Puerto de Payares

Today was 7 kms shorter than yesterday but with 1100 m elevation gain (that’s a lot for me and more than twice yesterday’s). My GPS tells me my “moving time” today was 2minutes more than yesterday so I guess it all evens out. But I did stop a lot more today. There were two separate mountain segments, with a little town in between, but I took my rests up in the mountains, basically gaping and not believing that I was here. It was one of those days that was really exhausting, glorious, and fulfilling all at the same time. My favorite!

On the walk today I thought about things that were different from my last walk here. I came up with a few things that I spend more time on now and things I spend less time on now.

Less time.
Number one —no time spent eating blackberries because they aren’t ripe. Last time I gorged myself and stopped about every 2 feet.

Number two— no time spent standing paralyzed by barking dogs who are running towards me. Now, I just keep walking, not even batting and eye when one kept circling me and barking.

Number three— no time spent trying to avoid livestock that is standing in my way. I just walk straight through and they will move or not. But so far not one has attacked me.

Now for the things I spend more time on.
Number one— I spend way more time getting up and moving again after a rest.

Number two— it takes me at least twice as long to descend than it did five years ago.

Number three— it takes me a lot longer to convince myself that I should not take the road shortcut, but rather should go up or down and around to avoid the road. There were a couple of times today when I was mighty tempted, but in the end I stuck with the Camino path!

Maybe tomorrow I will ponder more weighty things.Read more