This last December after Christmas, the hubby and I took a drive down to stay on the Columbia River Gorge for the weekend. One of the hikes we did was on the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail just outside Lyle, WA.
This turned out to be an interesting stroll with expansive views of the gorge despite the dreary weather. We wandered up and onto the plateau through forests of garry oak knotted and covered with pale lichen and the dry grasses of winter.
As we wandered along the trail, I gazed back at the bluffs overlooking the river gorge. I couldn’t help but remark how the stepped bluffs reminded me of my visit to Scotland at the end of summer in 2018. Who knew that this little section of Washington State would resemble the outskirts of Edinburgh so much?
As I was walking the orchard, I realized that I had never shared here on the blog how the dear country of Scotland had made me feel right at home from the moment we crossed the border from England.
First, it started to rain. I am not exaggerating, it may have been a bit overcast as we drove the last few miles of England but as soon as we crossed the border into Scotland, the rain began to fall and the landscape disappeared behind a shroud of clouds. Ah, just like home.
Second, I stopped along the way to go to the bathroom. And when I say go to the bathroom, I mean find a wee bit of forest to pee in. The UK is fabulous on rest areas but it seemed that as soon as I was in Scotland, it was back to just wooded pullouts and I really had to go.
So I parked the car and stepped back into the woods enough to go and then realized that I wasn’t the only one who had had the same I idea, there were toilet paper flowers all over. Ah, just like home. I hadn’t paid much attention other than to make sure I was not seen from the road when I found a place to pee. It wasn’t until I rose to walk back to the car that I felt the stinging. The familiar stinging of nettles. Ah, just like home.
And then after driving less than hour towards Edinburgh and arriving at Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood, the clouds parted and the views opened up. Ah, just like home. Wait a while and the weather will change!
I wish I had a better shot of this view, it really mimics the scenery at the Lyle Cherry Orchard! Minus Edinburgh, of course.
And standing on the top of Holyrood and Arthur’s Seat, the closest hike to the city, I was reminded of Rattlesnake Ledge. Tons of people all milling around to get a view and take a selfie. Just like Snow Lake at Alpental or Mount Si, this hike is on every tourists to do list. Ah, just like home.
Thank you, Scotland for the warm welcome!
What do you think? Have you visited Scotland? Were there areas that reminded you of home or the Pacific Northwest?
If you would like to learn more about our visit to the Lyle Cherry Orchard, you can read my trip report here. Luckily this spectacular hike has nowhere near the crowds of Holyrood or Rattlesnake Ledge. Just like in A Girls Hiking Weekend Getaway On The Columbia River Gorge we stayed at Carson Hotsprings Resort with another hike on Beacon Rock and Wind Mountain. Our favorite stop for grub and cider was Crush Cider in Hood River!
If you want to hear a bit more about our trip to England, you can read In Search of Castles, We Made It Home, Yes, You Can Eat Paleo While In The UK (But You Might Not Want To) or 10 Ideas For Day Hikes On Long Distance Trails In The UK and The Go Outdoors Kids Camping Cookbook.
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