A Beautiful Hike in Hope Valley

One of the things I love about living in England, is I live right outside of a big city- yet close enough to take a day's trip hiking in the hills and forest. Its the best of both worlds. I also have always wanted to live somewhere that has a beautiful Autumn... and England definitely has that!



This weekend me and my love went hiking. We usually go hiking in a place called Edale, but this time we wanted more of a forest hike, and we remembered last year when we went hiking on a trail in Hope Valley (both places are in the peak district). 
Last year, when we did this hike, we were extremely tired and my knees were hurting so badly. I remember the hike being very steep, and very hard. We actually didn't make it all the way to the top last time. 

Last years hike in early Summer 2015
We didn't make it to the very top, but we enjoyed the adventure!

This time, I wanted to make it to the top. 

It's that thing inside of you that believes 
'I can do this- I may have not made it before, but I will.' 
I think that's the whole season I'm going through now actually, as I grow in believing in myself- this thing inside of me that refuses to accept failure- it applies to so much more than this weekends hike... and I know it exists inside us all, because we were made to have victory in all we dream of. 
It's the ones that never give up that end up being world changers. 

It had been over a year since we last attempted this trail- and I couldn't believe how much different it felt hiking it. Also, we saw this sign that we didn't see before (and if you read my last blog entry, you will see why this is kinda funny... Another promise that we are still in a season of Jubilee)



The hike was steep in parts, like I remembered, but my body easily handled it. 
We paused for water and a rest, and I started out in lots of layers but slowly ended up taking them off from getting too warm, but never did I feel like I couldn't go on. 

Needed to document myself wearing a tank top in 57 degree weather.
That was a first for me. 

As I hiked I thought about the difference in life between last year, and this year. How much more I love myself and love my body- and how true it is that when we love ourselves, it is manifested in health and our bodies truly love us back. I hiked and was so thankful for this- so thankful that my knees were not hurting like they had for years before (I use to not be able to run more than 3-5 miles without my knees hurting for days after... now I can run 8 miles, and they don't bother me)- and so thankful for healthy habits of just taking care of myself with rest, food, relationships, and love. 






We made it to the top- the view was breathtaking. 




It was so nice hiking in a place called Hope valley, because as we traveled there we saw so many signs that read "Hope"... and even this was encouraging for the season we are going through, not knowing how the visa application will work out, but just trusting. Hope. 


My biggest hope is to have the visa, and be back in England with my love for Christmas. 
:)

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