tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243451782024-02-06T21:47:31.738-06:00Walking ManTales of my hiking experiencesWalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-74333132809671741962023-04-13T13:15:00.004-05:002023-04-13T14:41:59.665-05:00I’m Planning a New Camino<p> </p><p>Actually, I’m planning “Los Tres Caminos de Santiago” by combining the Camino de Madrid, Camino de San Salvador and Camino Primitivo. Now, what does this actually entail?</p><p>As a bit of background, The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage, with several starting points, all culminating at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. Legend has it that the body of James the Apostle is buried under the Cathedral and pilgrims have been walking to the sacred site for centuries.</p><p>I walked the Camino Frances, The French Way, in 2014, and felt the urge to complete another pilgrimage this year. Los Tres Caminos has been the goal for this pilgrimage and will require more time in solitude plus walking through more mountainous terrain. I’m actually looking forward to the challenge.</p><p>The Camino de Madrid begins at the Royal Church of Saint James and Saint John in Madrid, Spain and extends for 185 miles, (300 kilometers), to Sahagún. At the point it joins the Camino Frances, which can be followed on to Santiago. I am planning to walk the Frances to Leon, where I will pick up the Camino de San Salvador. This Camino is a more recent pilgrimage that extends from Leon to Oviedo and the start of the first Camino, The Camino Primitivo. </p><p>The Camino de San Salvador, or The Way of The Savior, extends for 74 miles, (119 kilometers), and is perhaps the most rugged of all the Caminos. It was created for pilgrims who wanted to also visit the Cathedral San Salvador of Oviedo on the way to Santiago. There is an often quoted saying in Spain stating “Quien va a Santiago y no al Salvador, visita al lacayo y no al Señor.” In English this translates to “He who goes to Santiago and not to San Salvador, visits the servant and not the Lord.” So, this short but mountainous route will add a new dimension to this pilgrimage.</p><p>Finally, I plan to complete my walk taking The Camino Primitivo or The Original Way. This Camino begins at the Cathedral de San Salvador in Oviedo and extends for 205 miles, (331 kilometers), to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela in Santiago. </p><p>All together, Los Tres Caminos should take me around forty days to complete. I have some flexibility and will need to adjust as I walk, so we’ll see what takes place. I’ll be updating the blog as I go along.</p><p><br /></p>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-9217234767246087762023-01-25T12:44:00.002-06:002023-01-25T12:44:33.965-06:00Los Tres Caminos<p> I am getting prepared to return to Spain in May. This time I plan to walk “Los Tres Caminos”, the Camino de Madrid, Camino de San Salvador and Camino Primitivo. Excitement is building as I train and continue my Spanish language learning. I’ll be updating the blog as the weeks continue. Ultreia!</p><p><br /></p>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-85847118834047925412014-10-19T02:33:00.001-05:002014-10-19T02:33:10.009-05:00Arriving in Santiago!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41aLnuiOMZdFud8A40Dtyyct56tcLeP1PiQPTfKuSfjvF2sxLK7bi_BRUVajYc0w0Rv93v1h0L3FpR28-MbscZieJ6O1FpxQytMmvmMf71SuyoaUeLIfkpEIoD-BnR9mg2CKgmg/s640/blogger-image-1570471974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41aLnuiOMZdFud8A40Dtyyct56tcLeP1PiQPTfKuSfjvF2sxLK7bi_BRUVajYc0w0Rv93v1h0L3FpR28-MbscZieJ6O1FpxQytMmvmMf71SuyoaUeLIfkpEIoD-BnR9mg2CKgmg/s640/blogger-image-1570471974.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I arrived in Santiago de Compestela today at noon. It was a good ending to a LONG walk, and it was great to see Beth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MErEGXmGboX0J_F9szPPhLdX6yExf0iwqF_38MwAsH78EVF7JxvF00uQxVrdwFB3hNQwRIi6WTQ2-LsfFS73aDhcgTQVxP9vAb-PtKQm2RDF4t5PXOcCpqNHMaLSpw8e5OiRPA/s640/blogger-image--1426718430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MErEGXmGboX0J_F9szPPhLdX6yExf0iwqF_38MwAsH78EVF7JxvF00uQxVrdwFB3hNQwRIi6WTQ2-LsfFS73aDhcgTQVxP9vAb-PtKQm2RDF4t5PXOcCpqNHMaLSpw8e5OiRPA/s640/blogger-image--1426718430.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Cathedral is being worked on </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AvJClzB4hapxtejfqB0nAfgQghQthTZrc94DqAZEoPRAz-97azcNxtlovQPEKp_7tpd2WohDEGrfLYppZh-6x9fy-qpMX2qQDQI5bO-NUXCbS6roEOtwIac1-hDKkN7SDtv32w/s640/blogger-image--1913119901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AvJClzB4hapxtejfqB0nAfgQghQthTZrc94DqAZEoPRAz-97azcNxtlovQPEKp_7tpd2WohDEGrfLYppZh-6x9fy-qpMX2qQDQI5bO-NUXCbS6roEOtwIac1-hDKkN7SDtv32w/s640/blogger-image--1913119901.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But here is a view from the North</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJfPjbkCK5IlluZ6M1OvrHZ2FWTa4ugt2RBB_6UcYMyTr5mi9vk1_5ahEx4W2pOAPqXqySf82Hil1YgaYhUL0h6GkgMFMVRnWFnbnhLQxhtH2MRmrnqJsLS-T2qYGv1_vWQ1U8A/s640/blogger-image--778059696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJfPjbkCK5IlluZ6M1OvrHZ2FWTa4ugt2RBB_6UcYMyTr5mi9vk1_5ahEx4W2pOAPqXqySf82Hil1YgaYhUL0h6GkgMFMVRnWFnbnhLQxhtH2MRmrnqJsLS-T2qYGv1_vWQ1U8A/s640/blogger-image--778059696.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I quickly got in line at the Pilgrim's Office and soon received my Compestela </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVegQ8ARHpU8eWA7PMq0BlkOZqc_iDiTjIBrC6V5Ja9vAT18avAVskMtt7Yt1HRzzHXDP4Rigj9TmlhjL4yyZu3u1GLAAvBuyHTP0-vClOV8v7yg3FCju7tihHhPF5ZzkQMW7aWQ/s640/blogger-image-1779810800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVegQ8ARHpU8eWA7PMq0BlkOZqc_iDiTjIBrC6V5Ja9vAT18avAVskMtt7Yt1HRzzHXDP4Rigj9TmlhjL4yyZu3u1GLAAvBuyHTP0-vClOV8v7yg3FCju7tihHhPF5ZzkQMW7aWQ/s640/blogger-image-1779810800.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We will spend three days with Bob and Teri Pennison in Santiago, so I will have more to say about the city after this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For now, the Camino itself is successfully completed! My joy is that I finished and that I do not have to walk tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2ZK2xOWg1K-txeE98VKHd1GIkrovCqnjZxD10uyL962ag6cyK2SuT-yypMi5lM1U09jXDZl-SpyhRzRwks6_D3EObrg5-z0BONz1cmeSyJb5Xvp6XFk0iZtqVn4CHfhXdv1GCg/s640/blogger-image-1715502279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2ZK2xOWg1K-txeE98VKHd1GIkrovCqnjZxD10uyL962ag6cyK2SuT-yypMi5lM1U09jXDZl-SpyhRzRwks6_D3EObrg5-z0BONz1cmeSyJb5Xvp6XFk0iZtqVn4CHfhXdv1GCg/s640/blogger-image-1715502279.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It has been a Buen Camino!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-87979641047236877292014-10-15T10:01:00.001-05:002014-10-15T10:09:57.759-05:00Rain!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoJRlTZpCL-irETUOoTast_AMkvqWKJxkMhduTN45_MkIa0fkvV2zbjAvAR7c34DbW0VT6MdAeGyVPo1GV76ZOGIophI2WLWqd4bF2AACtBk7f5UftsZQhOef4XyiOG4_SEYjdQ/s640/blogger-image-1701759102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoJRlTZpCL-irETUOoTast_AMkvqWKJxkMhduTN45_MkIa0fkvV2zbjAvAR7c34DbW0VT6MdAeGyVPo1GV76ZOGIophI2WLWqd4bF2AACtBk7f5UftsZQhOef4XyiOG4_SEYjdQ/s640/blogger-image-1701759102.jpg"></a></div>Go West young man!</div><div><br></div>I am in Palas de Rey, just three days from Santiago. Here's a question from the Camino. <div>What do you do on the Camino when it rains?<div>Answer: walk!</div><div><br></div><div>Today I left Portomarin looking at the last bit of elevation left on the Camino. Portomarin is at 1400' and the high point of the day was Sierra Ligonde at 2400'.</div><div>I would need to ascend this in nine miles so really it seemed to be quite doable considering what I'd already been through.</div><div><br></div><div>There are a couple of new factors since Sarria. One is that the number of pilgrims <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">has grown remarkably. The minimum number of kilometers that can be walked and still qualify for a Compestela is 100 and Sarria is just beyond that number so most Spanish pilgrims begin in Sarria and walk only the last 100k.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The mood seemed to change along with the increase of numbers. Where before there has been a sort of comaradery among the walkers, with a lot of friendly "Buen Caminos" being shared, many of the new pilgrims seem to be in a different place. Perhaps they are nervous, or busy trying to spot the yellow arrows? Or maybe it's just me after a month on the trail.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The other factor dampening the mood literally is rain. Today it rained the entire day, often very hard especially around the peak. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I still continued to exercise my climbing ability and since my hip has improved, thanks to many prayers, I was able to hike the first three hours to the top in fine fashion. The encouragement for today was the knowledge that this is the final mountain to cross. After this it is mostly downhill.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So, I hiked uphill in a sea of pilgrims, in the pouring rain, and was still happy!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I met and walked for a while with Edward a Frenchman, probably 35 years old, who lives in Germany, and he reflected on the neglected state of the churches, wondering what will happen to them. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">He had attended mass in the Monastery in Samos, an ancient and sacred place, </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfVz0wnlUnMif5ey8sQ9nFkZqyscd00cq9dCPHHHCaaGtAI1byVOZrXJLV9jgk_kyLWvR5SacRYgLY2pMGWeEQLVTjCLcKi-96VQ_lLYpnyy0ALbfjZXJvhUmFkvoyBLdcUwPcQ/s640/blogger-image--608124752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfVz0wnlUnMif5ey8sQ9nFkZqyscd00cq9dCPHHHCaaGtAI1byVOZrXJLV9jgk_kyLWvR5SacRYgLY2pMGWeEQLVTjCLcKi-96VQ_lLYpnyy0ALbfjZXJvhUmFkvoyBLdcUwPcQ/s640/blogger-image--608124752.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5tABRjR16KGP2KwM42XtYHeSuEJuSyJ4u4r0uqiI-zi6p77bIgWpll4fixu38DrVC2ucuSmmkNzFZ8zw3p8RyDPp1zRmrOmnpk6R1AG8v9JrT87zs-GcDCkM_tnplYx2aQgDVA/s640/blogger-image-1060939133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5tABRjR16KGP2KwM42XtYHeSuEJuSyJ4u4r0uqiI-zi6p77bIgWpll4fixu38DrVC2ucuSmmkNzFZ8zw3p8RyDPp1zRmrOmnpk6R1AG8v9JrT87zs-GcDCkM_tnplYx2aQgDVA/s640/blogger-image-1060939133.