Miles today: 19.3
Miles total: 268.2
Oh, the fun of an early departure. I managed to quietly pack my own things and Sahra was able to clear the space between the cramped bunks at 5am this morning. I then woke the girls feeling proud of my ninja skills only to trip over Lanie's bag and kick her water bottle across the room. Needless to say, our room was now awake.
I've never been a morning person and I must say that for me personally, every morning is an unwilling act of getting up. However, it is mornings like this that have me envious of those early risers. Our path out of town this morning was under the glow of a huge full moon. The wheat fields took on a ghostly, yellowish hue, not so much in a scary way, but warm and inviting. We walked west, towards the moon hung low in the sky as it progressively reflected the deeper and darker colors of the rising sun in the east. With the gravel crunching under our feet we frequently whipped our heads around waiting for that singular moment in which the sun peeks out over the horizon. Sure enough, we turn and stop in our tracks and watch the first few moments of daylight. It was a perfect to start the day.
The Meseta continued in its full glory, which can be equal parts monotonous and boring, and expansive and inspiring. Our guidebook, in an attempt to describe this section, suggests in an ever positive tone that perhaps this is the time "to reflect upon the inner journey." As much as I want to just put my head down and pound out the miles until this section is over, he is right. The Meseta is often described as barren, or some other form of "without," but that is what makes it special. The walking is simple and, literally, quite straightforward so one is left with just their own thoughts to keep them company. If one has a bad day out here, you don't have to look far to see who was at fault. I certainly had some good miles through this section and I had some not so good ones. The path certainly wasnt any different from one to the other so it must have been me.
Towards the end of the day, I turned and saw the girls close behind, still going strong at the end of a nearly 20 mile walk. The first albergue was full, but we ended up over at a different one with a nice lawn, kitchen facilities, and of course, lots of squeaky bunk beds. These kids are starting to get in shape. 20 miles of walking and as soon as we were checked in, they showered, hand washed clothes, started making dinner (with the help of our animated host, Vincente) and then did yoga with Sahra. Oh, and they also spent an hour or so journaling and then going to the store for supplies for tomorrow's trek into Leon, which at 37km will be our longest yet. With the context of the Camino, this is a normal day. I see it as normal, they see it as normal, as does everyone here. However, I hope when this is all said and done they can take a few steps back and see how extraordinary their "normal" day was.
Anyway, like I said, we have a bit of a trek tomorrow, which is why they are already in bed even though it is still light out, people are talking, and it is only 9pm. Alarm clocks are set for 5am, which gives me chills just typing it. However, it it is anything like this morning, I will give it a shot:)
Cheers,
James
Special thanks for the day go to:
Terri and Richard Roberts, Patrick March, Jack and Sabra
Many thanks to our mile sponsors as well:
Phillip Lendly, Emily Beutler, Debra Houts, Larry Jones, Mr. Morberg, Angeles Phamuong (Lele, Tammy), Sam from the SHS Autoshop, Marisa Cambreros, Matt and Nikki Danner, Marianne Fairchild, Coley Long, Patti Rany, Jerry Cheshire - Springfield High Graduate. Class of '59
No comments:
Post a Comment