I'm just saying it.  2019 sucked.  It sucked big time.  We originally planned to ring in 2019 on Mackinac Island, but Ken lost his stepfather on December 30, 2018.  The Lilac Tree graciously moved our reservations to the following NYE and we thought 2019 couldn't be worse than 2018.  But it was.  Oh it was.  I lost my dad on April 30, 2019.  Needless to say, the 365 days between when we were originally supposed to celebrate on The Island and when we actually did just plain sucked. But 2019 did end and I could not think of a better place to bring a horrible year to end while looking forward to a brand new year with new possibilities (we had no idea at that time that 2020 would bring the Covid 19 and a whole new type of hell--but that's a story for another day). My Happy Place As many Michiganders do, I love Mackinac Island.  Love it.  From the moment I can see it out the right side of the car's window as we cross the Mackinac Bridge, I feel like I'm home.  I feel like I'm where I am supposed to be.  This could be because the first time I ever went to the island.  My mom was pregnant with me.  Perhaps the smells of fudge, horses, fresh lake air, and pine that my mom breathed in mingled with my blood and came a part of my very DNA.  Growing up, we went as a family numerous times.  From the 1970's until now, very little has changed--other than you used to be able to climb on Skull Cave.  Sure, some shops and restaurants have come and gone, but the island has remained largely the same as it was that first visit. So every time I step off the ferry and onto the dock, it's like stepping back into my favorite childhood memory. Ferry Rides At the ferry docks in St. Ignace in the driving, cold rain. To get to the island, you have to take a ferry.  Ken and I always opt to leave from St. Ignace because it is quieter and friendlier than the ultra-busy Mackinaw City side.  We go 2-3 times a season and have crossed in sun and  in rain, on the first ferry and on the last ferry, in the spring, summer, and fall, but we have never crossed in December.  And what a trip that was.  During tourist season, the ferries run every half hour and from both St. Ignace to Mackinaw City.  But during December, it only runs twice a day to and  from St. Ignace....unless the ice has already formed and then you have to fly over (which we have yet to do).  On December 30th, the wind and waves on Lake Huron were high and an advisory was out.  According to a post on Facebook, the first ferry was the "[w]orst ferry ride of my life!  We made it through!  Not sure if the second ferry will run, it was really bad."  I have to admit, I was starting to get nervous.  I should have  just stopped reading the posts during our 3 1/2 hour drive north.  By the time we got to the ferry dock in St. Ignace, the wind and waves had died down a bit and the icy rain was no longer coming directly at your face.  Instead of the smaller passenger ferries we have taken previously, only the Huron cargo ferry was running.  It did have some outside seating, but no one felt the need to prove how Michigan-weather tough they were by sitting outside.  We all crammed into the no-frills interior where the windows soon became opaque due to our breath.  At first the body heat was a welcomed comfort after the icy northern Michigan wind and rain, but slowly the cabin began to heat up and layers were coming off as we prepared to make the 40 minute trip.  As we waited in a boat that bobbed and buffeted against the dock, weary looks between family members turned into nervous chatter between passengers, and soon developed into a spirit of camaraderie of "do or die." I thought I was doing fine, until we started to push back from the dock and I looked over to see a dog with his paws on the bench, face pressed to the wall praying.  They say animals can sense things before they happen.  This was not a good sign and I, too, said a little prayer.  There were a few big dips and lolls, but about half way through the trip, I finally let go of the death grip I had on Ken's arm and began to enjoy the ride as the island came into sight.  There,through fogged up windows that I had to keep wiping off, was my happy place.  We had made it.   All I Want For Christmas... The famed Christmas Tree To say that we go to the island a bit is an understatement.  I have seen it when buds were just forming in the May, when the lilacs fill Marquette Park in June, watched fireworks over the lake in July, rode round the island in the September sun, and walked beneath leaves that glow golden in October.  I have seen the driving rain wash clean Main Street and the wind whipping through Windemere Park.  I have watched the sun rise from Arch Rock and the sun set over the Mighty Mac.  But I had never seen the island blanketed in snow.  I had yet to see the famed Christmas Tree lit up on Main Street or the Great Turtle Drop at midnight on New Year's Eve.  And I was about to check them off my bucket list.  However, when we first arrived, there wasn't any snow...just slush, mud puddles, horse poop, and snowmobiles.  I was a bit disappointed, but would not last for long. Main Street the day we arrived and the next morning. Ken and I are experts of the ins

