Monday, July 17, 2017

Gorgeous Gorge

Somehow, in the back of my brain, I remember hearing that there was a professional wrestler named Gorgeous George.  I Googled him just now- he died in 1963, so any memories I have of him were reruns or retellings of a story.  Nevertheless, the stage name popped into my head today.

We hiked through Samaria Gorge.  It was a gorgeous gorge.  In total, it was about a 10 mile hike, and I am fully capable of walking ten miles.  The trick is, Samaria Gorge is never just walking.  When they say "hike" on Crete, they mean you walk on mostly stones, and a majority of those stones are not all that flat.  Having the limited hiking experience of a three mile stroll in Hot Springs National Park earlier this year, I feel I was ill prepared for this hike.  I also feel like it was my first REAL hike.  Hot Springs was a literal walk in the park by comparison.  

Everything was beautiful, but I hate the feeling of being bad at something.  I was the dead last hiker to finish, though when I told people that it was my first real hike, they seemed amazed.  Apparently, this isn't exactly the bunny slope of hiking.  I managed not to need the emergency personnel to take me out.  I left on my own power.  Good thing, too, as evacuations are done by donkey.  

Cas stuck with me the whole way.  I imagine he could have gone faster, but I doubt that would have made him happy.  When we got to the end of the hike, it was only a few miles to the hotel.  By the time we arrived on foot, we decided the wisest course of action was to put on our swimsuits, walk into the water, get back out and drink some Ouzo.  

The water felt amazing, the drinks were extra-delicious, and the shower I just had was just about as therapeutic as a shower can be.  I think Cas felt the same way about his shower.  

We leave Agia Roumeli tomorrow by ferry for Loutro, where some local folks are supposed to teach us to make Mousaka. We actually have a cooking class.  How cool is that?  

Anyhow, We're exhausted and in need of more Ouzo. And some dinner.  Here's a gorgeous gorge for you- Cas has more in the album.  Go look.  


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