Our Never Ending Journey

It started with a text message from Clay – “I have a surprise for you when you get home.” It was the Friday morning of what had been a horribly awful week. Needing something positive to think about, I spent the rest of the day wondering what Clay could be planning to cheer me up. Given that it would have to be pretty drastic to actually work, my thoughts drifted to things like a spotlessly clean house, a shopping spree, or an entire gallon of my favorite ice cream free of judgment for singlehandedly consuming it over the course of the weekend (hypothetically, of course). However, when I arrived home that afternoon, it was quickly apparent that my surprise involved going somewhere. Clay told me to pack a weekend bag with comfy clothes (in other words, not the things I normally wear) and to pack Sydney’s (our dog’s) bag while he took care of a few other errands. This was certainly a promising way to begin a weekend!

Soon enough we were loaded into the car, me still clueless as to where we were going. Of course, if I had any sense of direction, I would have noticed we were driving north, which would have been clearly apparent to a normal person as the setting sun was to our left. I, however, did not realize Oklahoma was our destination until we actually arrived in Oklahoma.

Perhaps I was distracted by the vast amount of food Clay had packed. I know we enjoy food and clearly he was planning on cooking most of our meals for the weekend rather than going to restaurants, but did two people really need two bags of chips, over a pound of fajita meat, along with hot dogs and hamburgers? And did he really think I could eat two pints of ice cream over the weekend (ok, maybe this one could actually happen, especially after my horribly awful week). Not one to be bothered by this detail when there was a weekend getaway to consider, I quickly moved on to thinking about what our destination could possibly be.

Three short hours later we, and a very excited Sydney, pulled up to a most inviting cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, just outside of Beavers Bend State Park. I excitedly began exploring the cabin as Sydney excitedly began exploring the woods around it. Neither of us was disappointed. The cabin came complete with a fully stocked kitchen, indoor and outdoor living spaces, and more room than the two of us (plus Sydney) possibly needed. There was a master bedroom on the first floor and two more bedrooms upstairs. Although the inside of the cabin was lovely, the best part was outside – a hot tub with a fireplace, surrounded by lots of space and plenty of trees. Clay knew exactly what I needed. I needed to get away (far, far away) from the city (and grad school!), to relax, and to spend time with my love. It was perfect!

The road in front of our cabin

The kitchen

Living room

The master bedroom

The second floor walkway - one bedroom was located at each end

Checking out what was upstairs

One of the upstairs bedrooms

After testing out the hot tub (we had to make sure it was working properly!) and enjoying the delicious steak dinner Clay prepared on the grill, we were just relaxing on the couch when Sydney suddenly wanted to go outside.

Friday night dinner

Clay's disapproving face because I shared my ice cream cone (cone, not the ice cream) with the pup

Clay went outside with her and, to my utter and complete surprise, walked back inside with my brother, his wife, and my nephew (who, just so we are clear, is just about the most adorable kid in the whole world). I have mentioned previously that Clay is not great at surprising me – well, this time he was successful! I almost could not believe they were there (for context, I live several hours away from my family and I had not seen them in months and I was really missing them).

Best surprise ever!!!

If you need help picturing my truly shocked and surprised face, just imagine a teenage Justin Bieber fan Completely.Freaking.Out. I was jumping up and down, fanning my face, crying, and saying, “Oh My Goodness!!!!!!!” over and over while on the verge of hyperventilating. When I finally could put together even a moderately coherent sentence, all I could manage was, “I knew there were too many chips!” as I hugged my sister-in-law and nephew. I was soooo surprised and overwhelmingly happy. When I compare this response to my usual “surprised” face, it is glaringly obvious that I do not fake a surprised response very well, at all. Just as I have been pretending to be surprised for years, Clay must have been pretending to be convinced.

