~ History, Bushwacking and New Friends ~
As I left Pamplona on a warm but dreary morning I felt really sad. It was hard to say goodbye to my Emilia! There’s something about being a mom…that love. It aches sometimes. I made my way through fields where historic battles were fought, past windmills spinning in the oncoming stormy wind and down a treacherous rocky-muddy path that pissed off my knee. As always, my math was a tad off. I thought I was planning an easy short day but it turned out to be a little over 11 miles. One of the coolest things was the pilgrim images in steel stretched across a ridge. Photos below: A shell showing the way along the Camino. These stretch all the way through the streets of Pamplona. A vista looking back towards Pamplona from the windmill ridge. In the distance, you can see the mountains Emilia and I crossed. Check out the pilgrim images with the view in the background.
I made my way from Pamplona to Uterga and a sweet little albergue (hostel) run by two sisters, Anna and Noelia. I lucked out and got a bottom bunk. After getting myself all set up and showered, I made my way out to the common area to stick my legs up the wall (another Tia idea which feels soooo good after a long hike!)
There were four of us older folk from all over the world nursing our aching limbs. The sisters thought we were funny and brought us ice (ahhhh!) The four of us laughed it up until it was dinner time and we ended up sitting together. What happened next seems like it can only happen along the Camino. We talked and shared and laughed and cried for a couple of hours and knew something transformative had happened.
I slept nine hours.
Today I set off alone after a nice long breakfast. I was sure I’d done my math properly and wanted to give my knee a short day so there was no rush. I ended up following what turned into a drainage ditch down into a rocky alfalfa field quite a ways from the road I was supposed to be on. That’s when the bushwhacking started. I made my way up several fields and hills of brambles and stone to find a ridge with a small path and an eagle soaring above me. I followed the eagle a little farther and saw the road I needed to get on.
Tonight I’m staying in Puente la Reina which means the Queen’s Bridge. Alas, I write this from the top bunk! I did a small grocery run, checked out the sweet village and got to have a long chat with Jeff.
Tomorrow I have a long walk to the Magic House. Seriously, La Casa Mágica! They have a yoga room, a tiny pool and serve vegetarian food. I’m gonna let the transportation company carry my pack for me till my knee is 100%. It’s close!
Photos: A shell marking the Camino path through a cute little town called Obanos where I got magic gel for my knee (thank you, Ruthann!) and some of the beautiful vistas from today’s walk. Sending love!
