WARNING...massive blog ahead! I have to apologize for all of you AJ-blogging fans...he was going to take the reins and add commentary to our adventure to Bath...but I spoiled the fun when I told him we should include 20+ pictures. So...you're left with another blog from Andrea!
AJ and I ventured to the beautiful little Roman-inspired town of Bath on Saturday. We are so excited to show this town to all who may wander our way! (We were thinking of you Pitzer's!) It's just a 11-minute train ride there! Amazing! We found a Borders bookstore in the Bristol city-center after church one weekend and found a great book of 30 area hikes around our city. One of the trips was a 8.5 mile trek around Bath and the surrounding countryside. We were inspired to give it a try. We hope you enjoy our photo journal of our day!
Here we are in Bath! Brrrr...it was super cold! We could see our breath for hours!
AJ standing next to one of the ancient wooden locks along the man-made canal...stretching from Bristol to London. This amazing engineering feat enabled industry to grow in the late 1700's.
Common features of the canal include canal boats. We were told that a sort of "indigenous" folk live on these boats, which range from old-timer "RV" type, well-to-do models, to run-down boats just keeping afloat.
Houses line part of the canal, giving it a little feel of Venice!
Another pretty shot of the home on the canal outside of Bath.
A saying we've been living by! ("Pudding" is equivalent to dessert!)
Here's Dave...a friendly retiree who moved to a river life with his wife..."now that the kids are out of the house!". He gave us a great history about the "River Folk" and learned that 18 kids were born on the boats in the area in the past couple of years! Wow!
A pretty shot of the embankment behind Dave's docked canal boat.
Here's a photo of the countryside along the canal path, just a couple of miles beyond Bath.
One of the villages the trail led us to was Bathampton Spa. Here's a shot of one of the local gathering spots!
At one point we spotted a little kitty on the trail. AJ stooped down to pet him, and he immediately made himself at home! He eventually crawled on AJ's neck and perched on his shoulder. Looks like he needed some love! (A man on a bicycle came by and said that one of the canal folks had lost their cat...and this little guy matched the description...phew!)
Eventually, the hiking route took us off the canal path and into a little village along the bank called Cleverton. Some of the buildings were constructed in the 15th century. Unbelievable!
AJ and I ascended a relatively large hill along the way and came upon a random American Museum. We didn't feel the need to check it out...maybe next time!
As the day progressed, we realized our hike took us to many random encounters! Just when we thought we were in the middle of the countryside, we came upon a bobsled training center. A couple steps later we found ourselves at the edge of the University of Bath property. I still think it was random! Ha.Ha.
At lunchtime, I made AJ stop for a pose!
Towards the end of the hike, we stumbled upon the "Sham Castle", which is just a small castle-like structure that a gentleman built to enhance the view of Bath from his cottage up the hill in 1792. Interesting!
Descending into Bath once again!
This was a hilarious attempt at getting a self-portrait of ourselves with Bath being the backdrop. Instead, we've made ourselves look like goomba's!
Once back in the city, the trek led us along the River Avon, where a boat trip came and docked. You can't tell in the picture...but the driver looked just like Steve Faulkner!!! To our Faulkner friends...we miss you guys!
A couple steps further we came across Bath's local rugby team stadium...sort of like the Packers or the Broncos are to us back home. It was a beautiful field!
With just 45 minutes before our train departure, AJ and I ran through the center of Bath to catch a glimpse of the area. Here's a photo of the The Abbey. It was beautiful! The day was so perfect...and it was so nice to see the sun!
As if to make our day of random encounters complete, we came across a sword-juggling, unicycling clown. His commentary was hilarious!
On our little journey home (11 minute train ride, an 18 minute bus ride, and a little walk), we saw a big ol' hot air balloon just over our heads!
Then it got closer...
And then it landed on the Downs! AJ couldn't wait to share this photo...notice how massive his hands are! Ha.Ha.
At one point before church our place got quiet...so I peeked around the corner to find AJ sitting on the couch "researching" fly-fishing in a manly fashion! 
Practicing his balancing moves just after breakfast!
AJ found a big leaf near our home and wanted everyone to see!
Reenacting Adam in the garden! Hee.Hee.
Here's a self-portrait on the way...I forgot to take my 'first day' photo in front of the door with my lunchbox! Ha.Ha.
This is a shot of Durdham Park Road, which is the road I take to the office...it's so nice not having to fight traffic. :)
Here's the building I work in! It's called the Queen Victoria House, which used to be a nunnery, I believe. The company conducts meetings and gatherings in the old chapel. Neat!
Here's the little company sign.