The Golden Circle is a 190 mile route that highlights the unique beauty and diverse landscape of Iceland.  From the power of Gullfoss, to geothermal geysers, and the expansive Thingvellir National Park, it was the perfect place for us to focus our limited time...with a few little side trips thrown in (more of those later) Where we stayed Who ever started Airbnb was a genius!  Hotels are primarily found in the towns (which were few and far between) and ridiculously expensive.  But the Icelandic gods were smiling on us when we found the Heidi Cabin.  Right off 35, the Eastern side of the Golden Circle circuit, is the ideal little cabin that lets you experience Icelandic life.  It is a one room cabin nestled next to mountains, surrounded by pastures and on a working farm.  AND for only $150 for the night...half of what we would have paid for a room in Reykjavik!  Out of all of the places we stayed on this trip, this was my favorite.  The cottage, though next to two houses, felt private and secluded.  It was warm and cozy from a day of rain, wind, and waterfalls.  From the wooden windows that opened wide, we watched the midnight sun "set" and the Icelandic hor Gullfoss After checking in to the Heidi Cabin and adding another layer or two, we were off to Gullfoss and dinner.  Gullfoss, on the Hvita River which stems from Langjokull--the second largest glacier in Iceland, falls into a 220 foot canyon in two stages.  It was here that we realized that Iceland is not for stupid people.  Only a small, thin rope about a foot off the ground and foot from the falls acted as a barrier between the slick, wet rocks and the raging river.  Smart people stayed well away from that rope....stupid people...well you never heard from them again. Ken had planned this fall at this stage of our trip because it had a restaurant. Up to this point in the day (about 6:45 at night), we had existed solely on that 2kg bag of Skittles that I had made fun of Ken getting at the duty free shop when we landed 8 hours earlier.  Sounded perfect.  It was not.  The restaurant closed at 7:00 p.m. and the section with the stunning view was not open nor was the kitchen.  I guess Icelanders don't really care about their Yelp ratings.  Luckily there was a cafe still open.  Really, it looked like a nicer version of my high schools cafeteria.  They, too, closed at 7:00.  Meaning we were left with pre-made sandwiches on rock hard bread, wilted salads, and whatever soup you could scrape from the bottom of the cauldron.  We both opted for a sandwich...and that's it.  No chips, no drink, no sweet treat.  And at that point, those $25 sandwich tasted pretty good, but we both left disappointed and not quite full. Though the waterfalls where gorgeous and in a perfect Icelandic setting, I think my favorite part of this trip (but probably not Ken's, as he ended up waiting in the car) was the gift shop!  Full of Icelandic woolens, I stopped trying to figure out the currency exchange rate, knew I'd be paying hundreds of dollars, and tried on every sweater they had until I found the perfect one.  It only took 45 minutes...what was the rush...the sun wasn't going anywhere. The Geysir [sic] Geothermal Area Armed with my new Icelandic sweater (yes, I put it ASAP over my thermal shirt, long sleeve shirt, pullover, and under my raincoat), we headed to the geysers.  Only 10 minutes down the road, you felt like you were in a completely different world.  I learned that for a geyser to happen, it must have a heat source, water, and “plumbing.”  Here, the magma is close is close enough to the earth’s surface to heat Langjokull’s water that seeps into the ground to a boiling point before pushing it through cavernous underground tubes.  Strokkur is the largest and most regular geyser in the Geysir Geothermal Area.  Once you get over the smell of something close to rotten eggs, you can’t help but marvel at the beauty of the area.  