Today’s 12 mi (19.2 km) were full of surprises. First, I was met with the May Day Parade Band as I walked out of the hotel—not yet playing, just meeting up and drinking beer at 8:00 AM. This is traditionally a big holiday, and when I arrived at Wallsee, it didn’t disappoint.
They held their annual 8+ km (5 mi) run with nearly 500 starters and all the fanfare and excitement that goes with that: so much energy and so many people warming up. I had just gotten my Radler (half beer and half lemonade) when the race started. I stayed a bit further down the trail to see the last ones finish.
But then came my last surprise: I found myself walking on the Camino for the last 3 miles, with the usual shell signage, and the hard pack and coarse gravel up-and-down trails—just like old times. I found myself climbing about few hundred feet for the first time. And tomorrow will be all Camino (Pilgerweg) again!
