Our guidebook for today’s walk referred to it as a “a see-saw day with more climbs than downhills”.  My Garmin watch logged 86 floors up and 69 down, confirming that the elevation that we gained against gravity was essentially given back…as we make our way through the final couple days of the mountainous Navarra region.  That in no way detracted from the chilly, nice weather, picturesque villages, and great views we experienced at every turn today.  But growing up a flat-lander in southeast Michigan, it is difficult for me to “give back” elevation that I have “rightfully gained”.  It makes me feel in some way like a modern-day Sisyphus – a narcissistic Corinthian king whose final punishment was to eternally roll a huge boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down before reaching the summit.  I don’t like feeling like Sisyphus.  It reminds me of when, as a kid, my irritating younger brother Brien used to call me and my other brothers Sissyface (among other stupid, rage-inducing names).  It is no surprise to us brothers that he ended up a successful neurologist…as he was so good at getting on our nerves.

So…just as I was calming down about the whole “elevation gain & loss / Sisyphus” issue…we ran into a lovely, friendly couple from north Wales on the path today.  Or more accurately, we watched them cheerily blow past us on an uphill with no apparent exertion.  I immediately did not like them.  (That is them in the photo above. Men from Wales wear shorts any day over freezing.).  We ran into them later in Estella at a restaurant and chatted a bit more…even more warmth…humor…kind-heartedness.  As it turns out, Steve and Eleanor are using a 1-week Camino leg as part of their training for going to Everest base camp later this year.  Also turns out Steve ran the London Marathon last year in 3 hours, 49 minutes…at…at…at age 63.  Now if you have read about my Top 5 Rome Marathon finish from a previous post (see April 11)…you can imagine how I felt.  Yes…just like a Sissyface.

Oh…yes, we walked another 13 miles of the Camino today.  Again, truly brilliant.  We took paths and crossed bridges that were described as “some of the best examples of ancient Roman roads”.  They were impressive…but frankly, over the last 8 days, I have had my fill of ancient, bumpy Roman roads.

Finally, an example of Camino “stream of consciousness”discussion that can occur.  Today’s path took Sarah and I near the river Arga.  Sarah mentioned it sounded like “Argo”, the Academy Award winner for Best Film from 2012.  I said it sounded like “Argyle”, Willian Wallace’s uncle’s name in “Braveheart”…AND that I thought the Basques were somehow related genetically to the Scots.  Turns out I got it wrong.  A Google search confirms that the Basques were blood brothers to the Irish…AND THE WELSH!

Nonetheless…I had my heart set on playing this “Uncle Argyle” clip…so although it doesn’t connect to anything…it is one of Sarah’s Top 5 movies…so here goes.