UK Edition: It Must Come to an End

The time has come. Today is my last day of work. My temporary change of residence is coming to an end. I fly out tomorrow. I'm sad. And happy. All at the same time.

It just doesn't seem like it should be time to leave yet. I'm not sure what it is exactly, I know there are probably many reasons.

Its almost time to say good bye to my newest home...

...and my front door step.

Its just like moving out of your home. This place has become my home. Not just the physical apartment home that I live in but my friends here are part of "home." That's the part I'm going to miss, the home I (and my coworker from the US) have made here. And yes, I cry about it. Multiple times already and probably many more.

Things won't be the same if I don't have to use my key fob to get through the front gate (or sneak through between the gate and the hedges near the grit box) and into my apartment.

Don't get me wrong, I will enjoy being home! I'm just not ready to leave here. :) No worries, I'm going home anyway.

See you soon! Probably on the other side of the world.

UK Edition: Arriving at Scafell Pike

Got the boot all packed up, snug as a bug, ready for our big camping trip! We are lucky everything fit!

I'm amazed at the scenery here. Every time we drive to a new place on our next adventure, I can't help but stare out the window at what I see. Jaw dropped. Drooling, just a little. I'm guilty of taking pictures through the window, its that incredible.

First view of a mountain - it means we are getting closer.

The roads became even narrower and surrounded by trees after we got into Keswick and were on our way to the camp site and Scafell Pike. Once again, it means we are getting closer! Kind of trippy, isn't it? Try riding in a car on these roads, whizzing around corners, squeezing past oncoming cars.

We arrived at the site and, great news! I was the first to get my tent set up! Oh yeah, score one for team Rachel.

To be fair, the tent pops up on its own and all you have to do is stake it down. I know, getting my tent set up first doesn't quite mean the same to you now does it. All in a days work.

It was a bit rainy the first night we were there but we coped quite well. Nothing you can't handle while camping. After realizing we just bought tins for dinner (also known as canned food) and forgot to pack the can opener, we asked a neighboring camper if we could borrow his. Once again, thank you to kind people! Though its hard to say no to two people holding cans asking to open them so they can eat a meal in the freezing cold rain. Dinner was meatballs and potatoes, hoops (spaghetti o's) and hot dogs. Yum, it was delicious. We didn't know if it genuinely tasted amazing or if we were cold and hungry. Regardless, it was incredible.

Here we are, ready for the big next day ahead of us. What a crew, wouldn't you agree?! I think we make it look like we camp in the mountains all the time.

Cheers to camping and hiking up mountains! I really am ready for my next hike. :) More pictures to come.

UK Edition: Touring with Friends

I really appreciate these two men. Coworkers with both - one from the United States, one from the United Kingdom. Friends with both - one old, one new.

Thank you to the one who has been leading us to all these adventures while in England. Our trip to the United Kingdom would not be the same if you had not spent the time to share it with us!

We spend a lot of time together. Can you tell?? Most of my pictures of people include the three of us.

UK Edition: Cloudy or Foggy is Good

It means we are getting closer to the top!

Note to future hikers of Scafell Pike near Keswick, England: its realllllly cold at the summit! Bring a windbreaker or waterproof clothing. Both is best! And an extra pair of socks to wear as mittens!

Whether you take my advice or not, its totally worth the hike. Believe me in that at least.

Looks like a bit of a PDA, I realize, but its totally not, believe me. You need all the body warmth you can get up there...

Ready to climb your next mountain?! I'll get you psyched.

UK Edition: Bottom Looking Up

Here is a preview of our weekend near Keswick, UK when we climbed Scafell Pike, the highest point in England. Words don't do much for describing the pictures so I'll try and let them do the talking. I took over 600 pictures this weekend. I know. Looking through them all makes me want to go back. Or become a professional hiker. Or a fell runner (but more on this later).

Hope you enjoy the photos. You'll be seeing plenty more in the near future. And I'm sure distant future as well.

If you click on an image it will enlarge so you get a better view.

Scafell Pike is incredible.