“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” Walden, Conclusion, 1854 This quotation comes at the end of Thoreau’s most distinguished work, Walden. 
Lindsay and I embarked on our Camino journey today. We stayed in a very nice albergue with a lot of rules. Most were fine but the one that was difficult for us was that breakfast was at 6:30 and we were expected not to leave until breakfast was served and we had eaten. We wanted to leave at 5:30. Okay. So we left an hour and a half later. 
But today’s journey is 7-8 hours without stops said the people at the pilgrim office. I vaguely remember leaving two years ago between 6:30 and 7 and arriving between 2:30 and 3:30. I stopped essentially twice maybe for 45 minutes two years ago. Today I dragged. I know I must have frustrated Lindsay but she was patient and got tired too. But the biggest difference between last time and this time is the temperature. Last time there was a mist that hung over the Pyrenees the entire day and the temperature was cool (20-30 degrees cooler). So even though you were climbing 5000 feet and the altitude was different it was just really hot today. 

It was one of the most difficult of any of the runs, bicycle rides, walks, hikes I have ever been on but it was good. Lindsay and I have been planning this for more than two years. So it was also one of the best runs, bicycle rides walks, hikes I have ever been on…

And each person walks at a different pace. Some fast, some plodding, some moving quickly on ahead only to take longer rest periods. Each one hearing a different drummer and keeping the pace that he or she needs to keep. 

And I’m so thankful that this time on this journey that Lindsay and I kept pace with each other. Sometimes she kept me going other times I encouraging her. Listening to the drum beat of each other’s music so as to keep that pace. 

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away

I prayed all day for cooler temps. And well now it’s foggy and cold. 🙆🏻

Buen Camino 

• Uncategorized