After some heavy hiking, we took this day as a travel day to see our cousins (Rakshi Masi, Raju Masa, Himal, Parimal, and families). We stopped by Sizergh Castle on the way and had a good time learning croquet. Then enjoyed yummy food at Parimal's house, and crashed with Himal's family. It was fun staying up and chatting with Himal, reminiscing about my year abroad, which was probably instrumental in developing my wanderlust for years to come.
We decided to take things a bit more leisurely on the second day of Lake District hiking. Every few steps was another breathtaking picture worthy scene. We had fun navigating past the goat traps and sheep hurdles, though no doubt we had more trouble with some of them than the goats would. Got views of two beautiful lakes on this hike.
Started with a hearty breakfast and packed enough supplies for several meals. Which was key because we apparently don't know how to be unambitious. We ended up doing a 7.4mi, 1,627 ft elevation hike to two waterfalls and a quarry, in just under 5 hours!
Knowing we would need a car to travel the countryside, but not wanting to drive around London, we decided to take a high speed train from London Euston to Penrith. It was perfect. Some needed down time after a few days of 4-5 mile walks. We played board games (Beanza!), cards, read books, and just chatted.
Enterprise was kind enough to send someone to the station to pick me up, then I went back to the rental place to get the car (opposite side driving!), and picked everyone up. Raining on and off at this point, but the kids were really troopers. So...of course we decided to push forth and drove straight to the Aria Force waterfall hike on the way to Ambleside from Penrith. We got soaked. But it was fun!
Stayed in Ambleside, Chapel Stile, with a beautiful view.
How do you do all of London in just one day?
Start by walking to Trafalgar Square. (Don't feed the birds). Do growl at the lions.
Walk to Buckingham Palace. Scowl at the changing of the guards. Except if there's some sort of a holiday? and no one seemed to know why the guards weren't changing. Scowl at them anyway.
Visit Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower. Obligate Selfie. Pay respects to Gandhi.
Walk to Westminister Abbey. Trick Amulya into taking a "train" ride from Westminister to London Bridge (really the RB1 riverboat). It wasn't so bad!
Walk around Borough Market, and enjoy delicious Taiwanese food at BAO Borough for lunch.
Walk around outside and inside (the free) Tate Modern museum. Kids captivated by Study in Red.
Go to the British Museum, Walk to Millenium Bridge (St Paul's) and spend time at Le Pain Quotidien because it's convenient, easy, spacious, has vegan cookies, and of course coffee. Then take Central line to Holborn for dinner at Mildred's.
What an amazing trip! Tons of nature, outdoor time, sightseeing, traveling with friends, seeing family, eating well, and traveling the entire country of England. >1100 miles by car in just 10 days!
Day (?Night) 1, 7/7-7/8: overnight flight to London. The usual transatlantic means of travel.
Summer 2024
What happens when a large sheet of continental ice melts and retreats? The Great Lakes! And...yeah, gravity does its thing and voila! 750,000 gallons of water flowing per second in the country's largest waterfall. We visited Niagara Falls.
