Secretly Wishing for Rain

October 17

As you may have noticed, the weather has been ideal for most of my journey so far. But I have not forgotten Camino Jim's stories about walking through torrential rains and sinking into deep mud for miles on end. For some strange reason, I wanted that experience - and had high hopes that my wish would come true today!

I started the 15-mile walk to Palas de Rei under heavy clouds and steady drizzle. The  skies ahead were gray and the path into the woods was somber. So far, so good.

I soon passed a pilgrim who was getting up from a night's sleep outside seeking protection from the rain.

Before too long, I came upon cattle lying down in the field, which my mother had told me as a child meant rainy weather ahead. All was going as planned.

Light rain continued to fall . . . and, finally, my hiking boots found that deep mud.

In the end, the torrential rains did not come, the fog began to lift and the sun appeared. It soon became clear to me that this was the perfect backdrop for a day of reflection. Just another reminder that the Camino does not always deliver what you want but what you truly need . . .

~ Buen Camino, Carol ~