Settled in my room and found dinner. As it is on the Camino, a person can walk solo, but we are not without companions. Met my first Pilgrims over dinner. I shared a table with Matthew, an architectural student from Paris, and a couple from Portland, OR. Matthew walked here from Paris, carrying his little tent, cooking gear, and water filter for gathering drinking water from small creeks. The Oregon couple started this Camino in Le Puy, France, and will walk on to Santiago- about a 1,000 mile walk. He’s 66 and she’s 70.
Up at 0300 and at the Kansas City airport by 0430 for an 0600 Delta flight to Newark. A four-hour layover and a nice chat with a United Air crew member over my semi-warm $33 piece of chicken. Then the stormy remnants of Hurricane Ida decided to sit on the airport for a few hours.
The airport lost power, the ground floor had twelve inches of flood water rushing under the escalators, and after six hours of delays, the flight to Madrid was cancelled. Then, uncancelled. Happily, we are Madrid- bound. It’s 0340, we’ve had dinner (chicken or pasta microwaved to a scrumptious chewiness). I have a free WiFi connection and a 3-seat row all to myself.
Since I will have missed my $49 Iberia Airline flight to Pamplona by the time we arrive in Madrid at 3pm, I called to change my flight to the next day. The charge to do that: $312. I’ll spend the night in Madrid and decide on alternate transportation to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (SJPP). Either an 8+ hour bus ride or the train to Pamplona with a bus to SJPP.
No lights in the jet wayNewark airport under the blue dot
On board my Delta flight in Kansas City. Beginning a 27-hour trip that ends in Pamplona, Spain. Kansas City – Atlanta – Newark – Madrid – Pamplona. Tropical storm Ida has Newark in heavy rain and thunderstorms all day, so we shall see how it impacts my 7 pm departure to Madrid (or my arrival from Atlanta to Newark).
The Tesla was a COVID baby, so this was its first road trip. I spent more time at charging stations than was necessary due to my charging anxiety. Is this REALLY enough charge? Bert & Sarah Scott were my tech support buddies and helped with that anxiety.
Our lone Tesla.At the busy stations, some of the owners would stand around and trade Tesla stories. That was fun.
Beaufort, South Carolina
Spanish Moss Trail: Started with the intention of 6-8 miles, but I barely made 3 miles! Not sure why I had so much trouble; maybe a combo of fatigue, heat, and that Low Country humidity. Still, it was a pretty walk through the marshlands.
Asheville, North Carolina
The North Carolina Arboretum: A leisurely five-mile walk through woods and along waterfalls followed by a stroll through the bonsai exhibit.
Pisgah InnNC ArboretumDo Not Disturb: Pollinators at work.Ginkgo BonsaiAzalea Bonsai
Downtown Asheville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Street Artist painting Dolly Parton. Downtown KnoxvilleView from the Grandma’s Apartment at the Weber’s Home
Summer is here and the greens are luscious! Same ol’ path most days, but always something new and fascinating. Highlights for this week:
Irish Wolfhound takes his person for a walk.Tiny Turtle rescue. This little guy was slowly crossing the path. He was as small as a leaf.Green tunnel about 1/2 mile from I-Lan ParkOne of the ponds. Stocked with bass, catfish and a few other varieties.
It looks like September will be a busy month on the Camino. The fact this is a Holy Year and that people have been anxiously awaiting entry into Spain will make for quite a rush. The U.S. will be allowed into Spain as of June, 7.
Training has been slow lately; motivation is lagging, we’ve had many rain days + I visited family in Joplin for a couple of days. I’ve only walked 26.4 miles since May 7.
On another note, this evening is Day One of the Spanish Immersion class at JCCC. More to come on that. I’m a little nervous.
Tomahawk Creek TrailWildcat Glades – Joplin, MissouriGary Haller Trail – Shawnee Mission Park
The last seven hikes: Spring is always a surprise-a-minute season. Temperatures for the last seven hikes have ranged from the 40s – 80s. Flowers, greenery, and critters abound. Hikers and cyclists, old and incredibly young.
Trails: 55 miles over Tomahawk Creek, Line Creek, Oak Ridge Hills, Gary Haller, and Violet Nature trail.
Tomahawk Creek TrailTomahawk Creek TrailShawnee Mission Park – Violet TrailShawnee Mission Park – Gary Haller TrailLine Creek Trail
EU rumblings indicate Spain may be opening to US (fully vaccinated) tourists this summer – maybe June. If so, I’ll be on my September 1 flight to Madrid. Still up in the air, but looking a bit more promising.
