Hiking with whippersnappers
We had a momentous first two days on the Camino. In true Parsons fashion, the mileage was high because, you know, we needed a challenge! The first day, instead of just doing what the guidebook said and starting in Tui, where our hotel was, and the traditional start of this leg of the Camino, we decided to backtrack to Valenca, across the border in Portugal, because it would be cooler if we would say we went from Portugal into Spain. So that added something like three miles to our trip. In total, the first day was around 16 miles.
Day two was like day one, but wet. We tried to get up and go, and pretty much were able to do it, cramming breakfast in and enjoying a hot cafe and pastries as we thought about the days plan. From O Porrino to Arcade ended up being close to 15 miles, and we did most of it in the rain. Long days, back to back.
If all this seems pretty bleak, it was intentional. Imagine the worst day in the rain and then think about taking your kids. This is what I had in my head when we set out on Monday morning. But the most amazing thing happened.....
These kids, folks. I have never been so impressed with the tenacity and drive in a 12 and 8 year old. I mean, doing 15 miles on a bluebird day takes the most from anyone, and then we had the conditions we were given and the jet lag and adjustments to eating schedules, etc. And these kids just hammered it out. We all had times throughout the day where we were close to packing it in, but when push came to shove, we saw the best out of both of them and they were still awake (mostly when we sat down for a meal each evening.
I am a really proud Dad right now. and exhausted.
Day two was like day one, but wet. We tried to get up and go, and pretty much were able to do it, cramming breakfast in and enjoying a hot cafe and pastries as we thought about the days plan. From O Porrino to Arcade ended up being close to 15 miles, and we did most of it in the rain. Long days, back to back.
If all this seems pretty bleak, it was intentional. Imagine the worst day in the rain and then think about taking your kids. This is what I had in my head when we set out on Monday morning. But the most amazing thing happened.....
These kids, folks. I have never been so impressed with the tenacity and drive in a 12 and 8 year old. I mean, doing 15 miles on a bluebird day takes the most from anyone, and then we had the conditions we were given and the jet lag and adjustments to eating schedules, etc. And these kids just hammered it out. We all had times throughout the day where we were close to packing it in, but when push came to shove, we saw the best out of both of them and they were still awake (mostly when we sat down for a meal each evening.
I am a really proud Dad right now. and exhausted.
