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 wh...
