Day 28 - Cacabelos to Vega de Valcarce
Sunny
As I predicted, there will be time that I would be thankful for a flat stage. Today is definitely it. The descent from Foncebadon to Molinaseca a couple of days ago took a lot out of us. We all reported that we didn't know how to walk the flat anymore after the pounding the knees got for hours. Yesterday my feet were tingly and for the first time in a long while, the legs felt really tired. Today we spent a lot of time beside the highway separated from the cars by a three-foot concrete wall. It felt pretty safe. Steady pace on the flat. This is like Occupational Therapy that we learn how to walk the flat again.
But not before we were led through the valley in Bierzo, the famous wine country. Dennis asked yesterday what other interesting places we are going to go. We don't actually know. But like today we walk through the vineyard and that is pretty interesting. The view into the valley is amazing. Anything that we have not seen before will do.
There were three optional routes today. One over the mountain, one over a smaller mountain and the one we chose over flat terrain. Although it is unchanging, the highway cuts through the forest along Rio Valcarce. Not sure why but there were no chatting Americans, no chatting Spainards, no groups of middle-aged men in their shorts and t-shirts with just a day bag or water sack sprinting by us. We can hear the birds, the river and we will take the occasional cars going by. There is no heavy traffic anymore with most people using the newer throughway. It was an enjoyable walk.
The municipal albergue is not fancy but it's up into the hill. It is a chore to walk up to it at the end of the day but it is nicely nestled into the trees and is very comfortable. It has basic kitchen facility with a butane gas stove. We are thinking that if we let the Koreans, yep the same multi-course Koreans, go first, they just might empty the tank before anyone has a chance. They took an hour microwaving potatoes yesterday when there was no stove! Turns out that they were not the first but were still ahead of us. They were feeling the pressure and managed to screw up their rice. Anyhow, there was enough gas for all of us.
You know, I have been listening to the audiobook for The Martian (the book preceded the Matt Damon movie). The main character is stranded on Mars, and then has to make a long trek to another site when there is a rocket. Interesting following along with both the journeys at the same time (although the book is now over, he beat you guys).
ReplyDeleteI am planning on going to visit Dustin tonight, I spoke to him briefly today at his work, he says his back is still messed up, but he is at work, so it can't be THAT bad. Heading out soon, hope traffic is not too bad.
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