gecko

Some talking head on MLB network touting Trevor Bauer to Astros...question was the “price”

CSB (short version)...a wedding was scheduled at Cahernane House on our departure day. We'd heard a lot about Irish weddings and were looking forward to the arrival of the wedding party the night before (our last night at Cahernane). Wife and I are hanging in the bar and here they come....the whole party was from Texas. ferk.....

Is the Montgomery Inn still "a thing" for ribs? Haven't been there in decades.....

yet many of you maintain facebook accounts.

"...distances aren't that much, it is definitely slower driving and mentally tiring..." Well put...all the driving while concentrating on narrow roads and the need to "keep left" wears you out mentally.

Got back this morning after a couple of days... It was hot as f**k. Never thought I'd long for Houston heat. What Gill said above....it's very scenic in NYC this Summer. Leave the wife and kids at home

You and Huck totally missed the point, or maybe my point was poorly made. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that point before calling you out as an assface. It wasn't about me, it was about people like me and people not as well off as me, but too well off to get any relief. Level the costs for everyone not just the few.

UKX2 and TABM would suck for Houston....

What BearSchlong said..... However, any risk this thing just sits off the coast churning buckets of rain over SE Texas?

When I put my 3 kids through UT (first one entered 2007 last one walked 2014) I was earning over double the $65K threshold and it was dam f**king hard to pay tuition and associated living costs + keep a modest household going, pay taxes and basically do life. I'm glad the PUF is being put to good use but what about using those $$ to moderate tuition costs for all students not just make it free for a few. I guess the current approach makes better headlines (it made the local news in NYC this morning) and makes us all feel good about ourselves...but whatever...put me down as not impressed.

Hike the Gap of Dunloe, don't drive it.....its a great hike (more of a walk). Avoid the horse carts. They're cool to look at but aren't very comfortable (at least they didn't appear to be so). Take a rain jacket (not an umbrella). Walking the gap we encountered practically all 4 seasons. Pro tip for the Gap: Have your hotel arrange a package that drops you at the jump off point and retrieves you on the small dock at Loch Leane. Take a guide boat across the Loch to Ross Castle. The package will also include pick up at Ross Castle and delivery to your hotel. Just ask about a package like this, the hotel will know what you're trying to do and arrange it through the locals. As for driving, in general, Otis is correct. I've never encountered more courteous drivers in my life. Wife and I would joke that when we encountered cars coming the other way on a one lane road it's almost like they new we were Americans and they made an effort to get out of our way. As said above, watch the hedges....behind the shrubbery is a stone wall. Don't be intimidated by all the warnings in this thread. Heed them, but don't freak. Just do it....

"This is my sexy mom car" "This is dope" F**k you Chevy......

I hired a private driver through the Cahernane House to drive me and the wife around the Ring of Kerry. He cost Euro 100 for the entire day. He was very knowledgeable of the history and locations. Wife and I debated this but ultimately felt it was worthwhile as we thought we'd miss too much trying to navigate the narrow roads ourselves - I'm not a bus rider. Also, the driver knew how to avoid the buses....they are a major pain in the ass. ps: the buses are full of olds.....

Everything 936horn just said, its like he read my mind... Killarney Nat'l Park is a real jewel. Cahernane House sits right on the edge of the park. You can literally walk or bike into the park from CH. Our greatest regret from our Ireland trip was not devoting enough time to the park.

Wife and I did the SW last summer (Killarney, Ring of Kerry, etc.). Cliffs of Mohr are impressive, but a little hard to get to. If you make it to Killarney you must hike the Gap of Dunloe. Blarney Castle was "meh" to me but wife liked the gardens. Driving was an experience. Be prepared for lots of Americans. We stayed at Cahernane House in Killarney. It's very popular...book early if possible.

Japanese pilots flying down Honolulu streets 50 feet in the air.....yeah right. They cheesed it up

"...my wife fell into some sort of discount airfare wormhole (Kiwi, etc.) and was able to beat those prices, usually by splitting legs..." Wow, you'll do anything to save a few $$ on airfare.

hard no.....

I'm a zit, get it.....

so empowering....

In Cuenca "Cafe San Sabas" is frequented by the expats and the food is 100% safe. Owned by a US expat, daughter of US missionaries. I've been there twice. And yes....Cuenca is cold and damp. Flew in on LATAM on an A320 from Quito....and the landing was, how should I say it, well, I'm alive typing this so it has that going for it.

I know it wasn't on your list, and its out of your way, but Cuenca is a real jewel in the Andes. Incapirca was also so very cool if you're into Inca stuff.... Outside Incapira we stayed at a guest house with a bunch of German tourists. They were a blast....their English stunk about as bad as my German. It's at about 10K feet so be careful. Quito is up there also, plan accordingly.