Padron

It was overcast and threatening to rain when we left Caldas de Reis. I’m happy to report the rain did not materialize but there was no lack of water! Flowing next to the hotel, the Rio Ulma was the first of five rivers to cross on our trek into Padron.

The deluge we’d suffered on our way into Caldas de Reis continued throughout the next day while we rested. Rivers and streams reached the brink of overflowing. We anticipated a soggy, wet trek.

Surprisingly, no. The trail was saturated but perfectly passable; special thanks to whomever cleared the huge trees that came down in the storm. We had only to dodge a few puddles and wet spots. We trekked with dry feet all day — woo-hoo!

The majority of our trek was through woodlands, plus a couple of villages where we saw vineyards and cornfields. Grapes looked luscious hanging from the vines. Quite a few cows today, too. More than usual, anyway, and some were dairy!

We’ve trampled a lot of tree nuts in Spain. The acorn is longer and larger than at home; apparently also key to flavoring famous Iberian ham. Today, the chestnut was king. One spiky green pod nearly hit a trek-mate as it fell from the tree. The pods and the nuts were huge!

We didn’t stop much or for long. One stop, at a church in a small village, was particularly striking. For the first time in our journey, when I looked back I could see a steady stream of trekker traffic coming along behind. The uptick was overwhelming. As we near Santiago, peace and quiet on the trail is harder to come by.

The woodlands were lovely, fresh and verdant, but there were significant inclines and declines. I found the downhill more difficult. My right knee was ticked off about something; haven’t heard from her since I left home! Not my best day, but after 11 miles we made it.

It’s hard to believe tomorrow we’ll trek into Santiago. We’ve traveled in a time warp. Each day seems to flow slowly, as you might expect at two or three miles an hour. The journey is so rich and sweet, you want to savor every bite and sight. Yet somehow the days stack up quickly. A week is gone in a snap.

The elevation scale for our Santiago trek looks intense! It’s a long one, too — over 15 miles. Plus the highest cardio level shown on Follow the Camino app. It will be a challenge, eh? Hoping a good dinner and good night’s sleep sets us up!

Today my devotional was on God’s power at work within us; the author referenced Ephesians 3:20. It’s such an encouragement to my spirit, especially after today! I don’t have to be strong enough because I walk with God. He is the power!

Also no coincidence, I’m sure, this verse is embedded in my “life verse” — a passage I hold near and dear. I’ve meditated on Ephesians 3:14-21 all along my trek. When I hear my six scallops jangle, it reminds me to pray:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Hold hope. Keep faith. Walk your walk.

~ Sincerely, Sondra