
![ESTA logo](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-%c2%bfcomo-esta/200px-ESTA_logo.svg.png)To travel to the United States this June, we packed our bags and got our passports in order. We were concerned with how well our two year old, Nora, would do on our long journey (it ended up being 23 hours from door to door). In all the hubbub of travel organization and packing, we totally forgot about another two-year-old: the [ridiculous Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) law](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_System_for_Travel_Authorization) enacted by the terrorist paranoid (paranoia = terrorist win?) United States that requires non-residents to fill out an application over the internet and pay a small fee of $14 to be allowed to enter the United States. It's hard enough to [find cheap holidays abroad](http://www.holidayhypermarket.co.uk/cheap-holidays) without your destination country trying to extort money from you. Our first flight was from Bilbao to Lisbon, our second flight was from Lisbon to Philadelphia, and our third flight was from Philadelphia to Charlotte.  We got to Lisbon and made our way to the checkin counter, since the Bilbao lady wasn't able to give us our boarding passes for our second and third flights. When we got close to the checkin counter, I noticed the extra security that always entails traveling to the most \[superficially\] secure of lands. When we got there, they looked at the blue passports Nora and I have and nodded (Hooray for [dual nationality](/2009/06/23/dual-nationality/)!), but when they got to Marga's passport, they said, first in Portuguese and then in very weak English, "Do you have ESTA?" We said, "What?" "ESTA. Do you have it?" After a minute or two back and forth like this, I remembered that silly legislation and slapped my forehead. They explained that we had to ask permission to enter the US via the internet. I asked the US Airways employee if he could just do it on his laptop in front of him, and he said no. He told us, in stilted accented English, we had to go down an escalator, fifty meters down the terminal, up another escalator, and then look for a _bureau de change_ where there was an internet kiosk that was relatively cheap to use. Suddenly our 90 minute layover was beginning to seem a little short.

We went down, over, and up and eventually found the internet kiosk after asking a woman in a jewelry shop who seemed annoyed at having to speak English. We could use the internet (if you can call it that using Internet Explorer) for thirty minutes for 3€. So we went to [the ESTA page](https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/) and filled out Marga's information. When we got to the end of the form filling process, the website told us that she still has 30 days on her last ESTA request. When we backed out of the form submission process to do a search to find her previous ESTA reference number, however, all the system could find was our new not-yet-paid-for request that we had just filled out. Oh well. We decided to just go ahead and get a new authorization. The website asked for a credit card number to charge the $14 to...and that's when I said, "Oh shit!"

Due to Republican tax cuts, I paid significantly less in US taxes in 2010. When it came time to fill out my 2010 tax report in Spain the day before leaving for this trip and [avoid double taxation and only pay the difference](/2008/06/26/avoiding-double-taxation-between-spain-and-usa/) (what I would've paid if I'd made my income in Spain with Spanish tax rates minus what I did pay in the US), the Spanish taxman told me that I owed a large chunk of money. As a result, the day before traveling, I had zeroed out our Spanish bank account. Luckily, the same day, I had wired all my money, except $9, from my US bank account to Spain (which wasn't a big deal since I was going to get a paycheck deposited the same day I was traveling). The result of all this financial tomfoolery was that all of my liquid money was in that terrifying limbo where it's no longer in the account you wired it from, but it's not yet in the account you wired it to. And, you guessed it, I only have a debit card for my US bank account, with its $9 in it.

Nevermind that I had $150 in cash on me at the time, I had to pay paranoid Uncle Sam $14 on this online form. Just when I was about to wake my parents up at 3:00 AM to ask for their credit card number, I remembered that we do have a _credit_ card in Spain, so we could use it to pay to pay the $14 and pay the bill later. Normally [I can't stand spending money I don't have](/2008/09/23/i-abhor-debt/), and I think this might have been the first time I've ever done it (with a credit card, mortgages don't count).

Transaction completed, I wrote down the 25-letter code that was proof that Marga had ESTA clearance, and we headed, down and over and up, back to the US Airways desk. Of course they never asked for the confirmation code. One even wonders if their computer crosschecked her passport number with the Homeland Security database. At last, they gave us our boarding passes and sent us to our gate, where the aircraft was already boarding. For all the hassle of traveling with a small child, at least the kid is a great tool for skipping the immigration and boarding queues. Parents get to board planes even before the rich first class snobs.

Hopefully this ordeal will be enough to make us remember to do the stupid pre-travel registering next time, but maybe not, as my brain has a harder time remembering things that make no sense.


¿Cómo ESTA?


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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5878070411_c267157bb6_t.jpg" alt="Blueberries"/>
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On Monday, Nora went with her mother, grandmother and our friend Amy to pick blueberries at a local farm. I was working, so I couldn't go, but they brought back a _lot_ of blueberries. Nora's white dress was suitably stained when she returned home. It looks like they had a wonderful time, and I've been enjoying roughly a one-to-one flake-to-blueberry ratio on my breakfast cereal all week.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5877643517_35137c6065_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Picking Blueberries">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5877643517_eb93f7cb1d.jpg" alt="Picking Blueberries"/>
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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5877662833_7a1cbedf04.jpg" alt="Picking Blueberries"/>
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Berry picker in her natural habitat.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5877710465_8b496c0834.jpg" alt="Picking Blueberries"/>
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Want one?

