Day 2: Burke Gilman Trail: Woodinville to Kenmore, Washington

 Day 2 Highlights:

 

For Day 2, I continued to explore the Sammamish River Trail that turns into the Burke Gilman Trail. I started the walk again from Woodinville's Wilmot Gateway Park and went half today’s distance to Sheridan Beach in Kenmore before turning back.  Even though I didn’t forget my headset today, I chose to continue to listen to what nature wanted to tell me instead of retreating to the digital world.  I was amazed at how quickly time went as I looked around and listened, putting one foot in front of the other.

My "Village to village guide" book says that “from Roncesvalles to Zubiri” (Spain), I would have enjoyed shaded forest trails, pass rivers and small villages, explore Hemingway lore, and a Romanesque bridge.” The Bridge, called “La Puenta de la Rabia” (rabies bridge), is named after a 15th century legend that says the body of Santa Quitera, patron saint against rabies (true story!) was discovered when building the bridge and that if you led your animals across the bridge three times, they would not get rabies.

So, I did see a bridge today but had no creatures with me to protect.  However, I did experience some unexpected things on this Day 2.   

Several river otters threaded themselves through the surface as I walked by.  A bunch of geese took turns moving from a sand bar to flapping their wings in the river having what I assumed was bath time.  A pair of black men's sneakers sat quietly on a park bench.  The riverside trailer park displayed attractive waterfront decks and kayak access that rivaled those of the much more affluent water front homes that I saw further on the trail.

And as a serendipitous universe would have it, when I stopped for my daily Starbucks curbside pick up (I know I would not find this on the real Camino), two good friends from my last place of work appeared out of nowhere and we got to have a lovely socially distanced catch up outside. Finally, I watched Kenmore's float planes circle the sky, getting ready for landing at Kenmore Air on Lake Washington. 

It was another picture perfect pacific northwest late summer day with well-behaved cyclists (on your left), walkers, and a good number of parents out running/playing with their kids.  The bits of enthusiastic and breathless conversation that I caught in passing brought back sweet memories.

Today was less challenging than yesterday and I was back at the starting point before I knew it. Again, restrooms were easy finds. I know that won’t always be the case.

As mentioned before, If you want to see what the real Camino would have looked like on today’s walk, download the Camino de Santiago 360º  app on Apple and start with Roncesvalles.  

Thanks for joining me on Day 2. Tomorrow I will start where I left off in Kenmore on the Burke Gilman and head to Seattle.  





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