Operation: “The World” is a Go

(supposed to be posted 6/20 but connection failed!!!)

Whew!!! What a week!

Right now we are in the center of Dublin in a shopping mall. It has rained the past couple days, but it seems like the norm and we have gotten used to it. Our hotel was supposed to have WiFi, but it did not work.

This past weekend, we spent with my (Brian) parents in Chicago. We spent two jam packed days of tourism in the windy city. On Saturday we drove down and arrived around 3:00. We took the L into the city, but got off a bit soon so we walked the rest of the way in rain (something Sarah and I are getting used to here in Ireland). While having trouble finding a restaurant, we stumbled across a boat tour that left at 8:45, so we decided to do that and then got sandwiches at a local pub (good preparation!).

The boat tour was fantastic!! We boarded at about 8:30 and promptly had glasses of wine in our hands when the boat set off. It started with a tour through the city. It was a great way to see Chicago. It seemed odd to be going through the middle of a large metropolis on a boat, but it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. After the city tour, we set off onto lake Michigan. Every Wednesday and Saturday, the City of Chicago lights off fireworks from a barge. We were right under them. The fireworks were great and having a floating front row seat made them that much better.

Mom got the senior rate….hehehehe…..

Sunday we had a Father’s Day brunch in the hotel and then drove to the Museum of Science and Industry. My dad (Dean) had been there as a kid and loved it so we decided it would be a fun option for Father’s Day. After a bit of good ole’ Carlson craziness (something that happens when we are together…loud noises and good humored fanatical arguing), we arrived. The museum was great! We went to the CSI exhibit where we got to be detectives and solve a murder case, went into a true-to-life coal mine exhibit and a slew of other fun activities. It brought out the kids in us all.

Scale model of Chicago….

After the museum we headed to O’Hare. It was a sad farewell, but we made it onto the plane for Dublin.

We got into Dublin early on Monday morning and had very little trouble finding our Inn. Dublin is AWESOME!!!! It is not as big as I imagined it to be (even though it is gigantic) and it is incredibly clean. There are tons of pubs and Sarah and I feel at home roaming the streets. The people here are very friendly and helpful.

We spent Monday night (a bit tired) walking through the Temple Bar neighborhood and found a pub called “The Temple Bar” (seemed fitting) and I enjoyed my first pint of real Irish Guinness. Locals are right when they say Guinness tastes MUCH better in Ireland.

Tuesday, we walked around the city and visited local attractions like the Dublin Castle (unfortunately it was closed so we’ll go to it when we get back), the Guinness Storehouse, and enchanting neighborhoods.

In about an hour, we are setting out for our ten day camping extravaganza around Ireland. First stop will be Wicklow with who knows after that!!!! We bought our cheap camping gear from a guy who has never been camping and rented a VW Polo from a rental company that doesn’t know how to book a rental car, but we are optimistic it will be a great time!!

More from the road later…..Cheers!!

We are writing from a coffee shop in Princeton, Minnesota, home of Sarah’s parents. We have been through quite a bit in the last couple weeks. Our last day of work was on Friday the 1st and we haven’t stopped yet! I thought being unemployed was supposed to be relaxing! It’s alright though, we accomplished a ton of prep work for our departure.

We spent our last night in Rochester at the Rochester Honkers game. They have a “party deck” where for $25 you can watch the game from the third base line and drink all of the beer/pop and eat all of the food you can. Our friends Lindsay, Luke, Dave Bonk (Derek Bronk), Natalie, Topher, Gina and her friend, Roman joined us for the game. We had a GREAT time! It was a perfect send off from Rochester. On Saturday night we got together with friends at La Grolla, an Italian restaurant in Saint Paul. We had a reservation of twelve and pretty much took over the place.

We spent last week in Northfield at my (Brian) parent’s house. We got to go to our favorite sandwich place, Acoustic Cafe, a couple of times and grilled out with Megan, my sister, one night. This week we are hanging out in Princeton with Sarah’s parents. It looks like we are going to see a couple of movies, do a bit of fishing, and say our “goodbyes for now.” Yesterday it was Sarah’s grandparents birthday party and much of her extended family was there. It was great chatting (and eating!!!) with everyone.

The rock world has a new foursome called “Carlson 4.” Paul, Sarah’s brother and his wife Joa along with Mark, Sarah’s other brother and myself not only beat Guitar Hero 2, but took the country by storm in our various rock vehicles (ie U-Haul, truck with trailer, and RV). Paul and Joa are the stars of the show while Mark and I support with mad licks. ROCK ON!

The past two weeks, although really busy, have been great. We are leaving some really great people and places for the year, and although we are sad to leave them, it will make it easier to come home in the end. 7 days ’till Dublin!!!!!!!