Day 17: Centennial Trail: Lake Stevens to Hilltop and back

 Highlights:

Today’s target on the real Camino would have had me cover 16.4 miles from Terradillos to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos where I would have seen small town Meseta life with mud brick buildings, viewed impressive ruins in Sahagun, and enjoyed big sky scenery.

In my Faux-mino, I returned to Centennial Trail where the big sky part was indeed true.  I was surprised to spot a lone balloon from the car.  The morning weather was gloomy and cloudy - not usually suited to ballooning out here. 

I started my walk with a detour from the Lake Stevens trail head into Lake Stevens proper to get a sense of the town and to view the actual lake. The town was small with some charming old buildings.  I took some shots of the lake near the boat launch area but decided there wasn’t enough to hold my interest and headed back to the trail.

I exceeded my target today because I wanted to go as far as the famous “giant sinkhole” that has closed a one-mile section of the trail until October.  I made it to the barrier but was disappointed that the sinkhole was not visible. 

I was frankly underwhelmed by today’s walk.  The skies remained grey for most if it, the trail remained straight, flat, and bordered by trees that all looked the same and I found myself checking how far I had gone every mile.  (Very bad mental health strategy for any camino.)  I gave in to listening to podcasts and amused myself with small things.  See picture below capturing a sign for a sawdust and shavings company that offers of robust menu of items including "chicken and chips" and "hog fuel". See my photo below of what a Slug Strava app would look like. I crack me up 😄.

The sun eventually did come out and brightened everything (including my mood) for the last two hours, However, I decided to leave the last leg of this trail (to pick up at the trail head just beyond the sinkhole closure), for later in my travels.  

I have not yet decided where my feet should take me for Day 18.  I am looking for a path closer to home (today I had to drive 45 minutes each way to get to the trail) and for some distractions.

Thanks for following and ¡Buen Camino!








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