Advice

Where do you want to go and why? These are the questions to ask before planning a trip.

As a member of the clergy, I like churches of all sorts, but of most interest are their pulpits. I have traveled to many places just to stand in a pulpit.

We also are interested in art, so we go to galleries and museums. Of late I have a growing interest in glass, so we plan on seeing glass art in the Victoria and Albert in London and in Murano in Italy when we are there.

My wife, a literature/English major enjoys places like the house of Charles Dickens in London or the house of Beatrix Potter in the Lake District or the home of Mark Twain in Hartford.

If you like collecting seashells, you likely will not go to the top of Pike’s Peak.

Defining your passion helps you decide where you want to go and what you want to see while there.

I am charmed by doors

I, like so many other travelers, am drawned to the variety of doors.

Incredible Meals: Portland OR

INCREDIBLE MEALS: Like German food? Otto and Anita’s in Multnomah Village (part of Portland, Oregon) is like being in Munich. The test of this place is their dill pickle soup (although the sauerkraut soup is wonderful too).  Save room for the homemade pies and wash it down with –what else – German beer.

My Trip Advisor Profile

http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/Revrmm

ARTHUR"S DAY at Brewleys

BREWLEY’S

It is just a hotel chain like most, but we have a frequent user card. They are located in Dublin and a rather plain place that does a perfect job for travelers out of Dublin Airport. We were there for the Arthur’s Day Celebration (Arthur Guinness invented Ireland’s national drink). Marietta toasted Arthur with a South African white wine.

Kenmare, Ireland

JOHN AND MARY
The Whispering Pines sounds like a campground near Mount Shasta, but it is a bed and breakfast in Kenmare, Ireland. It is owned by John and Mary who are not as generic as their names imply. What a great couple! First things first – Mary has to serve you tea in the parlor and hear your story as she gives you the run down on the community. John is the cook (I love black pudding) and local historian. Kenmare is a treasure and not over run like other places in Ireland. More about this soon.

CASTLE GREGORY, IRELAND

YOU CANNOT CON A CON-MAN

We drove into the nearly empty and isolated parking lot of a bed and breakfast in Castle Gregory, Ireland. A wise-cracker (obviously either a member of Lions Club or Kiwanis) came up and asked if I had a parking permit. Without missing a beat, I told him we had an All-Ireland Permit in the glove box. Half of a fun couple from Limerick, we enjoyed them and Marietta – as we left for Dingle – announced to the breakfast room that we appreciated his paying for our stay. This is how you learn to act as a Rotarian of 30 years.