The Lake District

The year was 1998, and I took full advantage of a $400 airfare on "Royal Airlines". To visit England for 2 whole weeks. I enjoyed the experience very much. One of the best parts of this vacation was a visit to Lake Windermere and the English "Lake District".
I traveled from Hadrian's Wall to get there. Travel to me. Is leaving normal human society completely. That goal was achieved wonderfully on my trip to visit Lake Windermere. Now for the pictures. I hope you will get some of that special feeling after having a look at the photos. Also hope you also get to visit there one day soon!

The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains (or fells) but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth and the other Lake Poets.

The majority of the area was designated as the Lake District National Park in 1951. It is the largest of the thirteen National Parks in England and Wales, and the second largest in the UK (after the Cairngorms).[1] It lies entirely within the modern county of Cumbria, shared historically by the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire. All the land in England higher than three thousand feet above sea level lies within the National Park, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. It also contains the deepest and longest lakes in England.

Monument Valley

This is dedicated to my experience traveling to visit Monument Valley. I enjoyed the great experience during my 2008 trip to Arizona.

The highlight of the 2008 Arizona trip was intended to be a 3 day excursion, hiking into the Grand Canyon. I had two days of accommodation and meals all reserved at Phantom Ranch. Located in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. But that experience was not meant to be. A day before I was set to leave on my hike, using the Bright Angel Trail. I broke out with a poison oak rash on my left arm. I was forced to cancel the hike into the Grand Canyon on the morning I was suppose to leave. Xanterra resorts which operates Phantom Ranch. Has a non refund policy if you cancel within 48 hours. So it looked like that I had lost my chance to visit the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and also was out a few hundred dollars. Lucky for me. The day I was suppose to leave for Phantom Ranch was a gorgeous day on the South Rim. A lucky person took over my reservation at the last minute. I was given a complete refund by Xanterra.

After I left the Grand Canyon. I retreated south. Back to the friendly confines of Flagstaff, Arizona. I had a doctor look at the poison oak rash, and quickly got it under control. I also got to enjoy the company of some great new friends. When in Flagstaff a trip was then organized with new friend Geri to visit "Monument Valley". I can remember asking a fellow traveler. What was his favorite experience during his holiday visiting Arizona? He answered immediately. "Monument Valley"

Geri and I made a reservation at the famous Goulding's Lodge. The whole experience was so enjoyable! The Goulding's Lodge was an excellent place to stay. We learned great history of Harry Goulding and his wife. Who enjoyed a lot of there life living in Monument Valley. A truly uplifting a special experience being in Monument Valley. Geri and I did a 3 hour hike. Doing a loop through a section of the valley. It was February and the place was about deserted of tourists. The weather was cold with a light dusting of snow on the ground. But to our advantage. The weather and sky was clearing as the day went on. You can see why the Navajo Indians consider Monument Valley a place of great spirituality. I will always remember this very special experience. Enjoy the pictures!