In one of the barely barricaded pools, you can actually see down into the geothermal vent.  With steam floating above the bluest water, it’s a marvel that you can see inside the earth.  It was getting close to 10:30 at night, but the the sun broke through the clouds and mingled with the mist giving a glow to the landscape.  It was moment of pure beauty…if you breathed through your mouth.  Just across the road is the Geysir Centre.  Here mall food court meets Icelandic farm-to-table meets gift shop.  It boasts one the most amazing Icelandic-wear store I had seen (okay…it was only the second, but it was way better than the place I bought my sweater at Gullfoss).  Luckily for my credit card balance, they were closing and we had just enough time to grab a snack.  Making our say back to the Heidi Cabin for the night was beautiful drive.   In the permanent state of sunset, we watched as rain heavy clouds moved across the sky and mountains. To complete th picture, an Icelander road down the road with two Icelandic horses in tow and sheep grazed nearby.  It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Thingvellir National Park Our next morning was spent discovering some wonderful spots (more on that in the next post), but our last well-known stop on our Golden Circle tour was Thingvellir National Park.  This beautiful place is steeped in Icelandic history. Thingvellir means “Parliament Plains” and was where clan leaders and their people would gather to hear the Law Speaker pronounce the Commonwealth’s laws aloud from the top of Logberg, or Law Rock, from 930 to 1798.  The park covers over 35 square miles and sits in Almannagja, a rift valley caused by the separation of Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. 

Summer is over and I'm officially back to work.  The first few days before students arrive is filled with meetings, planning, and sweaty work like painting your room.  But my favorite thing during these days is catching up with fellow staff members and sharing our summer adventures.  Though we spent 12 days in Ireland and barely 2 in Iceland, those few precious hours are the most fun to relive. As Ken mentioned, he did a ton of leg work and plotted out our course to maximize our time.  We spent our time in the Southern part of Iceland from Reykjavik to Skogafoss (which is about 30 km West of Vic) and the Golden Circle. Though we focused on the Golden Circle (more to come on that), it was our first tastes of Iceland that are the most memorable. Seljalandsfoss Foss is the Icelandic word for waterfall and this one is mighty!  You can spot it a long way off through a field of lupine.  It is a 213 feet fall that gives you full access with a path behind the water.  It was the first waterfall we visited and it was spectacular! Tip: *Be prepared to get wet and for it to be busy.  Bus loads of people visit, but though crowded, the experience wasn’t spoiled.  In fact, people are more than happy to take pictures of you.  But make sure you walk along the path leading West of the waterfall….you’ll be delighted by smaller water fun offs framed by lovely yellow flowers. *Take your time walking behind this waterfall.  There are plenty of photo and selfie opportunities.  Enjoy the power and beauty of this waterfall *Try to wear non slip shoes.  The rocks can be slippery and we wouldn't want you to slip on your behind. (click slide to enlarge) (click slide to enlarge) Gljufrabui Continue walking a few minutes West of Seljalandsfoss on a well marked, but little traveled path, brings you to the coolest waterfall.  Gljufrabui translates to canyon dweller and is the perfect name for this gem. Hidden behind a cliff, it first appears to be falling into the mountain and inaccessible. But a crack allows the adventurous to wade through the stream, into the cavern and as close to the falls as you are willing to go.  It was breathtaking to look straight up the 131 feet tall green mossy walls to watch the water cascade down.  If you’re lucky, you may have a few moments to yourself to revel in one of the best kept secrets.  There is a campground nearby and you can climb to the top of the waterfall (which we didn’t only because I didn’t know we could at that time). Tips: *You will definitely get wet…but that’s half the fun.  It was cold and drizzly we went went and the spray from the water was perfect. *Make sure to where good shoes.  There are a few larger rocks that create a path through the stream, but they are slippery.  There’s a good chance you’ll end with a foot or two in the cold water.  