Oviedo to Grado and Salas

The weather was ideal for a long day of hiking as we wound through the busy streets of Oviedo through the suburbs and onto soft dirt trails. I’d had a terribly sleepless night kept awake by worries about my physical limitations and the challenges I knew that this Camino would bring.

The tiny chapel above had recently gone through a renovation funded by the village residents and through donations left by passing pilgrims over the years. We stopped twice along the way to put our feet up, enjoy chicken sandwiches, and meet a few of our fellow hikers. We chatted with folks from Belgium, Poland, and Spain. No fellow Americans yet.

My foot ached and I switched out my trail shoes to hiking sandals. Thank goodness there were beautiful distractions and patient Perry leading the way. One section required us to navigate a busy two lane road with no shoulder. Perry waved his arms at oncoming cars that kindly slowed down as they passed.

We stumbled in to the lovely town of Grado feeling battered. A quick dinner and I was ready to regroup and strategize for the next day.

A good night’s sleep worked wonders. We had a pretty lavish breakfast by Camino standards and met Sonja, a lovely gal from Los Angeles who was hiking solo. We walked the first couple of miles with her chatting about favorite books and travel adventures. We also met a raucous group of male friends from all over Europe who were hiking their first Camino.

2 miles from Salas we were greeted by a couple from Ecuador and a fellow from Madrid who insisted we cool our feet in the stream that ran alongside the path. It was just the medicine we needed to hike those final steps to Salas. We had a dinner of pasta with Calabrian sausage, chicken/potatoes/rice, and chocolate cake before collapsing for the night. More hills tomorrow!

What I am thankful for:

My patient, entertaining, friendly son

Advil

Hiking sandals

Toe spacers and padded covers (Cheryl and I call them toe condoms. 🤪)

Baggage transport

Instant coffee

Buen Camino. 🥾❤️