Day 3- Testing Positive

Today was quite a day. It rained the entire way, not a downpour just a relentless light rain. Enough to soak my clothes on the outside and soak the inner layers with sweat. It eliminated stops along the way as merchants were closed and no natural dry spots to rest existed. I had breakfast at my hotel then nothing but a power bar during the day. With about 4 miles to go I hit my limit. Tired, hungry and light headed I came upon an open church. I went inside and sat in a pew with my pack still on. While making a good sized puddle on the church floor I bent my head into my hands. I’m not sure if I was just resting, praying or napping, maybe all three. Anyway, a woman let me know they were closing the church so I went outside, ate a tangerine and a sleeve of vanilla Oreos and off I went. I felt the best I had felt all day and was able to navigate the wet, slippery descent into Deba, today’s destination. I have few pictures to share as everything is shrouded from the rain and moisture and I don’t want to expose my phone to too much water. Nothing came to mind on the Camino today, my focus was on the terrain and all of its dangers. I lost my footing multiple times but never wiped out. I’m tired and I have 20 mile day tomorrow so I’m cutting this one short.

Had a long stretch along the coast, the last ocean views for a while

A sample of just one of the types of terrain I had to traverse

At least I was able to get to Palm Sunday Mass before I left. I brought my palms with me. I was hoping to find a spiritual place to bury them (an acceptable way to do away with them). However, I came upon this cross for a soldier who died in service of his fellow soldiers. He died in 1958, the year I was born. I placed them in the vase in which someone must have recently put fresh flowers. It felt good.

Here I am on the Camino soaked from head to ankle. My Altra Lone Peaks kept my feet totally dry all day. Bryce- note I am wearing my hat the same way I wear my cycling helmet.