Same trip, 36 years later...

The Lake District was beautiful {See new photos on Picasa web page... the link is right... there -->). After hiking across mountains, all the while seeking out sheep, National Trust houses, and dry places to sit while listening to lectures and Wordsworth poems, the group survived, had a good time, and came home a tired bunch. Ironically, we were more rested after the trip than the morning we left for the trip (Brandon's 21st birthday was the night before, we will leave it at that). Be that as it may, returning home was nice. It's official, the flat has become home.

As soon as the coach arrived in front of the flat, Kevin and I raced to the computers. Within a few seconds, we were yelling in celebration... the Luther Cross Country team succeeded in being CONFERENCE CHAMPS!!! Both the norsewomen and the norsemen beat Wartburg. All seven of the varsity women had stunning performances and finished in the top 15 - making the entire varsity squad All-Conference performers. What an honor. Needless to say, for the next hour, I was obsessed with checking the results and looking at friends pictures from the race, the award ceremony and the after party. Congrats Norse!

After I read my other emails, I learned that 36 years ago, a certain someone visited the Lake District with her sisters. It turns out that they too went to Grasmere and Windemere. They also stayed in a B&B and had some rather excellent gingerbread. Honestly, that's a little creepy Mom, we did all of that. I think it's kinda neat that I retraced my Mom's steps and at the same age.

Anyway, there isn't much else to tell. We visited William Wordsworth's home in Grasmere and we hiked. It was rather wet, as it always is in the Lake District, but that didn't manage to dampen our spirits. The paths were more often more like streams than walkways, but it was all in good fun. Along the foot paths, we stopped often to rest or take pictures. At the end of the day, Mark and Carol guessed we walked about ten miles. It was hard to believe that we had gone that far, but I guess if you are walking all day, it is pretty easy to get into the double digits. Fortunately, on Sunday, we had perfect weather for the hike. While we were hiking, we had a picnic lunch. We tend to that a lot, I like it much better than guided tours in touristy places. Good job Mark and Carol. After the picnic lunch, Mark lectured, Carol read literature aloud to us, and Brandon recited a poem. It was the epitome of a liberal arts education. Nice work Luther. Oh, and it conveniently happened that we happened to go to the Lake District at halfterm... so all of the hostels were full. Shoot, we stayed in a really nice B&B. It was rather fantastic. Down comforters on the beds, amazing french style breakfasts, and ensuite bathrooms all added to the cozy atmosphere of the quaint building.

After booking tickets to and from London for Mar, Em, Anna and myself, it is time to go to bed...

Tomorrow is Halloween, but I'm not sure if too many people will actually be dressed for the occasion in lecture tomorrow. Our flat is void of pumpkins and there will be no trick-or-treating... just the first of the subtly different schedule of Holidays in England. Be sure to eat some candy corn for me...