The New Normal - Camino del Norte day 3

The novelty of the hike started to wear off today. The new reality started to set in. We just barely started. We are now 40 miles in to a 510 mile hike.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still excited, but my mind and body has started to absorb what I’ve begun: That this is going to be a lot of hard work.

Backpacking is nothing but hard work. It seems glamorous from the outside, but when you step into pack and walk fifteen miles up, down and around the landscape, it gets real pretty fast.

Right now? Everything hurts. Not to worry. It’ll get better. We’ve conquered everything thrown at us so far. We’ll be fine.

Morning Light

The light this morning was quite beautiful. I was lucky enough to meet a miniature pony with great hair.

The welcome committee in the valley of Olatz consisted of two great donkeys and one old man dog.

Afternoon Scenes

Follow The Yellow Arrow

The camino is well marked by these yellow arrows and standing way posts. I spend a lot of my day looking for them, and they keep us going.

I don’t map out the route. I do a little research the night before so I know what I’m in for the next day. Beyond that, I just follow the arrow and let the landscape show me what it will.

The Monastery

When we got to Merkina, we found the Monastery of Erita de San Miguel de Arretxinaga founded in the 11th century around three megalithic stones.

This is definitely the most interesting and moving place of contemplation I’ve ever seen. It’s unique. It’s huge. It’s so cool. There’s a different energy in this place.

I walk eight to nine hours a day now. That’s what I do. And that’s a pretty good life. Especially when you are here in Basque country.