Pilgrims in the Mist

There were 7 of us at the place in Valcarlos. Three people each left to walk alone and I joined a group of three ladies traveling together.

Pilgrims in the Mist

I liked being alone on the walk yesterday, but was glad for the company today. Not least of which for the questionably marked last turn. Our gut said to go right but there were footsteps crossing a stream and a yellow arrow in the grass pointing to the stream. One woman managed across, I'm not sure how. As we tried to figure out if we should all cross, another pilgrim finally came down the path. He had a smart phone so he confirmed we should go right. Next came the challenge of building a bridge for the woman on the other side to return. After much stone throwing, we got her across.

Finally off the road!

It was nice to actually be on a path today. Yesterday was all asphalt and much of the beginning today was on the main, windy road. It was nice to be on a cute path by the river and not dodge cars. My trekking poles are in my pack, so I found large stick to help in the climb. This Gandolf staff didn't last long and one of my fellow pilgrim lent me one of her poles for the day.

I thought yesterday's last steep incline was difficult. Ha! That was a cake walk compared to today. Training in flat IL (mainly mall walking) was not sufficient prep for climbing through a mountain. It got quite cold and snowy as we got higher up. I was glad for my insulated rain poncho for the last mile. That wind was cutting through my fleece and even my Marty McFly vest.

Preview for the next Fashion Week.

We made it to the municipal albergue. With 100 or so beds, it is quite different than last night. But the shower was hot and they have laundry and WiFi so we're set. Plus, the beds are in cubicles of four, so it's a bit like being in a train car. If the train had no top so you can hear every single person. I just saw the Germans who both talked in their sleep last night, so we have that to look forward to.

There is a mass with a pilgrim blessing at the church across the courtyard and then a pilgrim meal just next to that. I look forward to this evening and the fact that it is so close and I don't have to do much walking.

Note from a past pilgrim

While we were walking today, a woman spied a piece of paper with a reflection from a previous pilgrim. It was a nice reminder for me on my Lenten mission, to be more positive to people. I think people do pretty awesome things, but don't always tell them so. It was a good encouragement for us all to do our part to make the world a better place by lifting people up.