Day Four

I have to admit I was less enthusiastic about starting this morning's walk. I rose late after a wakeful night so I rushed out of bed and downstairs where Susan and Sonja were already packed and eating. My calves were in pain and though I tried to lance my blister about 3 am, my left heel was still very tender in my shoe. I was thankful for the first aid kit Susan sent me to bed with. We drove once again to start our day, I was happy Sonja didn't want to walk the ten mile day. We started in Rimboccia crossing a stream right away and then back up. Today's even steeper climb was 1800 feet up a rocky trail. It didnt take long, maybe a little less than an hour for my legs to loosen up and the pain in my heel to numb. I was captivated immediately by the change of scenery once again. Each day so completely different. Today's landscape started among a much younger forest, mostly rocks and saplings. We would reach a ridge and have a few moments of level path before the next ascent. The highlight of today's path was the incredible green that came from the sun's rays hitting the huge moss covered boulders. The small rocks of the morning turned to large boulders the closer we came to the monastery. Huge birch trees and giant boulders laid haphazardly along the forest floor like Easter eggs laying await in the green grass. The last rock an incredibly huge mountainside that served as the foundation of our night's stay. We got there early about 2:30 and spent the next couple hours exploring the huge grounds. Starving we found only chips and chocolate, so we are waiting in anticipation for our meal served at 7:30. It's only 5:30 now :( tomorrow will be another big day, 10 miles. I'm looking forward to it and hope my body complies. I'm not sure how, but each day seems even better than the last, I guess I just truly enjoy exploring, never knowing what we are going to see as we pass the next turn. We saw lots of evidence of elk but have yet to be honored with a glimpse. Perhaps we should stop singing "she'll be coming round the mountain when she comes" at the top of our lungs. The women from Holland passed us, they did the whole walk and were continuing past our stop doing at least 20 miles today, but I'm convinced they can't be enjoying themselves as much as we are. We stop often and are present seeing everything there is to see. For us, it is not about how far we go or how fast, but about enjoying the time we have.