The Road Goes Ever On and On

Of all the photos I took on our 2013 Camino – and I took thousands of them – this is the one that for me best sums up the spirit of the pilgrimage.

Francine in the Mists of Galicia

It was taken as we walked through the Galician forests on our way to the Royal Monastery of Samos.

It reminds me very strongly of Bilbo’s Old Walking Song, which I sometimes sang softly on the Way:

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.

Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

I am in mind of this because about a week ago, Francine and I took what was supposed to be a short hike that eventually turned into a half-Camino day of about 11km. I think it was actually longer than our shortest Camino day – which was the day after the photo above was taken.

Francine on the Tree Tunnel Trail near Sequalitchew Creek

We began with the relatively short and flat Sequalitchew Creek Trail in nearby DuPont. But then, the road went on in ways we had not anticipated.

After talking with several locals, we struck out down a side-path and over a metal-slab bridge across the creek. Then a series of steep switch-backs uphill and overland to the Tree Tunnel Trail seen in this photo.

Through the trees to one side is a golf course, and to the other side is the bluff overlooking Puget Sound. By the time we got near the end, we could see the Nisqually River Delta.

It was a beautiful walk on a beautiful day with my beautiful bride.

Afterwards, we were exhausted – a clear reminder of how much training work we have yet to do! Fortunately, the vino tinto helped.

More training is not the only thing on my agenda. I also need to renew my passport. I’m planning to send that off this week, assuming I can find the time to get a photo taken.

And of course, there are some equipment that needs to be acquired. My hiking pants have served me well, but they’re worn and torn and definitely on the “replace” list.

And I still need to knock another pound or two from my pack.

(Originally posted to Pilgrims on the Way.)