I hate to admit it, but I'm slowing down. That's why, I gave myself a flexible goal and spent time planning for yesterday's hike.The last time I saw this spot, I'd hiked there with a friend from Tour de Faure back in 1998. We'd come from above, and then hiked straight down through the woods to exit along the main road up to St. Cirq Lapopie almost to the top of the village. I remembered it to be beautiful and interesting, but daunting and long. (And, that was coming down 16 years ago.)
I'd made up my mind that I was going no matter what. I would try. First, I needed good shoes. Check. Then, there was the heat. I also wasn't happy thinking about August crowds. Leaving on the 7:08 bus would help. Check. I set off with my plans in place, promising myself to take each step along the way (literally and figuratively) as it came. I still wondered: would I find the path?; would my feet hold out?; would my lungs hold out on such a steep climb?, and, would I be able to make it all the way to the top?
What about our volatile weather?
I had to try. But I did have plan B. One can never have enough photos of St. Cirq Lapopie!
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