Editor’s note: Rick McKay, Joe Masonick, and Jack Karolewski, have been travel companions for more than 50 years to a variety of sites with many goals. This week’s adventure is the 24th in the series, a 14-day hike in 2005 across northern Spain’s intriguing Camino de Santiago, known as the Way of Santiago, for a religious retreat and pilgrimage. Visiting various villages on the journey requires continual hiking and climbing. Previously the trio’s exploits were focused on an 11-week trans-Asia trip in 1977. This week continues Day 9 on the journey through Spain’s, Vega del Valcarce to O Cebriero, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005.
The previous part is at thevoice.us/surprises-in-the-air-spectacle-of-beauty-in-spains-countryside
By Rick McKay
I spotted an orb-weaver’s spider web after we reached the top of stone wall, the early-morning dew clinging to an illuminating each strand such that they appeared as silver threads . There tens of them, all hung with dew.
Later, Jack and I encountered a small yellowish-orange frog, no more than an inch in length, frantically attempting to cross our path upon our approach. I stopped to photograph it while Jack attempted to turn it back momentarily from disappearing into the grasses at the path’s edge.
The air was filled with birdsongs, a chorus of sharp twits and occasional warbles, one singing to us unabashedly from a branch at very close proximity, while I attempted to capture some part of it on video.
At the outskirts of a hamlet we were surprised by a Shetland pony which quickly trotted up to the stone wall at our approach, almost as though expecting a treat. Its shaggy mane was unkempt and long as its neck was thick, and flies buzzed about its eyes and nostrils. Jack reached out to pet its head, and it shied away, but then returned for the attention.
Soon, the climbing and falling ended, and we emerged into a stand of crops that to me was uncannily reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz, the stalks standing eight feet tall and the ripe ears encased by green and red husks. Indeed, I have thought of this journey as similar to the quest for Oz, though no scarecrow awaited us this day where the road split.
Then the town of Sarria opened up to us like a white city in a dark valley, the sun striking it directly while the surrounding hills remained in shade.
Once there we decided to treat ourselves to a pension (small hotel) rather than the usual albergue, and though the facility is nice, I almost feel like a fish out of water, as though I belong back on the Camino, rather than here.
Tomorrow’s destination is Portomarin, some 13 1/2 miles out of Sarria.
Continued at https://thevoice.us/deep-laughter-repeatedly-wine-and-song-in-spain