Surrealism & Paella

We made it to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg after work today. Its home of a great little collection of a variety of Dali's work and at $5 it was well worth the visit. After Dali we hit Columbia Restaurant, the oldest Spanish restaurant in Florida, and home of the best paella I have had in my entire 30 years of life! Every bite was perfection! The ambiance was spot on, and so was the 1905 martini complete with Cabrales cheese stuffed olives. Great night!

Pink Flamingo Madness!

Apparently I have a weird obsession with pink flamingos?! They make me smile so its a good thing they are all over Busch Gardens, which has to be one of the best amusement parks ever! The Tampa Bay aquarium was pretty sweet too, great sea horse exhibit!

3rd Favorite Team!

Florida has been a pleasant surprise so far! We went to the Tampa Bay Lightning game tonight and they killed the Maple Leafs! Tampa's goalie is amazing. So far the food here has been one chain after another. Had TGIFriday's tonight, never again! Can't wait to see what's next...

Jail, Jameson, and the Book of Kells

We woke up at the crack 'o dawn to check out the Kilmainham Gaol (jail). It was home to many famous political dissenters in the early 1900's. Very historical, but our troll of a tour guide was hung over or something! It was almost comical! After that we walked about 2 miles to the Jameson Distillery. We learned about the process of making Jameson, but it was just a bunch of exhibits, we didn't see anything "real" apart from the glass of Jameson they poured us at the end! The best, the very BEST, thing we did in Dublin was the Trinity College tour and the Book of Kells! This overcast picture is of the bell tower that holds a bell (they still ring once a day) from the 12th century! The picture is interesting because the tree on the side is 250 year old maple imported from Oregon! The Book of Kells, a 9th century illuminated Latin text of the new testament (housed in the campus library), was really very impressive!

Kilkenny to Dublin

We made it to Dublin in one piece! The area known as Temple Bar will be home for our last two days. Because its Sunday we did what all good catholic girls do and we went to church! St. Patrick's Cathedral was incredible! After church it was "time for a pint" so we went on a tour of the Guinness brewery. The main building is 7 huge stories in the shape of a pint glass! At the top they pour you a fresh pint (nothing they serve is older than 10 days) and you have a 360 view of the city. Barley, hops, water, and yeast never tasted so good!

Better than the Blarney Stone!

We went from Kinsale to Cashel to Kilkenny. Our B&B in Kinsale was "epic" as the Brits would say! If you ever find yourself in Kinsale you stay at the Perryville House! Truly top notch! Andrew the innkeeper keeps bees so there is real honeycomb at breakfast! After an assortment of fresh oysters, crab, and shrimp for lunch we hit the road to Kilkenny. Rick Steves advised us to skip the Blarney Castle (tourist trap!) so instead we stopped at the Rock of Cashel. St. Patrick baptized the King of Munster at this beautiful 12th century castle/cathedral. We were in and out of Cashel and on to Kilkenny, which I'm really enjoying. Its probably around the same size as Killarney, but it seems less touristy. We went on a phenomenal Irish music pub crawl and learned some really cool tidbits about Irish musical history. Angie plans to take up the fiddle as soon as we get back!

Killarney, The Ring of Kerry, Kinsale

We left our quaint hostel in Killarney to drive the Ring of Kerry this morning. The drive was long but incredibly beautiful! We saw a few rainbows, but sadly we were unable to locate a pot of gold! There were some sheep on the road, but it was a donkey that tried to commit suicide in front of our car! Dumb ass!! We finally made it to Kinsale in the county Cork which is the food capital of Ireland. We decided to test that by going around and eating as many dishes as possible! Its true, the food here is amazing! We ended up at a pub that was hosting a family reunion for the Crowley Clan. Crowleys from all over the world were in attendance. Angie & Lesley Crowley joined the group and it was good fun! We listened to some Irish music and had a fantastic night!

Dingle to Killarney

We woke up early and drove the Dingle peninsula. Absolutely breathtaking! Everyone speaks Gaelic out there and it sounds like nothing I have ever heard in my life! After Dingle we made our way to Killarney. I'm the map reader, Angie is the driver, and together we make an fantastic duo! Amazing race here we come! ;-) Killarney is huge compared to Dingle! We sort of ended up on a Killarney pub crawl, so we ordered a few irish coffees along the way to stay awake. The last one came with what looked like an inch of butter on the top of it! Needless to say, Angie isn't feeling well and I'm at "Kelly's Korner, Drinking Consultants" with a Guinness blogging now! The hostel we are staying at (The Sugan, which means "chair" in Gaelic) is so cute!