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">and he said there were only 8 monks and most of them were very old.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">No answers, just questions.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Well, I found an electric clothes dryer for my clothes so I will be dry to begin the day tomorrow. We'll see how long it lasts as it is forecast to rain for the next three days.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The good news is that I can still walk, I have good rain gear and I am three days from my goal. Beth will be leaving Tulsa tomorrow in order to be in Santiago for our Saturday meeting.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Buen Camino!</font></div></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-28595965682955736522014-10-11T11:58:00.001-05:002014-10-12T12:33:58.329-05:00Accepting Hardship as a Pathway to Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>I'm in Fonfria, Galicia, Spain tonight, an ancient town with good wifi! Technology is amazing!<div>Today was the day that I climbed out of the Rio Valcarse valley in Vega de Valcarse (elevation 2000') to O'Cebreiro, pronounced "O-thay-bray-Air-oh" (4300').</div><div>This elevation was gained in less than six miles of hiking so I knew I was in for a climb.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On day one of the Camino as I hiked through the Pyrenees from France to Spain the hiking was very difficult. I had not done much mountain work and knew I needed the practice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqKPFuTX4Q-hNDwK_7vvJBtKD-JZAo6c29WXfyFIIwxco-2ElBADWHRkoJ_e4mgsjsNzu6eEXrGiZgUgpDX0wZYlhzogph31c30M0FPEnRlj74hjW9SuL1K0nfutP1PEpGLDNRw/s640/blogger-image--546832635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqKPFuTX4Q-hNDwK_7vvJBtKD-JZAo6c29WXfyFIIwxco-2ElBADWHRkoJ_e4mgsjsNzu6eEXrGiZgUgpDX0wZYlhzogph31c30M0FPEnRlj74hjW9SuL1K0nfutP1PEpGLDNRw/s640/blogger-image--546832635.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elevation chart of day 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSd6U-E9njNrN1yyi-967WKsa26WacXrioPpkRKVBXmpAd1Fk_ZPSotL-t0NKinPN-SswGL-aWSG_h1luqMo-AjVH3QCKYxjxWYgwbO5zX0l5f5yIKi6fBGiaIPU102z_IqevlA/s640/blogger-image-26905142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSd6U-E9njNrN1yyi-967WKsa26WacXrioPpkRKVBXmpAd1Fk_ZPSotL-t0NKinPN-SswGL-aWSG_h1luqMo-AjVH3QCKYxjxWYgwbO5zX0l5f5yIKi6fBGiaIPU102z_IqevlA/s640/blogger-image-26905142.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elevation chart of day 28</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So instead of feeling bad about my physical condition I decided to use the other hills that I encountered as an opportunity to train.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the Serenity Prayer there is great wisdom:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "Living one day at a time,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">so that I may be reasonably happy in this life </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and supremely happy with you forever in the next!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>The change of focus from "oh no, another hill to climb" to "Great, this is another opportunity to train" has paid off and today was that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After 28 days of practice my body naturally goes into a climbing stance when I approach a hill where most of the hiking is done by my legs and although the climbing was physically strenuous I was not winded or worn out when I reached O'Cebreiro. Which was a good thing since I still had seven more miles to go to Fonfria (cold fountain). 16 miles total today including the climb. I'm proud of my sixty year old body!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here are some shots taken during the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvhdWpmSPkL3TG2adQto_kgtZ-st2o7eie6Hh1QIKtx0-CvmZPSejvSVW9_osBz-Y_tqf1ayrb-EIesYoGnKyygfQL8vbGu2m2PCqY7L0Qo5nf0HJj2JqTS8Q0VghxY31BOK0HQ/s640/blogger-image--293909570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvhdWpmSPkL3TG2adQto_kgtZ-st2o7eie6Hh1QIKtx0-CvmZPSejvSVW9_osBz-Y_tqf1ayrb-EIesYoGnKyygfQL8vbGu2m2PCqY7L0Qo5nf0HJj2JqTS8Q0VghxY31BOK0HQ/s640/blogger-image--293909570.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you look closely you can see a castle in the mist!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sQrHJrMl-sddcu5zYNYf1EZXSGrWzDmDgUlysYvQeUDbCRJazgzfuRzPvwnkZsYZ4MriRIp3qToOOzhJs0v3aMNvWpvsCtWxlQsDHcEGG5Po32oZ9Z3Ygim3M4XYblLWZo4Mmw/s640/blogger-image-1648037284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sQrHJrMl-sddcu5zYNYf1EZXSGrWzDmDgUlysYvQeUDbCRJazgzfuRzPvwnkZsYZ4MriRIp3qToOOzhJs0v3aMNvWpvsCtWxlQsDHcEGG5Po32oZ9Z3Ygim3M4XYblLWZo4Mmw/s640/blogger-image-1648037284.jpg"></a></div><br></div>A shot of the valley and a friend Yves from Quebec who picks flowers every day and wears them in his hat and then leaves them along the trail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2FhJYf8L_F5H5XGS7XTprnLfPMGBNoF7Fy2Qh4GajG_FcvUJNaANlBZd4J3nMt5Aj5k0UazKT4vxx6uS7q9IVyjA7aEX8r6s7scp9ZdKyR5lMXultQ2rsFSvkszfIll9wwBdCA/s640/blogger-image-67796674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2FhJYf8L_F5H5XGS7XTprnLfPMGBNoF7Fy2Qh4GajG_FcvUJNaANlBZd4J3nMt5Aj5k0UazKT4vxx6uS7q9IVyjA7aEX8r6s7scp9ZdKyR5lMXultQ2rsFSvkszfIll9wwBdCA/s640/blogger-image-67796674.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Interesting people on the Camino. He reminds me of the fable "The Man Who Planted Trees"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMZ5_Uz_UbHNoYX5SFmjWgdhC35hZ6FXJ0QE7AbcSHN0LXQQA-FnLgOvB1-6IbOzU31_HC_-Afd9RJZ09IAjK4VHlMcebo2nTs5kndTF06gNhgMArI1A9T1ddiWFKi3spg_oRsg/s640/blogger-image--1944254943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMZ5_Uz_UbHNoYX5SFmjWgdhC35hZ6FXJ0QE7AbcSHN0LXQQA-FnLgOvB1-6IbOzU31_HC_-Afd9RJZ09IAjK4VHlMcebo2nTs5kndTF06gNhgMArI1A9T1ddiWFKi3spg_oRsg/s640/blogger-image--1944254943.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG143ngIq-zaL6xaZ1z6xEiNDkJFL065IiBZ_GcNcuYEzk3FcfOJwprVoq1SKEe-xlpIP8XIfn7wD0CVeIel_8ssDBdxIvx_M3dic9DK1a3L4fTk7J91DNB8mVPcN3DyF7CvYlTQ/s640/blogger-image--581457115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG143ngIq-zaL6xaZ1z6xEiNDkJFL065IiBZ_GcNcuYEzk3FcfOJwprVoq1SKEe-xlpIP8XIfn7wD0CVeIel_8ssDBdxIvx_M3dic9DK1a3L4fTk7J91DNB8mVPcN3DyF7CvYlTQ/s640/blogger-image--581457115.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rX8uaD9g5PzoW0ipUH3pn8nw4jHp2GTJ9xKrrVRKfgusAmyQCnLn5Yw_mP5kLQrEVONTMN6Y49-UFwB5Pb5ogoNxJYb-740s92KxajKQFsFKKtQnHd_RpWIEEMDQycFPeMkjsw/s640/blogger-image--518273228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rX8uaD9g5PzoW0ipUH3pn8nw4jHp2GTJ9xKrrVRKfgusAmyQCnLn5Yw_mP5kLQrEVONTMN6Y49-UFwB5Pb5ogoNxJYb-740s92KxajKQFsFKKtQnHd_RpWIEEMDQycFPeMkjsw/s640/blogger-image--518273228.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The building styles are very Celtic in Galicia </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wNrWmfJZhTqjyxusNq-HG7SYsjGxWZ3S3i6BsiPh0VTYG198cuFjfy0qnMYsoBhh1yHOytfvAjaLd8ZLb2eAoAIoARkLIX3ApHUepkR29UkIANaRelZckElCLAECQt5zhMidtw/s640/blogger-image-1891282533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wNrWmfJZhTqjyxusNq-HG7SYsjGxWZ3S3i6BsiPh0VTYG198cuFjfy0qnMYsoBhh1yHOytfvAjaLd8ZLb2eAoAIoARkLIX3ApHUepkR29UkIANaRelZckElCLAECQt5zhMidtw/s640/blogger-image-1891282533.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpllTJ7UNy8H2c77dhdxAwd5JDIknDFGkEED9Zfm_u4rDZ15wylVKjliVJ7z4pgumJ5arDLlSK_0tLKTWoKc7Nj-xYI0bi99lTriJZngl361C1VDDOYsbi5pV1HjLFA6YdcAy0Q/s640/blogger-image--2044957351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpllTJ7UNy8H2c77dhdxAwd5JDIknDFGkEED9Zfm_u4rDZ15wylVKjliVJ7z4pgumJ5arDLlSK_0tLKTWoKc7Nj-xYI0bi99lTriJZngl361C1VDDOYsbi5pV1HjLFA6YdcAy0Q/s640/blogger-image--2044957351.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbck9nSVY5lWxblyXqlvsjZw_qBSuzYG-csRY8GUOgRZE58HEupsnk7rml2dKAETu3nGzOo0zE1p7pzcZJaQztDHL730_C-RCMMeV4P8ryMaFSD2a7vq1-41xrSfs5gSZxGIu8Q/s640/blogger-image-1108671511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbck9nSVY5lWxblyXqlvsjZw_qBSuzYG-csRY8GUOgRZE58HEupsnk7rml2dKAETu3nGzOo0zE1p7pzcZJaQztDHL730_C-RCMMeV4P8ryMaFSD2a7vq1-41xrSfs5gSZxGIu8Q/s640/blogger-image-1108671511.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Less than 100 miles to go now. I have a couple of shorter days and plan to arrive in Santiago before noon next Saturday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Buen Camino!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-7130461563906938192014-10-09T09:51:00.001-05:002014-10-09T10:11:33.819-05:00Catching up!I've neglected blogging for a few days but have a good Wi-Fi connection, pronounced "wee fee" in Espanol, so I'll catch up.<div><br></div><div>I did get out and explore Leon on my rest day and had a kebab at the fiesta </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOCjnAYB0n11fOuPT7eCUflaL1gPc8z5LJCK1ZP3HmgC_hrykpb_FAIlI72uNqf5PWkS2PafwTVlsu55jNcgbHfMdkjaTAjDkXQC-B5soLyKtXLX_LMBFyoNo5drbEDSahuaUYw/s640/blogger-image--387700234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOCjnAYB0n11fOuPT7eCUflaL1gPc8z5LJCK1ZP3HmgC_hrykpb_FAIlI72uNqf5PWkS2PafwTVlsu55jNcgbHfMdkjaTAjDkXQC-B5soLyKtXLX_LMBFyoNo5drbEDSahuaUYw/s640/blogger-image--387700234.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also found this pilgrim statue and a German couple took this shot</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGbqF3NNHuUzPjZEuC7XWGHL_cHMMAsIfNRswQdwmHGNdhIBUEM9Mc7jBCe23eBJTZskVu6rRrjBnl3x6WmxNSMXAHCJAmwte36NwOrJ2m1EM5Kds8oMO96n_q5Zm5gl-nyMPuA/s640/blogger-image--1683060476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGbqF3NNHuUzPjZEuC7XWGHL_cHMMAsIfNRswQdwmHGNdhIBUEM9Mc7jBCe23eBJTZskVu6rRrjBnl3x6WmxNSMXAHCJAmwte36NwOrJ2m1EM5Kds8oMO96n_q5Zm5gl-nyMPuA/s640/blogger-image--1683060476.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I left Leon early the next morning and walked 16 miles to a small village San Martin del Camino for the night. I bunked with Fabio from Italy and Jamie and Gerard from Barcelona. Four Frenchmen were in the next room and it made for interesting dinner conversation as Fabio was the only one besides me that spoke English. The owner of the albergue gave me a local fruit that she called "ojo" but I'm not sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy9vz7UplEuCtT2K3WzvKvsvJmVXkEtazX9KhS5MSHv4mbJ8O1rgnluXWzLA_lyO9QtJ0HO1GUVpLQvtnprsirJ09VedQ7ldtHCR5e9lo2wOGPk8V_eNC24NotdjcGokVrnwfZA/s640/blogger-image-925618522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy9vz7UplEuCtT2K3WzvKvsvJmVXkEtazX9KhS5MSHv4mbJ8O1rgnluXWzLA_lyO9QtJ0HO1GUVpLQvtnprsirJ09VedQ7ldtHCR5e9lo2wOGPk8V_eNC24NotdjcGokVrnwfZA/s640/blogger-image-925618522.