better on Sunday and Monday, but yesterday it had come back. I don't have a fever, but I do have the cough and sore throat.

Found out he's got some sort of Mycoplasma living in his lungs. Apparently this can last for weeks causing fever and coughs.

Mycoplasma:
my·co·plas·ma  [mahy-koh-plaz-muh]
–noun
any of numerous parasitic microorganisms of the class Mollicutes, comprising the smallest self-reproducing prokaryotes, lacking a true cell wall and able to survive without oxygen: a common cause of pneumonia and urinary tract infections.

Probably what I've got too! Anyways, got some antibiotics for it. Should be dead in a few days.

*UPDATE: After my visit to the doctor, it's confirmed. Walking Pneumonia.

Baseball

Chris had a game last night. It was fairly cold, and the lights went out in the sixth inning. But, the Mustangs were triumphant over the Dodgers this time, 10-5.

Golf Lesson

The whole family took a golf lesson with the Golf Doctor. Really, that's what he's called. He had a no nonsense approach to hitting the ball that was easy to follow. Can't wait to hit the Duran Par 3 now...

Baseball Begins

Baseball season is upon us! Sadly, Chris and I were sick as dogs. I only got some photos of Anton's game. Anton's team, the Phillies, won 14-12, over the Yankees. Chris' team lost miserably to the Dodgers, 10-0. I left half way through Chris' game, just wasn't feeling it.

Atlas 5 Launch

Beautiful!

From SpaceFlightNow: The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket (AV-026) launched the U.S. military's X-37B, a prototype space plane also called the Orbital Test Vehicle. The rocket flew in the 501 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

Area Science Fair

Chris and Avery made it to the Area Science Fair today. Went up to Pt St John so they can do their science project interviews this morning. Now, just waiting to hear if they placed or not.


*UPDATE: They took fifth in the Teams division. Yay Chris and Avery!

Finally, last Flag Football Game Photos

Here's some photos from the final Flag Football game! Click the title to see all the pics.