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5877732007_8066ddd378.jpg" alt="Picking Blueberries"/>
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It's unclear what percentage of the berries Nora picked went into the bucket, but I suspect it was pretty low.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5878345168_784dcc2063.jpg" alt="Picking Blueberries"/>
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A successful harvest!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5878070411_a3c87f3a1b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Blueberries">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-29-picking-blueberries/5878070411_c267157bb6.jpg" alt="Blueberries"/>
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Picking Blueberries


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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/2240326460_a2d4eb3371_t.jpg" alt="Curled up"/>
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My parents have three dogs: Buster, Sam and Blue. I learned almost a decade ago that Buster was the most likely to actually bite someone when I got a little too rough playing with him and I got a tooth to the bridge of my nose. It didn't break the skin, but it was sufficiently scary to give me a sense of cautious respect when dealing with Buster. We knew from our very first visit with Nora that Buster should never really be in the same room with Nora. Buster is the alpha dog of the house and is pretty much completely deaf, as old springers often are.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/4456588565_a618c29a82_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sam posing for a portrait">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/4456588565_893c0bc9e7_m.jpg" alt="Sam posing for a portrait"/>
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Sam is the #2 dog on the house totem. With humans, [he's the sweetest](/2010/11/24/sleeping-with-sam/), most friendly of the three. With other dogs, he's the enforcer that keeps other dogs in line. Sam is the dog that we are least worried about biting Nora. Once, on a previous visit, he did give her a "Stop bothering me!" bark that freaked her out for a couple hours, but that's all he's ever done. However, he's still a dog that is not used to having children around, so we keep an eye on him.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/3061859746_e970c0bfbf_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Blue">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/3061859746_7808a051b5_m.jpg" alt="Blue"/>
</a>

Blue is a border collie, bred to herd sheep with a solid work ethic and desire for control of his surroundings. Blue is, for lack of a better word, autistic. His social skills with other dogs and especially with people are very lacking. There are very, very few people, with the exception of my parents, that can touch Blue. He shies away from any human contact. Generally this makes him docile and the furthest thing from a threat, but sometimes those shepherd authoritarian neurons fire and he can be aggressive and controlling. One time Marga and I were walking around my parents' yard and Blue decided he needed to herd us, which involved circling us very aggressively and nipping at us with snarls. It was quite scary.

For this visit to my parents' house, it was decided that Buster should stay at a kennel because we learned during our last visit that he's a howler when locked up in his crate in the garage. It was decided that Blue can be let out of his garage crate every so often, but mostly only when Nora was sleeping or away from home. On the first full day of our visit, however, there was a miscommunication and Nora followed her grandmother to the garage, unaware that she was going there to release Blue. Blue and Nora both came around a corner at the same time, in opposite directions, and had an encounter. I didn't see what happened, but he gave her what is technically referred to as a "tooth bump", which is sort of like a bite, but without the full flesh-ripping force that could be applied.

Needless to say, Nora freaked the hell out and cried for a good while. Blue was immediately put in the car and taken to the kennel for the remainder of our stay. Nora was scared of Sam for the rest of the day, but luckily seems to have gone back to being his friend since then. I was concerned that such an incident might introduce a general lifelong fear of dogs, but it looks like it hasn't. Her bruise clearly shows the teeth marks from the bite.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/5877842187_3a22575fe2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dog Bite">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/5877842187_8c71e5947f.jpg" alt="Dog Bite"/>
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Nora's dog bite.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-28-dog-bite/5877904835_202f05b6bd.jpg" alt="Dog Bite"/>
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Poor thing. At least she'll heal.


Dog Bite


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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5877183808_5cec055876_t.jpg" alt="Nora in Lake James"/>
</a>

The last time we visited the United States, we went [sailing with Uncle John](/2010/11/23/sailing-with-uncle-john/) on Lake James. This time our visit almost perfectly coincided with John's vacation to the Gulf Coast, but we did get one day with him and he took us out onto Lake James again, but this time on his pontoon boat with my parents and grandmother. On the entire ride from the dock to a little cove where John likes to go to bathe, Nora was saying "I want to go in the water! I want the water!" Of course when we finally dropped anchor and people started diving in, her opinion shifted a bit. She had a great little life vest that alleviated all our parental concerns for her safety, but Nora's worries weren't so easily placated. Eventually we got her down onto a float, and then moved her to another float that left her more in the water. Towards the end, she even was brave enough to attempt being in the open water with just her vest and my arms, but she realized quickly that she preferred being in her little float. When it was time to go, she didn't want to get back in the boat. All in all, I think it was a wonderfully successful first lake bathing experience.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5876547103_cf34c33c74_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marga and Nora on Lake James">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5876547103_a4ce493d8e.jpg" alt="Marga and Nora on Lake James"/>
</a>

Riding out to the cove.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5877861885_72988c8b19.jpg" alt="John's Pontoon Boat"/>
</a>

It's a lovely little boat. Just right for 6 or 8 people.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5877146574_ce6cc644e0.jpg" alt="Nora in Lake James"/>
</a>

On her float.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5876610975_67dbb048ca.jpg" alt="John Relaxes"/>
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John knows how to live. I couldn't stop saying, "Man, this is nice!" I was enjoying myself so much. If I had some disposable income for a boat and a lake nearby, I could definitely see myself spending time out on my boat every week.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5877259616_dbb2ba34f9.jpg" alt="Nora in Lake James"/>
</a>

Look, Ma, no hands!

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5876721433_7558ee5830.jpg" alt="Nora in Lake James"/>
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Out in the open water.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5877322106_503c0a0032.jpg" alt="Nora in Lake James"/>
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We had a great time.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5876771029_14cc7af1d7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Raise your hand if you want to get back in the boat">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-27-bathing-in-lake-james/5876771029_4ca3b92fd7.jpg" alt="Raise your hand if you want to get back in the boat"/>
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Raise your hand if you want to get back in the boat!

Thanks again, John. That was just too much fun. The three hours flew by like it was ten minutes.


