After eating so much salt yesterday, I started the day (Monday) off with a little bounce in my step.
The brown/dead corn is for the animals.
And the green corn (different variety) is used to make oil.
I stomped along the flat for quite a while yesterday, and then suddenly, it started to climb. Unfortunately, the benefit of my salt yesterday wore off about this same time, and I had some minor symptoms of heat exhaustion. I didn’t know that heat exhaustion can be cumulative. And it has been beastly damn hot and bloody humid every day. It took me forever to climb up this mountain because I kept having to sit down and rest. I had been feeling pretty smug about the day, but God has a way of reminding me that I can not do it alone.
I have never been so glad to see my destination town in the distance. This was the most challenging 14 miles I have ever walked. It was 95 percent on the blacktop to add to the problem.
Even the tiniest bit of shade helps because there was almost none today.
I believe with all my heart that God has a sense of humor. After all, he pairs men and women together, (well, mostly, but that is a subject best avoided). I saw this sign warning of snow, and I looked skyward and said, “Ha Ha, very funny,” as sweat poured off me.
The entry to the old town of Castell’ Arquato. According to Wikipedia, “The origins of Castell’Arquato are uncertain. It is believed that it originated as a Roman military settlement (castrum). During the Roman Imperial Era, it developed into a small rural town, thanks to its position commanding the routes from Piacenza and Parma toward the Ligurian Sea. The first historical news concerning Castell’Arquato (known as la Pieve) appeared in the 8th century.”
My glorious hotel. I spotted it about a block away and had to stop and rest twice before I arrived. I thought today’s walk would only be 8 miles, but it was way more than that. My plans were to get there early and play tourist. That didn’t happen because I practically crawled to the hotel at about 4:30. I made it to the pharamacia and bought some electrolyte powder. I didn’t even go out to dinner. I ate stuff from my backpack.
So I played tourist this morning (Tuesday). I walked up about a thousand steps because I wanted to see the castle and the church. That was enough. I am either taking a bus today or a taxi. Heat exhaustion is supposed to take 24 to 48 hours for recovery.
Looking out of a castle door.
The Collegiata di Castell’Arquato, also known as the Collegiata di Santa Maria, is a Romanesque-style church. The main altar is very plain.
There was one beautiful chapel.
It's an interesting baptismal.
Palazzo del Podestà is Italian for “Palace of the Chief Magistrate” of a town.
Looking out over the kingdom.
So I close here to figure out how I will get to Fidenza.
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