a dose of acceptance that should work on the camino too

[Nanc]

Well, had to laugh with appreciation tonight, after my hot shower
went to see a friend's Camino talk and they had a pot luck so got unexpected food at 1 pm- that helped later .
Talk went on longer than expected but I had promised my dog a hike and I wanted to test run my older rain weather gear so headed out anyway

you know all those voices inside you that say "maybe you should do something or not do this..."?, you know, exploring the trail on the hill that does not show up on the trail map, going on even though it is late and though it was supposed to be fast run , you keep going cause it's an interesting trail, looking back and deciding NOT to return but surely, the since the trail keeps the mountain to my left, I'll just loop around ....
Well I ignored them and ended up totally lost deep woods just before sunset.

Fortunately had a rain coat on the dog (it was raining) had merino wool, insulated jacket, and full rain gear on me
and after climbing up to the top of one of the hills, had just enough juice in the cell for 911 to get my latitude. so with the phone dead ,we settled into brush to get out of the wind ( I'm in the Northwest and fog rolled in with visibility 100 ft, rain, wind ) actually I tried to settle, the dog wanted to play stick.

Hours later in the pitch black - sheriffs knew where I was but couldn't get to me for hours due to the dense woods, brush- I could see search lights, hear sirens as they tried to let me know where they were, and the dog and I reunited with a sheriff who was able to get us to a vehicle and off the mountains, miles from where I started, and still in the wrong direction!
Good news? the rain gear worked great, my legs did well, I wasn't worried (cold, yes) and I was mentally prepared to spend the night figuring they would not be able to get in to me in the black, and despite bob cats and black bear in the area, I was OK- not good to know my sense of direction still sucks, not good that I made newbie decisions despite that voice, but good to know I can handle anything the Camino can throw at me!

 

[Suzanne R.]

Well, had to laugh with appreciation tonight, after my hot shower
went to see a friend's Camino talk and they had a pot luck so got unexpected food at 1 pm- that helped later .
Talk went on longer than expected but I had promised my dog a hike and I wanted to test run my older rain weather gear so headed out anyway

you know all those voices inside you that say "maybe you should do something or not do this..."?, you know, exploring the trail on the hill that does not show up on the trail map, going on even though it is late and though it was supposed to be fast run , you keep going cause it's an interesting trail, looking back and deciding NOT to return but surely, the since the trail keeps the mountain to my left, I'll just loop around ....
Well I ignored them and ended up totally lost deep woods just before sunset.

Fortunately had a rain coat on the dog (it was raining) had merino wool, insulated jacket, and full rain gear on me
and after climbing up to the top of one of the hills, had just enough juice in the cell for 911 to get my latitude. so with the phone dead ,we settled into brush to get out of the wind ( I'm in the Northwest and fog rolled in with visibility 100 ft, rain, wind ) actually I tried to settle, the dog wanted to play stick.

Hours later in the pitch black - sheriffs knew where I was but couldn't get to me for hours due to the dense woods, brush- I could see search lights, hear sirens as they tried to let me know where they were, and the dog and I reunited with a sheriff who was able to get us to a vehicle and off the mountains, miles from where I started, and still in the wrong direction!
Good news? the rain gear worked great, my legs did well, I wasn't worried (cold, yes) and I was mentally prepared to spend the night figuring they would not be able to get in to me in the black, and despite bob cats and black bear in the area, I was OK- not good to know my sense of direction still sucks, not good that I made newbie decisions despite that voice, but good to know I can handle anything the Camino can throw at me!

Glad everything worked out!

 

[Angie94]

that would have straight up freaked me out! So glad they located you and everything turned out alright. Your ability to stay calm (and NOT be worried!) throughout that ordeal is inspiring.

 

[GettingThere]

Well, had to laugh with appreciation tonight, after my hot shower
went to see a friend's Camino talk and they had a pot luck so got unexpected food at 1 pm- that helped later .
Talk went on longer than expected but I had promised my dog a hike and I wanted to test run my older rain weather gear so headed out anyway

you know all those voices inside you that say "maybe you should do something or not do this..."?, you know, exploring the trail on the hill that does not show up on the trail map, going on even though it is late and though it was supposed to be fast run , you keep going cause it's an interesting trail, looking back and deciding NOT to return but surely, the since the trail keeps the mountain to my left, I'll just loop around ....
Well I ignored them and ended up totally lost deep woods just before sunset.

Fortunately had a rain coat on the dog (it was raining) had merino wool, insulated jacket, and full rain gear on me
and after climbing up to the top of one of the hills, had just enough juice in the cell for 911 to get my latitude. so with the phone dead ,we settled into brush to get out of the wind ( I'm in the Northwest and fog rolled in with visibility 100 ft, rain, wind ) actually I tried to settle, the dog wanted to play stick.

Hours later in the pitch black - sheriffs knew where I was but couldn't get to me for hours due to the dense woods, brush- I could see search lights, hear sirens as they tried to let me know where they were, and the dog and I reunited with a sheriff who was able to get us to a vehicle and off the mountains, miles from where I started, and still in the wrong direction!
Good news? the rain gear worked great, my legs did well, I wasn't worried (cold, yes) and I was mentally prepared to spend the night figuring they would not be able to get in to me in the black, and despite bob cats and black bear in the area, I was OK- not good to know my sense of direction still sucks, not good that I made newbie decisions despite that voice, but good to know I can handle anything the Camino can throw at me!

Wow, Nanc! I am in awe of your calm and sensible approach to this situation, I would definitely be in panic mode just being out there in the dark, never mind the bears as well! Excellent test for the rain gear though! With an attitude like this you will do brilliantly on the Camino, although I'm pretty sure you won't have to face anything quite like this! Buen Camino!

 

[Seabird]

Congrats on a cool head in the face of uncertainty.... now just listen to that voice next time....

 

[Kanga]

Sounds to me you will have no trouble facing the dangers of early morning plastic bag rustlers, stale tortilla, overzealous fellow pilgrims and muddy footpaths! As for the flocks of Pyrenean vultures, they will appear like a bunch of canaries.

Great post well told, btw.