Bathing in Lake James

Golfing in Ireland


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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863617182_0c0d224579_t.jpg" alt="Erik and Jacob at Lahinch"/>
</a>

On June 18, 2011, we all got up fairly early, but not to play golf. It was "go back to the airport" day. We checked out of the Perryville House, piled into our rented "people carrier" and began the two hour drive for Shannon airport. Since I had lived and driven \[on the wrong side of the road\] in England for four years and also get motion sickness when I'm in the backseat, I was the designated driver for most of our Ireland trip. This was great, except for when everyone else nodded off to sleep and I had to fight the same urge myself. We drove through Cork and headed [due north](http://goo.gl/maps/PZVw) up to Limerick and eventually to Shannon. First, however, we had to stop at the original [Bunratty Courtyard B&B](http://www.bunrattycourtyard.com/) that the others had stayed in to pick up Paul and Jeff's golf club travel bags, which had been left behind in the interest in fitting all of us in the vehicle. Jacob and I would be staying that night at the B&B before our early departures the following day. After leaving Jacob and his and my things at the B&B, I drove Jeff and Paul to the airport where we hugged and congratulated each other on a wonderful trip.  My TomTom app on my iPhone got me lost on the way back to the B&B, sending me down the most gorgeous picturesque road, to a house that was most definitely not the place I was looking for. I summoned what very little innate navigational skills I have (ask my wife!) and managed to find my way back to the B&B. After a 20 minute wait, our room was ready, and we moved our suitcases in. Our friend, Patrick O'Connor, owner of [Old Head](/2011/06/22/old-head/), had suggested that Jacob and I try to play a course called [Lahinch](http://www.lahinchgolf.com/) that day if we could. The B&B owner told us that there were some lovely cliffs that attracted tourists up near Lahinch as well. Jacob and I evaluated the situation: we had a car, our golf clubs, and a free afternoon in Ireland with a famous links course 45 minutes away. It was a no-brainer. We hopped in the car and headed for Lahinch.

We arrived in Lahinch, population 600, at about one o'clock in the afternoon. The first thing we did was head to the course and inquire about tee times. We were informed that they had a tee time available at 4:30 PM (a round of links golf takes almost 5 hours, but the sun was setting at 10:00 PM). They said we had to pay our green fees by 4:00 PM to secure our tee time. We agreed to do so and headed to a local pub for a cheeseburger.

After we had our lunch we decided to drive fifteen minutes up to the [Cliffs of Moher](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Moher), some impressive cliffs on the Irish coast. I've lived through a couple hurricanes, and I think the wind on those cliffs was some of the strongest I've ever felt. I don't know for sure, but I'm inclined to think it was upwards of 160 kph (100 mph). Standing in one place was very difficult.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863592900_c121086e3c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cliffs of Moher">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863592900_a1e43ee6ca.jpg" alt="Cliffs of Moher"/>
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Apparently these cliffs have been used in countless movies, including _The Princess Bride_.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863047829_509edab3ef_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cliffs of Moher">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863047829_1981453870.jpg" alt="Cliffs of Moher"/>
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We decided not to spend the 2€ to visit the top of [that tower](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/5863044045/).

After a trip to the loo and gift shop, it was time to head back down to the golf course. We paid our fees on time and were teeing off by about 4:25 PM. Lahinch is a spectacular links course, a favorite of tour pros Stewart Cink and Phil Mickelson. It was the course in Ireland that felt most like [The Old Course](/2011/05/05/kingdom-of-fife-championship-scotland-2005-part-3-of-7/) in St. Andrews, Scotland, and rightfully so, as it was the only one we played that was designed by Old Tom Morris, golf's founding father. But it was more than that; it was the combination of views of the town and the beach and the wind.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863071657_7c9d877c8e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Lahinch">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863071657_c69629a2ba_z.jpg" alt="Lahinch"/>
</a>

Beautiful.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863627794_9bb42a405c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Lahinch">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863627794_cafd53415a.jpg" alt="Lahinch"/>
</a>

This was actually a shot Jacob had from up on this high dune.

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  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863144087_d2418bc715.jpg" alt="Jacob at Lahinch"/>
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Whack!

After about eight holes, my golf game really started to shape up. I sunk a birdie putt on the ninth hole, and I still can't believe I missed a two foot birdie putt on the eleventh (Worst. Par. Ever.). If my putt on the eighteenth would've fallen in rather than lipping out, I'd have had all pars and two triple bogeys on the back. As it was, I had a seven-over 43, my best nine in Ireland. On the fifteenth hole, we finally got to experience the dreaded Irish trifecta of rain + wind + cold as a storm blew over, leaving our extremities numb for a few holes.

We finished up by 9:15 PM and made it back to our B&B by 10:00 PM, just in time for all the nearby pubs to tell us that they'd stopped serving food for the night. Jacob turned on his puppy dog charm, however, and managed to convince a waitress to give us some hot vegetable puree, which really hit the spot. It took us no time whatsoever to fall asleep that night, which was good because we had to get up at 6:00 AM to frantically drive around trying to find a petrol station to fill up the rental car before getting me to the airport in time for my 7:30 flight. Despite traveling only one timezone away, I needed one more flight than Jacob and just barely got to Spain before he got to Texas.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863617182_d678b09b50_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik and Jacob at Lahinch">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-23-lahinch/5863617182_0c0d224579.jpg" alt="Erik and Jacob at Lahinch"/>
</a>

 It was a wonderful and unforgettable trip, just as I'd hoped it would be. Thank you very much to my friends, Jeff, Paul and Jacob for making this week in Ireland so lovely. The fact that I [almost couldn't go](/2011/06/20/getting-to-ireland/) made it all the more special.


Lahinch - Ireland Golf Trip 2011 - Day 7 of 7


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861230366_466ce9ce10_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861230366_4e7802f0bd_t.jpg" alt="Old Head"/>
</a>

On June 17, 2011, we played one of the most unique golf courses on the planet: [Old Head](http://oldhead.com/). Originally just a peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, it was purchased in 1989 by the O'Connor brothers, John and Patrick, for a mere 245,000€ from a farmer who was frustrated that his sheep kept falling to their deaths over the steep cliffs.

When humans first settled Ireland over 6,000 years ago, they immediately recognized the Old Head peninsula as an easily defendable lookout post. There are still traces of Iron-age Celtic structures at Old Head. From ancient times up until the 17th century the Stone of Accord, a stone with a hole in it at arm height, was used to seal important deals, including weddings. Each wedding agreement was only good from one year, from May until May, and had to be renewed by shaking hands through the Stone of Accord each year. In more modern history, Old Head was the closest bit of land, only 12 miles away, to the place where the [RMS Lusitania](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Lusitania) sunk after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat, killing 12,000 passengers. The attack on the Lusitania is generally agreed to be the Pearl Harbor of World War I, the incident that pulled the United States into the war. The last survivor, a baby of three months at the time of the attack, just [died this past January](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-12161194) at the age of 95.

