Update: When the Rain Comes

Francine injured her foot a ways back, and we have not been training as we ought. Yesterday, however, we had a nice hike with full Camino packs through Point Defiance Park. There was some trouble with water.

At some point in transit to the trailhead, Francine’s backpack water bladder leaked about a liter of water into her pack. After a few moments of understandable frustration, she shrugged it off, repacked the pack, put her rain jacket on to keep the worst of the water from her, and loaded up.

Ultreïa!

About halfway through the hike, it began to rain. And I mean, it rained.

It was raining hard enough that I considered putting on my poncho. We both have red Ferrino trekkers, which we purchased before our first Camino in 2013. These things are great, and I can highly recommend them.

I wanted to see just how waterproof my pack was, so I didn’t put on the poncho. As it turns out… pretty darn waterproof.

Francine just put on her pack cover and called it good.

Throughout it all, we maintained our goal pace of 4kph.

After the hike, we munched on some homemade bocadillos and then ran to the nearest Tulleys for lattes – the best we could do with no café con leche available. And then, of course, to a nearby pub to chat with old friends.

In other prep news, we both received our TSA Precheck numbers, so perhaps we can avoid the worst of the airport security lines.

I’ll be mailing off the application to renew my passport later this week.

(Originally posted to Pilgrims on the Way.)