Today was a 15 mile hike, bringing our total to 56 miles. We continue to average about 2,000 feet of climbing each day.
We are learning something about Spain. Spain is a very efficient country. You can waste a lot of road and labor building that road by using switchbacks. A seemingly more intelligent approach is to simply go straight up the mountain and then straight down the mountain. And that seems to be the way the Camino in Spain works it. When it is time to descend, you go down a 25% grade slide. When it’s time to ascend, you go up that 25% grade. What could be more efficient? That is, except on your legs, your knees, your hips, and all those other body parts that don’t like the jarring.
We started this morning accompanied by scores of runners who enjoyed the morning Beach path.
After a distance, we arrived in the town of Zumaia, which seem to be populated with top end bicyclists. We were impressed! Here’s a picture of Diane with the town behind her.
There are many other pilgrims on the road. We are seeing somewhere between 25 and 40 each day. While we have only met one native English speaker, from Ireland, we have met many people with whom we could carry some conversation either in Spanish or in our broken French.
As we head into away from the ocean, the hills became forested and the valleys were beautiful.
Tomorrow, we head away from the ocean for 15 miles and 3000 feet of climbing. The guide books tell us it is fantastically beautiful; so far we haven’t been disappointed.
Enough for now. We hope all is well for each of you.
You two are amazing! All the vertical climb and miles too! I’m not sure if I’ll be able to keep up with you both once we meet in Sarria. Maybe by then you’ll be tired and not want to go at such a pace! LOL
Have you worn your rain gear or poncho? How’s Diane holding out in the cooler temps? Her pictures look great on my computer, but get skewed when looking at them one a phone. Don’t forget to add a picture of you each day too! Love and hugs, Willow
Rain gear? We have lived in rain gear for the first day and a half. Actually, we have used our waterproof windbreaker jacket and our backpack cover. No need for the rain pants, nor the poncho at this point.
The interesting thing about the photos is that they look fine on my Samsung phone and on computer. On Diane iPhone they are askew. I suggested she get a Samsung phone, but she doesn’t seem interested! Bill