Thirteen point nine miles

Thirteen point nine miles.  Thirteen point nine miles of rolling hills painted with yellow and purple flowers dancing in the wind. Thirteen point nine miles of so many different shades of green, I didn’t even know they all existed. Thirteen point nine miles of the most picturesque landscape you have ever seen.

The morning of day one I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.  I honestly was a little anxious about what my day would hold. Would I be able to walk that far? How would I know where to go? Is anyone going to want to talk to me? All of these anxieties washed away within the first mile. First, we putted through a little town spotted with beautiful tiled apartments and saintly churches. As we left town the view turned into more a fairy tale. Bubbling streams flowed parallel to the dirt paths and we walked through lush fields and forests that seemed almost magical.  The wildflowers we encountered were so many different colors varying from yellow to pinks, purples, and blues.  Almost everywhere I looked I was in a sort of awe.  These views and astonishing sights very much distracted from the dull pain beginning to radiate from my ankles.  The miles seemed to fly by, and walking was not the chore I expected instead, it was an enjoyment.   The thirteen point nine miles that had originally seemed daunting melted along with the rolling hills.   Along the way we found ourselves diving into conversation, starting to build bonds. After our first day together, it was honestly hard to believe that just about a day and a half ago we were perfect strangers who had never met.  We lived completely separate lives which had never crossed paths.  Yet now we walk this path together.