A few weeks ago one of my fellow teachers, Joelle, mentioned her love of hiking. We had a short conversation about the nature in Spain verses that of California and I mentioned that I sometimes went hiking back home. I never thought much about our conversation. Well this past week she invited me to go with her, her husband and a hiking club for a weekend hike! I could not pas up such an offer, so I agreed and come Saturday morning I was ready to go! Well let me tell you, this hiking club means serious business! When I arrived at the bus and I saw everyone dressed to hiking perfection I was immediately intimidated. They all wore the best hiking boots, those really cool fast dry shirts and pants. Not to mention they carried very impressive backpacks and walking sticks. All I had was a small backpack, my running shoes and leggings. Nevertheless I got on the bus and said a little prayer that I'd make it in my running shoes!
From Caceres we drove for 2 hours before we arrived to the start of the trail. Once on the trail I felt a little better about my shoes seeing that the path was pretty well defined. The trail consisted of two parts, part one was going up the mountain and the second part was descending the mountain. On the way up there were not a lot of trees or shrubbery. That does not mean that the scenery wasn't gorgeous, it was amazing! I think the most beautiful part of it all were the colors which were a luminous green and red. As we ascended, Joelle and her husband told me that this path was used for transporting coal to and from the two valleys that lay on either side of the mountain. I tried to imagine horses with carts full of coal on the narrow trail and I could only imagine a dangerous journey for these people!
Right before we reached the top of the mountain we came upon a lot of water! Aaaand that's when my running shoes failed me...my feet became instantly soaked as we had to trudge through multiple creeks. It did not stop me though! Soon we had reached the top which felt like a great accomplishment! At the top there was a bell which is rung if you need luck finding a girlfriend or boyfriend! I gladly rang the bell, both for the luck and for the reward of making it to the top!
On the descend, we walked through an oak alley! It was a surprising and welcomed change of scenery from that of the other side of the mountain. All throughout this area I saw hundreds of red mushrooms! They were so beautiful, almost fairytale like! Apparently they are very poisonous, so much so that people have died from eating them! I stayed away from them! A little further down the path we stoped for lunch at a gorgeous little stone bridge. Joelle told me that it was built in medieval times and has survived all these years. It felt like a privilege to be able to eat my lunch on it! From that point we only walked for 2 more hours. The trail ended in a small village. The village looked as if it hadn't changed for centuries! One building I passed had the date 1729 on the outside! It was so cool to see such old buildings in pretty good condition. After stopoing in the town for a few minutes we got back on the bus and made the long treck back to Caceres! And that is the conclusion of my hiking adventure! I thoroughly enjoyed this surprise adventure and have already made plans to go again!
You never know what adventures this world will present, so pack your hiking boots ;)
Yours,
CAZ
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