Beware the Marshmallow Farm

Hiking Day 354 May 13

Ferreira to Melide

Miles 485.8

Ascent 1088’

Descent 1387’

It is interesting how one little action can set off a chain reaction with unexpected consequences. Today I am hiking along on a shaded gravel path, a path with greenery close by both sides of the path. The path requires very careful attention to your feet as it is littered with manure splats of all shapes and sizes; and the splats are recent and still very wet and juicy. A manure wagon had passed this way only a short time ago.

As I walk along I have my trekking poles tucked under my armpit so I can focus on the manure. I suddenly spot one of the best examples of a marshmallow farm that I have ever seen.

Eager to get a photo to send to the grandkids so that they know where marshmallows actually come from, I weave between the splatters to the side of the path. The paths along the entire Camino have one of two types of vegetation along the side boundaries…either raspberry vines full of thorns or stinging nettle plants. Both grow in an amazing abundance. And both are bad news if you wander off course into them.

I turn toward the vegetation with cell phone camera in hand, lining up the marshmallow photo as I approach. What I don’t realize is that just under the mass of vegetation is a stacked stone wall, one that tilts out slightly away from the path. With both poles under one armpit and both hands on the phone ready to snap the shot, I hit the hidden wall with my feet.

Then the chain reaction starts…The sudden halt to my feet cause me to tip forward into the vegetation and the wall beneath. Then my left knee is impaled by a sharp pointed rock in the wall. Next, I react by placing one hand on the vegetation and the underlying wall while trying to hold onto the phone with the other hand which also hits the wall and the vegetation.

At the same time, the knee pain causes me to drop a few expletives and raise my arms at which point the trekking poles fall onto the path. The vegetation turns out to be stinging nettles and both hands and one leg begin to burn from the leaves. Meanwhile the poles land in a wet, green pile of fresh manure, which of course deposits on just the handles. Both handles.

With the help of Scot and Bill, I try to remediate the damage as much as possible. The knee is cut, bruised and bleeding. The hands and leg are burning and tingling. And the trekking poles require cleanup with disinfectant wipes.

I have learned a valuable lesson…DO NOT ever try to photograph a marshmallow farm. Marshmallow farming is one of the most secretive and protected types of farming in the world. Don’t risk bodily harm trying to photograph the growing of marshmallows!

A top secret Marshmallow Farm along the Camino Primitivo

Medical treatment for damaged knee

The remainder of the day is uneventful. Another comfortable hiking day that begins cloudy and slowly clears as the day progresses. At about 13 miles we reach the Camino Frances at Melide, thus completing the Camino Primitivo. We will have 3 more days of minor walking on the Frances to reach Santiago.

Then the time tested process of “Retrospective Glorification” can begin. This is the process by which a person forgets the bad aspects of any trip or adventure, and over a period of time is only able to remember the good parts. And that it how it should be….otherwise, none of us would travel or undertake adventures!!