Although I thought the weekend was perfect before my brother and his family arrived, it was beyond perfect once they were there. We had the best weekend doing quite a bit of nothing. We stayed up late talking, ate really good food that Clay cooked on the grill, took naps, and explored the beautiful Beaver’s Bend area. We watched Sydney run around, in doggie heaven with the opportunity to roam through the trees, and spent lots of time loving on my nephew, who is growing up oh-so-quickly. We sat in the hot tub (for hours) and drank wine before roasting marshmallows by the fire while talking some more. It was a blissful weekend and just what I needed to recover from my week. We are already planning a return trip, although I can do without the horribly awful week next time!

The hot tub - we definitely made use of it during our short stay

Saturday morning was beautiful - sunny but still cool

View from the back porch

Sydney loved running around outside the cabin

The fire pit

Cutest kid ever

The boys enjoying the hot tub Saturday morning

Lunch was hamburgers and hotdogs grilled to perfection by Clay

Exploring Beavers Bend State Park

Love him!!

Saturday's dinner was delicious fajitas

We loved the outdoor fireplace

Roasted marshmallows

A warm fire on a cool night

My perfectly content and happy face

I miss my brother - so sad for the weekend to be over

Sadly, our honeymoon in Ireland eventually had to end. Neither of us was quite ready to go home, so it was fortunate that Clay had decided to include an overnight stay in Chicago on the return trip. As you may remember, we had flown to Dublin from Chicago after taking the train from Little Rock. Thus, our tickets to Ireland were roundtrip from Chicago, so we had to book additional flights to get us all the way home. Clay had decided to make the flights back to Arkansas for the following day, so we had a brief stay in Chicago. All that to say that the extra night in Chicago was the perfect way to begin easing us back into real life (like being able to use our cell phones for the first time in over a week, but not having to actually return any calls).

Honestly, we did not do all that much. We relaxed at our hotel and ate really good Thai food. We stayed at the incredible Hotel Monaco. This was our first experience with Kimpton Hotels, but certainly not our last. From the amenities to the service to the unusual touches and unique decor, we absolutely loved everything about the Hotel Monaco. We enjoyed the complimentary wine hour in the afternoon, received our very own pet goldfish for the course of our stay, and were really impressed when the concierge directed us not to the very expensive and trendy Thai restaurant across the street, but instead to his personal favorite (and much more affordable spot) a couple blocks away. Because we were on our honeymoon, we were upgraded to a suite where we were greeted with an unbeatable wrap-around view and a bottle of champagne. Centrally located in downtown Chicago, this hotel would also be a perfect location if you had plans to do things other than relax and eat Thai food. Plus, Kimpton Hotels are known for their pet friendliness, even offering a special room service menu for dog meals and treats.

Although we were dragging our feet, we could not avoid the inevitable and so we flew home the next day. I was sad that our honeymoon was over - I had enjoyed every moment of the perfect-for-us trip that Clay had planned. Since then, we have been fortunate to travel together to many places and I hope there are many more adventures in our future. Regardless of where we go or what we do, I am thankful that I get to experience the world with the love of my life and my best friend. What more could a girl ask for?

As a self-admitted nerd, I LOVE museums, like more than any person should love museums. My idea of a good time is a vast museum with lots of detailed plaques to read. And of course, I am the person who reads Every. Single. Word. My family just loved taking vacations with me! And everyone knows that if you do not see every single exhibit, you have not really been to the museum. So, being newly married, it was important to me to thoroughly test our young marriage by dragging Clay through multiple museums during our honeymoon. Nothing says romance like ancient artifacts and dead animals. I am sure that Clay secretly finds my love of museums sexy, right? Right?

