I got the tickets and plans ahve changed..I will fly to D.C. on the 10th from Portland, stay till the evening of the 12th, fly to Chicago, possibly go with one or more second cousins down to Iowa, and fly back from Chicago on the 16th. I still would love perhaps to stay with someone (female or couple) on the 10th and 11th...in D.C. and if anyone lives in NE Iowa, or would like to camp...there is a campsite there. I am nto sure how this works into the lives of my second cousins..we had hoped to meet for Irish Fest but timewise it did not work.

Some good SW flights out there right now..also round trip portland to D.c. was 244 on expedia..on Delta I think. But I had a split trip. But before taxes it was Portland, D.C., Chicago Portland for about $274 through SW. mg