Distance=24 km (14.4 miles)
We crossed the continental divide today – a gas station at 2035 m (6680 ft). From here it is all downhill to the Pacific! The first half of the day was road walking and there were lots of Sunday drivers out. Not fun. After a bit we found ourselves walking on dirt roads along a high ridge looking down into coffee plantations that descended into our first coniferous forest. Really lovely.
The people we meet in person or driving have been really nice. There are not that many hikers walking around these rural communities and so we are a bit of a curiosity. Many don’t seem to realize that the Camino exists. We talked to an expat American who had a Camino section marker outside the driveway to his house and he was not aware of what it was. People who recognize us as Camino hikers seem really happy to see us in their communities. They honk their horn, wave and say hello, or offer encouragement as they pass by us. The proprietors of the local restaurants all seem to want a group photo of us. It is nice to think that our walk may be having a positive impact on these rural communities.
Lunch was at a bar and restaurant outside of San Pablo where we had a few beers and delayed finishing as long as possible to avoid the rain. We trudged downhill in the rain to Hotel Palenque Tarrazu, where we dried off, cleaned up and played cards before dinner and an early bedtime.
To mark the return of the rain, here are some photos of mushrooms and lichen. The best ones were taken by Juancho, the rest by me.
Ruth and Dale's Book of Marvels 