Take a Gap Year

*NOTE: yes, I do realize that my gap year is basically over by now,but this was something I had intended to share long ago. In fact I typed this months ago but for some reason only got to posting it now. It outlines my reasons for taking a gap year, and maybe will encourage others to give it a try if they so desire. Enjoy!


I remember one day junior year on high school, our guidance councilors came into our advisories and handed out sheets that pertained to “post high school plans.” And I remember thinking “great, they are starting this college stuff already.” They proceeded to talk about how junior year grades weigh heavily a colleges decision to accept or decline an application, and to just do our best this year with that in mind.
“And the pressure is on already”
Then they directed our attention to the blue sheet (blue-how different and exciting!). It had a list of things to keep in mind and think about for senior year when the college application process truly began. Then on that back it had more post high school paths. These included a vocational tech school, the Army, and a gap year. The guidance councilors read through each bullet, explaining further about them. When she began to explain about a gap year, My heart skipped a beat and I thought was “I am doing that.” That thought was my initial gut reaction.
 And you know what they say. Go with your gut.

I did. It was a struggle. My rational mind vs. my instincts. It was a battle of epic proportions. Eventually, instincts won out, by a slim margin. These next posts will explain why I decided to take a gap year.
 

The Fife Coatsal Path

This morning I woke up at my leisure and made a pretty sweet breakfast, if I do say so myself. I think I finally mastered making coffee with a french press. Woo!

I mean dayum. Muesli with yogurt and fruit. Toast, eggs, and coffee.

Well done me. I then made a sandwich and gathered some other food to bring with my on my hike. I packed up my backpack and headed out. It was a sunny, blustery day, the perfect temperature for a good walk. The daffodils bobbed their heads as I passed, making my way down the road to town.

 I did a small portion of the Fife Coastal Path. I started in Kinghorn and made it to the outskirts of Kirkaldy. I was originally planning to go a little past Kirkaldy, to Dysart, but there was a street fair going on, and I didn't feel like trying to find my way through that. I was there for the nature. And nature there was. 

 

I did a portion within section two.

 I knew where the path began to head back towards Burntisland, but I only had a rough idea of where it started to go towards Kirkcaldy. It took me three tries to figure out exactly where it began. I found the trail right away, but I could not for the life of me find the trail head. But alas, I did find it and began my hike. 

The church in Kinghorn.

The start of the path.

 Right off the bat, the views were absolutely stunning. From the trail, I could see across the sparkling blue firth over to Arthur's seat in Edinburgh, and across the sprawling rocky beaches beyond the path ahead. 

The path.

Across the way is Arthur's seat.

My pace was slowed considerably, mostly because I kept getting extremely distracted by all the beautiful panoramic views and the beaches. I could spend a whole day just clambering around the beach pictured above. There are so many areas to explore and things to find. But I did my best to contain myself so I would actually end up going somewhere. 

Much of the path was very easy, only with slight inclines every now and then. Those inclines provided for spectacular vantage points. 

A sign for the coastal path with Arthur's seat and Black Rocks in the horizon. What a view.

After about an hour or so of walking, the silhouette of a crumbling stone building rose up out of the bluffs. It was that of Seafield Tower, built in the 16th century. This to me is the essence of Scotland. Cool old castles steeped in history. If I had a nickel for every time that I have watched a ghost show about a Scottish castle, I could probably buy a castle. The history behind them is always fascinating, so I was totally psyched when I saw this was en route.

I spent a fair bit of time walking along the beach and sitting on the rocks in front of the tower. For a while I looked out on the rocks and watched the waves crash against them. A faint movement on the rocks caught my eye. I stared and stared for the longest time, trying to figure out what the movement was. My first thought was that it looked like a sheep moving its head up and down. But that made no sense. Then I though perhaps it was a garbage bag being blown about, until I saw the same movement a little farther left on the rock. Seals. They were seals. About ten seals were all basking on the rocks. It was so very cool. I also figured out that I seriously need to wear my glasses more often...

It's zoomed in pretty far, but can you see the seals?

I continued along the path until I reached the beach just before Kirkcaldy. As soon as I saw what looked like a carnival in the distance, I stopped and had my picnic. As I said before, it was some street festival, and I just didn't want to get anywhere near the crowds. 

Best sandwich ever! (not really.) (it was alright.)

On my way back, I passed the castle again and I took a butt ton more pictures. Here a few of them:

Check out that red sandstone.

Then it was back to the path. I took a quick detour onto a beach I had passed on the way. A small path was of indented grass lead down a small hill and onto the beach. There I walked along the sand, skirting the cliffs. Suddenly, I noticed an opening, a split in the rocks. Sure enough, it was the gaping mouth of a cave about fifty feet high. I was not expecting to find this, so it was an added bonus to the days adventure. 

The small path lead here.

This is my "This cave is creepy and I'm not going any closer" face.

I walked up close to mouth, but did not actually go inside. It emanated a damp air and stony silence. The only sound was the occasional dripping as it echoed off the stone walls of the cave. I stood there for what seemed like a long while, entranced by the utter silence. The spell was broken when a couple and their dog walked by and I began to head back to Kinghorn and to the farm. 

The most beautiful day yet

Today was so beautiful and quintessentially spring, that it was stupid. Clear blue sky, white puffy clouds, emerald green fields, fresh warm breeze and bright sunshine. It was the kind of day that makes me want to just sit in the grass and enjoy the air.

Hugo came to wake me up this morning.

For the morning I was working with Adam because he had to go into Edinburgh for the weekend. I was chopping wood for the sauna and turning over the soil in the garden. 

Shiraz helping me with the wood splitting.

Chopping like a lumberjack.

Beautiful day to work outside.

It was so pleasant just being outside, I really enjoyed the work. I was also kinda tired, so it was nice to just slowly go about my buisness in a relaxed manner.  Also, I took a zillion pictures so there will be plenty in this post. So enjoy!

The poly tunnel where I was turning the soil.

The sauna. Built by Adam and Rich.

By the time I had finished with those jobs, it was just about lunch time. Adam had already left, but he left me food up in the tree house. So I got to have a relaxing lunch in the tree house. Which is just so cool. I seriously can't get over it. 

Inside the tree house. Awesome, right?

Lunch!

Made some coffee to help wake me up. Turns out I suck at using a french press...

After a leisurely lunch, and a watery coffee that actually did help wake me up, I went down to the house to help Richard. We worked on the electric fence, putting in new posts and making sure that it still worked. We must have walked the perimeter of the field a few times, which gave a great opportunity for enjoying the view. It was so clear today!

Does this remind anyone else of that windows background? You know with the hill...and the mountains? And you always wonder what's on the other side of the hill...

We finished up about an half hour early, so I got to go for a nice walk and enjoy the afternoon. 

The ecology center grounds.

It was just a really relaxed and beautiful spring day here on the farm. I hope you enjoyed the photos and thank you for reading. Be sure to check back for more!