Donde Las Montañas Cantan...

Before I left for this study abroad experience, I made a bucket list. Some of the items on the list are in the first entry of this blog, others are hidden away in my journal. But, one of the goals on that bucket list was to climb one of the Picos de Europa. 

So, week 1 in Oviedo, I sought out info on the Mountaineering Group connected to the Universidad de Oviedo that takes bi-monthly day trips to different picos near Oviedo. My friends, Joanna and Lauren, accompanied me as we decided to sign up for the Level 2 (of 4) Pico Cornon.

Two weeks later, filled with eagerness and excitement we joined a bus full of well-prepared and evidently practiced hikers, with hiking poles and energy bars in hand. Our contrast to these mountaineers was laughable. With holes on the outer side of both of my tennis shoes and a no longer waterproof raincoat, I was optimistic that I could brave the elements if necessary.

Well, after 20 minutes into our hike, it started to rain. What I love about having lived in Oregon and Oregonians in general is that we like to romanticize rain by giving it human or enchanting characteristics, such as "spitting" rain or "mist". Well, my friends, the rain that we experienced for the next 6 hours of our hike was "spitting rain", the kind that makes you want to scream "Make up your mind already!"

While the views were somewhat non-existent thanks to the constant fog/rain, I was blessed with an opportunity to fill my lungs with mountain fresh air, put some red in my cheeks with more strenuous exercise and contemplate how great God is and how small I feel when hours away from civilization on a Spanish mountaintop.

At the top!
View: non-existent
Sense of achievement: Extraordinary
Bucket List to hike a Pico: Check!

Blessed with a rainbow on our descent

The blessings were multiplied a few weeks later when Joanna and I took a day trip to Cangas de Onis/Covadonga with Joanna's conversation partner, Diana. With the help of Diana's aunt and uncle who live in Cangas de Onis, we were able to take a car ride to the hard-to-reach Covadonga Lakes. While we were told the whole day that we would be unable to go as the fog would make the drive treacherous and the view non-existent, the Lord answered our incessant prayers by clearing away the clouds and producing the most perfect weather for us to take in the gorgeous view of the lakes and the refreshing mountain air.