CaminoDeSantiago 2017

Post Title Distance: 14.5 miles / 24 kms Goal for the Day Prepare for the 2100 foot climb to O Cebreiro, Galicia Meaningful Moment A picnic Random Thought of the Day Much prefer country trails over those that run alongside roads. On the Road There were three choices for hiking to our destination. Option 1: the direct route which was along the national highway the entire way. It was the shortest but also the least interesting and least spiritual. Option 2: the dragon is a brutal trail and only for those in really physically fit condition. Not up for that. Option 3: the intermediate route ( Padela route ) which combined a first half 500 meter ascent  and descent, followed by the second half along the direct route. We opted for choice 3 and began the day. It was hard but rewarding, especially for me as I had some doubts about the 700 meter climb the following day. Half way thru the hike, we found a small area along the trail where we had a picnic of pasta and...

Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo Distance: 15 miles / 25 kms Goal for the Day Nothing special for today. Just enjoy the moments as they come. Meaningful Moment Villafranca Town festival honoring the patron saint, Santiago. A 1 in 365 chance that we would be in this town on this day. Random Thought of the Day How nice cold water feels on tired, sore and aching feet On the Road After a great time in Ponferrada, we hit the road. It was a less interesting hike since there was a fair amount of roads, what with cars passing by and such. We did get some motivation when we passed a road sign telling us that it was only 220 km to Santiago. The coolest thing to happen was that we spent the night in a town that had St James as as the patron saint and it was the day to honor him. Linda and I made our way to the church for the procession and then the mass. At the end the priest invited all pilgrims up for a blessing. Linda and I cooked or first albergue meal of pasta, zu...

Foncebadon to Ponferrada Distance: 12.5miles / 21 kms Goal for the Day Get medical attention for a dental issue. 2 days ago I felt an annoying sensation in one of my teeth. But I didn't pay it no mind as I thought the cause was allergy related. After two fitful nights of sleep and a worsening of the condition, I called a dentist in Ponferrada who agreed to see me the same day. Diagnosis: cracked vertical tooth. He did some temporary fix gratis and wished me a good pilgrimage. Meaningful Moment When the cracked tooth stopped bothering me. Random Thought of the Day Standing on ground trod by the Knights Templar as Linda and I toured the castle in Ponferrada. It was really impressive to see the collection of books from the 12th and other centuries. Most were facsimiles but that did not downplay the aeristey and majesty of the collection of ancient knowledge, art and religion. On the Road Left the albergue for a short 2 km trek to Cruz de Ferro which is a iron cross at...

Astorga to Foncebadon Distance: 16.5 miles / 28 kms Goal for the Day Basically it's another day for a physical challenge. Most of the day will be an uphill climb. But the last six kilometers will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 350m or 450 ft of a pretty tough climb. Meaningful Moment The meaningful moment is that I am with Linda as we are now a mere 2 km away from Cruz De Ferro. Perhaps the most spiritually or emotionally significant part of this Camino. Maybe not for many or for most, but since I have started this Camino, I've been wanting to reach the cross to absolve myself of my deepest fears. Random Thought of the Day Doing the Meseta with Linda is such a pleasure. Sometimes we are by each other, sometimes I'm in front and sometimes she's in front, but we are always near each other. On the Road In Astorga, the hostel people gave us our own private room. Bunk beds, but still nicer than being in with a dozen other people. Linda and I followed o...

Villavante to Astorga Distance: 12 miles / 20 kms Goal for the Day Control some budding foot issues from yesterday's 17 mile hike. Meaningful Moment In Astorga, Linda and I shared a really memorable dinner at a local restaurant called Serrano. We had 4 items ranging from lightly seared tuna to a shellfish and fruit salad to shoulder of lamb and ending with a mousse and leche frita. Random Thought of the Day A blue sky in nice temperatures is peaceful. The meseta was easier to handle today with some climbing to break it up. Came across a pilgrims rest spot where the person provided all sorts of refreshment gratis. He just wanted us to go with God. On the Road A rather unremarkable day on the plains of Spain. Morning sun breaking over the Spanish plain River thru Villavante . On the Meseta again A roadside reststop for pilgrims Along the way A small garden by the hostel in Astorga

Leon to Villavante Distance: 17 miles / 29 kms Goal for the Day The physical challenge of a long day, both in hours and distance Meaningful Moment Crossing over from the industrial and urban Leon to the farmland, empty of people, but full of life none the less. Random Thought of the Day The path less traveled can be and may be more beautiful. It was today. Be ready to take the alternative path that others won't; taking a chance may not always work, but on balance, we come out ahead. On the Road After a wonderful time in Leon, we got on the road so to speak. It was a long time to get out of Leon and its environs. One nice memory is that Linda and I stopped in some town for a picnic lunch on a bench in a town park. It was a quiet and restful period before we started up again. We also picked today to follow an alternative route which got us off of the main road and onto something more quiet. Altho it added about 2 kilometers, it was worth it. The pilgrims on the...