One of the things we think we’re good at, as a couple, is problem-solving. Unfortunately, to do this thing we’re good at, there needs to be a problem!

Jane’s had a lot of challenges with her feet on this trip. A painful heel threatened the entire trip back in Burgos on day five. She got new shoes and nursed herself through to where it isn’t too bad anymore. Then there were blisters. Again, nursed along.

But for the last couple of days, two of her toes have become really painful. It made walking miserable. Since we are now in the mountains, there are lots of ups and downs that exacerbate the problem.

Yesterday at mile 10 of 14, she said, “I can’t do four more miles!” It was easy to get a cab for the short hop to our lodging. Lori continued walking and was with Jane again before too long.

Now, let’s add a weather forecast calling for rain for at least a week!

So, what about today–and the remaining 10 days of our trip?

We ran through all our options. The most extreme being calling it quits and coming home together immediately or, similarly sad, Jane going home and Lori staying. On the other extreme, Jane trying to power through the pain.

We settled on a middle course, take it one day at a time and reassess each day. Start with two days, minimum, of Jane staying off her feet. Lori keeps walking (presumably in raingear) while Jane gets transport from one place to the next.

This means we both have to be gutsy enough to negotiate being in a foreign place by ourselves for part of each day. It’s all very familiar to us by now, so it’s not that scary, but we do like being together and are good helpmates, so it’s sad to try ‘going it alone’ a bit.

All our readers know Jane and how strong, competent, and successful she is. It was hard for her to say, “I can’t do this as planned.” Especially after seeing hundreds of people happily trekking along, she felt a little like she was failing.

But Jane’s realizing that her goal is to get to Santiago, healthy, with Lori. Plans need to be adjusted to achieve that goal.

Well, we go down to breakfast this morning and join four other pilgrims — a couple from Texas and two men, one also from Texas and one from Australia, who are each walking solo.

Jane announces, somewhat sheepishly, that she’s taking a cab.

Aussie solo man: “I twisted my knee on the first day, and it’s getting harder to go downhill now. I’m taking loads of Ibuprofen every day. I’m going to take a cab too! We can share.” (He just started in León, a week ago.)

American solo man from Texas: “I’ve got shin splints, I think I’ll join you.”

Wife of couple from the Lone Star State: “I can’t wait for this to be over! I only agreed to come because my husband wanted to do it!”

So there’s some solace to be had in realizing we aren’t the only ones struggling! And Jane and the guys reached our next stop conversing all the way in the cab….