Sept 17- Grado

“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” — Paulo Coelho

I set out on the trail hearing the familiar gravel trail crunching softly under my feet, each step steady and grounding. The air carried a delicate scent of eucalyptus, faint but soothing, mixing with the warmth of the sun beneath the blue sky. Slowly, the chatter in my mind began to fade. There was only the rhythm of my breath, the sway of my pack, and the quiet company of a few pilgrims sharing this path..including Kathleen. Out here, surrounded by nature’s simplicity, I feel less like I’m chasing something new and more like I’m returning to myself.

The trail took us through several ascents into beautiful forested areas, across old bridges over streams and rivers, and some breathtaking views. While there are significantly less pilgrims on this path, I’ve already met some amazing people from the UK, Romania, Italy, and Holland. I seem to be the only American today.

As we climbed higher along the path, the world below slowly disappeared under a thick layer of clouds. Looking down on the cover, it felt almost unreal..like the towns and fields had been tucked away under a heavy white blanket. There was a quiet calm in knowing we were above it all, just following the trail with steady steps, stopping to catch my breath on the steep trails, and making sure I didn’t trip on any rocks this time.

Today felt like returning to a part of myself I had been missing. Every stretch of the journey carried its own reward…the steady rhythm of my footsteps, the changing light on the trail, the quiet satisfaction of moving forward mile after mile. By the end of the day, I had covered 28 kilometers, nearly 48,000 steps, each one a reminder of why I love walking this path.

Eventually, the rooftops and church spires of Grado appeared in the distance, shimmering faintly in the afternoon light..the end point of today’s long walk. My shirt clung with sweat, a fine layer of dust covered my legs, and every step reminded me of the miles behind me. My feet ached a bit, but it was the kind of ache that felt earned. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My reward: an ice cold Coca Cola with ice! 😊

My thoughts:

Today felt like the beginning of a beautiful journey. Tomorrow will bring a steeper challenge with a long climb, so rest is essential tonight. Still, I can’t help but feel deeply grateful…blessed to be here, and more grounded with every step I take. The clean air and this beautiful landscape are already working their quiet magic on me.