Grogan
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francis (April 2015)
20 April 2015 - La Portela de Valcarce to Triacastela -- 36.1 Kms
Today was a hump day -- I know for a fact -- tomorrow when I get up -- it will hurt -- but once I get moving again -- life will be good -- today was all uphill -- sorry - up mountain -- and of course once you go up you have to go down -- my knees hate me -- really beautiful country -- and I really did enjoy the uphill climbs -
Important Note: If you have a choice of Wine in a bottle and Wine in a Juice Carton -- Take the Bottle.
Now I walked for about 11 hours today -- I finished my Zombie Book and after a check of the Ipod I am zero balance on any more Zombie Adventures -- total bummer -- still have not figured out how to get the Wiggles off my Ipod -- but regardless -- no complaints -- feet are doing good -- taped the left foot up with a basic ankle wrap (falling arch and probably stress fracture), blister on the right heel will not heal until after this little adventure - so goal is to keep it clean and padded -- will probably lose only two toe nails -- so overall in pretty good shape -- plus a killer scruffy beard : ).
Animal Droppings. I guess most normal people do not pay attention to droppings (using a PC word for crap) -- well when you are walking for 9 to 11 hours a day you cannot help but see all kinds of droppings -- so as I walk by I try to identify what type of critter dropped the droppings -- Sheep, pretty easy to ID -- lots of sheep droppings; Horse -- too easy; Deer -- simple; big dog -- scary; Cows -- all I can say is splat -- and I do not want splat on my boots --- fortunately have not had to dodge any human droppings in the middle of the trail -- that would be just gross -- did have a great idea -- Animal Dropping Flash Cards -- I mean you have flash cards for insects, birds, footprints - why not Droppings? Doubt my wife would approve.
On today's hike ran into my buddy from Idaho -- what a good guy -- we did a selfie on his camera -- also ran into a group of young Spanish ladies (young as in my age : ) ) -- they were slack packing -- which means they had their packs shipped forward and only brought day packs - these ladies walked really fast -- I did not try to keep up with them -- I am not sure how they were able to walk fast and constantly talk -- must be a lady thing -- guys are not wired that way -- we just like to breath and not make noise.
Strange Cow Encounter: So moving out and having a great walk when I came by a pasture full of cows -- I look over and catch eye contact with a black cow with orange ear tags (must be a Cow Fashion thing) -- as I continue to walk bye -- the cow follows me with its head maintaining eye contact -- for some strange reason I thought the cow thought it was superior to the walking, sweating guy -- the only thing I can say is STEAK!!
It is hard to believe, but as of today -- only 83 more miles to Santiago -- tomorrow will pass through Sarria, which is the closet starting point to Santiago where you can get your Compostela -- will probably see more Pilgrims on the trail compared to the last couple of days - It is exciting -- plus - My wife will be waiting to take me home -- not sure if I told my wife that I do not have my International Driver's License with me -- so navigator status only : )
Buen Camino
Today was a hump day -- I know for a fact -- tomorrow when I get up -- it will hurt -- but once I get moving again -- life will be good -- today was all uphill -- sorry - up mountain -- and of course once you go up you have to go down -- my knees hate me -- really beautiful country -- and I really did enjoy the uphill climbs -
Important Note: If you have a choice of Wine in a bottle and Wine in a Juice Carton -- Take the Bottle.
Now I walked for about 11 hours today -- I finished my Zombie Book and after a check of the Ipod I am zero balance on any more Zombie Adventures -- total bummer -- still have not figured out how to get the Wiggles off my Ipod -- but regardless -- no complaints -- feet are doing good -- taped the left foot up with a basic ankle wrap (falling arch and probably stress fracture), blister on the right heel will not heal until after this little adventure - so goal is to keep it clean and padded -- will probably lose only two toe nails -- so overall in pretty good shape -- plus a killer scruffy beard : ).
Animal Droppings. I guess most normal people do not pay attention to droppings (using a PC word for crap) -- well when you are walking for 9 to 11 hours a day you cannot help but see all kinds of droppings -- so as I walk by I try to identify what type of critter dropped the droppings -- Sheep, pretty easy to ID -- lots of sheep droppings; Horse -- too easy; Deer -- simple; big dog -- scary; Cows -- all I can say is splat -- and I do not want splat on my boots --- fortunately have not had to dodge any human droppings in the middle of the trail -- that would be just gross -- did have a great idea -- Animal Dropping Flash Cards -- I mean you have flash cards for insects, birds, footprints - why not Droppings? Doubt my wife would approve.
On today's hike ran into my buddy from Idaho -- what a good guy -- we did a selfie on his camera -- also ran into a group of young Spanish ladies (young as in my age : ) ) -- they were slack packing -- which means they had their packs shipped forward and only brought day packs - these ladies walked really fast -- I did not try to keep up with them -- I am not sure how they were able to walk fast and constantly talk -- must be a lady thing -- guys are not wired that way -- we just like to breath and not make noise.
Strange Cow Encounter: So moving out and having a great walk when I came by a pasture full of cows -- I look over and catch eye contact with a black cow with orange ear tags (must be a Cow Fashion thing) -- as I continue to walk bye -- the cow follows me with its head maintaining eye contact -- for some strange reason I thought the cow thought it was superior to the walking, sweating guy -- the only thing I can say is STEAK!!
It is hard to believe, but as of today -- only 83 more miles to Santiago -- tomorrow will pass through Sarria, which is the closet starting point to Santiago where you can get your Compostela -- will probably see more Pilgrims on the trail compared to the last couple of days - It is exciting -- plus - My wife will be waiting to take me home -- not sure if I told my wife that I do not have my International Driver's License with me -- so navigator status only : )
Buen Camino
you are so funny!
