Hike Day 10 - Caldas de Reis to Padron

Today marks Day 10 of our Camino journey. We left our hostel in the dark and rain at 7:30 AM, our feet taped, wrapped, and bandaged. Though we may have resorted to trudging, our spirits remain strong. Despite the slower pace, we covered an impressive 12 miles by 2:00 PM. The finish line is in sight—we'll arrive in Santiago on Wednesday, and that thought keeps us moving.

The misty rain changed the look of the rural scenery today. Oddly, we haven’t seen a single squirrel or chipmunk, though chestnuts are scattered all over the path. We've admired beautiful gardens but have yet to spot a rabbit.

As we walked, we reminisced about childhood games. Debbie asked, "What game did 70% of kids play in the 1950s that only 30% of kids play today?" The answer: jump rope. That sparked conversations about hopscotch, jacks, and kickball, which soon led to talking about favorite childhood candies. During a rest stop, Marian Y read Psalm 33 aloud.

The rain brought out more pilgrims than we’ve seen so far—it’s starting to feel like we're part of a large family. Along the way, we stopped twice for drinks and snacks at the many little cafés, enjoying the company of new friends. Tonight, we’re staying at a lovely apartment in Padron.

Someone noted that we were quieter than usual today, and our conversations didn’t run as deep. I suspect we’re entering survival mode. Thankfully, tomorrow’s walk is just six miles, our shortest yet. We’re all looking forward to a little rest and renewal.

This blog was written by Marian Yoder.Read more