Wet Walking 🌧️ - 19 miles to Atapuerca

I was 60 seconds shy of getting caught in a downpour. I was about to step out of the hotel door at 5:45 am which locks behind me (no desk coverage after guests check in) when a thunderclap comes and rain comes down in buckets. I check my weather app and it looks like I can wait it out inside the hotel.

I leave about a half hour later. I make it to the final village ahead of heading up a mountain for the middle section of my walk today when it begins to mist and drizzle. I think I’m in the clouds enveloping the mountain. It’s not heavy rain but still enough to get everything wet. The good news is that the temperature is not hot and the rain softens the walking path for my feet. Bad news- despite the rain gear I’m still generally wet and cold.

I passed through new terrain which can be seen in the videos as well as some new animals. 🦚 🐄

The longest hike I’ve taken to date! I did need to take some advil late into the hike for some back ache- which helped. And I feel like I got my Camino mojo working. I have my routines and systems all worked out. And I have a general sense of how I can pace my days and how they can adjust.

Oh, my favorite part is Camino breakfast. If things work out, I stop at a cafe within the first 3-5 miles and get the following: tortilla y patatas (a delicious egg frittata with potatoes), a chocolate croissant, fresh squeezed OJ, and an espresso. Everything the body needs for a full days hike - protein, carbs, sugar burst, and caffeine.

If the last night was extravagant (parador) tonight is sketchy. It’s someone’s home they rent out. It’s an old home with some renovations. I’m sharing the house with a woman pilgrim. She seems, rightly concerned to be staying in a place with a man she doesn’t know. I think she requested to be put on the first floor bedroom instead of in the same hallway as me. We each have separate bathrooms but they are both a walk down the hall. I think we both will be happy when this accommodation is behind us.

Finally, there was an amazing farm to table restaurant in town. Unusual given the size of the town. It’s perhaps the best restaurant I’ve seen in a town of this size (and many of the larger ones). Of course they are closed tonight (on a Saturday?!!!) the other options (only two other restaurants unless I want to walk 2k back to the village before me - which I just might do) are crummy. No Bueno after a 19 mile day in the rain. 👎 Oh well, I’ll take it if it means I get this full Camino experience. 😄Læs mere