The Pyrenees

Walked 26 km over the mountains today. Wow, what an experience! It was a 4000 ft climb in 16 km. Very steep but incredibly beautiful, at least when not in the clouds. Here the Pyrenees are steep but the route consistently follows various roads. The mountains were almost like an alpine tundra environment that can be found above tree line. Yet there were, in places, unusual trees growing on the nearly vertical hillsides. The trees were crooked and had few low branches so it created an eerie effect in the fog. It rained a short time. There were many herds of sheep and horses grazing on the open range. I took a short video of the water flowing from the fountain of Roland. It is an artesian spring but it spurts water in bursts. Took photos on the border of France and Navarre. Never even saw a marker for the high point of the trail, it just suddenly started downhill. And you can hardly imagine a steeper or longer downhill climb! On the way I met a man from south Dakota, can you believe it, from Martin, SD. Then he was assigned a bunk in the cubicle 4 of us share, me, Georgette, a Michigan girl, and this guy from Martin. Strange how these things happen. Then these funny English guys I also met on the trail told me the showers were unisex so I showered in the men's room! How embarrassing! Oh well, I expect dinner at 7 will be quite an adventure too. It's been quite a day!