![Old Head](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/4920796890_37478e8d40_z.jpg)

From this angle, you can really get a sense of just how geographically special this location is.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861249500_e09594e1a9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Showdown at Old Head Trophy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861249500_9ecd44aa5b.jpg" alt="Showdown at Old Head Trophy"/>
</a>

On our final golfing day as a foursome, we were playing a special [modified Stableford](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stableford#Professional_tournaments) scoring system designed to reward aggressive play. The tournament was called Showdown At Old Head, and we were playing for a crystal trophy with a Stone of Accord logo I personally photoshopped.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860755279_7ca62477b6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860755279_67bbf95673.jpg" alt="Old Head"/>
</a>

The lighthouse, built in 1853.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861325752_3e1183fe8e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Stone of Accord at Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861325752_8181814e19.jpg" alt="Stone of Accord at Old Head"/>
</a>

Of course we started the round with firm handshakes through the Stone of Accord (a replica of the original).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861330418_1cde71ef5a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Stone of Accord at Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861330418_f86f6ebcf4.jpg" alt="Stone of Accord at Old Head"/>
</a>

We're all in accord.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860806249_8f635d8a9e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Four golfers at Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860806249_abbedee4fa.jpg" alt="Four golfers at Old Head"/>
</a>

Four golfers at Old Head. For at least half of the round, both Jeff and I were in short sleeves; that's how fabulous the weather was.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860672243_4ed5a95f3e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860672243_7905a9f259.jpg" alt="Old Head"/>
</a>

Golfing above the crashing waves.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861398654_d8257f8638_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861398654_412677cc1a.jpg" alt="Old Head"/>
</a>

Now that's what I call a lateral hazard!

My father, Paul, won the Showdown at Old Head pretty handily. I was glad to see him win, as I think he deserves a trophy on his mantle for all the hard work he put into organizing this golfing vacation of a lifetime.

After the golf, we were making our way from loading the clubs in the car to the bar for a beer, and Jacob, my childhood friend, said to my father, "Hey Paul, come here, I want you to meet someone." Jacob had somehow befriended none other than Patrick O'Connor, one of the fraternal owners of Old Head. Patrick sat down with us and sipped a glass of wine while we gulped our beers. He seemed genuinely pleased to be talking to a group of middle-class Americans who had come across the sea to play his course. We had lots of questions, and he was more than happy to tell us about his life's project. It was definitely the first conversation I've ever had over a drink with someone who travels in his own private jet.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861432918_173dc86a7d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="A beer with Patrick O'Connor">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861432918_28a18ab243.jpg" alt="A beer with Patrick O'Connor"/>
</a>

Having a drink with Old Head co-owner, Patrick O'Connor.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861442506_e263fd8259_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="With Patrick O'Connor at Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861442506_7327df6315.jpg" alt="With Patrick O'Connor at Old Head"/>
</a>

Hanging out with Patrick on his peninsula. The people that can afford to be members at Old Head don't travel there by car; they use the helipad.

We asked Patrick for dinner recommendations in Kinsale, and he recommended a place the guide books don't mention named _Shanghai Express_, and described it as "oriental tapas". We were a little wishy-washy on our dinner plans, so we decided to take his suggestion, especially since he said he might be having dinner there, too. And sure enough, we only had time to place our first order by the time Patrick and his sister showed up. They were given their usual table, but he specifically asked the waitress to put another table next to his for us to move to. One phrase Patrick used twice to describe the uniqueness of Old Head stuck with me was this:

> There will never be another course like Old Head in the first, second or third world, because regulations have tightened and you just can't build that close to the cliffs anymore.

Playing Old Head truly is a spectacular and one-of-a-kind golfing experience.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860942487_397b6de942_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Friday Dinner">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860942487_8974c31612.jpg" alt="Friday Dinner"/>
</a>

The six of us enjoyed our many small servings of asian food.

That night, we hit the town of Kinsale looking for some nightlife. On about the third bar, we found [The Folk House](http://folkhousevenue.com/) and we caught a performance of [She's Electric](http://www.sheselectric.ie/) (sample songs to listen to there), Ireland's only all female live band. They were pretty amazing, despite the half dozen creepy 45-year-old German men groupies. It was really difficult to take one's eyes off the charismatic lead singer, Gemma Sugrue. We stayed for their whole set.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861290666_89837ece58_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="She's Electric">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5861290666_ebc8b1f3ae.jpg" alt="She's Electric"/>
</a>

_She's Electric_. I kept waiting for them to cover the _Oasis_ song of the same name.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860798871_4d6a03aabc_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Father and Son at Old Head">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-old-head/5860798871_4a3d351c09.jpg" alt="Father and Son at Old Head"/>
</a>

What a great trip.


Old Head - Ireland Golf Trip 2011 - Day 6 of 7


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860799268_7d7bc1e885_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Erik at Ring of Kerry">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860799268_ba77399a75_t.jpg" alt="Erik at Ring of Kerry"/>
</a>

We left our B&B, O'Donnabhain's too early to get breakfast, but a nearby bakery was open, and we each had a scone. On June 16, we were going to be playing a course called [Ring of Kerry](http://www.ringofkerrygolf.com/) on the fourth and final round of our County Kerry Classic. Ring of Kerry was our only parkland (not [links](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Links_golf)) golf course. It was also more inland, although it had spectacular views over an ocean sound. It was very different, but quite lovely in its own way. It had rained the night before, and the weather radar in the clubhouse called for rain all day. "So _this_ would be our miserable rain day!" we all thought.  We donned our rain pants and headed to the first tee. But out came the sun! We doffed our rain gear and continued golfing. On about the fifth hole, a big storm cloud blew over the mountain ridge and we raced to put on our rain gear again. Down came the hard rain. Soon little pieces of hail were also pelting us as we swung our irons and smack our balls closer to the flags. And then, just as quickly as it started, it blew over and was gone. We switched gloves and took off our rain gear and continued the rest of the round in the gorgeous sunshine.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860780370_33d9f28f52_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ring of Kerry">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860780370_73321d5900.jpg" alt="Ring of Kerry"/>
</a>

