35 Miles of Movement, Meetings, and the Pacific Once More

This morning started with two simple joys: chocolate milk and coffee. Fueled by the warmth of Jacqueline’s kindness from the night before, I prepared some food for the road and set off just after 7 AM. The world was still waking up—foggy, cool, and just the way I like it for morning miles. There’s something special about running into the rising sun, its light breaking through the mist, making every step feel like moving through a dream.

After about seven miles, I had my first conversation of the day with three cyclists. One of them wore a Swiss shirt, a little piece of home appearing unexpectedly on the road. Soon after, I found myself on a larger road—more traffic, but a decent hard shoulder and plenty of downhill sections to let my legs move freely. Yesterday’s struggles to keep them turning over felt like a distant memory. Today, they carried me effortlessly forward.

Google Maps, always full of surprises, directed me through the small village of Lagunillas. I stopped at a kiosk and met Patricio, Gwendolyn, and their son, also named Patricio. Our conversation was full of warmth, a reminder of how much connection matters, even in brief moments. Inside the store, I met Raul, who generously gifted me three Chilenitos. These little treats, along with my Gatorade-water mix, powered me through the miles ahead.

Reinvigorated, I pushed on, taking a short stop in Lo Abarca before tackling some steep climbs. At mile 25, I reached the Pacific Ocean once more in Cartagena. What should have been a moment of joy felt overwhelming—too many people, too many stalls, too much traffic. After so many quiet miles on open roads, the sudden chaos was jarring.

As I neared San Antonio, the harbor town just a mile away, I knew I couldn’t stay in such a crowded place. I craved tranquility. I turned toward Santo Domingo, hoping for peace. But when I arrived at the camping spot I had in mind, I found it fully booked. A wave of exhaustion and momentary desperation hit—I was so ready to rest.

Google Maps showed a B&B nearby, though I doubted it even existed. Still, I went to check. And when I arrived, a warm, welcoming woman appeared, and I instantly knew I had found the perfect place to recover.

After a simple dinner and some planning for the next stretch of the journey, I’m finally ready for sleep. Today was another reminder: the road provides, kindness is everywhere, and there’s always a way forward. Tomorrow, we keep moving.