Lovely walk out of town this morning at dawn.
It’s cottonwood season at the moment. Loads of fluff floating around. Hay fever season for those of us who participate in this annual festival.
Walked for a bit to the first town and decided to keep walking to the second cafe place – definitely the right call. The food was amazing and the couple who ran it was very friendly.
Found a couple different cat families that loved the cat treats.
This was the most impressive thing I’ve seen this trip. Francisco, the gentleman in the chair was traveling with Alfredo, his son. I witnessed them tackle a steep, rocky raveen that was at least 100 meters down and the same up on the other side. Alfredo would run ahead, drop his pack at the top, and then run back to help his dad. I never heard them complain.
In a long, hot area that runs along pine forests and wildflowers I looked down and a little butterfly was hitching a ride on my watch band. He stayed with me for a couple miles. Eventually he started walking up my wrist – and then hopped off to go find a purple flower.
And my last brush with nature was this small herd of cattle. They’re not stupid – they were gathered together under the shade of a big tree. Unfortunately- it’s also across the pilgrim’s path. I took the time to walk around them – not through the herd.
In the town of Ages, just before where I’m staying, I met Guy and Elga out on the patio on the shade for a chat. Lovely to see them again.
My albergue is really nice. They put a lot of thought into making things comfortable. There was a big communal dinner of soup, pasta, chicken, and dessert and now I’m ready for a good night’s sleep.
More later…
I’m walking for charity:water. Would love for you to join me.
https://www.charitywater.org/marilyn-peterson/marilyn-s-camino-for-water-2026