The gorgeous view from the putting green.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860786282_8fee611263_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ring of Kerry">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860786282_ce3a29a19b.jpg" alt="Ring of Kerry"/>
</a>

After playing so many links courses, it was pretty strange to have trees on a golf course.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860243093_1d2fee2de6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik walks at Ring of Kerry">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860243093_28f3d0d106.jpg" alt="Erik walks at Ring of Kerry"/>
</a>

Erik hikes between holes.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860799268_7d7bc1e885_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik at Ring of Kerry">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860799268_ba77399a75.jpg" alt="Erik at Ring of Kerry"/>
</a>

Looking good at Ring of Kerry.

I was winning the County Kerry Classic by quite a few strokes going into the fourth day at Ring of Kerry, and I had the best score that day, thus securing my title. Unfortunately, the trophy wasn't quite as secure. It had fallen out of the car earlier in the week and had shattered slightly.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860181535_f7e5f91ee9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="County Kerry Classic Winner">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860181535_974cae53b1.jpg" alt="County Kerry Classic Winner"/>
</a>

The County Kerry Classic winner of 2011!

[![County Kerry Classic Winner (broken trophy)](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860736506_dd299f48f2.jpg "County Kerry Classic Winner (broken trophy)")](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/5860736506 "View 'County Kerry Classic Winner (broken trophy)' on Flickr.com")

Broken trophy make winner sad!

[![County Kerry Classic Winner (broken trophy)](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860744540_e04569eefe.jpg "County Kerry Classic Winner (broken trophy)")](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/5860744540 "View 'County Kerry Classic Winner (broken trophy)' on Flickr.com")

Oh well. Nothing a Guinness and some superglue couldn't fix. Warning: Only use superglue when sober!

After the round, we drove to the tourist town of Kinsale, had a pint at [The Spaniard](http://www.thespaniard.ie/), and found our way to the [Perryville House](http://www.perryvillehouse.com/), an old creaking mansion built in 1815 by Captain Perryville, who gathered ideas for the design of the house from his worldwide travels.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860333839_ff76ee257a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Perryville House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860333839_62a20dce0a.jpg" alt="Perryville House"/>
</a>

The Perryville House.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860337027_ae0baabe6c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Kinsale Street">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860337027_09e740915b.jpg" alt="Kinsale Street"/>
</a>

That night we went out into the brightly colored streets of Kinsale to find some live music.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860911124_0c481b3bf2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Seanachai">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860911124_a680af9209.jpg" alt="Seanachai"/>
</a>

We finally found some at Seanachai.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860352345_d951dd762e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Kinsale Music">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-ring-of-kerry/5860352345_c3112a7ea4.jpg" alt="Kinsale Music"/>
</a>

They were quite good. They took requests, at which point someone said _Oh Danny Boy_. They rolled their eyes and did a lovely rendition interweaving verses of _Bridge Over Troubled Water_.

Like all of our nights in Ireland, I was disappointed to have to leave the pubs so early because of our early morning tee times.


Ring of Kerry - Ireland Golf Trip 2011 - Day 5 of 7


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858201720_45cea3b953_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Guinness at Waterville">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858201720_49ea180402_t.jpg" alt="Guinness at Waterville"/>
</a>

After playing [Tralee](/2011/06/21/tralee/), we drove to the town of Waterville where we stayed the night at the [Old Cable House](http://www.oldcablehouse.com/) B&B, a building constructed by the Commercial Cable Company in 1899 to house workers involved in laying the first ever transatlantic telegraph cable. Upon checking in, the proprietor and chef, Alan Brown, informed us that he was somewhat of an expert in cooking fish and asked us if we'd be staying for dinner. It had begun to rain and we decided that eating in the same building as our beds made some sense. My salmon was, in fact, delicious.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856448653_407404cfe9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dinner at Old Cable House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856448653_e08f2af828.jpg" alt="Dinner at Old Cable House"/>
</a>

Enjoying breakfast at the Old Cable House, with posters detailing the laying of the telegraph cable on the wall behind. The logistics of such an operation (the cable, not breakfast) is still a little too much for me to get my head around.

On June 15, we played [Waterville Golf Links](http://www.watervillegolflinks.ie/html/home.asp), a famous Irish links course favored by many professional golfers as a practice ground before the British Open. One eccentric golfer, Payne Stewart, had a special affinity for the course and he was given Honorary Captaincy of the club, which he accepted just before his [bizarre death](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payne_Stewart#Death) in 1999. The Waterville Golf Links have a statue of Payne looking cheerfully towards their clubhouse.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857415252_3c4d7d2d15_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik Paul and Payne">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857415252_60e41f892d.jpg" alt="Erik Paul and Payne"/>
</a>

Three golfers.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857420888_17ebe463ec_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Waterville">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857420888_b77eaf228a.jpg" alt="Waterville"/>
</a>

Waterville was a beautiful course. It was unanimously our favorite played so far in Ireland.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857447756_03c59def09_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Paul and Erik at Waterville">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857447756_1933b2b579.jpg" alt="Paul and Erik at Waterville"/>
</a>

Father and son at Waterville. I've resigned myself to needing glasses to play golf.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856917231_5fdd9a32e8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Paul putting at Waterville">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856917231_dde6433cf1.jpg" alt="Paul putting at Waterville"/>
</a>

The course went right up to the beach with crashing waves.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856931183_806a2b6ce5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Golfers at Waterville">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856931183_6696126ee5.jpg" alt="Golfers at Waterville"/>
</a>

Four golfers after our round.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856928049_785809d71d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Paul and Jeff at Waterville">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5856928049_01251459ce.jpg" alt="Paul and Jeff at Waterville"/>
</a>

Paul and Jeff pose by the sign.

