Hillwalking

Saturday, I experienced my first hiking adventure! I was quickly informed that the word "hiking" is an American term and what we were doing was "hillwalking." There's a new term for you!  Scott and I got a "lift" (a ride in the car) with some new friends from Re:Hope a little after 8am. We drove about an hour outside Glasgow to Loch Lomond (a lake) and began our hike at the base of Ben Lomond which is part of the Munros, the highest mountains in Scotland. Ben Lomond is 3,250ft and the distance of the hike is about 7 miles.

Not really in the best shape of my life, there were a few points at which I wasn't sure I really wanted to make it all the way to the top, but I've never not finished a hike, so I was determined to finish what I had started. Though I have sore knees and a few sore muscles as a result, it was well worth the work. The weather was beautiful, complete with blue sky and white puffy clouds (a rare blessing around here) for most of our hike. When we had nearly reached the top an unexpected snow storm overtook us for about 10 minutes, but then blew away and left more beautiful weather! The views from the top and all the way up were so rewarding! Scotland is such a beautiful country!

The victorious gang: Cortney, Tiomoid, Rhiannon, Scott, Mon, and Stewart

Views from the Top of Loch Lomond

Love these ladies!

More gorgeous views of God's handiwork

One of the sweet ridges