Day 2 — Over the Pyrenees

For two days, we climbed and crossed the Pyrenees.

By the numbers: 19.12 miles, 40,864 steps and 132 flights of stairs. Today alone, we walked about 11 miles and climbed to nearly 4,700 feet at Col de Lepoeder.

But the numbers don’t begin to describe these two days.

This was some of the most beautiful—and historic—landscape I have ever walked through. Green mountains seemed to stretch forever, with sheep and horses grazing along the hillsides and breathtaking views in every direction. At times the climb was incredibly steep, but every turn seemed to reveal something even more beautiful.

And as we walked, I kept thinking about who had traveled through these mountains before us.

Roman soldiers crossed the Pyrenees along routes connecting Gaul and the Iberian Peninsula. Centuries later, these mountains became the setting for the story of Roland, one of Charlemagne’s commanders, who was killed near Roncesvalles after Charlemagne’s army crossed back into France. Napoleon’s armies would later travel through this same region.

And then there are the pilgrims.

For more than 1,000 years, men and women have crossed these mountains on their way to Santiago.

And now, for a brief moment in this enormous sweep of history, so did we.

Along the way, we met pilgrims from all over the world and many from across the United States. Everyone has a different story about what brought them here, but there is a common thread I keep hearing: “I felt called to the Camino.”

Interestingly, many aren’t quite sure why. They simply know they needed to come.

I understand that feeling.

Our first night in the mountains at Orisson also introduced us quickly to pilgrim life: six-minute showers, no towels, not enough electricity for a hair dryer, and little “hobbit rooms” where you had to be careful not to bump your head.

And yet, outside our tiny room was one of the most beautiful views in the world. There was great wine, cold beer, wonderful food and a table filled with pilgrims from around the world—strangers who somehow didn’t feel like strangers for very long.

These first two days have already reminded me how quickly the things we think we need become unimportant. You adjust. You laugh. You share a meal. You listen to someone’s story. And the next morning, you put on your shoes and keep walking.

Perhaps we don’t always need to understand why we are called somewhere.

Sometimes we simply need to answer the call, take the first step, and trust that somewhere along the way, the reason will reveal itself.

Buen Camino.