Back to the Future (2006)

This is Dan Ambrosi and I dressed for Halloween 2006. Dan gets the credit for the idea and execution, Redgee Capili (“the greatest guy in the world”) graciously loaned us his Delorean, and I just showed up. [When I was younger, people often said I looked like MJF.] We won “Best Theme” at the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club party.

On the way to Dan’s house, a woman saw me driving the Delorean in full costume and went nuts on the side of the road, hooting and hollering. I guess those movies really had a lasting effect on folks.

Before we made our grand entrance to the party we drove to Half Moon Bay Brewery and pulled up to see what would happen. It was crazy, lots of people came out to the parking lot and had their picture take with us. We were stars (for five minutes).

Our wives and friends dressed as Stepford Wives (and husbands), and won Best Group.

Ring of Dingle pano

Here’s me first try at a pano shot. [darn, it got clipped by blogspot!]

This was taken on the interior arm of the Ring of Dingle drive on the west coast of Ireland. width=”1280″ height=”152″

Dingle is heaven

Just came back from a glorius trip to Ireland. We took Rick Steve’s advice and went directly the west coast, where many of the Gaeltracht (protected Gaelic regions). The west of Ireland is considered the most “Irish” (Gaelic) because many Irish folks migrated in that direction during the centuries of English domination to avoid the cultural laws the prevented the Irish from being Irish.

Anyway, we headed for the Ring of Dingle and Dingletown (aka An Daingean). The Ring of Dingle is a breathtakingly beautiful peninsula drive on the southwest coast of Ireland. We drove the ring twice, even though it is perilous at times with extremely narrow, winding cliff roads. Dingletown is the perfect, little Irish fishing village with amazing pubs playing traditional (“trad”) Irish music every night. This is where the magic happens: both the music and the “craic” (conversation).

So, if you have any interest in the “real Ireland”, here’s what you do: 1) go west to Dingle, Kerry, etc., 2) find a nice B&B (avoid hotels), and 3) go to the nearest pub at 9:30pm and enjoy the music and people. It helps to go back to a pub and start to feel comfortable–you will be amazed at how quickly you feel like a regular.

NOTE: Beware of large crowds of tourists in July and August (you’ve been warned). June was fine.

Here’s a few highlights of our trip:

I couldn’t resist (apologies to Ireland)

View from Ring of Dingle (and our new friend)

Cliffs off Ring of Dingle

Harbor of Dingletown

Harbor of Dingletown

Main road leading to center of Dingletown

Dewey’s turn to be a tourist

Colin (Heather’s brother), Sue (Colin’s wife), and me

Dewey enjoying traditional Irish music.

Typical scene in west of Ireland (Ring of Dingle)

One of hundreds of cairns (ancient burial grounds) across Ireland

Cliffs of Moher (near Doolin, in County Clare)

See my “Ireland (2007)” set at Flickr for more photos…