RADIO CONTROL WARBIRDS. IRISH LASS......AT LAST.

The Warbirds Over the Rockies radio control aircraft event was this weekend at the RC airfield where Merle flies his planes. He spent the day there yesterday and I went back with him for awhile today. It's great fun to watch, many people attend. The great planes and flying action are fantastic. Watch the Warbirds slide show to the right.

IRELAND IN OUR FUTURE?
While Merle was at the air show yesterday, I got together with my email pal from Ireland. I had met her online through Homelink when we tried to arrange a home exchange a couple of years ago. Well, recently she contacted me and told me she was coming to the U.S. for about a month. I helped her plan her itinerary for this part of the trip and then we finally met in person. She was delightful and we had a very good time getting to know each other.

After getting her checked into a nearby dude ranch (she couldn't resist the hat), I drove her up into the mountains, over Trail Ridge Road and back to our house where she met Merle and we had a nice dinner with interesting conversation.

She teaches 6 year olds in Ireland. One of the things that she teaches them is the Irish language. Apparently, the area were she lives is working hard to keep the language alive. She spoke some phrases for Merle and I and told us that her family speaks Irish at home.

She invited us to come to Ireland and to stay at her home. She may or may not be there depending upon whether or not she gets a temporary teaching job in Germany. Whatever the case, we will likely plan a trip there sometime next year. It's a country we have always wanted to visit and it is very nice to know someone who can help you become more acquainted with the area.

The biggest negative in visiting Europe at this time is the exchange rate. One U.S. Dollar currently equals .70 Euro. Of course, for Europeans visiting the U.S., the exchange rate is a big plus. We were also told that things are pretty expensive in Ireland, so we'll have to give it some serious thought before we decide whether or not to go.

Slán agat. (Goodbye in Irish)