MaureenDempsey.me
Remember going to the water park as a kid and wishing you never had to leave? Today was one of those days…only we’re not children, and we weren’t at a water park precisely.
We were at the Venetian Pool – a spring fed pool made from a coral quarry – so perhaps even cooler than typical water parks with concrete bottoms and chlorinated water pumped in. Continue reading
True story: I’m a Florida native who somehow reached her 30s before ever going to Miami.
My husband, who is from this fair city, has loved me despite that fact. But this weekend, a family wedding at the famed Biltmore (the peach hotel, not the sprawling estate) finally got me that check in the box.
We lucked out with a room at the Hotel St. Michel, a European boutique hotel built in 1926. It was preserved masterfully with every room unique in its furnishings and artwork. And the furniture is all antique (we actually have a wardrobe in which to hang our clothes…à la, the Lion and the Witch). Continue reading
Apparently a surprise cold front is moving through because we woke up to more drizzly skies and a notable dip in the temperature. So, maybe not the best day to attend two sporting events but we’re going to make a go of it anyway.
When we were in Ennis a few days ago, Ted noticed an old cathedral and thought how cool it would be to attend mass there on Sunday. I grew up Episcopalian and Ted Catholic, so we felt it would be very meaningful.
Before leaving for Ireland, we saw some stunning pictures of the Cliffs of Moher and we were told that it was a must see. So after our lunch in Lahinch, we drove up the west coast to the cliffs. But being there with the wind blowing in our faces and seeing the gulls coasting in the updrafts, it was even more beautiful than I pictured it. It was absolutely breathtaking.
We woke up this morning to our first little hint of sunshine! When we looked out the window, we saw it peaking through the clouds – albeit intermittently, but at least the clouds were peak through-able. We decided to take advantage of the weather and play nine holes of golf in the morning then drive over to the Cliffs of Moher in the afternoon.
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At the recommendation of our neighbors back home, we traveled down to Adare, a precious village just south of Limerick. Thatched roof cottages abound, and yellow daffodils brighten up the modest plots of vibrant green “gardens” (the sweet way in which they describe their yards).
Flanking the road as you enter the town is the Franciscan Friary (on the grounds of Adare Manor) and Desmond Castle. The neo-gothic Adare Manor was built by the second Earl of Dunvargen in the mid-1800s, which provided labor to the surrounding villages during the potato famine.
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What a perfect first day it was! After a glorious night’s rest, we had some of the fresh baked bread we picked up on our drive over.
Like everything in this country, charm and tidiness prevail, so when we stopped at a gas station last night, they were selling breads, pies, and other goodies that were baked by a local woman. We bought some spelt bread with pumpkin seeds, which is delicious toasted with some Irish white cheddar. So after that and a little Irish Breakfast tea, we were on our way.
We missed our connection and were initially rebooked on the following day’s flight, as there’s only one flight a day to Ireland. But I was able to negotiate a rerouting through Amsterdam (after a dozen or so transatlantic flights, you learn a trick or two). We arrived 10 hours later than originally scheduled, but we were also able to sweet talk Delta into postponing our return, giving us an extra day in-country.
Score.
A travel blog, something I should have begun years ago, is next on my writing horizon. In keeping with the retroactive theme of my surf blog, this too will require going back in time (at least initially) to capture some important trips. I know, I know – who posts stories from the past, way in the past, but some of these things must be captured. However, the first group of posts (and this one will actually be in real time) is our trip to Ireland.
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The conference has concluded so we’ve driven over to the western side of the state to visit the town where Ted lived when he was in 9th and 10th grade.
The 4-hour drive was beautiful and we had lunch on a lake. When we got into Corvallis – a metropolis of 976 people – we stopped at the high school. Continue reading