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFa2AaeWOL4lbu0jgsECym2pTJCJJ4O4J4NIw5lmYZTXvwXy3W6RK40eqTCnWEX1Sv66ui80uakxxC30v-WrOEWja2vUrDzVP1VW9XzwhyphenhyphentbTKXDpzj9somI8aOwEqPwifOlRBZA/s640/blogger-image-1671231586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFa2AaeWOL4lbu0jgsECym2pTJCJJ4O4J4NIw5lmYZTXvwXy3W6RK40eqTCnWEX1Sv66ui80uakxxC30v-WrOEWja2vUrDzVP1VW9XzwhyphenhyphentbTKXDpzj9somI8aOwEqPwifOlRBZA/s640/blogger-image-1671231586.jpg"></a></div><br></div>It tasted good, reminded me of some of the fruits in Jamaica. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next day was to Astorga. It was a beautiful sunrise </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0f0b0ddXC1NYp8bPwqbdG3RZcP89pOrwohmG1YRcVzzIZzzLskGnsVgU4PISCW4zTCwsIWISoOgYOyWz0q__ghyphenhyphenGhGxfZFX02KMPrMB-i5QEmtr7zpZtWBwXkCQ67HeQWQuWWQ/s640/blogger-image-1592008865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0f0b0ddXC1NYp8bPwqbdG3RZcP89pOrwohmG1YRcVzzIZzzLskGnsVgU4PISCW4zTCwsIWISoOgYOyWz0q__ghyphenhyphenGhGxfZFX02KMPrMB-i5QEmtr7zpZtWBwXkCQ67HeQWQuWWQ/s640/blogger-image-1592008865.jpg"></a></div>but the trail got rather rocky later in the day. On the steep downhill walk there was an interesting statue of a pilgrim drinking from his flask and a local man took great joy in showing me how it worked. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eMClBAeyMD64QqNzsRK6dN8-nzeAow0mUAiJw9QrVYfBJko_eXEZxotOH1G38pzy7kkzA1IXf4G68kUp1ksi-8gnG2dlgxu0FYriY6gvKAPu21VgB0YOqcwxbGHMKON4VfKQ7g/s640/blogger-image-520242101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eMClBAeyMD64QqNzsRK6dN8-nzeAow0mUAiJw9QrVYfBJko_eXEZxotOH1G38pzy7kkzA1IXf4G68kUp1ksi-8gnG2dlgxu0FYriY6gvKAPu21VgB0YOqcwxbGHMKON4VfKQ7g/s640/blogger-image-520242101.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everyone has been more than welcoming all along the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In Astorga <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I again ran into my Australian pastor friend Ray and his wife Pura as I was looking at the Cathedral.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlQEA_ja0GBZFtcwGHaQrqRJ8xGExNQbzpkkfpLNSEAha-dZojblsfdfeZmYLzYm59jlFDwLgM5y2BSRR1y4FCyGw0D9okF-gv8F2bahd9E2MOdgOJiwdXmPD7LJAJ2516hQPFw/s640/blogger-image--887315836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlQEA_ja0GBZFtcwGHaQrqRJ8xGExNQbzpkkfpLNSEAha-dZojblsfdfeZmYLzYm59jlFDwLgM5y2BSRR1y4FCyGw0D9okF-gv8F2bahd9E2MOdgOJiwdXmPD7LJAJ2516hQPFw/s640/blogger-image--887315836.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">The next day was a much longer day because I have moved away from the flat plains of the Meseta back into the mountains. I wanted to get most of tomorrow's climb out of the way so I extended myself and hiked 17 miles to stay in an albergue in Founcebadon. The trail was rocky and steep in places but I was at my destination and checked in by 2:30. </div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Founcebadon is an old village that really only survives by providing services to pilgrims. There were 35 of us this evening and for once I met up with several Americans and a few Canadians. The most interesting to me though were two seventy year old ladies from New Zealand who were walking the trail together.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Our meal was a riot when the chef brought out his masterpiece paella</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JjKg4TaHXu4T46rUUNuT1FUiF3XCi6zDhSEX0lm_iCWmGx0JLzFzGccF_ys8BBfCNeqQR0525WBwR08JAnTcSNnmpRyMC3M8oQtEVOLBPRQc5AEKYGvXNAZpSrWc7sO_mNQxFw/s640/blogger-image-58727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JjKg4TaHXu4T46rUUNuT1FUiF3XCi6zDhSEX0lm_iCWmGx0JLzFzGccF_ys8BBfCNeqQR0525WBwR08JAnTcSNnmpRyMC3M8oQtEVOLBPRQc5AEKYGvXNAZpSrWc7sO_mNQxFw/s640/blogger-image-58727.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">This was probably the most filling meal I've had so far. Muy bueno!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom6J0aIHRSojDj7P1QmSZyMr3KiRyHC5NbUUIrIdeanAcO_LuC1gq40q4vVTxfFMltZjkX4BLsrF7PH1C4Drt8Oyx7Xp-dVwzzuF7U91YoX32Rn7N-zD2jn1mU8dEv7XSeW4Fqg/s640/blogger-image-794672581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom6J0aIHRSojDj7P1QmSZyMr3KiRyHC5NbUUIrIdeanAcO_LuC1gq40q4vVTxfFMltZjkX4BLsrF7PH1C4Drt8Oyx7Xp-dVwzzuF7U91YoX32Rn7N-zD2jn1mU8dEv7XSeW4Fqg/s640/blogger-image-794672581.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was this interesting sign in the coed bathroom that I need to add</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D_nMWBpx_lHwaz3zOiaQPC7NR78rIdR_4Ej-hHgcYkj8AefgJJ5oo8uJlxJpasNtxOzNkXok59u4Tz390c5y0UmnbvYpdhjDBkgv3tftnfCV-O5aCBq9ZjkPMfD1ftoortFcnQ/s640/blogger-image--1537689173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D_nMWBpx_lHwaz3zOiaQPC7NR78rIdR_4Ej-hHgcYkj8AefgJJ5oo8uJlxJpasNtxOzNkXok59u4Tz390c5y0UmnbvYpdhjDBkgv3tftnfCV-O5aCBq9ZjkPMfD1ftoortFcnQ/s640/blogger-image--1537689173.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The next day was a hike past the highest point of the Camino (4934 feet) where the Iron Cross, La Cruz de Ferro, stands.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"> I've made a practice the past several years in my recovery to leave my recovery chips in different places. I was planning to leave my 24 year sobriety coin at the Iron Cross.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">It was raining as I left the albergue so I suited up in my poncho</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzCArGfaQCRSJlXarHMY2tW8ezfRYmV5ymUwh3ASf1BUbePcuQC2vQkQsBq_1MBmqgmJvR5UaCl-2uNgC7ZpHmC5l_sfbCV4piRYNEBLekbYQ2D9NLQKTJdMLnRLBLG6bx70ZIA/s640/blogger-image-663980197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzCArGfaQCRSJlXarHMY2tW8ezfRYmV5ymUwh3ASf1BUbePcuQC2vQkQsBq_1MBmqgmJvR5UaCl-2uNgC7ZpHmC5l_sfbCV4piRYNEBLekbYQ2D9NLQKTJdMLnRLBLG6bx70ZIA/s640/blogger-image-663980197.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">but as I was climbing up the mountain this was the view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRek8Pto1Rz99EuL3rOdXYie_EAuBIyoryJ2OhyphenhyphenxQ2FzNTi1vT6qsIaeN8z5OACJ9V-vJOTRguIU69K1cMBnw6lZzQujl8lPmA3t_X0wOV9yczqAsDrQEcN6RAN7rjRo0TajqwHQ/s640/blogger-image--552735706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRek8Pto1Rz99EuL3rOdXYie_EAuBIyoryJ2OhyphenhyphenxQ2FzNTi1vT6qsIaeN8z5OACJ9V-vJOTRguIU69K1cMBnw6lZzQujl8lPmA3t_X0wOV9yczqAsDrQEcN6RAN7rjRo0TajqwHQ/s640/blogger-image--552735706.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2Ir57CyJynQvcbRlrAyMg7Malbmb5M6X8Y2jRxAnEFy1kr0XFs56-UGfeJBP88ViE9cuHljJazWhkqYdYVLw5bCrX453FdRv80ihAXmHpJZjibbjIooBkZXLK2cl9LUAqC1drw/s640/blogger-image-1712753575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2Ir57CyJynQvcbRlrAyMg7Malbmb5M6X8Y2jRxAnEFy1kr0XFs56-UGfeJBP88ViE9cuHljJazWhkqYdYVLw5bCrX453FdRv80ihAXmHpJZjibbjIooBkZXLK2cl9LUAqC1drw/s640/blogger-image-1712753575.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I approached the Cross</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTfzclMrXnTsYn7Y7Nzpg5ZSaeG2tu3wJVTScpO9dixQ4naSs6Xt4jrqzqon7Ls2VojbG8R5a8hV82LA64IeJSOyyJgjPteNzfvtAplfn27o9KJ4WHvt7bzSXtbhaTL_3R0e55A/s640/blogger-image--647635216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTfzclMrXnTsYn7Y7Nzpg5ZSaeG2tu3wJVTScpO9dixQ4naSs6Xt4jrqzqon7Ls2VojbG8R5a8hV82LA64IeJSOyyJgjPteNzfvtAplfn27o9KJ4WHvt7bzSXtbhaTL_3R0e55A/s640/blogger-image--647635216.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> thinking of my sobriety and also our friend Clark who has been gone for two years this day I once again ran into Ray and Pura. I recognized God at work here giving me someone who could witness my ritual.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs4BGhmdN7rvVKBAHaWBe6IlAJJ24xaBPAwVP8JfnYG2LFjWuj2SFWRYQZkXbuKIycIdGS_dGOMT3QsV3dHRtYWkrS2TyqZrjy35ONJo_XLhyphenhyphenCZWhNOsRvcheka2TfFEZ2lnaZg/s640/blogger-image--669137954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs4BGhmdN7rvVKBAHaWBe6IlAJJ24xaBPAwVP8JfnYG2LFjWuj2SFWRYQZkXbuKIycIdGS_dGOMT3QsV3dHRtYWkrS2TyqZrjy35ONJo_XLhyphenhyphenCZWhNOsRvcheka2TfFEZ2lnaZg/s640/blogger-image--669137954.jpg"></a></div><br></div>This is Ray, my brother from another mother, but as he says "the same Father"! with an Austrailian accent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjcKaygGiCZTa2lk_ZZXqXJJ74WMMzleEfmzzW6TtpaEP2QDhyphenhyphenQm1YMBKQngJfgf6-ptjhBMXqz8VI0Z7bdwIHktcOU1J-6YgdsalAA11YEtVgIXp0SfwEIulWw7NZMWMgwV0GA/s640/blogger-image--1265046961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjcKaygGiCZTa2lk_ZZXqXJJ74WMMzleEfmzzW6TtpaEP2QDhyphenhyphenQm1YMBKQngJfgf6-ptjhBMXqz8VI0Z7bdwIHktcOU1J-6YgdsalAA11YEtVgIXp0SfwEIulWw7NZMWMgwV0GA/s640/blogger-image--1265046961.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowerH-oE2JLFBjMs0kS9U8n7KU1YUWo2Z-tuRFWJZhCjoyulzfIN2UoHbSgXod7hv3cgMLMuAVGMFD8j5kaoOozzl7uL9iMdF5TXqGTJ_GbMsOT1NZmEyoaByNwPe6W5EUadAWA/s640/blogger-image--198774775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowerH-oE2JLFBjMs0kS9U8n7KU1YUWo2Z-tuRFWJZhCjoyulzfIN2UoHbSgXod7hv3cgMLMuAVGMFD8j5kaoOozzl7uL9iMdF5TXqGTJ_GbMsOT1NZmEyoaByNwPe6W5EUadAWA/s640/blogger-image--198774775.jpg"></a></div>It's good to be sober and it's been very easy to have agua solo with meals, instead of wine. Cheaper too for the restaurant!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unfortunately, what goes up must come down and the rest of this day, some 20 kilometers, was spent descending to 2000 feet. I find the descents much harder on my feet and knees than ascents and this was a painful, rocky trail.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">I had been passing a group of guys from Brazil for the past three days, one wearing a cowboy hat. I commented on his hat and he started calling me "Oklahoma" whenever he would see me</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj_cvaTmQCF05V2Q0thHk3p0U2lLZKf2cUnV3qHY4KmPjp7tYCXxus9isAqUa0WG671ncs9r75nbo6ZTz9peAp2dxS8DGhnw15i9Y7Hjt1_rsqvK_yBP2MAXPHVkzqS7J8BVu5w/s640/blogger-image-1419050857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj_cvaTmQCF05V2Q0thHk3p0U2lLZKf2cUnV3qHY4KmPjp7tYCXxus9isAqUa0WG671ncs9r75nbo6ZTz9peAp2dxS8DGhnw15i9Y7Hjt1_rsqvK_yBP2MAXPHVkzqS7J8BVu5w/s640/blogger-image-1419050857.