After we finished Waterville, we all had a lovely shrimp bisque to tide us over until dinner, and we hopped in the car and drove to Kenmare, where we would be spending the night in a B&B directly over a pub called _O'Donnabhain's_.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857287959_5cf9a3c2ac_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Jeff and Erik at O'Donnabhain's">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5857287959_2fe5f89a80.jpg" alt="Jeff and Erik at O'Donnabhain's"/>
</a>

In front of _O'Donnabhain's_.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858251764_a9ab504c21_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="O'Donnabhain's: Bar, Restaurant, B&B and Beer Garden">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858251764_527a079baf.jpg" alt="O'Donnabhain's: Bar, Restaurant, B&B and Beer Garden"/>
</a>

_O'Donnabhain's_ is a bar, restaurant, bed & breakfast and beer garden.

That night we went for a walk and Paul made two old Irish friends.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858129646_f159dd23c6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Paul makes a local friend">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858129646_d4ca1173aa.jpg" alt="Paul makes a local friend"/>
</a>

Old Irish sitter.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858268226_7cb8b445aa_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Paul makes another Irish friend">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858268226_e83f937959.jpg" alt="Paul makes another Irish friend"/>
</a>

Old Irish setter.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858279964_492c1b3373_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Live music in O'Donnabhain's">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-22-waterville/5858279964_93a7883e5e.jpg" alt="Live music in O'Donnabhain's"/>
</a>

That night we enjoyed a great guitarist and vocalist in bar of _O'Donnabhain's_. He was so good that I convinced myself that whatever they were paying him wasn't enough, so I slipped 20€ on his table as we headed out to see what else was happening around town.

<iframe width="504" height="320" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C12-cM5kJrU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The great thing about Irish pub music is random locals can get up from the audience and sing. This is a lass named Fiona. Her boyfriend at the bar next to me informed me that she used to be a country singer in a band and was nervous about performing again.


Waterville - Ireland Golf Trip 2011 - Day 4 of 7


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857071984_5fbc40a245_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Tralee">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857071984_bc3e5c261a_t.jpg" alt="Tralee"/>
</a>

On Tuesday morning, June 14, we got up fairly early and packed the van. This was the first time we had all of our belongings and the four of us in the van. The truth is, it wasn't really a van; it was an _Opel Zafira_, what the Europeans call a "seven seater people carrier". With four suitcases and four sets of golf clubs and a couple backpacks, it was pretty tight. After breakfast we headed for Tralee, a 45 minute drive.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856645387_fab9ebff19_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Jeff loads the van">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856645387_c32fa8d453.jpg" alt="Jeff loads the van"/>
</a>

Jeff was our official van loader since he once had a summer job delivering furniture.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856652305_502d6a821a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Packed Car">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856652305_a92468d9fd.jpg" alt="Packed Car"/>
</a>

Two days later, we had it perfected!

[Tralee Golf Club](http://www.traleegolfclub.com/) is a beautiful course set on the beach near Tralee, Ireland. Designed by none other than Arnold Palmer, its exhilarating views made it hard to concentrate on the golf with so much to look at. The back nine is truly spectacular. Arnie himself said, "I designed the front nine, but the back was carved by God."

For the first time, three of the four of us broke 100, with scores of 94, 95 and 97 from myself, Jeff and Paul respectively. It was great course, but I think we all liked Ballybunion Old better.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856933060_aa3bf4ff95_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Arnie">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856933060_31b5dd5b88.jpg" alt="Arnie"/>
</a>

Arnie's statue.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856948844_ab080478be_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Arnie">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856948844_04c2a1134e.jpg" alt="Arnie"/>
</a>

It's a good pose.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856409763_367822f138_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tralee">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856409763_4dc3f5a117.jpg" alt="Tralee"/>
</a>

This tower by the third green dates back to the 1190's.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856506397_28405383bf_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tralee Ruin">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856506397_e9656974d0.jpg" alt="Tralee Ruin"/>
</a>

Another ancient tower.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856980666_c4cca3f372_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik at Tralee">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5856980666_68dae147fa.jpg" alt="Erik at Tralee"/>
</a>

That's a good stance. I'm looking good in my yellow and red Spanish colors.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857064736_3b3f3b40d7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tralee">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857064736_b4445b4546.jpg" alt="Tralee"/>
</a>

You have to be pretty accurate in links golf.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857085162_0350f5918c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tralee Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857085162_78b870be93.jpg" alt="Tralee Panorama"/>
</a>

The beach scenes were lovely.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857071984_5fbc40a245_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tralee">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-21-tralee/5857071984_bc3e5c261a.jpg" alt="Tralee"/>
</a>

What a gorgeous course! I'd go back in a second.


Tralee - Ireland Golf Trip 2011 - Day 3 of 7


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5853618027_63ed81ae02_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Friends at Ballybunion">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5853618027_30f7ed8339_t.jpg" alt="Friends at Ballybunion"/>
</a>

My father let me sleep in a little on Monday morning to recover from being sick and not having slept much the previous night. After a shower, I met the others downstairs for breakfast. I wasn't quite up to a full Irish breakfast, but I managed to eat some eggs and toast. I was, however, ready for my first day of Irish golf on the [Ballybunion Old Course](http://www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie/oldcourse.html).

