Don’t take that squirrel’s nutsI was organizing my pack the other day and I noticed that I’m a bit of a hoarder, a plastic bag and food hoarder, that is. The plastic bags come in handy and I’ve seemed to have collected 5, which are all stuffed in my pack. I mainly use them for my dirty clothes and for carting my personal items to the shower.
However, the real hoarding is with food. I’m like a squirrel storing nuts for winter. The route may pass through many small towns, but most do not have a cafe/bar or if they do, it’s closed. Occasionally, you come across a random vending machine, which is good for a snack. So, to prepare myself for walking several kilometers without food or services available, I stock up on food — nuts, trail mix, granola bars, crackers. If I get a free piece of fruit from a place I’m staying, I take it and keep it. There’s an orange in my bag from two mornings ago. Not sure when I’ll eat it. Maybe tomorrow. Or I might save it until winter. Among my personal items, I’m especially protective of - my money, passport, pilgrim passport, my favorite socks, and my food. Don’t take my food. I’m gonna eat it. Some day. Notes on Days 11 and 12 Day 11 — Salas to Tineo —20 km I’m not sure why I look at the elevation profile for this route. It should a climb at the beginning of the day but it was more like a gradual walk uphill with a few steep climbs here and there. The Wise Pilgrim app, while good, doesn’t really give you much information about the walk. It may alter you to a steep climb or descent but for the most part, you’re in the dark. I am, however, quite happy to have the app because I got a little lost. It was raining and my head was down. Because of this, I missed an arrow pointing me in the direction. Two other pilgrims were ahead of me and they missed it too. I tried finding a short cut to the path, but to no avail. I think I added 2 km to my day because of a missed turn. But after backtracking to the route, I ended up with a weird burst of energy. I think I could have jogged the last 4 km. I didn’t but part of me wanted to, you know, just see. I’m at the point on the route where we have a choice to make — either go up the Hospitales route to the top of the mountain or go the Pola route and stay in the valley. Most people want to do the Hospitales but the weather is rainy and windy now. The views from atop the mountain won’t be as grand, unfortunately. I guess the Pola route it is. My next incredibly steep climb will be on Thursday. Yippee. Day 12 — Tineo to Pola de Allande - 27 km Rain, sun, and cold — that was today. The rain would come down in spurts and then sun would come out and cold breeze would hit you. It was like Mother Nature couldn’t make up her mind today. At least it wasn’t raining all day, so I’ll take her moodiness. Today was the day where the group of pilgrims I’ve been seeing every day since Oviedo split off. About 2/3 of the pilgrims are braving the rainy, windy conditions and heading to a route called the Hospitales. It’s a route without any services for 20 km and takes you past a few hospital ruins from way back when. Pretty cool. I would have done it but I am part of the pilgrims who opted for the “Pola” route, walking down into the valley. We have a steep climb tomorrow morning, so I might be regretting my decision. We’ll see. Steep climb vs rainy cold weather on top of the mountain. Tough choice. I’m sure I’ll meet up with the other pilgrims in a couple of days. The town of Pola de Allande is quite cute despite the on and off rain showers. With a small river running through town, it’s picturesque and quaint. Be sure to check out photos on Instagram... it’s easier if I post them there rather than the blog. Link on the sidebar.
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About Marcy I wear many hats. First, I'm a wife to an amazing husband, Joe. Second, I'm a mom to 2 incredible kids, Caitlynn and Miles. Professionally speaking, I am a chef, dietitian, and writer working as an instructor in Hospitality Management at Montana State University in Bozeman. Photos: See InstagramMarcy's other Site |