We're packing everything we can into our last full day here today. And, that includes getting a suitcase so I can pack the souvenirs purchased and try to lighten my load. If I've learned one thing from this trip, it is to make sure ALL suitcases have wheels, especially the heaviest.
I borrowed Bill's overnight bag because I could pack more into it. Well, packing more into an overnight bag with no rollers was a dumb idea. I learned that early on.
So, suitcase shopping is a must on the agenda.
In addition, we'll go to Kildare to the Irish National Stud as well as visiting more places in Dublin, where there's more than enough to see.
Yesterday we got a start on seeing the town by visiting the Guinness Brewery at St. James Gate. The Guinness brand has been around since the 1700s. Maybe in a couple of hundred years, folks will be visiting the Laughing Dog Brewery in Sandpoint in the same droves we saw yesterday.
We saw a steady stream of visitors making their way to the brewery yesterday morning for the tour. And, they were from all over the world. So, Fred, keep working at it with your brews, and maybe some day . . . .
The tour was fascinating and well planned. We did get samples halfway through and then at the top room which overlooks the city of Dublin. Somehow, a Guinness at 10:30 in the morning did not have its usual appeal for me. Still, a good beer.
After Guinness we went back to the hotel where we met Sian, Nick and Niahl. The latter two are avid geocachers, and Sian says she loves the hiking involved as her husband goes looking for caches.
We spent the afternoon together, looking for caches and walking the streets of downtown Dublin and the beautiful pathways through St. Stephens Green. We enjoyed a fine lunch at O'Neill's, which has been in Dublin for more than a few decades.
Annie had invited geocachers to join her at an event last evening here at the hotel. Again, like two years ago, they came from all over Ireland. It was supposed to last from 5-8, but Annie finally came back to the room after 9. They were having a jolly good time, talking geocaching.
The sun is shining this morning, so our last day here should be a great one. We have been so fortunate with weather, only one day of full-fledged rain, and that was while we were driving. In other cases, the rain has come but blown over somewhat quickly.
We'll fly out of here at noon tomorrow and another long flight lies ahead with a quick stop in Chicago and then on to Seattle. I'll stay overnight there and fly back to Spokane Tuesday. It's been a wonderful trip, but home will look good, even if the snow has not left.
It's been heart-wrenching to hear the news briefs about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. I know if I were at home, I'd be transfixed to the television, but our access to news has been hit and miss but so disturbing and sad.
We do not take for granted our good fortune to be enjoying such a lovely experience in comparison.
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