Doolin Doonagore Castle
True to form, the Midwest is bayou-sultry for the start of school. Students’ attention spans drop in relation to increases in the dew point, and teachers wish they had opted for circus performance as a career. Everyone is searching for a cooling solution. My favorite method is thinking about Connemara, Ireland in April.
Doolin derelict cottage
We arrived in Doolin, County Clare on April 1st. The daffodils said it was spring but the sleet said ‘April Fools’. It took us half the day or more to walk from Churchfield to the Cliffs of Moher and back. It wouldn’t have been nearly as far if we hadn’t felt the need to explore each path and ruins we came across and to visit with the farmers and Connemara Ponies. 
We were mightily wet through from driving rain and sleet despite our gear. The strenuous walk, however, dried us from the inside out and the views more than compensated for any discomfort. The same couldn’t be said about two French gals on rusty one-speed rental bikes. They were wearing little skirts and girly tennis shoes sans socks. Their frilly anklets had been removed to use as gloves. 
Doolin Cliffs of Moher
Thank goodness for sensible farm-girl shoes that kept our feet from being weary and wet. We had enough energy on our return to investigate the ruins of the circa 1470 Killiagh Church above Doolin. The rain had passed and impressive clouds mixed with shafts of sunlight. On some days, the world is spectacular.
Killiagh Church