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The trail continued down forever it seemed until I reached Molinaseca, my destination for the day. I was very glad to arrive and I stayed in a hostal with a private room to get a reprieve from the snoring. As I arrived the rain began again but I was safe inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dinner was oxtail stew,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cJcfBSDfRZ-PLTV_B-X5xfS5-zhOsrIT3iH1wKQ3qdVvm5bnJFqZ60CajkM-yvcvrxnt4ouXnsI_khyphenhyphen_qiQ5ThtGWw9XIREHOi9My8me0LXQSVZbYn5k1c8DuxxWcRPUKuqJrw/s640/blogger-image-1906269969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cJcfBSDfRZ-PLTV_B-X5xfS5-zhOsrIT3iH1wKQ3qdVvm5bnJFqZ60CajkM-yvcvrxnt4ouXnsI_khyphenhyphen_qiQ5ThtGWw9XIREHOi9My8me0LXQSVZbYn5k1c8DuxxWcRPUKuqJrw/s640/blogger-image-1906269969.jpg"></a></div><br></div>and I ate with Kristof from Berlin who I had met at an earlier stop in Granon.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">A good night's sleep does wonders and my feet have healed enough that I didn't need to treat my heels today. The toes still take a pounding but are getting better as well.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">I left later than usual this morning and arrived in Ponferrada to see this</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FbQgkd0GxPFh1NzZDDxpYpC4q6woAoPJ7Z3fnN-R_xV9QnPV1tCTRWRn_6aIGNlYhE0QEvOmgEfKPOZIVt8vAacBeUjiaoduzqhgrZhFwmTDSwxbdrbGuujFjwjozqBzAtBzfw/s640/blogger-image-1864685391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FbQgkd0GxPFh1NzZDDxpYpC4q6woAoPJ7Z3fnN-R_xV9QnPV1tCTRWRn_6aIGNlYhE0QEvOmgEfKPOZIVt8vAacBeUjiaoduzqhgrZhFwmTDSwxbdrbGuujFjwjozqBzAtBzfw/s640/blogger-image-1864685391.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Castillo de los Templarios, a 12th century Templar castle, now a national monument. I wish I had the energy to explore, but I don't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">It was a reasonably short day, 14 miles to Cacabelos. This will allow another 14 mile day tomorrow before I need to climb the last mountain before Santiago. I'll climb from 600 to 1300 meters in 10 kilometers. These mountains separate Castilla y Leon from Galicia. The rest of the Camino is through this ancient Celtic land, much wetter than I've been used to.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">I'll let you know how it goes. For tonight, resting my feet in Cacabelos!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGDbDL6XGrB0wNJQfG-4hKup5OieOqrqYaZ7KVU0GWougLnWB7_d-61Uj2x8e0hzz8vaZjJgB5xtqt2aM-BdzeqCCJMagGVW8JausiDystgRBgXR56z4DkciH_9ZYPdcO7LMjRQ/s640/blogger-image--1384091108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGDbDL6XGrB0wNJQfG-4hKup5OieOqrqYaZ7KVU0GWougLnWB7_d-61Uj2x8e0hzz8vaZjJgB5xtqt2aM-BdzeqCCJMagGVW8JausiDystgRBgXR56z4DkciH_9ZYPdcO7LMjRQ/s640/blogger-image--1384091108.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Buen Camino!</div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-58411314731171369112014-10-03T11:30:00.001-05:002014-10-03T12:00:39.716-05:00Reflecting on Three Weeks of the Camino<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjrDnclwnWjZenpl1LUAYYHJcmi0jFEUNYVDmBxObFBnLDekWjO6F7q_8RwLFWnlkvxl6GLiPIOBFaHWTHdsiVBolHIYERWnwnqU6zpdafKN-x5o_9CqGIHhLQgDyHzDWBxrwBg/s640/blogger-image--898739544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjrDnclwnWjZenpl1LUAYYHJcmi0jFEUNYVDmBxObFBnLDekWjO6F7q_8RwLFWnlkvxl6GLiPIOBFaHWTHdsiVBolHIYERWnwnqU6zpdafKN-x5o_9CqGIHhLQgDyHzDWBxrwBg/s640/blogger-image--898739544.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I'm in Leon today, Friday October 3 and also tomorrow. I've been walking the Camino for three weeks and want to pace myself a bit.<div><br></div><div>I've traveled over 315 miles in the past twenty days and my feet can tell the tales. It's been interesting to be more in tune with my body, to be aware of the different stages it goes through in the course of a day's walking. I started out this morning virtually pain free for the first time since Logrono, two weeks ago. I've walked through the creation and healing of blisters on both heels and now overcoming blisters on my little toes.</div><div><br></div><div>I got a certain thrill out of asking the pharmacist for Compeed because "tengo ampollas en mis dedos de los pies" "I have blisters on the fingers of my feet" and was understood!</div><div><br></div><div>A word about Compeed, I consider it a miracle product and has allowed me to continue walking while the blisters improved. Like I wrote earlier, this was a pain-free day of walking up to mile nine when tiredness sets in.</div><div><br></div><div>So, as you can tell, the first reflection is an obsession with the health of my feet. If my feet give out, the Camino is over. Mine seem to be improving.</div><div><br></div><div>Another reflection involves attitude. I have time as I walk to think, a lot, and can see the danger of falling into a negative mindset. Thoughts like "why am I doing this?" Or "I wish this were over" set up an attitude that is deadly. I've observed different persons on the Camino who have fallen into negativity and for them the joy is gone.</div><div><br></div><div>The truth of the Camino is that there is physical discomfort: pain, crowded sleeping quarters, unfamiliar languages, snoring, but there is also an extreme opportunity for gratitude. A private room is a special thrill!</div><div><br></div><div>Anytime I feel tempted toward resentment the first thought is "I'm hiking through Spain!" The next is "Everyday I am getting physically stronger" and then an extreme gratitude for the closeness I get to have with The Lord as we experience the real life difficulties together. I experienced pure joy today when I realized that my feet were pain free!</div><div><br></div><div>I am grateful for my mother and father who taught me about The Lord.</div><div><br></div><div>I am grateful for my brothers, and particularly Al who bought me a Camino guide book two years ago. It has proven to be invaluable.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm grateful to my Band of Brothers who encouraged me to begin hiking way back in 2006!</div><div><br></div><div>I'm grateful to my small group, the Body of Christ for me at this stage of life and their prayers and support.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm grateful for a good sponsor and the freedom I have to drink aqua y Coca Cola when offered vino tinto or cervesa!</div><div><br></div><div>I'm grateful for the Boys in the Hood every Wednesday as I eat lunch. You know what I mean!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGwLlep0eJesX9d5iZx3k_6yMWXdvLWf6Flvjm5gtW_5wrqwlSWI1gYL-JbMafOm-ICPqieMXYCMcIhraZbJiyyv1nWX_sEVDMhKwyJGZ9a_9ldmKkctE46E2-YRSkP4iyPEH0w/s640/blogger-image-769970452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGwLlep0eJesX9d5iZx3k_6yMWXdvLWf6Flvjm5gtW_5wrqwlSWI1gYL-JbMafOm-ICPqieMXYCMcIhraZbJiyyv1nWX_sEVDMhKwyJGZ9a_9ldmKkctE46E2-YRSkP4iyPEH0w/s640/blogger-image-769970452.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I'm grateful for finding the Body of Christ alive on the Camino in the people I meet and talk with every day.</div><div><br></div><div>And I'm grateful for Beth who supports my hair-brained adventures. I'm looking forward to seeing her as I walk into Santiago two weeks from now.</div><div><br></div><div>Believe it or not, Leon is having a festival this weekend, The Feast of San Froilan, so it may prove to be an exciting night.</div><div><br></div><div>I'll be resting my feet!</div><div><br></div><div>Buen Camino</div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-18721313805980137842014-10-01T10:29:00.001-05:002014-10-01T11:06:51.993-05:00Just Past HalfwayI completed the first half of the Camino de Santiago yesterday and commenced the second half today.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y_gs-i1WBRSyG06fuhPiyJae1ubkTUbUo0pTF9xPHk6cqYCbFi5A_CrIX31ti5Lt5WmU7KtAEnvYkXXe43mocpg14t_1n7nkZ1Vv0S2Rf9Bg1EyX-_2pB0ACz80REWqgohy7XQ/s640/blogger-image--1689973564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y_gs-i1WBRSyG06fuhPiyJae1ubkTUbUo0pTF9xPHk6cqYCbFi5A_CrIX31ti5Lt5WmU7KtAEnvYkXXe43mocpg14t_1n7nkZ1Vv0S2Rf9Bg1EyX-_2pB0ACz80REWqgohy7XQ/s640/blogger-image--1689973564.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8W7vPSvFcKsVfWCEfUAxsWXc2kk1PHayCX95O1Y2g2pz4O_6X9o8j6sO2aOEYvyAjjvZh1OqT63cdvVJrUEsqrzUpFTRoYE5dhBEbZNWw81nR9v8S-h6HEmte8SOJagieV8BdBQ/s640/blogger-image-1742585159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8W7vPSvFcKsVfWCEfUAxsWXc2kk1PHayCX95O1Y2g2pz4O_6X9o8j6sO2aOEYvyAjjvZh1OqT63cdvVJrUEsqrzUpFTRoYE5dhBEbZNWw81nR9v8S-h6HEmte8SOJagieV8BdBQ/s640/blogger-image-1742585159.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The experience is almost surreal, I often still feel new to the Camino and at other times it seems as if I have been walking forever. I've walked 265 miles in the past 17 days, just a bit over 15 miles a day on average, but today I humped out 20 miles, 30 kilometers in seven hours. I think this is my limit. The next two days are much shorter as I approach Leon and a rest day on Saturday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My feet are doing better and the heel blisters are almost well. My toes however continue to take a pounding. I think this is just the price to pay for the constant walking on rough terrain!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Life offers simple pleasures, a good bed, and the joy of allowing my feet to rest. I'm impressed with how my body regenerates each evening allowing me to continue the journey in the morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My English clergyman acquaintance caught up with me yesterday, but got ill in the night and I again parted with him as he got to the hostal in Sahagun. He said it was just something from the dinner the night before and he wanted to have a short day. We said our goodbyes just in case we don't run across each other on down the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We may very we'll see each other as I often see the same people tracking with me. There is a loose sort of community that builds from walking and eating and often rooming with the same cohort day after day. I spent the afternoon yesterday butchering Spanish with Lucian Rudolfo from Buenos Aries, Argentina and Hermann from Germany, Brandon from Dublin, and Morris from Brazil were my roommates last night in Terradillos de los Templarios, the last holdout of The Knights Templar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The albergue we stayed in is named after the last Grand Master of the Order, Jacques de Molay. The meal served was traditional home made sausage and potatoes (I think this is what didn't sit well with Graham).