La Isla | The Camino Always Provides - Day 104

As I head out of Ribadesella, I cross the road of the dinosaurs. It is marked by these footprints on the island in the center of the street. The Asturias region is rich with fossilized Jurassic footprints.

Day 19 takes me from Ribadessella to La Isla. The stage is 17 km (10.5 mi) and has a maximum elevation of 110 m (360 ft). This short stage predominantly follows the coast.

I feel a bit tired, and my knee is more tender than it was yesterday. I wonder if the change in the weather or the cold nights and mornings are contributing to the soreness. I am torn this morning, Colunga is  21 km (12.5 mi), or I make it a short day by stopping early at La Isla, 17 km (10.5 mi). I head out of town and tell Céline, let's see how the day goes. Not far from town, I pass this beautiful magenta plant.

I adore these granaries. Here I can see the structure very well and the flat stones on each corner that support the building.

As I arrive in Abeu, Spain, the morning air warms up gently. I never tire of seeing the mountains, either. However, I need to find a place with both in the future.

Heading out of Abeu, I pass this colorful sign pointing to various cities. I notice near the bottom in orange Gijón (Xixon) is 63 km (39 mi) from here.

A while later, I pass this colorful mural, "Todos Los Caminos son el Camino [All Paths are the Path]." It is a reminder that all roads lead to Santiago and that all experiences are valid on the Camino.

I feel my spirit pick up when I see the ocean again. I miss it when I don't see it for days. The Camino Del Norte is quite different than other coastal hikes I have done. Sometimes, I go days without seeing the ocean. In fact, there is a stretch coming up after Gijón where I may not see the ocean for several days. So, I always take the time to appreciate it when the Camino returns to the ocean.

Each time I see a yellow arrow, I am in awe of the work that has gone into marking the Camino. But, I frequently wonder what the path was like in the past, before cars and spray paint. How did Peregrinos find their way?

It is hard to tire of this kind of landscape. I enjoy this region tremendously. It is so different. There's also a gentle tenderness about this region. The towns are small, and people live simple lives here. I enjoy walking through these towns.

Around 10 am, just before the descent into Berbes, Spain, these colorful signs along the Camino catch my attention. It takes me 4 photos to capture the entirety the site. As I walk by, I see cities that I am familiar with and visited during my travels. Bristol, Belfast, Montréal, Portugalete, Boulder, and Edmonton. I also notice names of cities of people I've met along the Camino, Madrid, Antwerp, etc. 

Soon after I return to the coast and feel the cool breeze against my face.

At the bottom of the hill, I stop at a picnic table and enjoy the sunshine while I refuel. I recall a conversation I had with Céline earlier this morning. It is important to pause and do nothing. This is when you encounter other Peregrinos, and friendships blossom. If you walk constantly, it is much harder to meet people. Unfortunately, this morning I am a few hundred yards off the Camino. Far enough away that no Peregrinos stop to visit.

After passing this magnificent view, I arrive at a small cafe and find several Peregrinos I know. Céline is having a cup of coffee. Drazena is enjoying breakfast before the rest of her Croatian friends arrive. I stop and order a chocolate waffle and orange juice. The fresh orange juice is very refreshing. 

The longer I sit, the less motivated I am to keep going. My knee is still sore, and even though the walk to here was rather easy, my body is saying it has had enough today. Céline and I discuss options. She also favors stopping in La Isla. The view from the Albergue.

Looking back towards the little village of La Isla.

Around 430 pm, I notice Cami walking up to the Albergue. This was a long day for her, about 29 km. After she checks in, I join her on the patio to get an update on her day. "I had no food or water and was wondering what to do. Then I met a couple from the Netherlands. She had butterflies in her hair and on her jewelry. You know the kind of lady I am talking about," she says. "They cooked me breakfast in their camper van and gave me food and water for the road," she continues. That's fantastic! "I told them I have a friend Martin. He tells me frequently the Camino always provides," says Cami. I shake my head yes. I told you! It always does!

Cami's experience reminds me of another conversation I had with Isabelle near Güemes. She shared with me that a Spanish woman invited Isabelle into her home and gave a her a warm blanket while she prepared her lunch. The amazing part of Isabelle's story is that she works in a nursing home and always takes care of others. This time, the Camino took care of her. These types of experiences are not uncommon on the Camino. They always seem to happen to Peregrinos during times of need. I think they are also more common among Peregrinos that walk in solitude. When you travel with a group or another person, you are expected to take care of each other. However, the Camino frequently sends trail angels to help when walking alone. How and when they appear is anyone's guess, but they do.

This is one of those things that needs no explanation. I take comfort in knowing the Camino always provides. I can't explain it, but I firmly believe that if I open myself to these possibilities, the Camino will provide. So, I share that mindset with those around me whenever I can. I am thrilled for Cami that she had such a wonderful experience at a time when things were difficult. I can feel her confidence growing each day. It is wonderful to watch it happen. These kinds of experiences are shared in conversations along the Camino and a reason why each of my days are filled with such richness. Sometimes, it is my experience, other times is that of another Peregrino. I can't help but laugh at how well-built the Camino is!