Last night I made my final decision. I am taking the train to Leon and get some rest. It was a difficult decision to leave the last three days on the Meseta, but my body needs a break and I need to be in a Astorga by the 28th. A short hike into Sahagun; 1/2ContinueContinue reading “Day 21 – to Shahgun to Leon”
Tag Archives: Life
Day 20- Carrion De Los Conder to San Nicolas del Real
Today was 20 miles. I am trying to make up for some short days early on. The morning was amazing. I took off at 5:30 AM and there was no one in front of me or behind me for about two hours. The skies were beautiful; full of stars. This part of the walk wasContinueContinue reading “Day 20- Carrion De Los Conder to San Nicolas del Real”
Day 19 – Frómista to Carrion de Los Conder
I very rarely have dreams about my sister; maybe never in my adult life… it’s complicated. But last night I dreamed that she was in my private room with me. This morning the dream was weighing heavy on my mind. On the Camino Meseta I have done some soul searching each time, but never feltContinueContinue reading “Day 19 – Frómista to Carrion de Los Conder”
Day 18 – Castrojerez to Fromista
The hill climb went on for about 3/4 of a mile. It was steeper than I thought it would be and I almost fell off the side of the mountain trying to adjust the bill on my rain poncho! Note to self: figure your gear out before you are in harsh weather on a mountainContinueContinue reading “Day 18 – Castrojerez to Fromista”
Day 17- Hornillas to Castrojerz
Our dinner last night was wonderful. Eva and I had stayed at this Albergue in 2019. It was a wonderful hike today. There were some climbs from a lower meseta to an upper meseta. It was very interesting and then turned into an area with a river so the terrain changes a bit. Pretty RockyContinueContinue reading “Day 17- Hornillas to Castrojerz”
Day 16 – Burgos to Hornillas del Camino
today was very interesting day. this is the beginning of the Meseta. There are a lot of people who choose to bus across the Meseta that I find it a perfect time for thinking, and observing and reevaluating. Before we made it to the Meseta I had to walk out of Burgos. Luckily, the walkoutContinueContinue reading “Day 16 – Burgos to Hornillas del Camino”
Day 15 – Acapuerca to Burgos
One complaint I have about all the guidebooks for the Camino is that either they under or overestimate how difficult a day is going to be. A woman in our alberge read that today was going to be a short uphill with a long downhill. True on the long downhill, but we climbed a frickenContinueContinue reading “Day 15 – Acapuerca to Burgos”
Day 14 – Villa Franca to Atapuerca
What an interesting little town. It is tiny yet a UNESCO sight. The caves of the Sierra de Atapuerca contain a rich fossil record of the earliest human beings in Europe, from nearly one million years ago and extending up to the Common Era. Only 172 people live in this important archeological site. They alsoContinueContinue reading “Day 14 – Villa Franca to Atapuerca”
Day 12 Santo Domingo to Belorado
Jolanda and I had breakfast at the hotel before setting out for the day. Today was a wonderful day. It did rain which most people were sad about, but being from the Pacific Northwest, I actually looked forward to it. Today we walked with Heidi from Switzerland. She is a fun, energetic woman that definitelyContinueContinue reading “Day 12 Santo Domingo to Belorado”
Day 11 Najara to Santo Domingo
Today I started with “I just want to get to the end of the day” to really enjoying the time on the Camino. We walked from vineyards to fields that were being prepared for next year’s sunflower and potato crops. Santo Domingo is a charming town. Jolanda and I had a real hotel tonight andContinueContinue reading “Day 11 Najara to Santo Domingo”
Day 10 Navarrete to Najara
Rioja is a beautiful rolling countryside. The vineyards are abundant and ready for harvest. A pilgrim told me that he had been walking with another pilgrim who is a “wine expert”. The guy told him that the Spanish winemakers don’t expect a good vintage because the weather is already too ripe. Saying goodbye to theContinueContinue reading “Day 10 Navarrete to Najara”
Day 8 – Los Argos to Viana
Finally I am feeling like the physical part of the Camino will see the end before the whole one third of my journey. I still keep my slow and steady pace that I set for myself but am climbing Spanish mountains without stopping as much. Unfortunately the early pilgrims didn’t waste time with switchbacks. TheContinueContinue reading “Day 8 – Los Argos to Viana”
Day 7 – Estella to Los Arcos
The perfect way to start your morning hike; free Navarre wine! Oh, they also have a water tap😎 The night was filled with the loudest thunder and lightening! It sounded like it was striking right on top of the village. Luckily by day break the rain had stopped. The Albergue where I stayed last night,ContinueContinue reading “Day 7 – Estella to Los Arcos”
Day 5 -To The End of the World and then Some.
Great grandma’s sauté pans made by a local smith. The family gallery. We stayed a a nice apartment last night. I think the apartments and restaurant are a family affair. The food was very good and has been family owned and operated for 100 years. Each morning starts with foot care. Since we’re staying inContinueContinue reading “Day 5 -To The End of the World and then Some.”
Day 3 Saint Mariña to Hospital
Not to worry, it is the name of the village. Todays hike was shorter, still some climbing but not nearly as hot or difficult. There was a lot of forest walking and many villages for beer stops. Plus we are getting in better shape. The terrain is almost always the same, one climb after anotherContinueContinue reading “Day 3 Saint Mariña to Hospital”
Itchy Feet….
9/12/2022 Today was a day for relaxing. We slept in a bit, visited the Cathedral and museum, and walk the top of the wall that surrounds the city. It is the only continuous standing Roman wall in the world. Walking the walk Sweet Chestnuts Use of all spaces Siblings. I am anxious to start walkingContinueContinue reading “Itchy Feet….”
Spanish Nights
“We arrived in Spain on a full moon, and we leave Spain on a new moon. Wonder what that means?” -Karen Temen There are a few disadvantages to coming to Santiago de Compostela before you begin your own Camino. 1) Seeing the Cathedral without a sense of accomplishment. 2) Envying the faces of pilgrims asContinueContinue reading “Spanish Nights”
7 Days Count Down
Salut! Primativo here we come. With just a week before we board the plane to Madrid, we have begun serious training! Many things have gotten in the way of pre-Camino physical training, but since my last five Camino’s consisted of training on the Camino’s themselves, starting seven days in advance seems like progress. (Notice weContinueContinue reading “7 Days Count Down”
And Then There Were Three…
We have started to gather our Camino family even before we have taken one step! A very close friend of Laura’s, Ian, will be joining us in Porto as we explore that beautiful city, eat amazing food, and drink a lot of port and Vinho Verde. The three of us will take our first stepContinueContinue reading “And Then There Were Three…”
What Goes Up, Must Come Down
This was a day! Lots of good, a bit of crazy, but I must get to sleep and get ready for a long hike tomorrow… So here was our 1st mistake of the day….Right turn. Out the door and the fatal right turn…. https://videopress.com/v/Kyv3dDR3?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true 2nd mistake; looking back (NORTH), the direction we should be walking;ContinueContinue reading “What Goes Up, Must Come Down”
Excitement growing.
I am finally settling in and the excitement is growing. Tomorrow we will be on the trail by 7:00 am to get a jump on the heat. This area is having a bit of a heatwave; in the low 80’s. I scouted out the trailhead this am and then had my coffee and a delightfulContinueContinue reading “Excitement growing.”
Finally….2015
Five years ago in 2010, about one month after finishing my Sarria to Santiago hike, the Camino began calling me to go the entire route. At that time, I owned a restaurant and knew that there was no possible way that I could ever be gone for that length of time. So I put the ideaContinueContinue reading “Finally….2015”