From Cadrieu to New Orleans, it has been such a treat to have Niels and Bodil with me wherever I am in the world. I seem to be surrounded by a pack of "walkers". There are walkers and then there are "walkers"-those who set out to cover long distances with specific destinations in mind that are long term to the point that it can become a way of life. Niels and Bodil are part of that pack! So are my friends Pat and Graeme and Miek and Guy.
I like to walk. I've hiked the Grand Canyon. I have favorite hikes around Cadrieu, Tour de Faure, and St. Cirq Lapope. Jean and I hiked to the top of Montsegur. I still dream about how much I want to someday hike Macchu Picchu in Peru.
-A-Top Montsegur-photo by Jean
Grand Canyon Back-drop
But, I've never set out to walk a particular path or trail that would mean staying out overnight. Friends have walked portions of the Route de Santiago de Compostella. I've talked about it many times with them. Many of the St. Jacques pilgrims walk in front of the Chatette and take a respite in Cajarc. We are very near, or on that road.
When Niels told me that he and Bodil were planning a walk from their home in Denmark to Montaillou, France, which would bring them right in front of the Chatette; I was thrilled and puzzled. I had to ask: "So, you are planning to walk all the way from Denmark to Montaillou. Isn't that the town that was one of the main Cathar villages?"
The answer to both of those questions was a rousing-
"Yes!"
With new-found space in my life, I had room to dream. I immediately looked at the distance between Cadrieu and Montaillou...3 hours and 27 minutes by car-south between Toulouse and the Spanish border. I know the area. This is the area where the trains stopped running for me during 1996.
Tarascon-sur-Ariege Tower, Cross and Patisserie
From La Tour de Carol, to Aix les Thermes to Tarascon sur Ariege; I was plopped into the Pyrenees and Cathar country for 5 unplanned totally open days. Very unprepared, with nothing to read in English and only my travel journal; I headed to the librarie where I was told the trains bring the papers-No IHT for me! So, I spent my days up on the bluff above the Ariege River shedding a few tears, writing letters and postcards home, journaling, and reading travel brochures and books about the Cathars because they were the only thing I could find in English. As you might expect, there was an epiphany or two or three!
View from the Top of Montsegur
The wheels are turning. I've already jokingly (or maybe not so jokingly) mentioned to Niels and Bodil how much fun it would be to join them for the leg between Cadrieu and Montaillou. Of course, I'd be welcomed. At the most, I would join them. There are a lot of possibilities in between, but at the very least I will be welcoming them for a nice respite with Sammie Cat and I at the Chatette.
The thing is, this kind of walking is not something you just do. It requires you to be in shape, have good shoes, have a team and positive attitude, be prepared...and, really be able to let go for an extended period of time. Most of those pieces would be easy for me-but...
...how would I recharge my camera?
When I get back from St.Louis in mid-May I'm thinking about seeing if Eric wants to walk in the mornings with me. My friend Ron is an early bird and a walker too. I'll add a number of hikes to my list of priorities for my time in Cadrieu...I need the "hill" and causse practice for that elevation that you can't quite get below sea level in New Orleans.
The dream is perking.
The Magic of Montsegur
I need to do more walking to other destinations as well. I could easily have walked to Tulane, but I confess that the high heat and humidity here doesn't encourage that for me at all. The biking is enough even though I know it works different things than what I need-the cardio is good though! Enjoy your travels-I head over to Mike and John's tomorrow-Monday on to StL to spend time with Dad and then back here May 12-a little more out of pocket in these places-Love to you and Bodil-Laury and Sam
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | April 29, 2016 at 01:17 PM
Hi Laury, short comment, I'm traveling a few days, walked many hours yesterday, more later, but I think we all share a passion for discovery, to find out, what is at the bottom of the barn or around the corner etc. we must find out and so we have to walk, that's our way of life ! not being fancy, but simple life of discovery , and some of us do it best in overalls !:) good idea with morning walk, I'm on my way now to walk half an hour to a meeting instead of taking a bus, small steps, but when you do it many times, it becomes a life ! love Niels
Posted by: Niels | April 29, 2016 at 09:10 AM