Dingle Hat Trick

This past weekend Emily, Taylor, and I went to Dingle Saturday morning. Emily was the only one of us that had never been to Dingle, but because of its beauty Taylor and I didn't have a problem going back again to see it. (This was actually my THIRD time going back--a hat trick!--because I had gone again when Elizabeth came!)

Because it was a three day weekend in Ireland, we had booked our hostel early last week... however, we learned it was actually 20 minutes outside Dingle. Determined to stay in Dingle, we called around but everything was booked up. Eventually we found a hostel that offered their front yard as a campground! Not only was the hostel in Dingle, but it was much cheaper than paying for the hostel outside Dingle. Emily found a tent from a friend, while Taylor and I borrowed blankets from the Fordes, so we were set!

When we arrived in Dingle we had a quick lunch and then set off to pitch our tent. After one failed attempt and lots of laughs from the guys watching (and probably timing) us, we figured it out. We left our new 'home' and set off down Slea Head Drive. Slea Head Drive is a GORGEOUS coastal drive with winding roads and steep cliffs. The third time was just as beautiful as the first.

Our first (failed) attempt... notice the random pole sticking up at the top..?

Muuuuccchhh better!

Slea Head Drive

Winding coastal road along Slea Head Drive

Tay and I admiring the closest point on Ireland to the US

After Slea Head Drive, Emily drove "Ruby" (her red, "high class" automobile) down Conor's Pass. I may have described this before, but it is an INCREDIBLY skinny, steep, two way road that winds down the side of a mountain. One car has to pull over to the side for the other car to pass. Ruby (and Emily) handled the drive just fine!

Preparing for Conors Pass

Look how skinny that road is!! And its TWO way!

On our way back up to Conors Pass

We had dinner in downtown Dingle and headed back to our humble abode to change our clothes. Taylor had her first experience with hitchhiking back into Dingle that night (Bay Bay, don't worry- its more common and much safer in Ireland!) We were picked up by a sweet couple that owned a B&B across from our hostel. We had a fun night out and met a lot of new friends!

Taylor and I in Dingle

The next day was Ben and Charlie's (Eoghan and Katie's cousins') birthday party. After our incredible nights sleep in our tent (truly better than an actual hostel!), we headed back to Killavullen. The weather was perfect for the party. There wasn't a drop of rain and the kids had a great time in the 'bouncy castle'. Charlie was sweet as always: at one point an airplane flew over and he said, 'I really hope that airplane isn't coming to collect ye!!' (knowing that an airplane had recently come to pick me up, he was worried that we were getting ready to leave him again!) 'Grandad Jimmy' (Gillian's dad) heard about Taylor's newly found interest in farming, so he took us on a walk to meet Brendan the bull and his baby calves. The view from his fields is unbelievable.

The view from Auntie Marie's- incredible

Brendan the Bull!!


Katie goes in to pet the baby calf


Photogenic cows


More of God's beauty!

Monday morning Taylor and Emily cheered me on in the Cork City Marathon. Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I wasn't running the full marathon! I was the third leg of a Killavullen relay team. The weather was absolutely miserable for the run, but since I was only running 6 miles, it wasn't too bad. Being in that atmosphere has really inspired me to someday train for a full marathon though.

Taylor used chalk to draw Eoghan and my outlines.. we got a kick out of how they turned out!

Taylor and Eoghan's handshake:



Eoghan showing off his hopscotch skills:



Katie knows how to high five now! (Sarah, this ones for you):