The American Triangle, Edinburgh, Scotland

Hello green landscapes and rolling hills and adorable cottages, we're in Scotland!

1) Traveling by train is fun.
2) It's also convenient and relaxing.
3) You get to see more of the country than you otherwise might!

I am a huge proponent of train travel!

Scotland immediately wowed me. I felt at home even though my generational roots lie southeast of London in Dover. The train ride was nice and I read and we chatted and I took pictures of the moving landscapes. Excellent trip so far! We arrived in Edinburgh in the afternoon and were graciously picked up by our homeowner whose apartment we had rented for the few days we would be in town.

The place was hopping. Traveling to Edinburgh during their biggest annual festival was both a good and bad thing. We saw a whole lot of interesting things but weren't there to partake so it was a bit distracting at times. Our apartment was on the Royal Mile nearly equidistant from Edinburgh Castle and the Queen's Castle where she still stays occasionally and it was perfect. Quaint, comfortable, spacious with ample natural light, we spent a good deal of time in the apartment relaxing with a good book or interesting TV news. There were three topics on BBC News: Ferguson, MO, Scotland's impending independence vote and ISIS. Over and over these topics were covered the entire time while we were abroad.

Taking an evening stroll to see the sights. It got progressively colder the further north we ventured. Rainy, too.

God save the Queen!

View from atop the hill near the castle. It was windy, chilly and beginning to rain harder but still stunning.

Finally, my first pint abroad! 

With a beer down, we wandered back to the apartment to relax and enjoy the evening. I was voraciously tearing through my book and felt so connected to it...it was awesome.

In the morning we stumbled on an adorable cafe next to the pub we'd visited the evening before and indulged in some breakfast. It was so good it got a repeat visit the next morning, too!

I mean, duh, I'd love it here.

The most delicious scone I have ever tasted in my entire life.

The day proved much better than the previous and the weather was again perfect for us to wander the streets. We slowly wound our way to the offices for the Edinburgh Military Show that we would be attending that evening so we could pick up our tickets and then continued on to the castle for a tour.

It was chilly but with the shining sun and a good scarf, it was a great day to be outside!

So intimidating.

Watch out Ferris Wheel!

After spending the afternoon touring, we headed back to the apartment to refresh ourselves before dinner and the show.

My only regret with the temperature is that this outfit didn't see the light of day!

I became very quickly addicted to a caramel chocolate shortbread bar thingy so I made sure to pick one of those up before arriving home.

Waiting for the show...he's the worst.

The dinner before the show gave us faster access than the crowds and we enjoyed a nice meal with some wine and a shot of Scottish Whisky. Not gonna lie, you can absolutely taste the peat fire they use to smoke the malt. Yuck, sorry Scots. The show itself was interesting with military bands from all over the world performing different tunes and accompanying dances. I think my favorite part was the fact that we got tickets on the very top row of seats which happened to also be the only ones that were covered when it started raining during the show. Thanks, Universe!

We left the show and quoted Kevin Hart the entire walk back to the apartment along with a few mocking moments of Milo. One last morning in Edinburgh before we go even further north to find Nessie!

The next morning dawned gray and rainy again (thanks for giving us our best day there when we wandered!) and with one last loaded baked potato (it was a shop entirely for loaded baked potatoes...it was glorious) we got on our train to Inverness. Note: no muck-ups this time!

Here we come, Nessie!

The American Triangle, London

The American Triangle is otherwise known as, England, Scotland, Ireland. We are a very predictable people it seems.

Tanner and I set off on our adventure mid-August by catching an evening flight to London, Eng-uh-land.

I've mentioned the game he likes to play, right? 9PM at an airport, woo!

Cue the music...

Noon on the other side of the pond! Same clothes for 20 hours, no big deal.

Navigating the metro wasn't as user-friendly as NYC or DC, but we made our way to King's Cross (HARRY POTTER!!!!!) and winded our way down the streets to our hotel. I'd experienced lack of internet while traveling abroad in Canada but it still takes some adjustments. Thankfully, the hotel was easily visible and we checked in, exhausted. With a brief nap under our belts we began walking.

As recommended by Molly who lived over here for a bit. Sadly though they used peanut oil...OUT.

So we ate Italian down the street.

Destination! The sun was just beginning to set and Big Ben was beautiful. Smaller than expected, but beautiful.

After traversing these miles, we slowly walked back to the hotel to catch some zzz's. Day one, done!

We woke the next morning around 9AM and hit the ground running. The weather was incredibly perfect so walking across the city was refreshing, to say the least. Our first stop was the Tower of London so we could see the poppy installment that had been recently dedicated by the royals.

It was even more beautiful and breathtaking in person. It was expansive and to think it represented lives lost really made you take pause.

From here we walked across the bridge (are you singing the song?...it did not fall down) and started our westerly walk down the Thames River.

What light through yonder window breaks...

I have to admit the Globe was a little underwhelming. The world has grown around it...

We continued to walk down the Thames back towards the London Eye and Big Ben, enjoying the sunshine and cool weather. Unfortunately we also got to experience what is apparently standard fair for the Thames in the form of a floating corpse. Unexpected by us, though not the first time I've seen a floater (UH Downtown campus, man, there were some crazy things that happened there), it was not unusual for the locals. An older woman stopped to ask Tanner what we were watching (it was the horde of policeman officers swarming the beach and the even stranger couple walking their dog five feet away from them) and when we indicated what we were looking at she goes, "Oh, another one? That happens almost weekly now." Cool. Good to know...