Also, the rocks near and under the waterfall are extremely slippery. Skogafoss I don’t think I could pick a favorite waterfall for each one was unique and beautiful, but it was here that I fell in love with Iceland.  As one of the biggest falls in Iceland falling 196 feet and 82 feet wide, it demonstrates the raw power of nature.  It is the only fall in the Skoga river and cuts through the green landscape.  You can walk as close to the falls as you dare (we didn’t dare much), but you’ll feel the spray from a distance.  I loved watching it roll and settle into the lower river.  Ken, always the more courageous one of our duo, walked almost to the edge of the plunging falls and he looked so small…putting the enormity of it into perspective.  Though he did not get close enough to discover if the folktale legend was true of a treasure chest laid beneath the falls.  After climbing about a thousand steps (only 370, but still) that wound their way up the mountain next to grazing sheep, you find yourself at the very top of the falls.  It is this view that I always call to mind when I think of Iceland.  A path leading through a cow gate takes you up the river and past a number of smaller falls.  It’s said you can hike along the river to the the glaciers that form the Skoga river.  That is definitely going on our Iceland to-do list. Tip:    * Take time to explore the area above the falls.  The further you get from the drop, the less people you encounter.  There are little paths leading close to the water and a number of photo-worthy spots.  I was so overwhelmed with the beauty that I can to just sit on the wet grass and take it all in for a while. * If you can, go on a sunny day.  Supposedly a full rainbow is often seen at the base of the falls.  But don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying an amazing spot. * If you’re there in June or July, make sure to view the falls from the lupine fields across the main road of the entrance. (click slide to enlarge) Waterfalls Everywhere Traveling back the way we came (even though Ken was adamant that we were not gong to backtrack) to our little cabin for the night was memorable.  For miles the road ran parallel to the mountains and countless numbers of smaller, nameless waterfalls running could been seen.  They ran behind people’s property, next to sheep idling grazing in green foothills, and created a backdrop to remember. There is more to Iceland than just waterfalls, but each one is worth a trip to!

Numinous (origin Latin): a powerful feeling of both fear and fascination, of being in awe and overwhelmed by what is before you. Since returning home, people have asked us what we thought of Iceland.  This word captures Iceland perfectly.  The raw and powerful beauty of the land is incredible and awe-inspiring.  I have loved many of the places I have been to, but I have never fallen so head-over-heels in love with a place like Iceland.  Words and pictures cannot truly capture the magnificence of this country....but let's try. Powerful feeling of both fear and fascination... There's always a bit of fear in the unknown, especially when traveling.  The language, the customs, the driving rules, the food, and the unknown all created a bit of unease when planning this trip.  But as soon as our plane touched down in Iceland, fear was forgotten and replaced by fascination.  The beautiful lupine lined the airstrip lent a hue of lavender as the mountains soared in the distance.  I instantly fell in love with this wild plant that could be seen throughout the landscape...so much so that I told Ken I wanted to change our red accent wall in the living room to that of lupine!  Not sure he's hip to that yet. The Icelandic landscape is the epitome of fear and fascination coexisting.  Other than the national park and a thin piece of rope around the geysers, barriers did not exist.  You could walk out onto a dirt path over the 25 meter high Skogafoss or as close to the raging waters of Gullfoss as you dared.  Coming from America where everything is quadron off for fear of lawsuits, we loved being able to experience the beauty of the land up close.  The power of the waterfalls and the ever changing landscape was fascinating and helped up stay up for over 24 hours without even feeling an ounce of jet lag. Often we were the only people in this breathtaking places.  It was fascinating and fear inducing to my pragmatic side of the brain to think how isolated we were.  Sure, there were throngs of people at Seljanlandsfoss, a que to enter through the narrow crack in the rock for Gljufurarfoss, and others at Thingvellir National park, but most of the time the only traffic on the roads were sheep and horses and just Ken an I enjoying the artistry of Iceland.  