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm in El Burgo Ranero today and head to Mansilla de las Mulas (Hand on the saddle of the mules) tomorrow, an easy 12 miles. I'm looking forward to a day of not walking on Saturday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUTBPIJ_MtUBW5QZfSJ15dWDqg6EOgOl6ydqLXBJTUrkMT4Xc3I0PvkqyKPv_3RgItTd7efrT8rnkaWjhvrhiL5HNAFPIcwwdvKetYmNbLranNLeTvCM1KYLib0TNCKlexaGgFQ/s640/blogger-image-1505554008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUTBPIJ_MtUBW5QZfSJ15dWDqg6EOgOl6ydqLXBJTUrkMT4Xc3I0PvkqyKPv_3RgItTd7efrT8rnkaWjhvrhiL5HNAFPIcwwdvKetYmNbLranNLeTvCM1KYLib0TNCKlexaGgFQ/s640/blogger-image-1505554008.jpg"></a></div><br></div>315k to go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZmxv-U0RMfFL4uYv8hqTkf392wuNW8kErAD-N_FfzP3bc9HdBUzs8QajHgX-b_PK77LNrZlDSijgR9aWnxKSx_QQl1l7Qg8rtXtufSMCO9saFzcp0TsP3D-fXvkJ-y6D-7YKFg/s640/blogger-image--203327529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZmxv-U0RMfFL4uYv8hqTkf392wuNW8kErAD-N_FfzP3bc9HdBUzs8QajHgX-b_PK77LNrZlDSijgR9aWnxKSx_QQl1l7Qg8rtXtufSMCO9saFzcp0TsP3D-fXvkJ-y6D-7YKFg/s640/blogger-image--203327529.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Arco San Benito in Sahagun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RbzQZdllKXR51Q4T40mnQ_tYyxyaa7AoVXllsERewg-hQwcFSO59S8lrhY5NFPgnB6YfG7YYy2csJMiVjt5AO8K4ZWBHB8hkklajLv4APlWnzYamhgr9CzbJ6Zb81Plo2XIpkQ/s640/blogger-image-1724807519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RbzQZdllKXR51Q4T40mnQ_tYyxyaa7AoVXllsERewg-hQwcFSO59S8lrhY5NFPgnB6YfG7YYy2csJMiVjt5AO8K4ZWBHB8hkklajLv4APlWnzYamhgr9CzbJ6Zb81Plo2XIpkQ/s640/blogger-image-1724807519.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX1zuQjOUhdep_Ybea6V2VLnBVdCL4-lRoXYSm0mOlyeR__wg38WW7012e6SpyzjDhsBlRa1GvIiSNwc6XE7NSFfN5ZwRjqLEbkSqA__H-evfsBfUO0PuE3bDMBLOQKpp59awUw/s640/blogger-image--197649108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX1zuQjOUhdep_Ybea6V2VLnBVdCL4-lRoXYSm0mOlyeR__wg38WW7012e6SpyzjDhsBlRa1GvIiSNwc6XE7NSFfN5ZwRjqLEbkSqA__H-evfsBfUO0PuE3bDMBLOQKpp59awUw/s640/blogger-image--197649108.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Buen Camino!</div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-4445181747977756332014-09-28T10:55:00.001-05:002014-09-28T10:55:16.483-05:00Sunday in Fromista, Spain<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrUzQH848eFtSdQlBLxNW513_2erGVIEcm6CZYTqTPl44Yo6J3qge4geGW0GiytJ1ntcs-_VfHRaVzoUFpFU5xFGFWpAujZMTQ64fCkFMaB-5SoDMwHxW8sN-0zdqV-VlFyaQOA/s640/blogger-image-1841117453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrUzQH848eFtSdQlBLxNW513_2erGVIEcm6CZYTqTPl44Yo6J3qge4geGW0GiytJ1ntcs-_VfHRaVzoUFpFU5xFGFWpAujZMTQ64fCkFMaB-5SoDMwHxW8sN-0zdqV-VlFyaQOA/s640/blogger-image-1841117453.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I'm in Fromista, Spain today on a Sunday, two weeks and 220 miles from St. Jean Pied de Port. The beginning seems long ago and the end is still nowhere in sight. My feet are asking me "What have you done to us" and sometimes I ask myself the same question!<div><br></div><div>I checked into a private hostal this afternoon for a little privacy and a night of sleep without a chorus of snoring. Last night in Castrojerez I was in a room of thirty people sharing a common bathroom, shower and kitchen. There were at least ten different nationalities represented and everyone got along well. Tonight I'm enjoying a private bath and quiet bedroom.</div><div><br></div><div>The past two days the Camino has been passing through the Meseta, farm country with fields either holding sunflower, or plowed and waiting for the next crop.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pS7gLzatF_SwYv-Ar1BJleQc8DeCi3a4ys8y_YeWqBP4coF5TFsf2CZrHFaCfucd6aQnQAzo1vDE0NywTomSS8Ode2g3D2yR4rc6qRbzpGK7_hzAwgun8c41TIQOwRQUWmMHRA/s640/blogger-image-1950876241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pS7gLzatF_SwYv-Ar1BJleQc8DeCi3a4ys8y_YeWqBP4coF5TFsf2CZrHFaCfucd6aQnQAzo1vDE0NywTomSS8Ode2g3D2yR4rc6qRbzpGK7_hzAwgun8c41TIQOwRQUWmMHRA/s640/blogger-image-1950876241.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE8iG06XK-UN29lQKgJ8rjvBoodCaKIqPchAf4iTGwlez0p_zK0zhkbofcQt1LTufngn8smcszBrvXs31IpjKdpRq4brKZzhkFnk1br24R-EJFTVIvbir0sAs-8Ubjwksy2lIZw/s640/blogger-image-1457182618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE8iG06XK-UN29lQKgJ8rjvBoodCaKIqPchAf4iTGwlez0p_zK0zhkbofcQt1LTufngn8smcszBrvXs31IpjKdpRq4brKZzhkFnk1br24R-EJFTVIvbir0sAs-8Ubjwksy2lIZw/s640/blogger-image-1457182618.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I walk along this landscape there is lots of time for reflection, and this is good. I think about my feet a lot and hope to keep them healthy enough to carry me the rest of the way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've fallen into a routine in order to get my 15 plus miles in each day: Wake at 6:30, treat my feet with moleskin and get dressed, breakfast, and then on the Camino by first light, 7:15-7:30.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This allows six or seven hours to walk and take in whatever sights my be on the route and still get to an albergue in time to shower, wash and hang clothes to dry and rest for the next day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meals are taken on the road, a bocodillo (sandwich) and cafe con leche! Dinner in Spain is usually after 7pm so meals are late and carb heavy. So far the food has been good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In two days I reach the mid point. I'll write about the people I've met then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Buen Camino</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnkCPUiD5pbhBYQdMj5QVNRQnKnvfLdhmQQskQunkWK1oZ6E6WGh3ZQGpElBdUCCV5ZNVs37gPwVeohw2yy_B6J1Kouyt5_lgqeBAFD28pROgcSrFJ_79wVOJx29ITS4jyhndEw/s640/blogger-image-2063434229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnkCPUiD5pbhBYQdMj5QVNRQnKnvfLdhmQQskQunkWK1oZ6E6WGh3ZQGpElBdUCCV5ZNVs37gPwVeohw2yy_B6J1Kouyt5_lgqeBAFD28pROgcSrFJ_79wVOJx29ITS4jyhndEw/s640/blogger-image-2063434229.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-91308627020992109402014-09-24T10:17:00.001-05:002014-09-24T10:27:52.006-05:00Finding the Living Among the Dead!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2HR8cjb1clEAaOsmeRKDJ1jZqWS8Zo24wjpYetKaMoL9ILTnOUukXzc3AbNpZxdaT4Dr9VcfIhZQudnwUvp-NEwbws9SfffC2kcnQxQc1VoEY80B6iuuAe58PAdFohgtczVoNg/s640/blogger-image--695114549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2HR8cjb1clEAaOsmeRKDJ1jZqWS8Zo24wjpYetKaMoL9ILTnOUukXzc3AbNpZxdaT4Dr9VcfIhZQudnwUvp-NEwbws9SfffC2kcnQxQc1VoEY80B6iuuAe58PAdFohgtczVoNg/s640/blogger-image--695114549.jpg"></a></div>Last night I stayed in the attic of the parish church in Grañon, Spain. I spent the day walking through acres and acres of vineyards at harvest time. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxzGVZVsgCILQ1Y1YPNM9CCpLjSg5qi4mIWxyIZ7X_Ym8J9xR4fEnCmZ8777RkbPBGefn2oKAHmoA54pD29NibbX0BpxneJxEnvte9xftSQNIROsMq1mJGIagPqOqK8HCAtswbg/s640/blogger-image--1385492909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxzGVZVsgCILQ1Y1YPNM9CCpLjSg5qi4mIWxyIZ7X_Ym8J9xR4fEnCmZ8777RkbPBGefn2oKAHmoA54pD29NibbX0BpxneJxEnvte9xftSQNIROsMq1mJGIagPqOqK8HCAtswbg/s640/blogger-image--1385492909.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The day began in Azofra and a side trip to Cañas, to visit a Cistercian Abbey de Santa María, founded in 1170. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhYtlPBVUjccLx07df9bmIzaYJh33d9srDSZuccFGKkQmhPb2Ke9OGwwNDy_SkoT9SRK5L4D_QCL00i2ZgCKMrSJS_N4B7K1F1oYxxA5f2agI8ThuhMR2ZgQYhRTyW3gVONRDgw/s640/blogger-image--176601163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhYtlPBVUjccLx07df9bmIzaYJh33d9srDSZuccFGKkQmhPb2Ke9OGwwNDy_SkoT9SRK5L4D_QCL00i2ZgCKMrSJS_N4B7K1F1oYxxA5f2agI8ThuhMR2ZgQYhRTyW3gVONRDgw/s640/blogger-image--176601163.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Very beautiful building with alabaster windows, but it was closed. After looking at the outside I took off to rejoin the Camino. The side trip took some time so I humped it to get back on track making it to Grañon by noon after walking 18 miles, 30 kilometers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are fountains for pilgrims to use for drinking water, many very old like this one in Grañon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4lskYwUV-ogAzS7lgVQ7YUDmide_pIzMSUfAe-i9SWZ01pXmzZAriuoYOv7u-acrHmogsuhoRk_LvSr3nr1Qey84O7UGOAP5wbo3iLo2ac-1gqiwz4mxu3J9ab1Ce0dzmqrIYw/s640/blogger-image-1962505268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4lskYwUV-ogAzS7lgVQ7YUDmide_pIzMSUfAe-i9SWZ01pXmzZAriuoYOv7u-acrHmogsuhoRk_LvSr3nr1Qey84O7UGOAP5wbo3iLo2ac-1gqiwz4mxu3J9ab1Ce0dzmqrIYw/s640/blogger-image-1962505268.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I checked into the albergue and was shown to my bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIOl-YnkU0KdPhGYy4_8yPK4szahVI9uIFfIp0GUzNUfWofYsJ4ULAIfoDJTsRU7xMlKeNEdoTYi7GfY4MtIVV2qDsVHg4AwUF8h7Xe2fF8Mr7J0uadGF7TaUv8nt5N29jr9mIA/s640/blogger-image--1217309131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIOl-YnkU0KdPhGYy4_8yPK4szahVI9uIFfIp0GUzNUfWofYsJ4ULAIfoDJTsRU7xMlKeNEdoTYi7GfY4MtIVV2qDsVHg4AwUF8h7Xe2fF8Mr7J0uadGF7TaUv8nt5N29jr9mIA/s640/blogger-image--1217309131.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The albergue is run by local people and the cost is "donativo", what you can.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I got cleaned up and washed and hung my hiking clothes up in the bell tower of the church and then had a quick lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdovEphPCB8S4n6U9E9LGRJbUC_VkVZ08q96dsbN42ug20m_GtxdiiUznrcHTyB9qkirzeb5JdWVpx6EgIXvMYpEdisAA08ix1PA-9BeG88BIt47qJL8Z902XRaHyMtDqHPfWXOg/s640/blogger-image--244531847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdovEphPCB8S4n6U9E9LGRJbUC_VkVZ08q96dsbN42ug20m_GtxdiiUznrcHTyB9qkirzeb5JdWVpx6EgIXvMYpEdisAA08ix1PA-9BeG88BIt47qJL8Z902XRaHyMtDqHPfWXOg/s640/blogger-image--244531847.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By 2 pm the albergue had 32 people registered and the fun began. