June 21, 2018—Stage 2: Drymen to Rowardennan (23.5 km—14 deg.C)

Perfect weather and gorgeous scenery made for a splendid day!  A few grey clouds hinted at rain early in the morning, but moved away and we enjoyed blue skies with some fluffy white clouds. At one point we ventured off the WHW to follow a path through a forestry reserve.  What began as shady dense mature pines soon transformed into 8 inch seedlings and our peaceful forest became a wind swept plantation with great views. Two hours into our day we had to choose between the High Road and the Low Road to Loch Lomond.  We chose the High Road via Conic Hill, a landmark outside of the hamlet of  Balmaha and gateway to Loch Lomond National Park.  Our walk up Conic Hill was rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the Loch below.  Upon our descent, we met many day hikers and school groups walking up the other side of the hill.  We stopped to eat our packed lunch of sandwiches and tomatoes and to consult the map.  

The hill had slowed us down considerably but the next leg looked flatter on the map as the path took us right along the beautiful loch shoreline (with occasional ups and downs through shady trees).  By the time we reached Rowardennan, it was much later in the day and our legs and feet were begging for a rest. The hills had made a big difference, we had essentially walked the same distance as yesterday, but it had taken us 2 3/4 hours longer to do so. Stage 1 was equivalent to 25 flights of stairs while. Stage 2 tallied just over 100 flights—I guess that's why they call it the Highlands!

We had a nice fish supper in the Clansman Pub and retired to our room for a hot soak in the tub and early bed.  While resting in an exhausted stupor, we faintly heard a cat, no an old lady, crying for help.  Jim got dressed and investigated.  The sound was not from inside the hotel, but came from outside and below our window and it was not an old woman.  It turned out to be a very desperate, hoarse 50 year old man from Washington who had accidentally locked himself in the hotel laundry shed.  His wife was oblivious, waiting for him in the hotel lobby.