It is sweltering outside. The heat index is currently 110 degrees F (thats 43 degrees C) and it has been 21 days since our high for the day has been below 95F (35C). We also have not had significant rainfall in nearly 3 weeks and the grass is crunchy and my plants are beginning to die. We get an excessive heat warning each day about 11 and are warned against being outside until 7pm in the evening. Ugh. If we didn’t have teenagers, my husband and I would have fled to higher ground weeks (or perhaps months) ago.
A little altitude makes a big difference. A few weeks ago, we took the camper and our youngest child to the highest point in our state. That is not very high- only 2400 feet above sea level. The difference in the temperature was pretty amazing to us. It was a full 15 degrees cooler than here. We were able to sit outside in the mornings and evenings, and venture outside during the day. I hiked some every day, though it was mostly in the mornings and evenings.
School has started again and my 16 year old has entered the 11th grade. He’s the reason we are still here, and not vacationing in Montana or something. The older son is taking a semester off, and is here as well, though he is working a later shift (2pm to 11pm) so we don’t see all that much of him. We’re trying to stick to inside chores, but we’re tired of being cooped up. I guess this is how people in colder climates feel in the wintertime.
Since I’m stuck inside, I’m catching up on long overdue inside chores. I have managed to complete a reorganization of all of my recipes and re-covering my dining room chairs. I am considering painting the kitchen, but executing that plan requires leaving the house to go to get paint at least, and just can’t face it. I’ve been staring at my garden (which looks terrible) at the moment, and thinking of revamping that as well, but realistically can’t tackle that either because of the heat and drought. Sorting through years of pictures has been on my to do list for ages. It sounds nice and cool too. Perhaps that is next on this list.
The heat is also making it difficult to train for the camino. Training outside is limited to 6-8am in the morning. Soon after it gets cool enough in the evenings, it gets dark. I know that isn’t enough time for training, but it will have to do. I have added in some weight training and high intensity interval workouts since I can do those inside in the AC.
Since school has started, I’ve dropped down to only volunteering once a week. The heat is making everyone grouchy including the horses. I got stepped on by a new horse two weeks ago, and my leg is finally healed. I don’t need to be taking risks like that right before my trip!
I have my backpack mostly packed. Last time I weighed it, it was about 15 lbs including water. That’s a bit heavier than I’d hoped, but not terrible. I’ve been training with 20 lbs, so maybe it will be okay. Here’s what I’m taking besides what I will be wearing-
1 extra shirt, 1 extra pair of hiking pants, 1 extra set of underwear, 2 extra pairs of socks, a pair of Chacos hiking sandals, (I’ll be wearing a pair of Altra trail runners) a wool sweatshirt, a raincoat, a pair of thin but warm leggings, minimal toiletries (yes to soap, no to makeup), a hat, a sleeping bag, a headlamp, a purse for valuables, hiking poles, blister kit, laundry detergent, a phone charger, a nightgown, bag to use for groceries and/or laundry, earplugs, and a sarong to use as a towel, scarf, and skirt.
I am worried that it will be colder than I planned or hotter. That I’m forgetting something vitally important, or carrying too many unnecessary items. I have only made reservations for the first 2 nights. I’m told that the traditional stopping point for the third night sometimes runs out of beds. I’m trying not to worry too much, but there are so many unknowns. 28 days till I leave.
I’ve allotted myself the “usual” amount of time. I have no idea how far I will actually want to/be able to walk each day. I don’t think I’ll want to stick to the traditional “stages” though. I think I’m going to finish a little early. I’m flying out of Madrid. If anyone has suggestions of things to see for a few days in Spain, I’d love to hear them!
Favorite retirement thing of the week- I stayed up late last night with my 16 year old to watch for shooting stars. They’re meteors of course- it was the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. I hope we get to watch them from a really dark place one year. I don’t need to worry that I’ll be tired today- retirement leaves plenty of time for naps!
I’m sure your training for the Camino will be fine, it seems you are being more diligent than I was for my TMB hike. One thing we carried was a small first aid kit. I know you have blister plasters already on your list, but we also used some normal plasters, antisceptic cream, insect bite/sting cream and antihistamine tablets. Also suncream and bug spray (we didn’t actually use the bug spray but, if we had, maybe we wouldn’t have needed the antihistamine!). We had other things in our first aid kit too (it was probably too big) but fortunately didn’t use them.
Looking forward to hearing about your trip.
Those are excellent ideas. I’ll add them to my list. I am trying not to worry too much about the training. I know some people don’t train at all. This whole thing is a little (okay, a lot) out of my comfort zone, and it’s almost easier to worry about what I can control than what I can’t (weather) or didn’t know about.