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We all worked together to prepare dinner,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciAc0BM82sp8KcPrq5ToB0ri8b4A2gP6swPf7JnRUnQAQFiz-2fK4fSTrSxYXtXI39U3juPWoX_m18lPaXzx3H6xrg5nc5wXhQC-wYwBtQ87jGtItXoguBqsO_8_uywn2wVYtuQ/s640/blogger-image--1802489169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciAc0BM82sp8KcPrq5ToB0ri8b4A2gP6swPf7JnRUnQAQFiz-2fK4fSTrSxYXtXI39U3juPWoX_m18lPaXzx3H6xrg5nc5wXhQC-wYwBtQ87jGtItXoguBqsO_8_uywn2wVYtuQ/s640/blogger-image--1802489169.jpg"></a></div>then went to Mass in Spanish, where the priest blessed all the peregrinos on the way to Santiago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bH0FRfSe8s0FcXDB99YmyfgpqbRJfGTYlsMYhhx5bMUsTETGT599qU3rccQKW7ZRZB3P1ENqHajWhux9dSXU74M8X-NPOR1xJ1FR5HYrXm_WAj_LeKVpIMr18oilOHa_OtvIXQ/s640/blogger-image--883589029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bH0FRfSe8s0FcXDB99YmyfgpqbRJfGTYlsMYhhx5bMUsTETGT599qU3rccQKW7ZRZB3P1ENqHajWhux9dSXU74M8X-NPOR1xJ1FR5HYrXm_WAj_LeKVpIMr18oilOHa_OtvIXQ/s640/blogger-image--883589029.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxux83tV3AmBCVLFj9TXLVAqE6UbPcSssvDtTdu0DjlgHVYkcpGS3WFugQXVcG5XoO6tAP9iu_Ws9TiuD27nk1l2DLHVTinIjsb_HOuvkt69EQlX05-CjhDnd8-VQGTXUQ6hcww/s640/blogger-image--931379097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxux83tV3AmBCVLFj9TXLVAqE6UbPcSssvDtTdu0DjlgHVYkcpGS3WFugQXVcG5XoO6tAP9iu_Ws9TiuD27nk1l2DLHVTinIjsb_HOuvkt69EQlX05-CjhDnd8-VQGTXUQ6hcww/s640/blogger-image--931379097.jpg"></a></div>After Mass and viewing some of the relics in the old church we all had dinner together:<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> salad, pasta, bread, wine, and for me aqua, por favor!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44Nme3_-yUgBce6Ies-kE4O4rz6-BG-67HCGR46KQKqPKsrm-8E0PZKxbytFeiInpd5BsJS4jOaohEIeoH_8F7WGEZEdyCz6RFMCXIXxbmPWRQyvCWO0P33HlzRdU2kyj6Eup3g/s640/blogger-image-52645201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44Nme3_-yUgBce6Ies-kE4O4rz6-BG-67HCGR46KQKqPKsrm-8E0PZKxbytFeiInpd5BsJS4jOaohEIeoH_8F7WGEZEdyCz6RFMCXIXxbmPWRQyvCWO0P33HlzRdU2kyj6Eup3g/s640/blogger-image-52645201.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sitting with me were people from Italy, Japan, Denmark, Poland, Finland, England, and believe it or not a young woman from North Dakota.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right before lights out at 10 o'clock, we all went back into the church for a candlelit prayer service led by the hospitalerios and translated by a peregrina. A spirit of unity filled the room as all of us took turns sharing our different reasons for being on the Camino.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a good nights sleep among snorers of various tunes, I took of today for Villafranco Montes de Oca, another 18 miles. The afterglow of the international experience right in the midst of the ancient building gives me hope. The relics may or may not be sacred, but the spirit of the pilgrims traveling along the Camino as well as the genuine care and concern of the local hospitalerios was a sacred moment I won't forget. Tomorrow I push on toward Burgos, with 140 of the 500 miles behind me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHey-Pu7kGyTFsGn6S7NI66NGugOLU6cBZxInkxOF1xzQjynswhvoS04Rc5LbKWRhpgpOxF6lTxlbDAK_-XLlHvhQs9LmHgyzmNEb85r43ug06PCaMPE27w3Cq4RmHaNRGHdSzw/s640/blogger-image-1533889163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHey-Pu7kGyTFsGn6S7NI66NGugOLU6cBZxInkxOF1xzQjynswhvoS04Rc5LbKWRhpgpOxF6lTxlbDAK_-XLlHvhQs9LmHgyzmNEb85r43ug06PCaMPE27w3Cq4RmHaNRGHdSzw/s640/blogger-image-1533889163.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Olin from Denmark and his Camino tattoo.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-71121414351497056082014-09-21T07:22:00.001-05:002014-09-21T07:31:12.712-05:00Layover in Logroño<div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBxwhanpe2iipbNJMxqPCqQVLdoqXmQkWmnbTbL5eqds-2oY28EXXD_WTirxGkrwRu9TWXiaYeqlGlZeR7x8DlphB85eU8rAx7_qV-3nwcRa6FHeU-1NSRdjZy_2muwmeqN1wdw/s640/blogger-image--1591449782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBxwhanpe2iipbNJMxqPCqQVLdoqXmQkWmnbTbL5eqds-2oY28EXXD_WTirxGkrwRu9TWXiaYeqlGlZeR7x8DlphB85eU8rAx7_qV-3nwcRa6FHeU-1NSRdjZy_2muwmeqN1wdw/s640/blogger-image--1591449782.jpg"></a></div>It's Sunday, September 21, my sixtieth birthday. I decided to take a day off every week or so and pace myself and today is the first full rest day. <div><br></div><div>I had planned to stop in Logroño and fortunately booked a hotel ahead of time because this week is an annual festival to celebrate the grape harvest, Festival de San Mateo.</div><div><br></div><div>I got caught in a sea of people yesterday afternoon on the way into town but no one seemed to mind a sweaty, pack wearing pilgrim pushing through the crowd. </div><div><br></div><div>As I neared the area of my hotel I was disoriented and a kindly local man came up and walked me to the hotel, about a block away. Having a private room and bath, without needing to get up at dawn to get packed has been wonderful.</div><div><br></div><div>It's been interesting watching the celebration in the old section of town, almost 24 hour revelry. The party went on yesterday until 4 am!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ7zXEaeBZYTBHXY6F_vYlUhtPTEzYPW6PYbK6YWSkocn6OskFLE7i4wF1qqGpJ8waeLguAyH564LDd15h-bh-yPR2GyyPqovI_B1_wVi625fkd7Pq0mVhHIdws3vsfTrVOyolQ/s640/blogger-image--684328654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ7zXEaeBZYTBHXY6F_vYlUhtPTEzYPW6PYbK6YWSkocn6OskFLE7i4wF1qqGpJ8waeLguAyH564LDd15h-bh-yPR2GyyPqovI_B1_wVi625fkd7Pq0mVhHIdws3vsfTrVOyolQ/s640/blogger-image--684328654.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGyuqMFOF85IuJTZp3wziWj4OEDFyLswiKBJYZH8BdZ2XOO-w5rIvs3YiXdjQ2bwKm41wlOoQY_oX7oAFxuZRjNyo2SBiadxOGnWbQh3rieVoSNQu3Y06mJd88kbUKZLBubcIBg/s640/blogger-image--432333454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGyuqMFOF85IuJTZp3wziWj4OEDFyLswiKBJYZH8BdZ2XOO-w5rIvs3YiXdjQ2bwKm41wlOoQY_oX7oAFxuZRjNyo2SBiadxOGnWbQh3rieVoSNQu3Y06mJd88kbUKZLBubcIBg/s640/blogger-image--432333454.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had a hearty lunch of patatas a los pobre, pan y aqua mineral.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ51wmIHfMkjnJH7jo07OdsvTCi2wuFg1t9ghBlW8X-nO2etnBNnx9ZtaSOV1gMK9igGuKhcRoxJLHr6iv4NTYbejtjkFwVhAzKlMLxp2m8ist3IohL_mWAfPx7lJ9YTGsQvcWA/s640/blogger-image-860659863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ51wmIHfMkjnJH7jo07OdsvTCi2wuFg1t9ghBlW8X-nO2etnBNnx9ZtaSOV1gMK9igGuKhcRoxJLHr6iv4NTYbejtjkFwVhAzKlMLxp2m8ist3IohL_mWAfPx7lJ9YTGsQvcWA/s640/blogger-image-860659863.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Potatoes, chorizo, pimento peppers and onion topped with a fried egg. Muy bueno!</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow I'm back on the Camino, rested and ready for another week. I've traveled 102 of 490 miles and my feet and legs are doing well. Tomorrow the goal is Najera, 18.7 miles west.</div><div>Buen Camino</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgwVwfvueseAexImMkiGLAw0u3FnEQkKd3tIthgbWCh6epiOgxSYZKZJOPhqMDjbG5fhlebu7KrnrnTPEfSpItDhx_UsizjaoXi4w_P_ttSCwwA38wNEWn-rv7gnh7xzzQp6uJg/s640/blogger-image--1838176950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgwVwfvueseAexImMkiGLAw0u3FnEQkKd3tIthgbWCh6epiOgxSYZKZJOPhqMDjbG5fhlebu7KrnrnTPEfSpItDhx_UsizjaoXi4w_P_ttSCwwA38wNEWn-rv7gnh7xzzQp6uJg/s640/blogger-image--1838176950.jpg"></a></div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-46760479518629531012014-09-16T06:19:00.001-05:002014-09-16T12:20:22.698-05:00Resting in PamplonaI have finished three days of the Camino, taking a short day today to rest my feet and see the sights of Pamplona.<div><br></div><div>I have been walking with Graham, my albergue friend from England. As I arrived in my albergue the first person I met was an elderly gentleman and I use the term lightly, who was one of the four sharing the room this evening. Our other two room-mates were two young women from the United Kingdom. Coed sleeping arrangements are a thing I must get used to.</div><div><br></div><div>Graham it turns out is a retired Anglican priest who at age 70 decided it was time to walk the Camino. His wife is a counselor with priests in crisis! We had a bit to share about. I consider this a God sighting and we agreed to walk along together.</div><div><br></div><div>We awoke at 6:30 on Sunday to begin the trek. After a short stop at the Parish church Notre Dame du Bout du Pont we began the steep climb out of town.</div><div><br></div><div>The first day was a beautiful and strenuous climb out of St. Jean Pied de Port up, over and through the Pyrenees and into Spain nearly 16 miles, 25 kilometers. There was a full range of weather, cool in the am, warm with a cool breeze as the day wore on, rain showers at the border of Spain and then hot on the steep decent into Roncevalles. </div><div><br></div><div>250 pilgrims arrived at the old monastery on the 14th and we all had a bed. 150 of us in one dormitory.</div><div><br></div><div>I went to a pilgrim mass of blessing given in ten different languages. Another God moment, I was asked to read the English version of the scripture for the Mass.</div><div><br></div><div>The next morning we left early, before sunup to start this stage to Larrasoana. Hard hiking up and downhill, with a short break for jugo de naranja (orange juice) and tortilla ( a Spanish omelet).</div><div><br></div><div>We arrived at our destination by 3pm, 17 miles or around 28 kilometers. My feet and legs are tired this day and I'm glad to be able to stop reasonably early. </div><div><br></div><div>The albergue is old, but I'm glad to have a bed. The town filled up and pilgrims needed to go on to the next villages to try to find a bed.</div><div><br></div><div>The God-sighting for today, the 15th, was a situation where a Chinese man I had met in St. Jean, Chin Lee, had arrived in Larrasoana and did not have a bed. Graham had the number of a hotel in the next village, one kilometer away. Chin did not have a Spanish phone and didn't speak Spanish so I called the hotel and asked for a room. They had one room left and would hold it for Chin for 30 minutes. Off he went down the trail saying "thanks". We hoped he was successful in getting there in time.</div><div><br></div><div>Dinner was a group meal with other pilgrims and seated with me in one spot, Graham, the Anglican priest next to me and then next to him was a Pentecostal pastor from Australia who runs a drug and alcohol recovery program. The others at the table were able to have our share of the wine and I got to drink "mas aqua, por favor"!</div><div><br></div><div>This morning was another early morning and I planned an early stop to rest my weary legs. Only 15 kilometers today, less than ten miles.</div><div><br></div><div>We checked into the albergue Jesus y Maria and it is wonderful. 