Size matters

I've never seen spring rolls this huge. I was expecting two rolls to be about the size if one of these like normal. Holy moldy. This feeds nicely into thoughts one prices. The pricy lunch if £19 wouldn't be so nuts were it $19. One doesn't always equal one when you are dealing with things of different type, pounds versus dollars.

Scotland trip - The Little Things

It is the little things you notice when travelling outside your homeland. They're usually inconsequential everyday things that you take for granted until they are changed. For example the flush handle on a toilet in the States, North America down through Mexico certainly, is on the left as you face the toilet. Here in UK the handle is on the right. Ligtswitches seem to reversed with the on position leaving the switch pointing down/in. Double faucets one for hot the other cold water are commonplace and I think bad design. Of course, the largest of these design differences is also the most potentially dangerous: driving on the wrong side of the road.

** Ken **

Sent from my iPhone

Scotland Trip - Montrose

On Thursday , May 22, 2008 around 1530 I officially ended my Challenge hike at Donattar Castle just a couple miles south of Stonehaven where I sold in the ocean and had a leisurely lunch with Steph and John. My coast to coast trek of the Scottish highlands is complete. It couldn't have gone ewmuch better.

Sure I spent an initdinate amount of time is Heatheryhaugh and Heathery hill trying to get through. I spent a remarkable bit if time making deep footprints over Blsckctaiggs too. But I also saw grand views from Little Kerlich and wonderful runs of brilliant yellow Gos plants lining farm farms. And as always met many fine people. Their is my h more to write but it'll have to wait for another entry. A fantastic adventure is ending and I can start to think about next year.

** Ken **

Sent from my iPhone

Scotland trip - kingussie

Scotland trip - kingussie

This is day six of the Challenge and I'm at Laird hostel (remember all spelling error are nine) here in Kibgussie. This is the lRgest town I've been in during the Challenge. The last three day and 58km have been very good indeed. I left The Caldonian for the Corruairrck (know that is spelled wrong. Think corrie-air-ick and you'll be close) Pass. The walk would be along winding old military road built circa 1715 I think by British General Wade. He used them to move forces to quell the Scottish clans. They've held up well though I feel sure some have been kept up. It is hard walking underfoot but the views are worth it. I even passed by a small patch of snow near the pass at about 780 meters. The weather was gray and I spent some of the time hiking with another challenger named Bob. By 1700 I reach the lively Melgrve bothy and pitched camp. I couldve stayed inside it is a grand place. Soon the quartet of brothers Hughen, Rod, Allen and Dave arrived as did Bob and Ethel and Russ Manipn and his group of Sam, Dave (I think) and Herman. Bob and Urzela had dinner and moved on. We had a fine night.

The next day would be a short walk to Laggan and the Monadhliath hotel. While scenically great it is a tough walk since much is on metalled road (single lane tarmac) this does make for a fast walk made quicker I think when I passed time away with Hsyden as we walked passed Spey dam and were joined by Vicki and Barbara. Barbara is a trooper. She is 79 and nearing her tenth Cgaklenge I think. Her feet are on a bad state but she soldiers on. Impressive. Whiling away the afternoon and dvenibg at the hotel was great fun I pitched my tarpyent within the church ruins which theyvallow and had a fine time. I don't miss not having a room. The food was good too.

Finallly coming into Kingussie was another pretty day of open views of moors and sheep farming with small rivers thrown in for flood measdure. I hiked with Russ and bid friends most if the day and we ambles all the way. Nick and I pullled ahead for the last bit (Andy trailing helping Vicki perhaps with Barbara) at the end and the kast mile or so which travels roads which drag on a bit. But still a very fine day.

Things are going very well and with luck will continue to do so.

** Ken **

Sent from my iPhone

Scotland - fort augustus

Three days down and many to go. I've walked main and minor roads, two tracks, footpaths, game paths, and non-paths. I've gotten off track already and been helped back on route by others and I am slowly gaining confidennxe though I doubt I'll ever feel good with map reading skills just because it is a tough read.

No time to check the village st southern loch Ness out really. I'll finish this note and head up the pass to Melgarve bothy and Garva bridge. With luck things will go well and I'll meet good people along the way. It has been tough and at times a bit lonely but I'm making a good go of it.

