Scotland – The West Highland Way

Should I start this with some cute saying, like “I’m Back….” or some real serious comment, like “I have missed communicating to all of you since before covid” or is this just the right time to pick up again like nothing has changed in any of our lives. Of course everyone knows many things in life have changed over the last 5 years, but as things have changed, also some things are the same, like my desire to go trekking. As you can see from the title, I am planning a trip to go trekking in Scotland. The only thing weird is that I have been hiking continually since March of 2020, I just have not been on any bigger trips that I felt justified blogging the experience.

I love hiking in Colorado, but that is so close to home it doesn’t seem like it is a major experience. I also spend almost one afternoon a week at Palo Duro Canyon, my 2024 park entries show I went to Palo Duro Canyon 42 times in 2024. Those are all day hikes or weekend double hikes at best, so I apologize for not sharing with each of you about the rugged beauty of Palo Duro Canyon or the stately majesty of the Colorado mountains. Maybe I have always thought this blog should be for looking for the major things, like foreign trekking adventures. That made me fail to communicate how special it is to get outdoors in our own backyard, like my hikes in Palo Duro Canyon, the 2nd largest Canyon the US.

That also points to my personal life, just like in this blog, I look at and make important the major things, but don’t give enough credit to the simple things in life, like God, family, friends and work. Those are the staples of life that allow me and probably you, the ability to realize our dreams, both large and small. Without the small things in life, nothing in our lives can point to the big things, the special things.

Speaking of dreams, I have one coming forward to be fulfilled next week, I am flying to Scotland to trek the West Highland Way, a 96 mile hike from just north of Glasgow, Milngavie to Fort William. Why the West Highland Way, I could say it is because of the renowned beauty of the Scottish Highlands or because the trek is always on the top 10 lists of treks to accomplish. But my wife knows the real reason, I am a Highlander fan and Conner and Duncan McCloud are from the Highlands of Scotland. Before you go searching for Highlander and the McCloud’s, that is just a couple of movies and a Saturday night TV series and no I am not serious for that reason, but those movies are the first time I really got to see the magnificence of that country side. When you see the pictures of this area, I know of each of you will dream of going there and just to enjoy nature in its finest presentation.

If you have time follow me on this journey, hopefully I will be able to share some of the pictures of this beauty spot in God’s world. Also, I will share my thoughts on what this trek brings to my mind, it might be some thoughts like why did I decide to do this trek on limited preparation or is it really going to rain every afternoon or it might just be a commentary on the people I meet and see from places around the world that are drawn there the same way I am being drawn. I will try to share this trip with you.

As one famous author said “Oh, the places you will Go!”
Isaiah 30:21

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