100 beds, modern (coed) showers and a place to wash clothes for the next day. </div><div><br></div><div>After showering and washing clothes I walked to the Cathedral in Pamplona, a lovely, ancient building that also is a museum since there ruins being excavated from Roman days.</div><div><br></div><div>As I was looking at the remains of the institution I noticed a pilgrim kneeling in prayer. I looked closer and it was Chin Lee. He was just arriving in Pamplona and was praying before he walked on to Cizor Menor. He reported that he had made it to the hotel on time the night before and gotten the room, and a good night's rest with no snorers! He was very grateful and called us his Camino angels.</div><div><br></div><div>For me I saw it as The Lord revealing his Body alive in the midst of the ancient institution. We can still care and share with each other in need .</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow I do it again, day four begins early. Buen Camino</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ2Mbxxig2mUcDQ6ISFtQt14kA8vwbVee5yTxG3c0DmT8Vy_v1-ZKuTzjlTXOF4xYNynuKyHhX9yoRnZbH9ARfoBRwRX9TnDzLzurePY5M0uT-xbdssnwXcJl52GxHzUM-nKGSg/s640/blogger-image-466298778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ2Mbxxig2mUcDQ6ISFtQt14kA8vwbVee5yTxG3c0DmT8Vy_v1-ZKuTzjlTXOF4xYNynuKyHhX9yoRnZbH9ARfoBRwRX9TnDzLzurePY5M0uT-xbdssnwXcJl52GxHzUM-nKGSg/s640/blogger-image-466298778.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gate to enter St Jean</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaY5NxyT_Irlqf310UfWmlgfr4OY4lOEuscXJz4WZLVTwMjje9cSBsnDnb_gMfr2oEHt6LJn_isJXGyeM6Xs57J3rkvTdehQglAY-OIela0cxDEpMMAnoFbuPcE9_Js2_IK7f0A/s640/blogger-image-1079837574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaY5NxyT_Irlqf310UfWmlgfr4OY4lOEuscXJz4WZLVTwMjje9cSBsnDnb_gMfr2oEHt6LJn_isJXGyeM6Xs57J3rkvTdehQglAY-OIela0cxDEpMMAnoFbuPcE9_Js2_IK7f0A/s640/blogger-image-1079837574.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Parish Church in St Jean</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcYHGxWyoYiVXBXXwoOyYiVhYeBp965wDr3kTuWYdYt-98YEqMhbb67KG0KoSp6DYmNCdHb9SLknPY_Pw80FxvzO3KStw1w8gfd__p2Cb4_SpYcuViVN5FJJbS9bAy5lKO54wBw/s640/blogger-image-916262102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcYHGxWyoYiVXBXXwoOyYiVhYeBp965wDr3kTuWYdYt-98YEqMhbb67KG0KoSp6DYmNCdHb9SLknPY_Pw80FxvzO3KStw1w8gfd__p2Cb4_SpYcuViVN5FJJbS9bAy5lKO54wBw/s640/blogger-image-916262102.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">St Jean from the mountains</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgZfOhEplHnM591nBY1s_p_AaPOgcE4FS0ftdy51UBR_qsZZfUo8eGd1n2nWDMm-XlIBq1tTilHspdVg697AQqX-MS1DBGwQjaZ6BSDYoJEUgLUTsHMPIr17xq6AMrxKTQc25iQ/s640/blogger-image-817888872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgZfOhEplHnM591nBY1s_p_AaPOgcE4FS0ftdy51UBR_qsZZfUo8eGd1n2nWDMm-XlIBq1tTilHspdVg697AQqX-MS1DBGwQjaZ6BSDYoJEUgLUTsHMPIr17xq6AMrxKTQc25iQ/s640/blogger-image-817888872.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Virgin of Orisson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbbRznMYhDcyFReZOcZuyg1rCc9JvCcCRdbFYobzUDDljW7mJ_K6-ugnxWFvV61mkl06xJ3YzfXMnZw201rJx7vvPCYbGFqzcBNnbmNSz8YJ9UhopjoNsa4pd2PsWOoYEAA5plw/s640/blogger-image-436026477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbbRznMYhDcyFReZOcZuyg1rCc9JvCcCRdbFYobzUDDljW7mJ_K6-ugnxWFvV61mkl06xJ3YzfXMnZw201rJx7vvPCYbGFqzcBNnbmNSz8YJ9UhopjoNsa4pd2PsWOoYEAA5plw/s640/blogger-image-436026477.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Pyrenees </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zp0VqqVH19E-CModl6bFJLb3KaIQp-gjPExAn19XCcQXMvEGJ2xQO1t9Qcd0yZRfDmO2M9jiJ7u0aat5TSCZDXhwXLt5fUG6dUdYHDOEmhnCkiC_s-_5XgpeQ_y5uVyCh7bwew/s640/blogger-image-171783038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zp0VqqVH19E-CModl6bFJLb3KaIQp-gjPExAn19XCcQXMvEGJ2xQO1t9Qcd0yZRfDmO2M9jiJ7u0aat5TSCZDXhwXLt5fUG6dUdYHDOEmhnCkiC_s-_5XgpeQ_y5uVyCh7bwew/s640/blogger-image-171783038.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The hostel in Larrasoana <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwbSag_NrIfU5jhxYb5VmFdP40gMRVyYV3Xi4pS7Myu666EUDYnhNETz3pD0Sav2hIWRIbnK_qRo2cqweLo6TNhaRWe1j5oOAWa55wPmrtkdkEjdwjGOxm_KCckF5geGM9mHE-g/s640/blogger-image-115037291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwbSag_NrIfU5jhxYb5VmFdP40gMRVyYV3Xi4pS7Myu666EUDYnhNETz3pD0Sav2hIWRIbnK_qRo2cqweLo6TNhaRWe1j5oOAWa55wPmrtkdkEjdwjGOxm_KCckF5geGM9mHE-g/s640/blogger-image-115037291.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Medieval bridge into Trinidad de Arre</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyoxJT8dANQMSKQzR3CLeUBAV6_n4Wg3dDuC8XHz57ccKxakzKJ1JtcfG45sL4THBAU1ImzwRkp6i4ZbIDRCFfRC4bDcGdrezEcpOODeO87NqLu00-pvFijhQ4Hfce9MbHUIJuQ/s640/blogger-image--4331698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyoxJT8dANQMSKQzR3CLeUBAV6_n4Wg3dDuC8XHz57ccKxakzKJ1JtcfG45sL4THBAU1ImzwRkp6i4ZbIDRCFfRC4bDcGdrezEcpOODeO87NqLu00-pvFijhQ4Hfce9MbHUIJuQ/s640/blogger-image--4331698.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Old gate into Pamplona </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnndqnjnLODGVxWbifCoE6pmAqmGHgTERkdQ-X4BasYiQBydvtXkIbnU7CzeodnmCYlcVRLieKQPZkkTYaVvP0xEhs6J_vL0uR9m9hK5Wk193UGFZmFXx9USlisrY5t4FzLtXpg/s640/blogger-image--862384365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnndqnjnLODGVxWbifCoE6pmAqmGHgTERkdQ-X4BasYiQBydvtXkIbnU7CzeodnmCYlcVRLieKQPZkkTYaVvP0xEhs6J_vL0uR9m9hK5Wk193UGFZmFXx9USlisrY5t4FzLtXpg/s640/blogger-image--862384365.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Cathedral de St Fermin in Pamplona</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkegFsKzhTmgzr_KNJnZ_Bn5TKK0i1m7JACn9OjHO6FtLrRal9gQVr6ogHUYyvLY3bVbGSYg3u-eiUP5PPWExnHS0eABD-8qCm8SfAJ_guiqcWYimIwAnfFGY3TVWyFcUOUZkuPg/s640/blogger-image-1395211721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkegFsKzhTmgzr_KNJnZ_Bn5TKK0i1m7JACn9OjHO6FtLrRal9gQVr6ogHUYyvLY3bVbGSYg3u-eiUP5PPWExnHS0eABD-8qCm8SfAJ_guiqcWYimIwAnfFGY3TVWyFcUOUZkuPg/s640/blogger-image-1395211721.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Garden in Pamplona</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-12682004390960963152014-09-11T12:35:00.001-05:002018-12-18T07:27:17.734-06:00Two days in ParisI arrived in Paris at 9:30 am on Tuesday, September 9. The first leg of the Camino has commenced.<br />
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I made it through customs, bought a train ticket to the metro station near the apartment where I am staying and arranged to meet the landlady. Three hours after I arrived I was safely inside the apartment.<br />
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All through the fight, buying the train ticket, making it to the apartment, I continued to be troubled by fear and worry. They are constant and so wrong that I just call them demon number one and demon number two.</div>
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Every accusation, every suggestion put forth by fear and worry proved wrong. As in most God sightings it's easy to tell the right path because it's always opposed. This journey is no exception. I'm sure I'm on the right path because opposition is very constant but victory is at every turn.</div>
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I continue to battle demon's one and two with gratitude. I don't have to do this; I get to do this and I am grateful. And the demons go away for a while.</div>
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In preparation for the Camino I hiked 18 miles around Paris on Wednesday and ten more on Thursday. I think I'm in good physical shape.</div>
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Here are the obligatory tourist Photos</div>
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A garden by my apartment</div>
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Notre Dame<br />
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The scene from every window</div>
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Now that jet-lag is taken care of, tomorrow I take a train to Bordeaux then on to Bayonne and ending in Saint Jean Pied de Port to begin my walk on September 14th. </div>
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I'm reading A W Tozer's "Pursuit of God" again and am reminded of my purpose in the changes I've made in life. Is it possible to have a living, breathing relationship with Almighty God? The God who cares about plane tickets and train tickets and walking?</div>
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The test of this is experienced through God sightings, seeing God alive in every thing every day. I continue to see them, I continue to journal them and I'll be writing more in the days to come.</div>
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WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-55720885792478503172014-09-05T15:58:00.001-05:002014-09-05T16:21:35.613-05:00Fear or Excitement?Less than 72 hours until I begin my Camino. I'm finding myself with a mix of emotions. Is it fear, excitement or maybe a mix of the two?<div><br></div><div>This entire process is one of transformation, transition and the more I think about it the more excited I get! </div><div><br></div><div>I had coffee this morning with one of my band of Brothers and we had a great discussion on transition and what it means to be transitioning right now at my advanced age of 60. </div><div><br></div><div>Daniel's not quite that old but still it's been an interesting last two years for both of us.</div><div><br></div><div>While we talked together it became clearer to me that part of the task of this walking experience is refocusing on what life will be like for me as a 60-year-old once I return to Oklahoma. I realize that many of my mentors have died. Others that I want to respect as mentors have proven disappointing. </div><div><br></div><div>Because of these changes, experiences that used to have great meaning are no longer part of my life. New relationships have entered, new forms of worship and experiencing God. </div><div><br></div><div> A renewed sense of discipleship and experiencing God in the moment is fundamental as is mentoring of younger persons. I think the fear may be in the transition of moving from being mentored to mentoring without my older guides and that feels a little uncertain.</div><div><br></div><div>So back to the purpose of the Camino. As I transition the experience of the Camino sets up a growing edge on my spiritual life. Having several hours a day to think while I'm walking I pray will bring clarity.</div><div><br></div><div> I look forward to what will happen in the next seven weeks and to share these experiences with you. So, that's my fear and excitement! As my mother would say " We're going to have to pray! it's come to that!" Thanks mother for teaching me to pray!</div><div><br></div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0Maple Ridge Tulsa36.123911 -95.983253tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-19728895964077129832014-09-04T16:06:00.001-05:002014-09-05T15:18:26.937-05:00Mobile bloggingI'm checking to see if I actually can blog from my phone and it appears that I can. I am considering blogging some on my Camino that begins on September 19.<div><br></div><div>An added bonus I can actually speak to my phone and it will type it. probably will help me with the typos.</div><div><br></div><div>More later</div>WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com1Maple Ridge Tulsa36.122241 -95.977688tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-22816668776555739472014-05-03T07:27:00.000-05:002014-05-03T07:27:45.760-05:00Starting to Prepare!My preparation for the Camino de Santiago is underway and I thought I would begin to blog about the process of getting in shape for the long walk in September.<br />
