We hit the trail at 5:30 a.m. this morning. Ignatio’s accommodations were 30 minutes further down the trail and I was running a few minutes late departing my place on the other side of town so we decided to meet in Sarzana later for our celebratory end of hike beer.

Despite the short distance for the day, the trail proved to be difficult with significant ascents and descents and continued rocky footing. Despite these challenges, the elevation continued to provide remarkable views and several charming villages along the trail.

Tomorrow is my last full day of hiking as I finish in Massa before boarding a train to meet my very best friend to enjoy a week together in Tuscany. I don’t have any mixed emotions about her joining me. I’m very excited about that. I’ve missed her beautiful presence in my days and I’ve missed sharing experiences with her so much. We love to adventure together. Phone, text and Marco Polo have been great but they’re not the same as being together.

I do have very mixed emotions about the end of my day to day hiking. I’m sure I’ll share more and reflect more on my time, but for now I simply hold the tension of knowing I’m going to miss the adventure and beauty and discovery and surprises and challenges and learning and discomfort and discouragement and physical exertion and the mutual connections with other pilgrims. I’m going to miss it all so much. I’m also going to appreciate consistent air conditioning and coffee in the morning and clean clothes and not packing and unpacking and arranging my housing each day. I’m sad and I’m grateful for the chance to have experienced this grand adventure. Know as most of you wake tomorrow, I’ll be walking my last leg of my hiking journey here and my feet and knees and skin will be relieved and my heart will be heavy.