In the Basque Country

...the road is made by walking.

Antonio Machado [1875 - 1939]

Day 1 - Absolutely Unforgettable

What an amazing day!!! 31 km on my Fitbit. I almost thought I wouldn't make it. When you are walking up hill you keep thinking you are at the top. But the top never comes.

These pictures are about an hour out of St. Jean Pied de Port.

About 2 hours later, I was struggling and then I can across water barrel. It gave me a burst of energy to get to this top of the hill. Shortly after I decided to take a break and eat my apple from breakfast and a bit of cheese. Little did I know about one km down the road was an albergue and I got coffee. It was the same place Martin Sheen stops at in the movie.

The animals were every where, cows, sheep, horses. And border collie puppies hard at work. I loved this mother and her foal. She crossed right in front of me. It reminded me of my boys.

I was really tired at the end of the day. I started at 7:30 and I think we rolled into the albergue around 5:00, a 9 1/2 hour day. Apparently this is the most difficult day of the whole walk. So I am good to go now.  I did take some Tylenol as soon as I got my bed.

Dinner is at 7:00 and I am so hungry.

I have to just mention the amazing people I am meeting. There is a group of high school students from Texas, a lovely woman also from Texas who celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary the day before she left, a father-daughter who I ran into late in the day, and a recent English Major graduate who quoted Milton's Paradise Lost. 

This is truly a trip of a life time and I am feeling such gratitude to have this opportunity.

I miss you all

Love 

Lauralee