This past weekend, I went back to Colorado Bend State Park to meet a Camino friend, Chris Mark and her students from Texas A & M University.
Chris is taking these students to walk the French route of the Camino de Santiago which is where I met her and her husband Steve on our first Camino in 2017. This will be Chris’s third Camino; her previous Camino experiences created a desire to share here experiences with her students.
Colorado Bend is a rugged and beautiful gem hidden in the middle of the Texas Hill Country. 30 minutes outside of Lampasas, Texas, it’s an opportunity to get off the grid for a while and see what Texas looked like before millions of people lived here.
Our headquarters was the Best Western in Lampasas, the only hotel anywhere near the park and, it became her classroom for the weekend. Besides the Professors (Chris & Steve), Leighton, Renee, Ann, Madison and I were along because we love the adventure but also to share some of our experience on the Camino.
Class started Friday afternoon with an ice breaker (very hard). They were also introduced to their new Pacer trekking poles and, they had presentations on topics such as labor laws in Spain (EU) versus the US, architecture on the Camino and Catholicism for non-Catholics.
Early Saturday, we headed to the park with rain threatening but, as I pointed out, it rains on the Camino too. As we drove out of Lampasas, the rain began to fall, small drops at first and then, steadier.
At the park, we made the decision to go and we started on the Slide Trail, a new trail for all of us. About 20 minutes in, with lightening slashing around us we decided that we should abort and seek shelter in our cars until the storm passed.
Instead of the cars, everyone took shelter in the park toilet which became quite a joke but, through it all, there was laughter and a lot of smiles all around. To make room, I did head to my car just in time for the hail to begin. This is now 3 times that I’ve been there that the weather has been our nemesis.
In 2017, Saturday was nice but, Sunday was flooded out…literally. In 2018, we arrived on Friday when it was 96F/36C. The next morning it was 38/4 with a cold wind. We did walk but it was cold. And now, 2019, heavy rain and hail. The Colorado Bend Pilgrims curse, I guess.
The rain finally passed, and we set off again, retracing our steps from earlier that morning through the mud and rain filled puddles. Besides the sloshing, all I heard was the sound of laughter and excited voices.
We walked to the overlook at the end of the Slides Trail where we could see Gorman Falls, far down river to the southeast, our next stop. By now and as it is on the Camino, we’d separated into 2 groups, one faster and the other a bit slower. There is no correct speed, and no one should feel pressure to walk at a pace they’re not comfortable with on either the Camino or in the Park.
As the 2nd group arrived, the first group headed towards the Falls, to me one of the most beautiful sites at the park. To get to the base of the falls, a difficult and slippery descent is required. It’s difficult when it’s dry, it’s a bit intimidating in muddy boots.
I’m happy to report that everyone made it down (and back up), I think they enjoyed the site and the sense of accomplishment of doing something a bit out of their comfort level, I think it was a good learning experience and, Madison made them laugh most of the way up and down.
We’d planned to do the Gorman Springs Trail and the Tinaja Trail but with the lost time, we decided to only do the Springs, my favorite trail that I’ve done so far.
We got off to a good start up the box canyon and there was a minimum of mishaps. A couple of mis-steps into the creek, Madison going all the way in and, we had one collision with a low hanging branch.
For most of these young women, they’d probably never hiked central Texas or for that matter, anywhere else. I believe they enjoyed themselves, I know I did, and I would do it again tomorrow.
Walking out of the canyon the gurgling creek is very Zen for me. I could tune out the chatter and laughter and really enjoy my few minutes in nature.
Now rejoined, both groups began the 1.75-mile uphill hike back to the parking area, I’d saved the best for last. I told them that this is like the last 3km to the albergue. They all took it in stride. Yes, most were tired. And, some a little cranky but, they all made it and after a stop at Sonic, I believe all was forgotten/forgiven.
Back at the hotel, we all had a little down time before dinner and the evenings presentations. Some napped others studied, I just hung out and tried not to sit still too long or I’d stiffen up like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.
Our evening session began with some business presentations as well as more group presentations on assigned topics.
Chris had asked me to speak on Camino Etiquette which I did broadly, I’m lucky she gives me enough slack to hang myself. I thoroughly enjoyed my Camino and, speaking on that subject is a real pleasure.
The end of the evening included the Shell Ceremony. Madison had arranged for a Priest in College Station to bless scallop shells for the soon to be Pilgrims. These shells, the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, along with their Credential, the passport of the Camino were handed out to each student. The veterans wished each student Buen Camino. A very nice ceremony.
What each of these students, Pilgrims should know is that no matter what we told them, when they take their first step down the cobbled streets of Saint Jean with the Pyrenees looming in front of them, none of this matters because, they will have started their Camino which will be similar in some ways but, very different and very individual.
I will meet up with them again in Spain in Villar de Mazarife which is just west of León. They will have been on the Camino for 3 weeks by then and I look forward to hearing their stories and to see if the reality matched the expectation.
As with our other trips to Colorado Bend, Sunday was a wash out. So, we all dispersed with the winds heading back to Dallas, Houston or College Station. To Chris, well done! Thank you, Steve, for all you did. Thanks to the students for allowing me to participate in their adventure. And finally, thanks to my friends who joined in on this most excellent adventure.