The Solomon Wrap-up

To know Drew's brother Blake is to love Blake.  And take everything he says with a grain of salt, a roll of the eyes, and a chuckle.  Blake's main goal in life is not to get too enthused about anything or lead anyone to believe that he's actually happy or having a good time.  It's his schtick and we've grown to...tolerate it.  :)

A few funny cases in point:

Commenting on the amazing weather we were blessed with:

This would all be great except for global warming.

Driving along a gorgeous, mountainous road:

Me: Oh my gosh!  It's so pretty!  The green, I can't get over it!!

Blake:  I mean...it's pretty monochromatic.

At the Irish music and dance show that Drew planned, where we were hoping dancers would come out after a long music set, and they finally did:

All of us: This dancing is awesome!  Can you believe how they move like that?  This is incredible!

Blake:  Yeah, I guess Drew got pretty lucky.

Heading into Northern Ireland:

Someone: Well yeah, we have to get Pounds Sterling though because Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

Blake:  POUNDS!?  What a pain in the butt!  Now everything's officially ruined.

Crossing the rickety rope bridge with stunning views:

That was terrible.  I don't need that type of thrill in my life.

Hiking up a large hill surrounded by mountains away from the Giant's Causeway:

I was told there'd be an escalator.

Finishing our drinks at the Bushmills Distillery:

Ok great, what do we have to do now?

Great times.

We spent the next day at the Bushmill's Distillery and then in Derry (or Londonderry to you UK folk) exploring the city.  

Drew in his happy place at the Bushmill's Distillery - sipping a drink after the tour.

The Bushmill's Distillery is a pretty cool and informative tour, and we liked it cause they actually still make whiskey there.  Usually a lot of these places are gimmicky and touristy and nothing's actually made, but they take you right into the vats of booze and show you the bottling conveyor belt.  It was pretty nifty to watch.  And the smell of that fermenting stuff...woah baby.  It's strong.    I dug the tour though, it was neat.

Brothers!  Laughing for once!

Me and my pal.

He's having a great time!

We got to Derry, ate some lunch, and then decided to walk around the city walls built in the 17th century and see some sights in the rain.

Drew pretending to shoot Blake.

Hook 'em.  Again.  Everywhere we go.  It never gets old.  (Yes it does.)

Blake having some fun with a statue.

Huh?

We stayed at a pretty B&B outside of Derry, the Beech Hill Country House Estate, where you could walk around the trails through the woods on the grounds and then pop inside and sit by a fireplace with a bottle of wine afterwards.  We got there around 3pm and never left because it was so idyllic and lovely.  And they had good drinks and food too.  Yes please.

This place was also famous cause it's had a lot of cool guests.  The Kennedy boys, the Clintons, the Reagans, and lots of other ballas.  There used to also be a Marine base here, so now the hotel has lots of displays with declassified information from WWII laying around.  My dad woulda loved it.

A picture and note from Jack and the boys.

We got back Friday afternoon, ate some Indian food that night, and said our goodbyes bright and (too) early the next morning.  We hate it when fun guests leave.  We had a great time with Blake (obvi, above) and loved being with our chill, laid back funny Bethie too!  And big thanks to Suz and David for making this whole trip happen and for spoiling all of the children and for loving all of us as much as you.  Aw.  We really did have an amazing week together.  Happiness!

Drew trying to wrangle his peeps on the walk home from din.

One last sibling pic.

Thanks for a great trip!  Many more amazing ones to come.  Cheers!