Shannon to Dingle

I was sad to leave my new British friends, but it was time to make our journey to Ireland today. Gatwick airport was the worst! RyanAir was so bogus! Because we didn't check in online they charged us 40 quid extra a piece! Angie almost pulled a Naomi Campbell on the lady! I have never seen her so pissed! Of course, I had to just laugh! Once we got into Shannon it was all good! We hopped in our VW Golf and hit the road. The scenery is AMAZING! I have never seen so many shades of green in one place in my life! We made it to Dingle (Angie's driving was brilliant) and we found a great B&B. We have been hanging out at literally one of the coolest Irish pubs in the world called Dick Mack! The Guinness is so good!

Last day in London

We had a crazy day in London hitting the Natural History Museum, Harrods for some shopping, and the National Gallery. Breakfast was (no joke) a sandwich made of two pieces of white bread with butter on both sides, bacon (not at all like our bacon), sausage, and ketchup! Sounded gnarly but I figured I might as well try it! I was pleasantly surprised...probably put on a stone from breakfast alone but it was way better than black pudding! You can just see Big Ben in the distance from Trafalgar square. This area is probably one of my favorites in all of London because I'm newly intrigued with Lord Nelson (the guy on top of the pillar) and I absolutely love the National Gallery!

Portsmouth and Driving Lessons!

We went to Portsmouth, the birthplace of Charles Dickens, to see some of Britain's naval treasures today. Saw the worlds oldest warship, the HMS Victory (1765), as well as the HMS Warrior (1860). Interestingly they pronounce "H" here as "haytch" which took a little getting used to. After our history lesson at the docks we finally had our first fish & chips! They batter one whole piece, with the skin, which I actually loved. Driving lessons for Angie took up the rest of our afternoon. I was laughing so hard she threatened to kick me out of the car! Props to her because I sure as hell couldn't do it. In the end she only hit 2 curbs and got honked at once... "good skills mate" as they say here!

See the Gherkin?

After rolling in at 4am I was proud that we were able to get up and walk all over London today. Skipped the proper english breakfast and started the day with a delicious chicken and vegetable pasty from the West Cornwall Pasty Co. From Covent Garden we walked to Buckingham palace to wave at the Queen, then we got on the Underground (my favorite) and went the London Bridge stop to go on a "London Dungeons" tour. It was basically a historical haunted house, but they kept picking our friend Sam for torture demonstrations so I laughed more than I screamed. This was our view from the bank of the Thames. Its London's financial district and the futuristic building in the skyline is known as the "Gherkin" which is apparently what they call pickles!

Paella, Trains, Automobiles

After our best english breakfast so far (I tried blood pudding!), we took the train to London. Upon our arrival, we had a pint, then boarded a double decker tour bus so we could see most of the highlights of the city. We ended up at Covent Garden to watch street performers and have dinner. I couldn't resist trying the paella. They were preparing it in a pan the size of my car which was cool...plus, I really wasn't too keen on the idea of a steak and kidney pie!

Chichester, West Sussex

Our hosts live south of London in a lovely city called Chichester! A little hint I learned: If it has a cathedral its a city, if it doesn't its a town. Chichester Cathedral is a beautiful work of art! It was built in 1076. The 80 something year old tour guide instructed us to walk "anti-clockwise" for the best experience. I was shocked to stumble on a breathtaking Chagall stained glass window!

The "Lesley Davies" Purse!

Maker Happy won the Lesley Davies purse Sunday, August 15th at Emerald Downs! It was 90 degrees, blue skies, the snow on Mt Rainier was twinkling...a great day with friends and family!

IronPigs, Coca-Cola Park

Many things impressed me about my visit to Coca-Cola park. First there was the fancy ticket! "Lesley Davies" felt very welcome! I was also impressed by the ticket price ($10) and the fact that I was 11 rows back right behind home plate! I was impressed that the people here are able to put "cheese sauce" on everything. I also witnessed a mom letting her little baby (that was to young to walk) drink coke, beer was only $5, and the people take the national anthem seriously. It was a charming evening.

Jim's

Once I made it to Philly proper I asked all of the locals "Pat's or Geno's?". The overwhelming response was "Neither!", instead I got a lot of recommendations for Jim's or Tony Luke's. Since I was closer to Jim's I decided to go there.

Bread: Amazing, soft, perfect

Inside: Meat was finely sliced, chopped, Cheese Whiz, peppers, grilled onions

Grease Factor: High! I had to walk about 8 blocks with it, but it soaked through the papers and the bag!

