• Karen TraversCaminoTraveler
    Apologized in advance for all the profanity to come
    "OMG we're actually doing this!"Ronceveaux is tomorrow's destination. Today we went 9K.Missy has the hang of using her poles.Roadside vending machine1The path to the left. I (inadvertently) stayed on the road. Still got there.1View from switchback.3Deciding whether to get up and walk or scooch out and make myself a speed bump2The patio at Orrison - scarfed a tortilla and cholate mousseAuberge Borda - the main houseDining room and bar.Orientation and getting our bins together to take upstairs.Hanging out before dinner.Clouds rolled in quickly this evening.1My bed for the night.

    Let the Climbing Begin

    May 17 in France ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    While I went to Mass Missy went to the market for kombucha and pears for us for breakfast. We got coffee, adjusted our poles (with which I have a love-hate relationship), and headed out of town.

    The first part wasn't easy but tolerable. Little did I know what was to come. It got very steep and seemed like it wouldn't end. Missy and I walked our own paces; I found her waiting on the patio at Orrison, the lodging south of Borda, where we are staying. Got lunch then finished the last 1K of the day.

    We arrived right around 3, which is check in time. We aren’t allowed to take our bags to the room. Boots, poles, and bags stay downstairs, and we each have a bin to take upstairs with the things we need. The shower (token operated, 4 minutes) felt AMAZING, and I am more than happy to pay for the host to do my laundry for five euro. Five to wash/five to dry, but Missy and I split it. And boy did our sweaty clothes need washing!

    We hung out in front of the fire getting to know folks (many Americans) and then had a communal dinner, which was soup, potato/zucchini gratin, a basque pork dish, and a traditional “Camino cake” (almond) for dessert.    Read more