Scratching the oddity and grossness we had seen we continued our walk and made our way to the very, very, very long line for the Eye. Not this time, kids...just gonna look at it from below.

The afternoon had caught us up and so we made our way to the original Hard Rock Cafe on the other side of Buckingham Palace with a quick to stop to admire the opulence of a few places. Except not everyone lived up to their expectations.

Proof of gorgeous day.

Stunning, absolutely stunning.

Meh. Maybe I went to the wrong side?

I really had a different idea in my head, I have no idea why. Fairy tales and Disney movies come to mind...

20 min wait just for Hard Rock? I guess some of the paraphernalia in there was worth it? (shrugs)

We ran out of time at this point to wander over to Kensington Gardens so we took a quick side tour to see the US Embassy...

'Merica! I was really hoping we could walk onto American soil but I did not see a Visitor's entrance or anything of the sort. Bummer!

Then caught a tube back to the hotel to rest and prepare for Wicked and the West End. I had already seen Wicked in Houston and was recommended to see it in its home stage on the West End. Plus, I knew it was the least likely to bother Tanner with all the singing.

It was wonderful! Though they did pronounce a few words incorrectly...

I was mostly right.

After the show, we said adieu and walked the few miles back to the hotel in the brisk night air.

Thanks for a good time, London!

The next morning we woke up early and prepared for our travels to Scotland, the next leg of the trip. Without photo proof, I was able to FINALLY find the dang trolley in the wall at King's Cross. I felt almost like Harry when he was confused for his first time going there with the Weasley's. I shopped in the shop and got chocolate frogs with trading cards along with my train ticket to Platform 9 3/4 as well as a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (bucket list item, CHECK) and still couldn't find the trolley. When I finally saw it and then saw the line for it and THEN saw the contents of said line, I realized I just didn't have it in me to wait to take a picture with it. I was nearly 30 and I couldn't justify doubling the average age of the line participants for my fantasy. Picture taken from afar, check! (I have no idea where this pic is now actually...magic!)

Outside of my trolley searching adventure, when we made it to King's Cross, I had a rude shock when I learned I should have bought my ticket in advance of our trip. The train tickets rapidly escalate in price the day of...so with an annoying clerk to help us, my blood boiling and steam coming out of my ears, I learned a very painful $500 USD lesson. With literally NOTHING to be done for it, I took about 10 minutes and slowly brought my blood pressure back to a safe range. So it goes...

On our way! About this time is when I fervently began re-reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. The fact that I was IN Scotland reading about being IN Scotland in the 1700's really made this trip the more memorable.

Here we come, Scotland!

Miloman, Handsome Man, Regal Half-Beagle

Our dog, Milo.

Words can't do him justice. He's quirky, funny, goofy, asinine, frustrating, annoying, loving, playful, curious...

Maybe just not enough words to do him justice. He's an oddball mutt of unknown breeds and for that he's amazing. There is no other dog quite like him and I do love unique!

If you aren't my buddy on instagram, you're in a for a show because these pictures are never before seen! If you are my buddy on instagram, most of these have been posted before. Additionally, for those who have seen my gallery of photos on my phone happily pronounce I'm crazy and obsessed with my dog.

I love my dog. He may annoy me to the point of ignoring him for hours on end occasionally but his contrite slink back to me after he's heard "NO!" is just too adorable. Then he throws his head back in my lap saying, "Moooom! Mom, love me! I am all that is good! Look at how cute I am!" And yes, these words are said aloud in our "Milo" voice which Tanner and I have both perfected.

Since this will be my only Milo solo post, get ready for the onslaught of cuteness!

It's real early, mom. Do we haz to walk?

First time meeting Uncle Bear! We play lots and lots though most of the time UB just makes funny snarling noises that make me bark and laugh at him.

My mom and dad were so amazed at my hiking. Hello, I'm a big boy dog, it's what Uncle Bear taught me to do! I only lose my balance part of da time.

Dad, you're da best.

Just being cute here, Mom, pway wit me.

Why does she take so many photos? I'm tiwed, mom.

I'm a ninjadog, mom. You can't see me.

Damn right, it's my made-up birthday. Where are my treats and spoils?

Mom, this is highly unorthodox. You're in my space.

I am walking YOU, Mom.

I think this is a good pose to send to da doggie magazine. 

This is my perch. I growl at unsuspecting five year olds.

Mom, Dad, this is my first friend at da dog park! 

Gramma and Grandad, I am so glad to meet you.

Dad, that's a pretty sweet surname, right? Me + mom fo life.

I am so embarrassed for my humans.

My first baseball game!

Mom, I am far too cool for these. 

Shh, don't tell anyone that sometimes I cuddle by choice and not force.

Here's another pose to send, mom. It's a keeper.

I'm confused why you told me to come over here but then every other time I go by myself you say NO real loudly.

You think a scarf is a good idea, really mom? I look ridiculous.

This one is for da cover page.

Clearly, I'm a lap dog.

Mine.

I'm smiling, see?

Merry Woofmas!

Mom!!! Me and Roxy played for 3 whole hours and I want more!

You can't throw this away, Mom and Dad. No way, no how.

Pwease stay home from work?

I LOVE THIS DOG! LOOK AT HIS FACE!