Scotland – WHW Day 3

Another absolutely beautiful day on the West Highland Way.

So I know you are thinking, wow, David is going to post some absolute great pictures of far away mountains and beautiful lush valleys. Nope, today was a hikers get out and enjoy the hike type day, it was mostly spent walking along a forest trail lined by trees and ferns, there were not many great vistas to view. But the air was crisp, the rain never too heavy and the trail just a delight to be in a forest that felt pristine. That feeling is comparable to waking up in a mountain log cabin and stepping outdoors to smell the pine and drink your first coffee, I am sure most of you have had that experience. It was just a great feeling to be in the world God made this morning!

I had to kick myself for starting off with a bad feeling towards two men. During breakfast, one of those free full meal buffet deals, there were two German men, one getting his toast and the other his meat and eggs. The bread table guy had placed two slices of bread in the toaster and was waiting, but with 3 six piece toasters and a spread of bread on a six foot table, he stood blocking everyone, including two ladies wanting to start there bread cooking. It is hard to describe how he did that, but he did. I thought, no consideration for other people. The other guy stepped in front of me and proceeded to take his time, grab a sausage, then decided he wanted ham and placed the sausage back in the warmer, then started to move down the line, then backed up effectively making me take a step back to avoid, only to place the ham back in the warmer, then slooooowly got a sausage and a bacon before moving on. Again, no consideration for other people. About an hour into my hike, these two guys and a friend started to pass me, they stopped and we chatted for about 5 minutes, just 3 friends doing a men’s week out with the blessing of their wives. In visiting with them, I also remembered from when I hiked the Camino that the German and Dutch people have different views of etiquette and personal space that is different from what our moms taught us. They were not being discourteous, they just do things different. They were nice guys. It is amazing sometimes how we jump to conclusions when people don’t think or act like us.

Back to the hike, this is the third day, I am meeting people for the second and third time. Also just seeing a lot of familiar faces as we pass or get passed. There really are a lot of people from different places here, a couple from Washington, a gentlemen from Singapore, lots of people from different European countries. That is one of the marvelous things about hiking on a well known trail, there a people from all over. You become short term friends with some, smiling acquaintances with others, but you all share a common bond, in this case trekking.

For anyone that is wondering, yes it rained today, I was almost fully rain protected all day. My shoes are wet on the outside, but didn’t get wet insides, marvelous technology. But, the feet still were cold. The rain today seemed like a forest cleaning blessing, so it didn’t bother me at all. The only thing really wet today is the side of my backpack that fits against my back, the water ran down my raincoat to that side.

Where to from here, still moving north along Loch Lomond (loch = lake) for another day tomorrow. Having a wonderful time trekking and having a good time trying to share my thoughts with you!

Luke 6:37
Word for this day: Petrichor ( I know you think I will tell you what it means, but no, we all have to do a little work to discover new things, even words)

continue to Day 4