More Thoughts

July 21st

So here it is the 3rd week in July and I'm finally returning home for the remainder of the summer. I just realized that I've been gone from home for 5 weeks now. I think that's the longest I've ever been gone.

While it's great to travel as I did, it's always great to get back home. I know I'll have plenty of house cleaning and catching up to take care of, but I also want to spend time with my dog, Mickey, and get all my pictures sorted out.

I've been told my vacuum bit the dust while I've been gone, so finding out if I need to purchase a new one will probably take precedence over everything else. A cheap price to pay for being gone so long.

As for observations about the trip... I've been thinking about that lately. In fact, the last few nights my brain has been interrupting my sleep by rerunning events during the trip. While I haven't slept the best, I've had some very nice memories to recall. Even when there were some problems, as there always are when you travel with new friends, those are put to the back part of memories and the fun adventures win out. Would I do things differently next time? Maybe a few things, but not most. And yes, there will definitely be a next time. I think I'm finished with the tourist part of my Ireland travels, and will now have a different focus. Four thousand miles on a rental car in 2 weeks is more than anyone would want. I really didn't mind the driving and for the most part if was great craic as we periodically found ourselves totally lost and laughing about it.

We did get to experience some great music, but I'd like more. I was a little disappointed that a few of my favorite musicians did not have gigs scheduled at times we were in the area. Or they were out of the area.

I discovered new favorite places and some special new friends and acquaintances. It's those kind of connections that make the trip very worthwhile. Not to mention that the scenery can't be beat. ( I do have to give my son credit on his trip. His pics of the Swiss alps and countryside are pretty impressive too.) But my heart lies with Ireland.

For now we'll see what the future brings in terms of travel. I've always thought of Ireland as an every other year, but now, I'm not sure if I can wait that long. And I still have not figured how to explain to people why. For those of you who know me well enough to understand, I don't have to explain. For the rest of you, I guess you'll just have to trust me.

So ends my journey for this year.