Via di Francesco, Day 22: Piediluco - Poggio Bustone

Friday, June 16
18.5 km
678 m

Today, it is my birthday! I am 33 years old. I celebrated by climbing a very large hill on an empty stomach, then electing to skip another very large hill in favor of lunch.

Our hospitality tonight is at La Locanda Francescana, where our host is warm and gracious, and eager to help pilgrims and  chat with us in both English and Italian. He fed us two kinds of pasta, pork roast and potatoes, and tiramisu made with his Nonna's recipe. He poured us cold glasses of limcello. I didn't tell him it is my birthday, but I can't imagine feeling happier or more welcome.

Rome is less than a week away now. So close we can count in days instead of months or weeks. We arrive Thursday, not on some distant date. Its nearness is only just dawning on me. It feels welcome, and maybe even overdue. Tonight, I fall asleep content and expectant; our goal is within reach, and I am, happily, another year and many miles older.