Why the easy way?

There are lots of signs on the Camino - literally and figuratively - and some of them are official and some are posted by well meaning pilgrims, so when we saw this one, it seemed very appropriate. 

Today we escaped and crossed the alps, no wait, that was in the Sound of Music, but it sure seemed like we were reliving it - we took the "recommended route to avoid the highway" not realizing it would lead us straight up, and worse, straight down two mountains. There were several signs along the way

to keep us on track, 

And it really was a beautiful hike with lots of variety

These looked like the Inukshuks  - Arctic peoples' sign posts to show the way in the snow - 

And heather, just like in the USA. 

Finally we made it down, arrived at a village albergue and decided that after two grueling stages, we would like to survive long enough to actually get to Santiago de Compostela and so we took the taxi to our next hotel. It's okayyyyyy we said, there are a lot of ways to do the Camino. And our decision was rewarded. 

Compare the previous night's lodging and our present lodging:  view FROM the balcony - 

View OF the balcony

On to O'Cebreiro tomorrow - 6 Kilometers straight up the hill, for a change ....