Rascals

After 9 months of no beef I decided to partake in one of Philadelphia's signature foods...the Cheese Steak. Not only was I off red meat, I don't particularly like sandwiches or cheese, but I figured when in Rome! My first encounter was at Rascals, a little steak shop connected to the Home Depot in Whitehall, PA. I have to say all things considered I was pleasantly surprised!

Bread: Fresh, slightly chewy

Inside: Meat was finely sliced and totally chopped up. American white cheese, hot peppers, and grilled onions

Grease Factor: Low

Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin, and Water Ice

I saved the Liberty Bell for my last day in Philly. The design of the building that houses the Bell is almost more interesting than the Bell itself. There were a ton of political activists outside trying to rally support for this or that as we stood in line to enter. A very kind-faced passionate young girl gave me a ribbon to "free the three hikers being held hostage in Iran"! Johnny is convinced that the hikers are spies so it was lucky that the young girl decided to move on and avoid a verbal altercation on the topic. After the Bell we made our way to an old cemetery where Ben Franklin and other colonial celebrities are burred. I have decided that I'm not a fan of graveyards, regardless of the time of day, they are just eerie! After the spooky cemetery we walked back down to South Street so I could get some Rita's Water Ice. Alex's Lemonade flavor was just what the doctor ordered to take my mind off the sticky east coast heat.

ET Phone Home!

My brother came to visit me in Philly today. We were at Iron Chef Jose Garces restaurant, Village Whiskey, when he showed me the liquid nitrogen burn on his finger! Nasty! I'm sure this picture doesn't do it justice. We also hit the Mutter Museum (pronounced Moooter) which was like an old-school/insane Bodies exhibit, complete with fetuses and shrunken heads! After that we hit South street for shopping and sightseeing. Jim's steaks was delicious! Everyone said to skip Pat's and Geno's...not sure why?!

Yo Philly!

I spent 4 hours at the Philadelphia Art Museum and I could have spent 4 more! It was the most comprehensive art collection I have ever seen in my life! Van Gogh's sunflowers, a huge Duchamp collection, Rubens, Rodin, Man Ray, Dali...they have an entire walk-through recreation of a Japanese Teahouse! The place has just about every art form imaginable including an amazing 20 ft Calder in the entry. I think I'm in love...

SEPTA is no BART

After taking the train in Philadelphia I had to reflect on all of my mass transit experiences both at home and abroad. I have to say BART is the best (and its not just because I was Bart Simpson for Halloween in '89). Its better than Portland, Paris, Boston, Chicago, and all the rest! London is close, but BART still has my heart! Just look at how ridiculous this Philly ticket is! COME ON!

Heceta Head, Oregon Coast

Named after Bruno de Heceta who first spotted the cape in 1775. A beautiful longest day of the year.

My Very First Sounders Game!

Scarf - check. Beer - check. Healthy buzz - check! My first Sounders game has been really fun so far. I didn't realize that the clock counted up instead of down! Weird!

NYNY Dueling Piano Bar

Maria lost that loving feeling!!! 10 guys serenaded her at the piano bar in New York New York Las Vegas...priceless! Wild night! People love Journey?! I guess that's ok :)

Kentucky Derby in Vegas = Awesome!

Caesars Palace sports book was insane! 10,000 people! Super Saver wins the derby! I lose $10...oh well! FUN TIMES!

Seattle Ridge

Baldy was bad ass! I was renting my skis, and I turned around and Arnold Schwarzenegger was standing right next to me! It was a great day on the mountain! I finished off the day with a burger and a beer at Grumpy's. My legs are killing me!

IRIE in the Snow

Sun Valley continues to surprise me! Dinner @ the Roosevelt was great! We ended up at an outdoor Reggae concert in the snow. The band was amazing, the ice sculptures were beautiful, and the bonfire was the biggest I have ever seen!

Hemingway's pad

Sun Valley, Ketchum...its all fun! We drove past the place where Hemingway bit the bullet. Just a house really, but its a winter wonderland here! We have been hanging out with Paul Newman's stunt double Stan Barrett, had to Google it, but he is legit!

Rogue Frog Legs!

Frog legs were dense, sweet, and frankly not my cup of tea. I didn't have to travel far to try them (Issaquah, WA) but I'm glad I was with my sister. She finished them!

The Grand Canyon!

Another thing to check off my list of things to do before 30. It was AMAZING! I can't believe I waited so long to visit this magnificent wonder! I walked right out to the edge!!! So freaky but SO cool!

Da Plane Da Plane

This is it! I'm on this thing! If I go down, it will be in a blaze of glory!