Camino Post #4 - Hiking Poles and the Ocean

 

Today we walked just under 13 miles and most of it we were going up or coming down. I was wondering how difficult it might feel but much like yesterday, we were so preoccupied with all that was around us it didn’t seem to matter. We spent most of our time walking through hillside neighborhoods and forest. The end of our walk today led us to our hostel on the beach so that’s always a motivating factor too. There is something so relaxing about the ocean, and a Spanish beach surrounded by mountains and red rooftops gives it a gorgeous new twist. 

As I sit here with the breeze blowing through my hair and write I can’t help but think about our hiking poles. We reluctantly bought a pair in Tui per the advice of a wise friend who has hiked the entire Camino herself. I really didn’t expect to need them let alone use them. Our walk is only 6 days long so how hard can a few hills be? 

Man oh man I’m glad we had them today though and I was humble enough to use them (throw hiking poles in the same  category I feel about driving a mini van!).  Life is full of ups and downs and letting something or someone help is OK. Actually, it might be more than OK and make the climb or descent a little more enjoyable or even possible. 

Back to the beach for now and back on the Camino in the morning! Buen Camino,

Nicki & Paul