The following is a brief review of the museums we visited while in Dublin:

• National Museum: The National Museum of Archaeology (often just referred to as the National Museum) covers the history of Ireland and contains the largest collection of Irish artifacts in the world. Open since 1890, the museum is housed in a gorgeous building designed specifically to display centuries of artifacts found throughout Ireland. This museum made such an impression on me the first time I was in Ireland, that I could not wait to go back during our honeymoon. Permanent exhibitions include treasures from throughout Ireland’s history, a vast collection of Irish gold, artifacts from prehistoric Ireland through medieval Ireland, and even exhibits featuring items from ancient Egypt, Cyprus, and the Roman world. Housed in the same building is the Museum of Decorative Arts & History, which, among other things, covers Ireland’s more recent history. The most memorable exhibition for me was The Easter Rising: Understanding 1916 – it was both educational and moving. The National Museum is a truly fascinating place with something to interest everyone and should be a stop on any trip to Dublin. And best of all, admission is free.

• National Museum of Natural History: Also part of the National Museum of Ireland, but housed in a separate, yet equally astounding building, was the Museum of Natural History. This was definitely Clay’s favorite museum. It housed zoological collections from all over the world, although the Irish collection was especially interesting and unique. The museum recently underwent a major renovation, including the addition of some interactive exhibits, which would be especially appealing to children. This museum is also free to visit.

• Dublinia: The final museum we visited while in Dublin was Dublinia. This museum was specifically devoted to Viking and Medieval Ireland. This museum was clearly designed to be an interactive experience, offering the opportunity to do things like try on Viking clothing, experience first hand what a Viking house would have been like, and visit a medieval fair. Although at times the exhibits could border on cheesy, it would definitely be a fun place for kids and even as an adult I enjoyed the immersive aspect of Dublinia. A visit to Dublinia is also a great time to explore Christchurch Cathedral, with its fascinating medieval crypt, because you can purchase a discounted combination ticket to the adjacent sites.

Of course, there is never enough time to see and do everything I would like, so these are a few of the spots on my “next time” list:

• National Gallery: This museum houses a permanent collection of European and Irish art from the 13th through mid-20th centuries. Irish art is, unsurprisingly, the focus, so the National Gallery contains the most extensive collection of Irish art in the world. There are also regularly rotating exhibitions of outside collections. I would love to while away a few hours here, but I am not quite sure I will be able to convince Clay to join me.

• Dublin Writers Museum: This would be another spot that could be difficult to get Clay to visit, but I think it sounds absolutely lovely. As you can probably tell by the name, the museum presents information and collections of items related to centuries of Irish literature.

• Guinness Storehouse: I would probably have a much easier time getting Clay to visit the Guinness Storehouse than the previous two museums. Some would question how we managed to miss this attraction during our honeymoon, given that it is one of the top attractions in Ireland, but somehow we did. A visit to the storehouse includes a self-guided tour of the storehouse (but not the actual brewery), information about the history and creation of Guinness, and of course the option of visiting their retail store. The onsite restaurants and bar cannot be visited without purchasing a ticket to the storehouse, but of course no visit would be complete without at least having a pint!

There are so many wonderful things to see and do while in Dublin, not the least of which are the amazing museums. Yes, I realize I enjoy museums more than the average person, but Dublin truly has something for any interest, age, or itinerary.

Other than our day trip to Co. Wicklow, our other main venture outside of Dublin during our honeymoon was an overnight trip to Kilkenny. One morning in the middle of our trip, we checked out of our hotel, leaving all but an overnight bag with the staff at the Best Western, and made the relatively reasonable walk to the public transportation hub in Dublin. From there, we caught a bus to Kilkenny. The scenic drive (of course, I do not know of a drive in Ireland that is not scenic) was less than two hours long, so before we knew it we were in the middle of the oh-so-charming town of Kilkenny. We checked into the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel before setting out to explore the town by foot. The hotel was very centrally located, although nothing in Kilkenny was too distant from anything else. The Hibernian was converted from a historic bank building, so it had some unique architecture and details. Although I am sure all of the rooms were lovely, our "penthouse suite" (it was our honeymoon, afterall!) was especially wonderful.