What if our car broke down?  What if Ken went to far out on that ledge?  These little fear thoughts were quickly silenced as I took it all in.  I now understand Psalms 139:14 phrase of "fearfully and wonderfully made" on a completely different level. Being in awe and overwhelmed by what is before you... Once I went to Punta Cana with a friend and we swam with the dolphins.  Of course I HAD to buy the CD with all the pictures of us with the dolphins.  In every single picture, my mouth was open because I was in such awe of actually touching these amazing creatures.  That same sense of wonderment and being overwhelmed by beauty was with me every moment of our time here.  Often, Ken would find me with my arms flung back and my face to the sky in reverence.  And what was before us was ever changing.  We only ventured about 193 km southeast of the airport and approximately 230 km around the Golden Circle.  But we saw the greenest mountains, raging rivers and falls, geysers, hot springs, and reclaimed and barren lava fields.  We watched the midnight sun "set" outside our cabin window and woke to the soft neighing of Icelandic horses.  We (okay I )chased sheep in the vain attempt to pet them and soaked in geothermal baths.  Only a few hours in the car could transport you to another world and it was hard to comprehend that this is all in one country...and we only experienced a small portion of it.  There are caves and glaciers, valleys and craters to still be explored.  It did not matter that it was the end of June and I had on leggings, hiking pants, rain pants, thermal shirts, sweaters, rain coat, hat and gloves.  The landscape called to us and we ran to it with open arms.  It did not matter that we could have stayed for days longer in Ireland on the money we spent in 44 hours in Iceland.  Iceland will capture your soul, inspire your adventurous spirit, and leave you aching to return before you ever leave. It was the best 44 hours of my life and left us with numinous memories to last a life time. Tip: Go!  Move it to the top of your bucket list.  Book that flight.  Rent that car.  And experience it for as long as you can...be it few days or a few hours.  This one place you will never forget. Is Iceland worth visiting? Heck yes it is worth visiting. Before arriving I wasn't really sure what to expect.  I saw pictures, went to many websites, and read up on the things you could see while in Iceland.  There was one thing I was sure of and that was not to stay in ‎Reykjavík, which is the capital and largest city in Iceland. I wanted to get out and see the country side.   Due to our short stay in this country, I knew we couldn't see or do everything, but Krista wanted to see waterfalls. After a 6 hour flight where I had no sleep, and another hour or so getting to and picking up the rental car, we were on our way.  One thing I shouldn't forget is I did stop at the Duty Free Store and picked up a large bag of Skittles.  This bag of Skittles came in handy over these 44 hours. Before leaving home I did save in Google Maps all the waterfalls and other attractions I felt we could get to during our stay. I had a good

Our adventure to Iceland began at 1:00am out of Detroit's airport.  Usually a bustling hub of activity, it was dead.  Only the duty free shop was open and a bunch of zombie like passengers milling around waiting for Wow Airlines flight WW122 to Keflavik International Airport.  Wow is an Icelandic budget airline that started servicing DTW at the end of April.  Besides the good prices, it affords up to 7 day layover when flying to a number of European cities. Normally, I'm a Delta girl.  I cannot remember the last flight I took before Wow that wasn't Delta.  Other than always getting delayed in Atlanta, I like Delta and think they do a good job.  But, we could not pass the opportunity to visit two countries for the price of one.  Ken did all the leg work on this one....I just gave the credit card number. Following a number of travel sites on Facebook, the reviews for Wow were a mix of rapture and disgust.  Luckily, Ken had done his homework and our experience was overall positive.  I've broken down my Wow thoughts: Pros: It's purple!  Yes, purple.  The planes are purple, the seats are a shade of purple, and even the cabin lights are purple. I felt like as I in a cotton candy tube. The air crew were great.  They wore these classic 1950's purple outfits complete with little hats and matching buns using hair donuts.  