** Ken **

Sent from my iPhone

Scotland trip - over the ocean blue

Scotland trip - over the ocean blue

We got a late start from Nrwsrk but that was to be expected given the usual congestion at the airport. Now I sit in by seat near the back if the plane thankful that no one is in the middle seat thinking of the things I failed to get done before leaving home. The biggest one of these was reserving a space at the hostels I will pass the first two nights. Hopefully I can fix this when I land. If not well I will camp far away from them and deal with it. I also wish I had brought a bit more food. While I've no doubt I can get what I need in Glasgow it is one more thing to do and perhaps it would have been best to have leg one all set before leaving home. I've added zest to the start I didn't need to add, but it will work our.

I met Lou and Phyllox Laborit and we chatted some. They really enjoy Scotland. They gave done morecthan a dozen Chsllenges and have travelled other trails too. I really should try to mine their knowledge more than I have and maybe over the next couple days I will. It is hard to really guage how tough this trip will be. I think that is my biggest concern. I hope when I drugs off to fitful sleep in this airplane seat these waking issues don't color my dreams which will instead fill me with nothing but hope for what I'm about to do because until proven otherwise I do think I'll make the crossing.

** Ken **

Sent from my iPhone

Aplogies

For reasons unknow Blogger really beats up blog entries sent from my iPhone. I apologize for the awful appearance of the entries (including this one)

** Ken **

Sent from my iPhone

Scotland trip day 1

Scotland trip day 1

I squeeze into a small seat on an overheated plane. Thus small jet will take me to Nrwsrk and then it is on to Glasgow. The butterflies will fly with me. What have I forgotten, not considered orotherwise goofed up before I even leave Michigan? I'll find out 3400 mile from now. In spite of the butterflies I'm excited about this trip. It is going to be full of first for me. Just to name a few: first solo trip abroad, first backpacking trip outside the States, first use of the Arctic backpack and some other gear. I expect to learn a lot and come away with many good stories. I hope I succeed in the crossing of Scotland. At the very least not to make a fool of myself.

Travel contains so much waiting. Waiting can be frustrating especially when you're expecting things to happen or are looking for particular people. I stand and wait and hope I'm doing all I need to do. In less than a day I'll know for sure.

** Ken **

Sent from my iPhone

A Week in Northern Arizona

During the last week of March 2008 my parents and I visited Sedona, Flagstaff, and Grand Canyon South Rim. We saw quite a lot and had a very good time. I have plenty to say but time right now is against me as I hustle to ensure I am completely ready for The Great Outdoors Challenge. I am going to settle for merely sharing this three-part travelogue videos I have put together. The videos can be viewed in high definition if you have a fast enough connection to do so (click the button that says "HD" in it). If your connection is on the slower side of high-speed, less than 3Mbps, you'll probably notice some jerkiness in the video. Just pause the video and let it load in more and watch it then. Better yet, join Vimeo and then you can download the original videos, like podcasts, and watch it at your leisure. Personally I think they look best in full-screen mode with the scaling off but they show pretty well with scaling on too. Have fun.


Part 1: 3 Days In Sedona from Ken Knight on Vimeo.


Part 2: 36 Hours at the Grand Canyon from Ken Knight on Vimeo.


Part 3: A Day in Flagstaff from Ken Knight on Vimeo.

TGO Challenge - 36 Hours to Departure

The Challenge officially starts in less than a week. In less than 36 hours I'll be leaving my home here in Ann Arbor for the airport to start my journey across the Atlantic to Glasgow. Butterflies are creeping into my stomach. Have I selected the right gear? Do I have everything I need printed out? Do I have my passport in a prominent location where I cannot forget to to take? Am I up for the challenge of the 13 or so miles per day average I must manage on terrain that could be easy, tough, craggy, mist shrouded, clear, but always a likely navigational challenge? Have I left things in a proper state here at home while I am away for the duration? These questions are all bouncing around my head. And yet, instead of right now packing everything up I have put things aside for the past hour or so to create the nice interactive map that you see below. This map should give you a decent idea of what I have planned. I've built in wiggle room and realize that the route is likely a best-case scenario. I hope I don't need those extra days but if I do I have them.

View the Route Map In it’s own window.

For those curious the map is generated with the Google Maps API and is based on code from not only Google but GPSVisualizer.com plus modifications I have made myself. Those of you who have been following the exploits of Erin and Hig as they journey along the wild coast or followed Andy Skurka on his Great Western Loop Hike via Backpacking Lightor some of my own travels may recognize the map display.