A view from our window! I work in a small room with 7 other engineers and scientists ranging in 2 years to 20 years experience. I LOVE this new work environment...where you can just shout a question across to your neighbor or tell a joke. I think the only hang-up is plowing through work if someone is on the phone....but it works well to plug your ears!
My computer hadn't arrived in time for my first day, so here I am working at a co-workers' desk (hopefully I can keep things tidy...I wouldn't want to lose anything in Jon's piles! Yikes! Ha.Ha.) Thanks for the fuzzy, pink sweater Sabrina!!
AJ trekking by!
A self-portrait...in action!
The trail eventually led down to the River Avon. It was a GORGEOUS fall day. Wish you all you were here!!
Here we are in Bath! Brrrr...it was super cold! We could see our breath for hours!
AJ standing next to one of the ancient wooden locks along the man-made canal...stretching from Bristol to London. This amazing engineering feat enabled industry to grow in the late 1700's.
Common features of the canal include canal boats. We were told that a sort of "indigenous" folk live on these boats, which range from old-timer "RV" type, well-to-do models, to run-down boats just keeping afloat.
Houses line part of the canal, giving it a little feel of Venice!
Another pretty shot of the home on the canal outside of Bath.
A saying we've been living by! ("Pudding" is equivalent to dessert!)
Here's Dave...a friendly retiree who moved to a river life with his wife..."now that the kids are out of the house!". He gave us a great history about the "River Folk" and learned that 18 kids were born on the boats in the area in the past couple of years! Wow!
A pretty shot of the embankment behind Dave's docked canal boat.
Here's a photo of the countryside along the canal path, just a couple of miles beyond Bath.
One of the villages the trail led us to was Bathampton Spa. Here's a shot of one of the local gathering spots!
At one point we spotted a little kitty on the trail. AJ stooped down to pet him, and he immediately made himself at home! He eventually crawled on AJ's neck and perched on his shoulder. Looks like he needed some love! (A man on a bicycle came by and said that one of the canal folks had lost their cat...and this little guy matched the description...phew!)
Eventually, the hiking route took us off the canal path and into a little village along the bank called Cleverton. Some of the buildings were constructed in the 15th century. Unbelievable!
AJ and I ascended a relatively large hill along the way and came upon a random American Museum. We didn't feel the need to check it out...maybe next time!
As the day progressed, we realized our hike took us to many random encounters! Just when we thought we were in the middle of the countryside, we came upon a bobsled training center. A couple steps later we found ourselves at the edge of the University of Bath property. I still think it was random! Ha.Ha.
At lunchtime, I made AJ stop for a pose!
Towards the end of the hike, we stumbled upon the "Sham Castle", which is just a small castle-like structure that a gentleman built to enhance the view of Bath from his cottage up the hill in 1792. Interesting!
Descending into Bath once again!
This was a hilarious attempt at getting a self-portrait of ourselves with Bath being the backdrop. Instead, we've made ourselves look like goomba's!
Once back in the city, the trek led us along the River Avon, where a boat trip came and docked. You can't tell in the picture...but the driver looked just like Steve Faulkner!!! To our Faulkner friends...we miss you guys!
A couple steps further we came across Bath's local rugby team stadium...sort of like the Packers or the Broncos are to us back home. It was a beautiful field!
With just 45 minutes before our train departure, AJ and I ran through the center of Bath to catch a glimpse of the area. Here's a photo of the The Abbey. It was beautiful! The day was so perfect...and it was so nice to see the sun!
As if to make our day of random encounters complete, we came across a sword-juggling, unicycling clown. His commentary was hilarious!
On our little journey home (11 minute train ride, an 18 minute bus ride, and a little walk), we saw a big ol' hot air balloon just over our heads!
Then it got closer...
And then it landed on the Downs! AJ couldn't wait to share this photo...notice how massive his hands are! Ha.Ha.
In order to reach Leigh Woods, we have to cross the tall & beautiful (and often scary!) suspension bridge! 
Here's me at the beginning of our 4.5 hour "hike"!
I admit I get a bit "snap-happy" and thought I'd share a picture of AJ by the fields! 
A pretty little farm outside the Timberland hiking trail.
Here's the trail leading into the park.
A view of the field.
AJ on the trail! 
When we circled back near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, there was a random miniature train with jolly riders! It was hilarious! I had to wave...luckily for me they waved back. So fun!
There are multitudes of hot air balloons here...so I snapped a photo of a balloon against the setting sun.
A view of the River Avon on the way back across the bridge. We've noticed that the river is quite lifeless...we figured it's due to the fact that it ebbs and flows with the tide.