The men were in stylish suits.  I swear they used the A View from the Top with Christina Applegate and Gwenth Paltrow as their inspiration. Wow Comfy seats had a ton of leg room.  I was in the middle seat and was able to stretch out and use the armrest between the posh Wow premium seats as my own personal foot rest. They always gave the directions/information in Icelandic first.  What a crazy language.  I thought I picked up on a few Scandinavian words from my "extensive" 3 years of Swedish during undergrad.  Mostly, it sounded to my uninformed ear like the noises I make when talking to my dog Sam. When they spoke in English, they always said "Dear guests".  I liked that.  Kindness and politeness goes along way. Once outside of the US, you boarded and deplaned on the tarmac.  There's something regal about getting out of the plane and having an outside glimpse of your arrival in person and not through glass.  And it's your first breath of that destination's air...albeit mingled with jet fumes.  Even when it was rainy, it was still exciting.  We even had to be bussed to our plane going to Dublin.  It felt all so European. At the end of each flight, they inform you that you could donate your unused currency (dollars, euros, that play money they call Icelandic kronars) to an Icelandic environmentalist project that I could not begin to pronounce or spell (it had like 3 k's and 7 j's in it). Cons: America seems to be taking a beating a lot lately, but I'll say one thing, we know how to board a plane.  I used to think those separate lines for first class, Sky Miles, and zones at the Delta gates were a bit ridiculous.  After boarding Wow flights 4 separate times, I yearned for them.  It was a crazy free-for-all.  No zones, no purposeful boarding, just a mad rush at the gate.  It reminded me of kids trying to leave school after a pep assembly...there are only so many doors and 500 people trying go through them at the same time. The best strategy: just get the hell out of the way and wait for the end of the line to appear.  Of course this strategy backfired on our trip back to the states.  We were waiting for the insanity to die down and were hanging out by Joe and the Juice.  We missed the announcement of free flights for giving up your seats because of the crazy loud industrial juicers running.  Curse you Joe and the Juice and whoever needed the Sex Me Up juice. You have to pay for EVERYTHING on the plane.  But we knew that going in, so I was armed with nuts, cheeses, and fruit.  Ken stocked up on Gummy Bears and M & M's. Every flight left late.  Normally, this would stress me out to no end, but being on vacation and no connecting flight to try to make, it was just a mild annoyance.  And to their credit, they made up the time in the air EVERY time. I'm not sure if this is a con, but I'm putting it here anyways.  EVERYONE and I mean everyone, on the flight crew are young...right down to the pilots.  I'm at that age where hipsters bug me and I rather have someone who did not just get their driver's license flying my plane.  I couldn't imagine any of them holding their shit and my shit together as we plunged into the ocean (I'm always convinced I'm going to die on every flight I take).  But that's just the old lady in me rearing her head.  They were all very professional and I had to give props to the one attendant who had to keep moving this couple out of the premium seats back to their sucky seats (do you homework, dude). It's a freaking 6 hour flight.  This is no fault of Wow Airlines, obviously.  But good Lord, that's a long flight.  When I fly to California, I purposefully book a layover so I get up and move.  I thought I was going to go crazy and we still had 5 and half hours left to go!  I think I have travel ADD... All in all, Wow has my next Icelandic business.  Of course, they had me at DTW when the flight crew came striding, side by side, down the terminal in their matching purple suits, perfectly quaffed hair, cute little hats pulling their purple luggage at 1:05 am. So ladies, here are

