Today I make the trek to the "end of the world" - this is where the lighthouse, fire pit, peace pole, etc is located. Also plan to do some other hiking in the area for the day, as there are many trails and large hills to explore. Took my day pack (sorry Bubba) and headed out.

While the area I stayed at and the harbor area are both beautiful, it is nothing compared to the point. Once you see the end, and all of the items pilgrims have left, you can feel the emotion in this place. It's almost as if the rocks are holding the energy from so many people/pilgrims for so many years. This is the place to let things go, and there is both a sadness and sense of release/relief that as palpable. Everyone who is there is very deep in their thoughts and there is minimal conversation occurring here.

I made my way down to a large rock near the end so I could see the ocean crashing below. This is called the "death coast" due to all of the shipwrecks that lay along these shores. The water was rough and there were outcroppings of rocks offshore - I can see the reason for the wrecks, and the name.

I passed many fire pits where people burn items as a symbol of letting things go. I didn't being anything to burn (and even if I had, everything was so wet + it was so windy, no one could burn anything today if they tried ;)

I found a spot on a large rock to sit on, and stayed for quite some time. I sat in awe of the views and the power of the ocean. I was enjoying the sunshine on my face, and took some time to reflect on my journey to get here. Even took off my boots to get the "end of a long journey" picture. They certainly did a great job of getting me here!

I remembered the "message" I received at the cathedral - that I needed to figure something out and come back. Ok. If this was the case, it seemed like the right place for it to happen ;) I'm not sure what I expected - maybe a wile-e-coyote moment - you know the one - where the anvil hits him in the head?!

When that didn't happen (thank goodness), I decided to just start talking out loud, as no one could hear me over the winds and crashing waves anyway! ;) It started as random thoughts and questions and then things became more specific. I'm not sure how to describe this (and it gets a bit freaky here), but it turned into a conversation of some sorts.... where the messages that came through all made perfect sense.

Maybe these are things I've known all along, maybe it was just my inner voice, or maybe it was something more. I wasn't at all concerned with defining "what" it was - the experience was deeply powerful and meaningful to me.

I sat there for a long time just absorbing it all. I felt that I had been given new insight - an amazing gift that I would take with me from this place. A weight I didn't even know I was carrying was lifted. It felt warm and comforting and secure.

I took my time and said my thanks and goodbyes to this special place and worked my way back up towards the lighthouse. Felt like I was waking out of a dream.

I took a picture at the big cross, then off to trek up the hill and then back down the other side to try to find a secluded beach I heard about (following the guidebook's "alternate route" directions - we all know how well that went last time!!? - remember the search for the haunted mansion?)

The views from the climb to the top back down to the lighthouse were breathtaking. When I reached the top, I saw the beach I was looking for on the others side. Now, the only question is how to get there from here ;). I met some other women at the top who said they tried to find it yesterday with multiple attempts, but could never get there. Sounded like a challenge to me!

It took some time, and some backtracking and changing directions, and pushing through brush, but I FOUND it!!! Wow. It was stunning - and I was the only one there. It is said you should swim in this water as a cleansing ritual before you leave Finisterre and let 9 waves wash over you to symbolically cleanse you. Well, given I was the only one there, and that the waves were quite strong and crashing down, I figured that wasn't my best move to jump in (or I may be swept out to sea!) and opted for taking my boots off and having 9 waves lap over my feet (see video for how that went!).

Where the point has a lot of energy and emotions, this beach also has a very powerful energy, but it is also very calming - Like being wrapped a warm blanket. I spent some time there, and decided I would return for sunset. I found my way back to town another way (not having to go over the big hill again), and went to the beach on the other side which was by my albergue. I sat there for a while (there was SUN!), returned to the hotel to grab some snacks, and went back to the other beach for sunset. It clouded over, but was still magnificent.

When I returned, I stopped to speak to the host about the bus schedule and where I catch the bus to Muxia tomorrow. She said, "there is no bus to Muxia tomorrow - it only runs on weekdays" (and I was leaving on a Saturday). Hmmm. It's a 2 day walk to Muxia. Part of me was upset - how could there not be a bus tomorrow? Why wasn't this on the schedule? But have to admit a larger part of me was almost giddy - I was just thinking how much I was missing walking the way with Bubba. Wish granted! We head north to Muxia in the morning, and will plan to stay in Lires overnight.

Today's forecast was 100% chance of showers all day. It was mostly sunny and never rained. Tomorrow's forecast is for sun and 0% chance of rain. I think I'll wear my rain gear ;)

Stats:
Start: finisterre, Spain (8:30am)
End: finisterre, Spain ;) (8:30pm)
Miles: 13ish ;)