Punta de los Cuervos

Wow. We hit it hard today. We did over 30k. Nathalie’s watch says 23 miles, Hollys watch says 21 miles, mine says 20. Let’s just say we hiked a looong way, 10 hours. Had a couple stops that were about a total of a half hour. The sun was bahlazing again, so getting to Laredo was priority.
The landscape was so beautiful. Along the beach, caught another sunrise, through pretty villages, and up and down TWO mountains today. Needless to say we high-fived big time at the end. We killed it. Right at the end of the day there were some very fit Spanish people we had crossed paths with off and on and one of the guys puked it was so strenuous. However instead of electrolytes or water at breaks, they get a beer! Note to self, no matter how good that cold beer looks 7 hours in, don’t. I saw it on the pavement. No food, just liquid. He looked bad, sick, and miserable. Me, I just looked miserable and everything on me was soaking wet. Biggest regret of the day was that we couldn’t do our laundry yesterday and I had thrown my lovely washcloth in the dirty clothes bag so I didn’t have it to use. I can’t believe how much I sweat. I can hardly get through the day without it, and here it was the longest day yet, and I didn’t have it.
Still no bites, by the way. I have come to believe God woke me up at the perfect time for the bathroom. There is no other explanation. I was so tired and I haven’t been getting up at night for the bathroom. I sleep HARD, when street noise allows. It was a blessing and there’s no doubt about it. Guess what I do when we get to albergues first thing? Check baseboards and mattresses!! I don’t care how good the vibe is, how ‘clean’ it looks, show me the mattress. Show me behind the baseboards. By September all these places have had so many people through them. The proprietors are so exhausted. Imagine doing this 7 days a week from April-October. Not an easy job. No excuse though, this is their job and laziness can affect every other accommodation all the way down the road to Santiago de Compostela.
Ahh Santiago. It’s a long ways away. But today I got really strong-minded and had a moment of resolve where I was like, I’ve endured way too much to give up now. I’ve conquered mountains, hot weather, aching body, bed bugs, calorie deficiency every single day, warm water (but I’ve never run out), and tears of sadness and joy. I’m doing it and I’m going to keep doing it.
My watch says my weekly summary is 10,334 calories (average of 1722/day), 224,911 steps, 105.57 miles, 450 flights climbed. Not saying this brag, but more for my own record to look back on..and honestly it doesn’t seem like it’s very much compared to how I feel right now!
Laundry is now done, all clean clothes to start with tomorrow. I’ll have one set soaked by 15 minutes into the walk tomorrow.
But..guess what..Holly and I get a private room tomorrow night in Guemes. It has a pool!!!!! Looks nice and it’s €65. In the states it would be at least $200. A little indulgence after another 18 mile day. I’ll take it.
Austin (my son) called me right when I got here today. I thought of him this morning and cried. Tried to hide it from Holly, but didn’t do a very good job of it. Walked alone for awhile and choked back the tears because I just didn’t have the energy for a full on breakdown. Love that beautiful boy. My heart breaks in a million pieces thinking of what he’s been through, what we’ve all been through, and how far he’s come. I’m so proud of him. But damn, what a hard couple years it’s been. He’s good. He’s working on himself and doing what he needs to do. So glad he called. God I needed that.
Onward I go. Time to find food. Much love to you friends and family, know you are ALL in my thoughts and in my heart.Read more