Every girl knows that packing is the essential factor to any successful trip.  I started “packing” back in February while we visited my parents in Destin, Florida.   I hit every store in Silversands Outlet Mall looking for the perfect and necessary clothing for Iceland and Ireland.  I dragged Ken to most of them too hoping he’d start thinking of what he wanted to take ahead of time instead of 5 hours before the plane's departure.  He didn’t.  I was in the car waiting to leave while he was still throwing things in his suitcase. Speaking of suitcases…he was adamant that he only needed a carryon even though we booked seats that allowed a check bag each.  His rationale: he didn’t want to be dragging  mammoth bags around all the time.  There is no way I  could pack for two weeks in 14in x 22in.  None.  My shoes alone would take up that space.  For the record, I never once asked him to carry my bags or backpack or purse or shopping bags. Though I did ask him to carry me on a number of occasions.  He didn't.  But the day before we left he came home with this big blue monster…bigger than mine!  Ha! Practice makes perfect.  I packed and repacked daily for two weeks before we left using these great travel cubes.  They are incredible and I highly recommend them.  They force you to keep everything organized and allow you maximize suitcase space.  Ken…he used one for dirty laundry.  Every time we packed up and moved on, my luggage looked fresh as a daisy…Ken’s looked a bomb went off and resembled our bedroom floor. Of course, I overpacked.  All the travel sites said I would and I did.  Though looking back, all that planning did pan out.  Most of the clothes were worn and the only things lost were a hairbrush in Iceland and one of our travel adapters in Killiney.  And 2 Icelandic and 2 Aran sweaters made their way back to the states! My packing tips: use travel cubes…they really are incredible. bring a few dryer sheets to keep your clothes smelling fresh.  We didn’t and we should have. capsule wardrobes are perfect for traveling.  Checkout Pinterest for a number of ideas. layer, layer, layer. bring a pair of flip-flops.  After long days of walking, it’s great to have something soft and feet-freeing.  I’m in love Sanku’s yoga mat flip-flops. make sure to bring a scarf that can double as a blanket and a picnic blanket.  If I wasn’t wearing it, I was in our backpack at all time.  I used in on the plane, in the airports, in our Airbnbs, and at the Cliffs of Moher. Oh packing.  It is such a joy for us guys.  Krista is right, she started back in February and was telling me all about the different type of clothes we would need for our trip to Iceland and Ireland at the end June.  To be fair Krista is a planner and I am more of an outline type of person.  Just give me the parameters and I am good to go.More about that in another post or two. I don't know about you but I am not a big clothes shopper.  When I do shop for clothes, I like to get in and out as quick as possible. I knew I would need a few new things for this trip but to be honest, it wasn't really a concern of mine in February. Heck the trip wasn't for another 4 months.  I had plenty of time and who knew what the weather was really going to be like that far out.  I was having a hard time thinking we would really need all the different type of clothing Krista was telling me about. Like Krista said, she started packing her suitcase and unpacking, then packing and unpacking month before departure.  She asked when I was going to start to pack and I said the day we leave and that I was only going to take a carry on bag.  It is true, I said, "I really didn't want to schlep around 2 carry on and 2 checked bags for two weeks." Now to be fair, Krista is good at taking care of and carrying her own luggage but I could only image the possible problems or issues that could arise. I wanted to avoid it at all costs.  While she was packing and unpacking she mentioned that she didn't really have much room to bring anything back that she would buy.  So being a good guy, I bought a bigger checked bag 2 days before our departure so there would be room for what Krista purchases on our trip. Sometimes Krista thinks I am not listening, but really I am. I packed the day we left. A couple of pair of jeans, t-shirts, a few collared shirts, socks, underwear, shorts and your typical personal hygiene stuff. It took me 30 minutes top.  I looked at Krista's bag and mentioned to her that she may want to lose some of the pants and pack more shorts.  See, I looked at the extend forecast.  I knew it was going to be HOT in Ireland. She did pack more shorts and thanked me on the trip for recommending it.  I will say everything I packed would have fit in a carry on bag. So guys here are my packing tips: Your girl will over pack, so expect it. They plan for everything. Take what you need, you can always buy it. Make sure to have extra room for her stuff at the end of the trip Make sure to pack a hat I forgot to pack sandals or flip flops, Don't forget them if the weather forecast warrants it.