Arrokaundieta

Slow start this morning, still recovering from the first pdays vertical challenges. Yesterday, when we dragged our dehydrated and exhausted butts off the mountain, we took a cab from the Pasajes town center to our hotel. We took a bus back to where we left off walking to avoid the sin of “cheating”. Also we wanted to ride the cute little ferry across the harbor to the other Pasajes. A landslide has closed off the start of the Camino trail to San Sebastián, so we detoured through town, and joined others on a scramble up an overgrown trail that went (of course!) STRAIGHT UP!! We caught back up with the trail on top and had more great vistas as we left town. The trail continues along the side of the mountains with frequent spectacular views of the ocean breaking on the rocks far below and the unusual uplifted sandstone geology. As trails along mountains do, there were many ups and downs. Where the day before was all UP and then all DOWN, this day was a continuous series of smaller climbs and descents. Does the phrase “death by a thousand cuts” ring any bells here? By the end of the day we are both hobbling. Over dinner in San Sebastián we considered our options. No question we are going to layover a day and recover. After that, maybe jump ahead past the worst section of the Camino Norte, maybe move inland and pick up the Camino Frances. We have seen a beautiful and unique countryside and are enjoying our walk. We will adapt and change our plans and goals if we need to. It’s all good. Buen Camino!Read more