One of our first stops after checking into the hotel was the aptly named Kilkenny Castle. The castle was first built in the early 13th century and the subsequent centuries have only added to the fascinating history of the castle. Perhaps most surprising was the fact that, until the castle was essentially given to the people of Kilkenny, it was in the hands of a single family - the Butlers - from 1391 to 1967. We were able to participate in a guided tour, although the Kilkenny Castle website no longer presents that as an option. The castle was both captivating and magnificently beautiful. It is certainly a must see site for any visit to Kilkenny.

For the remainder of the afternoon, we wandered the charming streets of Kilkenny, stopping whenever something piqued our interest. There was plenty of architecture, history, and shopping to keep us occupied until dinner.

That evening, we enjoyed dinner at the Hibernian Hotel's onsite restaurant, which at the time was Jacobs Cottage.

The next morning, we enjoyed an Irish breakfast-in-bed before checking out of our hotel. We used the bit of time we had left to continue exploring Kilkenny before catching the bus back to Dublin.

Our trip to Kilkenny was short, but sweet. Although we could have certainly spent more time in such a delightful town, it was also the perfect place for a quick trip from Dublin.

Quick, name the first things that come to mind when you think of Ireland. Gorgeous green scenery, music, pubs, castles, Gaelic language and culture, Guinness, Riverdance (maybe??) - these are likely to make the list. One thing that might not make the list - delicious food. Unless, of course, you have an affinity for corned beef and cabbage (which I sort of do), Ireland is not particularly considered a foodie destination. However, even six years later, some of the food we ate while on our honeymoon most certainly deserves a mention.

Let's begin with breakfast. A trip to Ireland is not complete without the experience of an Irish breakfast. This typically includes soda bread; hot, fresh scones; multiple varieties of meat including blood pudding, sausage, and bacon (yes, I said and); some type of crispy potato (it is Ireland, after all); eggs prepared in a variety of manners (and often to your preference); and usually a poached tomato. So basically, you have the opportunity to consume an entire day's worth of food before 8 a.m. while enjoying every mouthwatering bite.

If you stay in a B & B, some version of an Irish breakfast is probably what you will be served each morning. We, however, only had one true Irish breakfast while on our honeymoon. Instead, I had to be content with tea and scones for breakfast most mornings. As you can tell by the unhappy look on my face, it was such a difficult way to begin each day.

Oh, and lest you are confused, scones are not just a breakfast food. They can and should be enjoyed at any and all times of the day! With a hot cup of tea and served alongside butter and jam, of course.

We enjoyed many scrumptious meals while in Ireland - fish and chips, carvery lunches, potatoes prepared in every way imaginable, Irish stew (yum!!), and coddle, to name a few. Two restaurants in particular stand out, however. The first is Gallagher's Boxty House. Located in the Temple Bar District of Dublin, Gallagher's serves many traditional Irish dishes, but specializes in boxty pancakes. These thin pancake-like potato wrappings are filled with anything from chicken with a bacon and leek cream sauce to lamb with tzatziki. My choice was (no surprise), the corned beef and cabbage boxty. Although the food was fantastic, I most enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant. The cozy setting is quintessentially Irish - with Irish music playing in the background and a turf fire roaring in the fireplace, you may be seated at a long, worn wooden table next to strangers who are no longer strangers by the end of the meal.

The other especially memorable restaurant was Elephant & Castle. In fact, we loved this Temple Bar restaurant so much that we ate there twice during our honeymoon. The menu has plenty of variety, with dishes ranging from pasta to rack of lamb to omelets. Signature items include their spicy chicken wings appetizer and gourmet hamburgers. The hamburger I had was cooked to a perfect medium despite the thickness of the patty and topped with fresh mozzarella, homemade pesto, and a roasted tomato. Needless to say, it was beyond delicious! Elephant & Castle is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the week and for brunch and dinner on the weekend. This restaurant is definitely on our must visit list for next time we are in Dublin.

For us, food is an important aspect of any travel experience and Ireland certainly did not disappoint. Maybe delicious food should be one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of Ireland!