We had a teams rematch between the "Old Toms" and the "Young Toms" to play that day. Originally scheduled for the day before on the Cashen Course, the competition had been moved forward a day so that I could participate. Back in 2005, [the Old Toms won](/2011/05/06/kingdom-of-fife-championship-scotland-2005-part-5-of-7-2/), and this time the Young Toms were out for vengeance! <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5853614441_c085cc16a1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Breakfast at Cashen">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5853614441_b019d0b234.jpg" alt="Breakfast at Cashen"/>
</a>

Breakfast at the Cashen Course House.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5853618027_63ed81ae02_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Friends at Ballybunion">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5853618027_30f7ed8339.jpg" alt="Friends at Ballybunion"/>
</a>

The four participants, Paul, Jeff, Erik and Jacob in front of the Ballybunion club house.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854595608_2751114598_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Trophy in Case 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854595608_b221cc3941.jpg" alt="Trophy in Case 2"/>
</a>

Somehow we actually got the people at the Ballybunion clubhouse to remove a 10,000€ Waterford crystal trophy, one of two made (one was given to President Bill Clinton as a gift and the other is kept in this case) so that we could take a photograph of our County Kerry Classic trophy in the case.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854130839_eab3499d35_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ballybunion Golf Friends">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854130839_62738e8b63.jpg" alt="Ballybunion Golf Friends"/>
</a>

Four golfing buddies about to tee off in the County Kerry Classic, a four day, 72-hole, event to determine the champion of Kerry County.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854684408_4e2a9ab7f5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik and Jacob at Ballybunion">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854684408_cf3e040f75.jpg" alt="Erik and Jacob at Ballybunion"/>
</a>

The Young Toms, Erik and Jacob, pose on the first tee of Ballybunion with an ancient cemetery that is strictly out-of-bounds.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854673328_5292f831c0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Old Toms">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854673328_bdf3174af7.jpg" alt="Old Toms"/>
</a>

The Old Toms, Paul and Jeff.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854140587_a142e0099e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ballybunion Old">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854140587_6fe328fb6a.jpg" alt="Ballybunion Old"/>
</a>

An example of some of the beauty to be found on the Ballybunion links.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854710528_8a072aa198_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik Tees Off at Ballybunion Old">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854710528_16300cd84a.jpg" alt="Erik Tees Off at Ballybunion Old"/>
</a>

Beautiful form, if I may say so myself.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5857029157_e654461b7e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ballybunion Old">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5857029157_afc5b3573f.jpg" alt="Ballybunion Old"/>
</a>

Links golf is seaside golf rather by definition, as it uses the land that "links" the sea to the useable land.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5857013387_3a8b405957_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Four Golfers at Ballybunion Old">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5857013387_d2c99572e9.jpg" alt="Four Golfers at Ballybunion Old"/>
</a>

Four golfers on Ballybunion Old.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854754176_05a978f483_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pewter Mugs Trophies">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854754176_459d2ba476.jpg" alt="Pewter Mugs Trophies"/>
</a>

These pewter mugs were the trophies for the Young Toms vs. Old Toms match.

The Young Toms absolutely trounced the Old Toms with a best ball score of 85 to 100, winning by a solid fifteen strokes to take home the matching pewter mug trophies.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854758378_71a66e52d6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik wins pewter mug trophy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854758378_d5baa3fd79.jpg" alt="Erik wins pewter mug trophy"/>
</a>

Erik accepts his trophy.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854762928_0ae911e130_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Jacob wins pewter mug trophy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854762928_f2cd7bcb1c.jpg" alt="Jacob wins pewter mug trophy"/>
</a>

Jacob accepts his trophy.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854224609_f37e298cfb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Trophy Winners">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-ballybunion-old/5854224609_c933c89b8d.jpg" alt="Trophy Winners"/>
</a>

The Young Toms win! Youth defeats Wisdom.

Paul, Jeff and I went out for a pint and some dinner in the fairly uninteresting town of Ballybunion. I headed to bed early to boost my immune system, and Jacob and Jeff went for a sunset walk on the nearby Cashen Course. I'll post those photos in [a future post](/2011/08/31/ballybunion-cashen-course-sunset/).


Ballybunion Old - Ireland Golf Trip 2011 - Day 2 of 7


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-getting-to-ireland/5852288167_393c67d826_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Irish Countryside">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-getting-to-ireland/5852288167_eaed56b833_t.jpg" alt="Irish Countryside"/>
</a>

We had this golf trip planned for three years, and then [something came up](/2011/06/11/pregnancy-terminated/) that nearly caused me to not be able to go. My original flights to Ireland were scheduled on Friday, June 10. The Friday before, June 3, we were told that [The Procedure](/2011/06/11/pregnancy-terminated/) would be scheduled for Friday the 10th, so I obviously couldn't make my June 10th flight early that morning. I bought tickets to go early on Sunday morning. I'd miss a round of golf on Sunday, but meet up with the boys and continue the rest of the trip as planned.

Then, the Wednesday before, the nurse informed us that the doctors at the hospital had changed schedules and we wouldn't be able to have The Procedure until Saturday. You see, this particular medical procedure is the only one that a doctor in Spain can refuse to perform on a patient; it's legal, but not all doctors will do it. This pretty much destroyed my chance of going to Ireland on Sunday, since Marga would need my emotional support all Saturday night and Sunday. On Wednesday afternoon, I wrote to my friends and told them I wouldn't be able to make it to Ireland. I was so devastated that I immediately broke into a fever and cold sweats, which put me in bed two days straight. The Procedure went quite well, despite a noticeable lack of anesthesia, and Marga started talking about me actually making my Sunday morning flight. We had to wait until 10:30 PM on Saturday night to have another ultrasound to verify that everything was out. The doctor determined that everything looked good, but that Marga had to spend the night in the hospital, a hospital that was 90 minutes away from the airport where my flight left at 8:30 AM the following morning. At 11:00 PM, I decided I would drive home, despite my fever-induced shivering, pack, and then drive early in the morning to the airport where I would rendezvous with my father-in-law and sister-in-law to give them my car. When I called to advise them of this plan, they had a better one. My sister-in-law and her aunt would leave immediately and drive the two hours to the hospital where my sister-in-law would spend the night, and her aunt would take me home to pack, sleep an hour, and then she'd take me to the airport. I was happy to not have to drive that night.

I got home around 2:45 AM and began packing. I hadn't packed anything yet because I had been convinced that I wasn't going at all. By 4:00 AM, I was packed and in bed, and my alarm went off at 5:30 AM to get me up and showered and headed to the airport. The 60 minute flight from Bilbao to Madrid was fairly uneventful, as were the four hours of layover in Madrid, where I heard that Marga had been released from the hospital and was on her way home to rest. My fever came back, however, for the longer flight to London Heathrow, and I vaguely recall the two women next to me looking at me shivering in my half sleep and saying "_Qué pobre!_" In London I pulled out a stash of quid I've had since my [last golf trip to Scotland](/category/scotland/) and had a celebratory beer. Soon my gate for my flight to Shannon was announced and off I went. I slept most of the way there.

