Hobbits, Mountain Goats, and Chickens

So...yeah...it's been a while. I know, I know..... "Every day...twice"....totally NOT happening. I've been busy over the last few weeks! Between work and entertaining visitors, I haven't had a whole lot of time to blog. One event that was definitely blog worthy was our hike up Blencathra with Geoffrey in the Lake District. 5 miles should only take a couple of hours right? Right. If you don't have to scramble for your life along the ridge of certain death and destruction. Some of us (me) found this adventure more nerve wracking than others (Jim, Geoffrey, and Murphy). I often found myself sitting on the ridge, looking at the beautiful view, and thinking "I could sit here for a while and wait for the helicopter...Obviously I can't go back down...or up any further". Also had a few conversations with Jesus.... "Well, Jesus....looks like I may be meeting you sooner than expected...."

Now before you go judging me, and thinking how it's not really that scary to walk up a mountain. Let's give you an idea of the scale. That arrow, is pointing at a circle with two tiny people walking along the ridge.

And before you go thinking, "psshhhh..those people just look so small because they are so far away"... Here is what I saw when we got to the ridge. Not exactly a walk in the park..... huh?

Anyway...I learned a few things during our not so leisurely stroll:

1. I'm only afraid of heights when I have to rely on my own two feet/ability not to trip that stands between me and certain death.

2. Men do not inheritly have a sense of fear of dangerous situations (I like to call this "common" sense) like women do.
3. Murphy also lacks this "common" sense.

4. While involved in these dangerous situations with men and/or Murphy, it becomes necessary for me to have a grasp of the danger at hand for everyone involved.

5. This "common" sense x 3 may not help the objective of the task (e.g. get to the top of the mountain), but did put me one step closer to something I would like to do (e.g. ride in a helicopter

**6. In the end, the fear isn't necessarily justified, and the reward can be worth the risk.

The moral of the story? I'm kind of a big chicken....who knew?

In the end, and with lots of encouragement from Jim, Geoffrey, and Murphy, I made it to the top!

Here's a few photos from the climb:

Jim "The Mountain Goat" WightmanBeth "The Big Chicken" Wightman

Family photo:Geoffrey "Frodo" Middleton

The view from the top:

*Please note: number 6 is only applicable to the female sex. If you have a Y chromosome, ignore number 6. Please think through the risks you take, and how these risks may aversely affect those of us who fear for your life. Even when you don't think there is anything to be afraid of.