Tag: Hiking

Epic Journey

Ian Hunter4 Comments
img_1541

Seven weeks ago we set off on a long vacation

Starting on the US east coast

We took a trans-Atlantic cruise for 12 nights

The ship stopped in Bermuda and the Azores

Final destination was Lisbon

After an enjoyable stay in Lisbon we flew to Madeira

Meeting up with some close friends

We spent the next 10 days exploring the island

Great food, wine, scenery and super friendly locals

We then flew to London for a brief stay before flying up to Inverness

We met up with family and rented a car

Next chapter was the NC 500

A 500 mile drive along the north coast of Scotland

It took a full week to complete

Our final destination was the Isle of Skye

Another week of exploration with more family members

The journey back home started with a 5 hour drive to Glasgow

A short flight to Dublin followed

The next day we flew to Iceland

A far too brief layover before boarding our flight back to the US

It was hard to stay awake during the 3 hour drive home

We took a lot of photos and made many memories

What did we learn from this journey?

The best way to avoid jet lag is to cross the ocean by sea

Losing an hour every other day is much better than stepping off a plane and losing 6 hours

Bermuda seems to be stuck in a time warp

Once a place for the super wealthy to hang out and hide their cash

As the old money dies off, nobody has taken then opportunity to develop the island for sun seeking tourists

We just wanted more and mores of the Azores

Punta Delgada has not been discovered yet, go soon before the developers swoop in

Spending days at sea makes you appreciate the vastness of the Atlantic ocean

The early sailing explorers were so brave

Lisbon has a special place in our hearts

Our fifth visit revealed even more amazing history and culture

Port tastes so much better when looking out over Lisbon and eating local food

Lisbon has been discovered, no longer the quiet backwater we knew a decade ago

Madeira is a gem

A huge rock towering out of the ocean off the coast of Africa

Its similar to Hawaii but in the Atlantic

Spectacular scenery and super friendly locals

Madeira wine is nectar, it can send you to heaven on earth

We enjoyed Fado, traditional Portuguese music full of emotion

London is a huge city but the locals are super friendly

English beer is warm

Fish and chips is an additive English pleasure

Inverness is the gateway to the highlands

The NC500 attracts too many RVs

John O’Groats is always cold and windy

Its hard to keep your eyes on the road when driving through spectacular Scottish scenery

Haggis is a great breakfast food

Scotland is mostly mountains, lakes(lochs), rivers, waterfalls, sheep, deer, pubs, distilleries, castles, highland cows, single track roads and rain

Scottish people never complain about rain

It rains in Scotland almost every day but the locals call it mist

Its hard to find the bathroom at night after three weeks away from home in multiple hotels

Single malt whisky tastes truly amazing in front of a log fire in the Scottish highlands

The Isle of Skye is breathtaking

All whisky distilleries smell like malt

Its so easy to make whisky, the ingredients are: water, barley, yeast and lots of magic

Guinness in Ireland tastes amazing

Irish hospitality is hard to beat

Iceland is mostly black volcanic rock with puffs of steam rising up

Iceland has also been discovered so best to go in the shoulder season

Jet lag is much worse when flying westward

Yes we would do it all again in a heartbeat

Nothing more precious than spending quality time with family and good friends

Home sweet home is a welcome place after a long vacation

I am still confused upon waking each morning, what country/time zone/place am I in?

on the trail of the lonesome pine

Ian HunterLeave a comment

Steady climb to the lookout point

Peering down into the valley below

On a hot muggy summer day

Haze obscuring the blue ridge mountains

Beware of bears said the first rest stop sign

Cyclists pounding away on the ascent 

Ears popping as we climb higher

We reached 3800 feet

Breathtaking views of the valley below

Hardy hikers gathering at the rest stop

They are tackling the Appellation trail by foot

Water bottles and supplies hanging from their vests

As we drive along a small section

On the trail of the lonesome pine

The voices of Laurel and Hardy ring out

This is Virginia at its finest

I wonder where the hikers will sleep tonight

We saw no bears today

Day 2- Hiking before school detention

Ian Hunter1 Comment

Karen and I spent the first night at the home of my sister Kath and her husband John.  Norbie and Maria, our friends from Miami, stayed at the  Carnforth Station Hotel and we started the day having a big breakfast together at home.  Endless cups of tea flowed as we all fought the jet lag of living five hours ahead of our usual time zone. 

Soon we were all bundling into the rental car for a short drive to Jenny Brown’s Point, a local beauty spot.  We hiked along the tiny roads passing cute cottages and a working farm.  We reached the rocky  trail  which lead to the giant stone bench overlooking Morecambe bay. This seven mile estuary is flooded by tides twice daily. The receding tide reveals miles of wet sands  and its a haven for birds. We could see Grange over Sands across the bay and the rolling hills of the south Lakes District. I had seen these views many times before but they always fill me with joy, especially in the company of family and friends making more memories. 

Our next stop was the Old School Brewery, which was once a school, at the foot of Wharton Crag. This very old building had recently been converted to a brew pub serving fine beers and delicious meals. They offered a range of beers with school themed names. After sampling Blackboard and Headmaster we homed in on a beer called Detention.  We had and tasty lunch followed by two long detentions in school that afternoon.  

Back at my sister’s house we relaxed and made plans for the next part of our adventure. I gave Norbie a lesson in fly fishing in the garden. He caught two bushes and a tree. 

We were still jet-lagged but managed to stay up late watching TV and sipping single malt whisky. 

We all slept soundly that night.