Upon arriving in Shannon, I wandered out to the street and my friends were nowhere to be found. They had gotten lost on the way back to the airport and finally picked me up about an hour after my arrival. An hour and a half later, with my iPhone navigating, we made it back to the [Cashen Course House B&B](http://www.cashencourse.com/) in Ballybunion, where they had played the Cashen Course two days in a row, and where we would all play Ballybunion Old, one of the most famous golf courses in Ireland, the following day.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-getting-to-ireland/5852288167_393c67d826_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Irish Countryside">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-20-getting-to-ireland/5852288167_eaed56b833.jpg" alt="Irish Countryside"/>
</a>

I had made it to Ireland!


Getting To Ireland - Ireland Golf Trip 2011 - Day 1 of 7


On June 2, 2011, we went into Santander to visit a private obstetrician, the same guy we visited [with the first pregnancy](/2008/12/03/my-daughters-face/). His professionalism and caring way of treating us impressed us both times we've seen him. About halfway through the sonogram, he said, "I'm afraid I don't have good news for you." He took the time to carefully explain all the developmental deformations the fetus had, listed the many possible causes, and described the sum of deformations with a phrase I will never forget: "incompatible with life". With our thinking not bogged down by religious dogma, the decision was clear: the pregnancy should be terminated. How lucky we are to live in a time when such technology can foresee a painful infant death and to live in a country with the sophisticated system of ethics to allow such a pregnancy termination.

Needless to say, it has been a rough week for us. I can say, however, with total certainty that losing a fetus that you've never met cannot be compared with the loss of a child. It is disappointing to have the happy future you have been planning for months be ripped away from you, but I have no doubt that we'll be just fine.

The termination took place this afternoon. It would have been a boy.

Rather than feel sorry for us, I ask that those of you that do have fully formed children, give them an extra hug today and appreciate your good fortune. Our two year old, Nora, has been a beacon of happiness for us in this storm.


Pregnancy: Terminated


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814808996_664c3de9ce_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Nora on the beach in Laredo">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814808996_1807c32b57_t.jpg" alt="Nora on the beach in Laredo"/>
</a>

We had some really nice weather last weekend. On Sunday we were able to take Nora to the beautiful nearby Laredo beach for the first time this year. I'm pretty certain that she didn't remember her visits to the beach [last](/2010/05/24/nora-at-the-beach/) [year](/2010/06/24/shes-a-sand-eater/). Walking barefoot in the pristine white sand was an immediate delight for her. There were a few times, however, when she got into a region with a little shell and stick debris where she froze up and insisted on being carried rather than risking a stick to the sole.  I had a blister on my foot from walking too much the previous week, so Marga and her parents left Nora and me to ourselves and went for a walk down the beach. I must say that Nora and I had a grand old time building sand castles (not [eating potatoes](/2011/03/15/a-girl-eating-potatoes/)) and destroying them. The time passed very quickly, and soon it was time to shake the sand out of our hair and head back home for a shower.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814236475_4b3bcc27fb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora on the beach in Laredo">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814236475_5574702d69.jpg" alt="Nora on the beach in Laredo"/>
</a>

What I love about the beach in Laredo is that it's [so ginormous](/2007/09/05/laredo-panoramas/), that even on crowded summer days, you're never less than five meters from anyone else's "campsite".

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814237649_e32c741f43_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora on the beach in Laredo">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814237649_a374476d77.jpg" alt="Nora on the beach in Laredo"/>
</a>

The truth is that we didn't last very long on the towel, opting for rolling around directly in the sand for the majority of our visit.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814808996_664c3de9ce_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora on the beach in Laredo">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814808996_1807c32b57.jpg" alt="Nora on the beach in Laredo"/>
</a>

She refused any sort of hair management strategies, opting for the tousled surfer look.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814243787_1612a39482_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora on the beach in Laredo">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814243787_5973628f14.jpg" alt="Nora on the beach in Laredo"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814814388_70e0d57d36_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora on the beach in Laredo">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2011-06-09-first-beach-visit-2011/5814814388_7699504fc9.jpg" alt="Nora on the beach in Laredo"/>
</a>

Luckily Mommy came to clean the sand out of her eyes.


First Beach Visit 2011


[![](http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1594203008&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=eriksblog07-20&ServiceVersion=20070822)](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594203008/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=eriksblog07-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399701&creativeASIN=1594203008)Theories about information flow are particularly fun when they arrive to your brain through the very mechanisms they are explaining. Recently several of my Facebook friends, a couple people I follow on Twitter, and two of my favorite podcasts started reporting on a new concept from Eli Pariser called [The Filter Bubble](http://www.thefilterbubble.com/). The general idea goes like this: as search engines and social media sites use smarter and smarter algorithms to better serve what they determine our needs to be, the less and less we are exposed to opposing viewpoints.![](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1594203008&camp=217153&creative=399701)  The idea dovetails very nicely with the uncomfortable fact that [in politics, the smarter you are the dumber you are](/2011/04/28/in-politics-the-smarter-you-are-the-dumber-you-are/). The more we research political issues, the more we are sent to information that reaffirms our views, making us even more confident that [the other half of you are so stupid](/2008/09/29/the-other-half-of-you-make-me-so-mad/).

<iframe width="505" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B8ofWFx525s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The solution is a bit of [moderation](/2006/08/23/moderation-proof/). In artificial intelligence programming, sometimes a bit of randomized noise needs to be added to the system to avoid overly deterministic behavior. Our search algorithms need something similar. We need some decent percentage (10%? 20%?) of our search results and news feed items to be opposing viewpoints; otherwise our society will become even _more_ polarized.


15 posts from June, 2011