Trip to Ireland or new deck in 2013

[luckyval]

I'm practical and would go with the deck

[nomad100]

As much as I adore Ireland, I would probably go with the deck too.

[soozy87]

Ireland!

[dcannie]

trip. i will always chose the experience/travel gift.

[Deleted]

Ireland

[lust2hart]

Ireland. I'd say deck if it wasn't for the fact that your relative is going to give you plane tickets - that bit of luck may not be available in the future.

[cheeseandcrackers]

Ireland

[walterismydog]

I think it depends. For me, I'd probably go with the deck, but mainly because I spend a HUGE amount of time outside and always have friends over and it'd be nice to have a lovely space for that. Plus I have a plant obsession and I can just envision a delightful oasis on that deck - a vacation at home!

On the other hand, if it's only going to get used from time to time, I'd go to Ireland.

[imoan]

Trip to Ireland.

[ering1115]

How long can the airline tickets be a gift?

My thought is- airlines change policies for buddy fares all the darn time. But, as long as your H doesn't plan on screwing over construction buddy he should be around in a year or 2. Therefore, I choose Ireland. Plus I love it there and I am sad we didn't go this year since we went in 2010 and 2011.

[ohiowan]

Ireland.

Can the deck be done in installments afterwards? Have the french door put in, wait a year for the deck? Buy a few boards at a time until you have enough for a deck?

Ireland would just be too much to pass up.

[Deleted]

Ireland

[adhdfashion]

Free plane tickets?! Ireland. Decks can be built anytime.

[mudslide]

Have you flown standby before?

[tizzy]

Ireland! H and I went for our honeymoon. Loved it!

[sneetch]

I'd choose Ireland. You have years to build a deck but it sounds like the timing of this trip is perfect.

[angelaa73]

I'd do the deck

[lemondrop]

You're in Minnesota, right? In that case, I say Ireland because no one has a fucking deck here anyway (just a patio door off a cliff).

[mudslide]

All it takes is one cancellation to ruin your chances. Flying standby during a destination's high season will be even more likely to run into problems.

If you do Ireland, make sure you have at least a few day cushion to get back.

Signed,
Former airline employee who flew her fair share of standby and was stuck in LAX for 48 hours on her honeymoon

[ering1115]

If you need Ireland recs let me know! We were actually stuck there and added a full week to our trip b/c of the volcanic eruption that closed air space. It was rough
Thank goodness we were stuck in the EU so the EU laws covered us and our expenses...... a free extra week in Ireland, yes please.
We went in April and while it was still chilly (light jacket or sweater), it wasn't overly crowded.

[mamasaurus]

Ireland.

[stinkyfeet]

Ireland. Life changes may make travel harder/impossible one day and I'd take advantage of the opportunity to do it now while you can.

[mudslide]

Dec 28, 2012 10:41:31 GMT -5 nuggetbrain said:

Dec 28, 2012 10:37:31 GMT -5 mudslide said:

All it takes is one cancellation to ruin your chances. Flying standby during a destination's high season will be even more likely to run into problems.

If you do Ireland, make sure you have at least a few day cushion to get back.

Signed,
Former airline employee who flew her fair share of standby and was stuck in LAX for 48 hours on her honeymoon

Yeah, we would have the entire first week of July off and would probably go from Saturday through Friday, so if we got jacked up we'd at least have the weekend to try and fly back.

I'd throw another day or two onto that especially since it is a weekend.

[fuckyourcouch]

ireland. and we did a stamped concrete patio this year, which we love, but i would so rather do a trip.

[Deleted]

I would try to do the deck this year and the trip next year.

[-Moe-]

Ireland. No question. I guaranfuckingtee that you won't use your deck nor appreciate it as much as the memories you'll make in Ireland.

I have a deck and have used it 2ce.

[weelass24]

It doesn't matter when you go TBH. It can be gorgeous in the summer or you can have the heat on every night. There is no way to plan for the weather. J

[fuckyourcouch]

also, maybe i am just dumb (i'm not), but it seems like if you are not paying a contractor to build the deck, you might be able to do both? just the materials and some beer for your friend might be a reasonable amount to save up over a few months and then you get both.

[ladyk]

Ireland, hands down.

[thedutchgirl]

I live in MN, and we use our deck a lot all summer long. But I'd still choose Ireland and then do what someone else suggested--doors next year and deck after that.