Sunday began the actual pilgrimage, even though we lost a day of walking, we were able to combine two days into one – making it an 18 mile walk. The journey started with communion together, and then we headed off … in the wrong direction. I mean, with the way this trip has gone from road-block after road-block it would only be fitting that we would go in the wrong direction. However, it was only about 10 feet of walking before we realized it and reversed our steps on the way from Harestanes/Jedburgh to Morebattle (the first leg). This day started off strong; as the beginning there weren’t very many hills – but let me tell you: this trek is no joke. I have been training for almost 20 weeks for this journey. Training legs and arms, upping the weight week-after-week (thanks to KOs Fitness). What I learned this day was that the training definitely helped me endure the walk, but that my joints and muscles were going to struggle. I never was out of breath, or gasping for air; and for that, I am very thankful. (thoughts continue below picture album)
PICTURES FROM HARESTANES/JEDBURGH TO MOREBATTLE
Now, part two of this hike was incredible! Dictionary.com describes “incredible” as, “so extraordinary as to seem impossible.” [1] And, to be honest, it was extraordinary in beauty, and impossible (in looking back) to describe the heights and endurance necessary to climb the mountains you see in the pictures below. There is no amount of training or incline treadmill walking that could have prepared me for the insanity that was before my eyes. Me and my fellow walkers had to set benchmarks for ourselves so that we could make mini-triumphs. Once we made it to the top of the mountain, there would be in front of us another mountain-top to conquer. At first you would wanna certainly cuss St. Cuthbert and also think to yourself, “ain’t no way this many walked this mess.” But, it also helped to reflect on personality traits – including my own. For myself, there are times I want to be as far as a mountain-top away from people, and then there are other times I want to be as close to a valley to groups of people I have great relationship with. The up-and-down journey this day, was rough on the knees, rough on the hips, and rough on the mind. At any moment great thoughts of making it to the final destination for the day seemed possible; and at other moments the pain crossing the body would bring negative thoughts of just wanting to stop, sit, and not move. But, I would not take this day back as it had the most beautiful views of the mountains, the small villages, and the many-many changes in scenery and weather-fronts. Check out more of the second leg of the trip below. You can see all pictures of the trip here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/GHC2zYc88S5S9C648
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