5/14 Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere.  It's one of the hardest jobs in the world, but also one that brings extravagant joy.  I spent a lot of my walk today thinking of good times with my kids.  Vacations to Sunriver, planting, growing, and harvesting gardens, a couple of batches of puppies, baseball and soccer games, horses, ski trips, reading before bed, special birthday dinners, summer swims in the pool...

Today's walk was tougher than I expected...only 26 kilometers, but rocky and a lot of elevation gain.  It reminded me of hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  It was a good t5est for my battered ankle...a little stiff, a little swollen, but much better than it was a few days ago.  I walked through Murias de Rechivaldo, El Ganso, and Rabanal del Camino before arriving at Foncebadón.  We are staying at a small parochial  donativo albergue called Domus Dei.  As I write this, one pilgrim is taking a nap...and snoring loudly.  Haha... c

The landscape has changed.  The Meseta ended at León and now we are heading into the mountains.  Pine trees.  I think day after tomorrow has twice the elevation gain that today had.  I saw a young gal, maybe in her 30s walking today...greeted her, passed her, don't know her story.  But she is overweight by a lot and this is hard to do when you're fit.  She was walking slowly, maybe even limping a bit.  So, I'm praying for her...for how this journey will change her.

I don't like to be cold.  Polly REALLY doesn't like to be cold.  This morning, she had 4 layers on.  It's sunny, but about 58 degrees outside.  The albergue at Domus Dei does not hand out blankets...I guess they had a bedbug situation that soured them on the idea.  So...tonight we will rely on the theory that 36 bodies in one room generates a fair bit of heat...and we'll wear most of the clothes we brought.

There was an apple raspberry cider from Seville at the restaurant in Foncebadón today.  I had two.  Hey, it's Mother's Day.

There was wild lavender in the ditch this morning as we walked along.  I also see calendula, scabiosa and veronica.  So wonderful.  I am still loving this.  I listen to music and sometimes fight back tears.  Much love to each of you.