I had expected this to be very similar to the previous day but it was surprisingly different. On the downside, a collapsed path by Kew Gardens forced a detour on the north bank which added a mile, making it about a 13-mile day. On the plus side, the impact of tides on the the ThamesContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 7: Kingston upon Thames to Barnes”
Tag Archives: hiking
The Thames Path Day 6: Chertsey to Kingston upon Thames
A day without the big headlines was still a great day of enjoying the river and a detour. Most of the day was a gentle stroll alongside the peaceful river as it continued on its eastward journey. Some more deer sightings were a highlight, and we took the smallest ferry across the river. We hadContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 6: Chertsey to Kingston upon Thames”
The Thames Path Day 5: Windsor to Chertsey
What a full day this was! Our sixteen-mile walk started at Windsor Castle, and our stroll along the Long Walk through Windsor Great Park took us past many mature deer. We were reminded how small we are by the Air Force Memorial, the acre of land gifted to the US after JFK’s assassination, and theContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 5: Windsor to Chertsey”
The Thames Path Day 4: Cookham to Windsor
It was always going to be difficult for day 4 to beat day 3. The weather was fine but not quite as sunny. It was peaceful walking along the river, albeit in somewhat of a green tunnel at times. Then we popped out of the tunnel in Eton, and there was Windsor Castle right inContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 4: Cookham to Windsor”
The Thames Path Day 3: Aston to Cookham
Everything came together well to make this our best day on the Thames so far. The weather was great and the scenery was better. Highlights included a herd of hundreds of deer and fantastic reflections off the early-morning Thames. We were on the trail before 8am. The hotel’s breakfast was pricey and not available early,Continue reading “The Thames Path Day 3: Aston to Cookham”
The Thames Path Day 2: Reading to Aston
We enjoyed a fine day along the river, sampling the quaintness of Sonning and the history of Henley, with a few light rain showers separated by sunny spells. The Thames was cool, from a swan’s runway to the biggest weir I’ve ever seen. A couple of diversions contributed to the 14.3 mile day but addedContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 2: Reading to Aston”
The Thames Path Day 1: Pangbourne to Reading
Day 1 of our hike along the eastern half of The Thames Way from Pangbourne to Reading.
The Natchez Trace Parkway
Yay! This was the first extended trip in our camper and it exceeded our high expectations. The idea grew from the thought of visiting Jett during his internship in Nashville when Bailey was visiting. We wanted to slow down and driving the 444-mile parkway with a 50 mph speed limit was perfect, complementing a fineContinue reading “The Natchez Trace Parkway”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 5
This was our final day of walking as we completed the final leg from Toghill House Farm to Bath. It was a fine day with many views in great weather. We watched Bath get bigger as we approached. As we entered the city, we felt the presence of more people as we had to navigateContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 5”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 4
Team Sloth was back to full strength for the hike from The Dog Inn in Old Sodbury to Toghill House Farm near Cold Ashton. Our motto, “we will get there when we get there,” rang true. Today’s highlights centered around rest stops and food which suggests there was some fatigue! The landscape changed from woodedContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 4”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 3
The previous day’s heat claimed one victim in our group and today was another hot one as we walked from The Swan in Wotton-under-Edge to The Dog in Old Sodbury. It wasn’t a day of dramatic landmarks, but I knew it was a good one when Texan Max described the day as “a lovely walkContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 3”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 2
Three steep climbs on a blistering hot day made just finishing the 11 miles from Coaley Peak to Wotton-under-Edge a very satisfying accomplishment. The day’s highlight was the Tyndale Monument recognizing local man William Tyndale who was burned at the stake in 1536 after publishing his English translation of the Bible. We also enjoyed cows,Continue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 2”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 1
A great first day’s hike of about 11 miles from Painswick to Frocester climbing about 1400 ft in about 6.5 hours. The day’s challenge was the 80 degF (27 degC) but we persevered and loved the clear views off the edge of the escarpment, the peacefulness of the woodlands, and the fun of spending timeContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 1”
Southern Cotswold Way: Day 0
Our England adventures with the Sems and Townsends start with hiking the southern half of the Cotswold Way. Before starting a hike, there is always getting to the start, and that was this day. The travel was as uneventful as anyone could wish for. We did a short warm up hike to blow off someContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 0”
England with the Sems and Townsends: A Prelude
This is a prelude to our next trip. Please follow us on this adventure by subscribing so you are the first to read about what we are up to. If you know Dean or Max, you know there will be mischief. This is a three-stage adventure with Dean and Tracy Townsend and Stephanie and MaxContinue reading “England with the Sems and Townsends: A Prelude”
Italy Day 10: Hiking and Swimming Cinque Terre
Having scoped out Riomaggiore and Manarola the day before and after a good sleep, we were ready for a more ambitious walk. But first to enjoy coffee and breakfast on our balcony. Our hiking plan was to walk on the mountain trail from Monterosso to Vernazza and onto Corniglia. Bailey and Jett returned from theContinue reading “Italy Day 10: Hiking and Swimming Cinque Terre”
Italy Day 2: Path of the Gods and Positano
Each of us did our favorite activities today. Janet and Peter hiked the Path of the Gods, a trail that hugs the cliffs as it winds along the Amalfi coast for a few miles. Bailey and Jett had a photo session with a local photographer using multiple outfits, locations, and early morning light to captureContinue reading “Italy Day 2: Path of the Gods and Positano”
Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop
That was a lot of work. That’s what Vance said about getting water. We also hiked 43 miles and climbed 10,000 ft over four days. This trek was epic. (Check out our other West Texas adventures here) YouTube Video This 83-minute video on YouTube presents the trek “in real time,” capturing our emotions and detailingContinue reading “Big Bend’s South Rim and Outer Mountain Loop”
The Gentleman in the Orange Cap
Some distant movement caught my eye. After a few moments, I recognized it as an orange cap. Meeting another thru-hiker would be fun. A recent thru-hike of the trail had inspired me to return and clear some of the obstacles, helping those completing the full twenty-eight miles. I asked him how far he was goingContinue reading “The Gentleman in the Orange Cap”
Hiking East Texas’s Trail Between the Lakes
(Check out the trail’s guide here.) Multi-day backpacking adventures are not normally associated with East Texas. The 96-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT), north of Houston by Huntsville, might come to mind. But there is an often passed-over trail close to the Louisiana border that takes the explorer deep into wild pine forests. I wasContinue reading “Hiking East Texas’s Trail Between the Lakes”
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 