TGO 2018 Day 1

I started my exciting morning with a huge Scottish breakfast at my B&B, hitched on my pack and headed across the bridge to sign out at the Dornie Hotel.  I visited with a few other challengers before signing out and setting off.  I already knew my pack was too heavy but I hoped it would get easier to handle.  David from Germany walked most of the day with me, always stopping ahead while I caught up to him. I am grateful for his help all day long. He even informed me I had my pack on wrong.. and after getting it fitted right, it felt way better to carry.
We walked along the road, down to the highway, and along the path till we reached our turn to take us to the Affric Kintail Way.  Once on that voyage, we came across a few highland coos and snapped some pictures of them.  They were not great posers.   Away we went till we reached our trail.

The trail zig zagged up the steep hillside, with wet slick rocks as steps.  The wind, rain, sleet, hail, and I have no idea what else tried to knock me off the trail quite a few times. I fell behind the group as everyone was speeding up the hill.  I would round a bend, and think OK, the Bothy has to be close.. i could see the roof.  No, it was another fifty miles around and up and down and around again. HA.  I finally reached the Bothy and dragged my soaking wet self inside to hellos and cheers and smiles from everyone.  They all moved over and welcomed me with open arms, or a space to sleep and eat. 

 All in all... day 1 was full of every type of weather, great people, great stories and me saying quite a few choice words about what I had gotten myself into.

2018 SCOTLAND! The adventure Begins in Edinburgh!

Back quite a few months, a friend mentioned the TGO Challenge.  A hike across Scotland.  WHY NOT? I asked... when the application time came, I applied.  I was on the waitlist and soon was on the paid and accepted list.  I had my pack, tent, sleeping bag, stove, everything I needed.  In the meantime, I had quit my job, planning a move back to my small town of Mitchell from Bend, hunting a house, still taking college classes, bunking at my previous landlords home while trying to keep my son happy while he lived in town patiently waiting for a house to open up for us in town.  I had planned to hike and get in shape for this trip, knowing my route would be 184 miles across a country I had no clue about or what to expect.  Weather was harsh, time was harsh, colds, allergies.. needless to say, I did NOT get conditioned enough for a wildland trek across Scotland.  I went anyway!!  I had planned for just over a month vacation for this once in a lifetime experience.  I dont regret anything on this trip.  It was so amazing I still pinch myself to see if I really went.   So... lets get on with this adventure.
I started my adventure April 28, 2018 and flew to Boston to see my friends there for a few days.  May 3rd, I flew from Providence Rhode Island to Edinburgh Scotland.  AMAZING!!! I didnt get much sleep due to a night flight, where the sun came up REALLY quick after going down.  I was glued to the window as we flew over Scotland.  The green rolling hills, the flowing creeks and lochs so far down below.  I saw my first castle from the air.  Landing in Edinburgh, I got my first passport stamp and when the man asked why I was there, I said I am here to hike the TGO Challenge.  He said GOOD FOR YOU... Have an amazing time!  I exchanged my money and headed to the bus the money man said would take me into town.  I got off the bus on Princess Street and when the bus drove away, I saw the castle.  There up on the hill above me just looking down at me with a smile and a WELCOME TO SCOTLAND wave.  Ok, maybe jetlag was settling in and I had no clue how to get to where I needed to be.  After asking a nice kilted man on the corner where I could find the Cowgate Hostel, I headed up and over the hill.  Not realizing I was at the Royal Mile, I headed down to find my bed... Thankfully it was ready for me and I took a quick nap.  I then headed out to explore with a city map from the front desk.  I found the castle, then went on to find the print shop scene location from Outlander Season 3.  I found food, and took a million pictures and back to sleep another nap in my bunk.    That night, after meeting some amazing girls in my room, we watched the party unfold from across the street, from our kitchen window.  Fun music to listen to and snacked on my shortbread cookies.

 Day 2 - Outlander Tour

Hopped on a bus, and toured different castles and the highlands.  Had an amazing day.  Saw so many sites from Outlander filming.  Castle Leoch, otherwise known as Doune Castle... and more.