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I plan to leave Tulsa on September 8, 2014 and travel to Paris. From there I will travel to Bayonne, France and on to Saint Jean Pied de Port, the starting point of el Camiño Francés. I hope to begin the walk on September 14, 2014.<br />
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El Camiño Francés begins at the base of the Pyrenees Mountains that comprise the border between France and Spain. The length of the Camino is roughly 800 kilometers, or 500 miles. With this in mind I will need to walk about 25 kilometers a day to finish the camino in thirty three days. I want to take a few days off during the trip to see the sights along the way and of course may need to let my body recuperate, so my preparation is to get my body used to walking from five to ten miles each day in the month of May. I plan to increase this to an average of ten miles per day in June and be up to walking fifteen miles per day several days in July. I believe that if I can be accustomed to walking at least three hours a day, every day, I can be ready for the walk physically.<br />
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The other aspect of a long walk is mental. Some persons have difficulty unplugging from this present world and its constant bombardment with noise, information, music, and conversation. I desire to fully unplug from this artificial world and its attractions and be fully present to the sights and sounds of the camino.<br />
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Quiero tener la experiencia completa y conocer los personas, o la gente, en Espana.<br />
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I want to have the complete experience and know the people of Spain.<br />
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I trust that you can tell that part of how I am preparing my mind for the journey is to study, and learn Castillian Spanish. I have a friend, mi amigo Bob Pennison. Bob and his wife Teri are missionaries in Spain and as it turns out are living in Santiago. Their presence there was part of the confirmation that I needed to know that this trip was right for me. Bob is here in Tulsa this summer and will be returning to Santiago about the time I begin my trip. We will meet up in Santiago as I complete my journey.<br />
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Bob has agreed to work on speaking Spanish with me and we have had two sessions so far. I am writing out paragraphs in Spanish and then practicing speaking with Bob. He listens to see if I am understood and then adds hints and insights on pronunciation and changes that need to be made. I also have been using a Pimsleur course and utilize mnemonics to assist me in memorizing the top 1000 Spanish words. Mentally I find myself speaking to myself in Spanish and as I practice with Bob and in the Hispanic community in Tulsa. The more I practice the more confident I become in my conversation. I believe that I can already communicate enough to find my way and get food and drink. I can ask for help and assistance if ill. The other mental work is to help me mentally stay focused on the goal.<br />
Puedo communicar sufficente para direccion a hacer comida y bebida. (Spanish speakers please correct my poor translation from memory).<br />
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Needless to say I am quite excited by the prospect.<br />
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I walked seven miles on Thursday and eight on Friday making a total of fifteen miles so far in the month of May. I want to hit the five mile average and so far am ahead of the game. I have developed my memorization list and will work on getting the "A" and "B" words into my memory plan this weekend in order to have at least 250 words committed to memory by the end of May.<br />
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A final aspect, and one that probably should be the first in the list, is my spiritual focus. I have been in spiritual transition for over five years, since 2009. This transition is positive in that my walk with the Lord is stronger than ever before. I find that my connection with the institutional church is almost non-existent. This transition is curious to me and part of my spiritual journey is to look at the draw of the Camino, and pilgrimage in general as I walk along the way. I am learning to simply receive the Love of God when I am tempted to judge others. This simple way of gratitude for having a resource to fill my lack of love assists me in resisting the call to be "right" and attempts to judge others as being "wrong". I am more at peace with this process and get ample opportunity to practice as I prepare for the Camino.<br />
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So there it is for early May. I am looking at the preparation of my spirit, mind and body in concrete ways. I am blogging this in order to be accountable for the work that I desire to do.WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-9873633757177022382014-02-09T07:29:00.000-06:002014-02-09T07:29:19.214-06:00Thought from Kierkegaard on walking“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.”<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 12.896000862121582px;">Søren </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 12.896000862121582px;">Kierkegaard</span></span><br />
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<br />WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-63938251795646169092014-01-13T07:59:00.001-06:002014-01-13T08:13:40.302-06:00Pilgrimage to SpainI've clarified the fact that I am traveling to Spain in September of 2014 to hike the Camino de Santiago- The Way of Saint James as a pilgrimage to celebrate my sixtieth year on the planet as well as my present vocation as a writer and encourager. I am very excited by this prospect and will probably bore everyone with the planning and preparing. I hope to build a small community of fellow pilgrims to share the experience and have several book and blog ideas.<br />
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Today I begin the process of learning Spanish, giving me eight months to gain some fluency in the Castilian language. I have the lessons downloaded on the iPod shuffle for use while I hike the RiverParks trail this afternoon. Buen Camino!</div>
WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0Foolish Things Coffee Company 1001 South Main Street, Tulsa36.147092 -95.987571tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-11953879200548053372014-01-13T07:25:00.001-06:002014-01-13T07:25:01.449-06:00Welcome to 2014Here I am in January of 2014. It is an interesting year, one of many new opportunities for walking and hiking. I want to blog about these and will complete the update later this week. Happy New Year!WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-81947988227134697252013-07-31T07:00:00.000-05:002013-07-31T07:00:05.318-05:00New and Revised WalkingMan BlogI'm getting excited by the changes in my life and have decided to revitalize the WalkingMan blog. I realize that I have not walked as much this year as I would have liked, primarily because I no longer get to walk to the office and my new schedule requires me to be "cleaner" than I used to be. Coming to a meeting in walking gear and sweaty is not acceptable.<br />
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Now consider, what if the walking and writing about hiking is the new job? I have an idea to capture a different hike each month, to be a travelogue of trips around Tulsa and Oklahoma that will combine the joy of walking and hiking along with my joy of travel. These are for my own interest but perhaps others will find it enjoyable to read and perhaps take on some of the travels themselves. <br />
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I like the idea and it may help prepare me for the Camino de Santiago in 2014.WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-81027306525774296772013-04-29T07:10:00.000-05:002013-04-29T07:10:10.513-05:00Walking Man 2013I love springtime. In our neighborhood the azalea's are blooming, trees are budding and allergies are full bore. I'm planning my year's hikes and will use this blog to keep updated and on track.<br />
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One area to explore this year is the <a href="http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.18039" target="_blank">McGee Creek Natural Scenic Recreation Area</a> near Atoka, OK. I'm planning this hike in May. We are also going to the city of Davis Oklahoma in June and will visit the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/chic/index.htm" target="_blank">Chickasaw National Recreation Area</a> for short day hikes. Finally, I'm planning another <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/bc_outermountainloop.htm" target="_blank">Outer Mountain Loop</a> hike at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm" target="_blank">Big Bend National Park</a> in October of this year. It's been five years since I last did this hike and I'm planning it earlier in the year to have warmer weather.<br />
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2013 is shaping up to be a good hiking year. I'll keep the blog updated as I progress.WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-29025918648481819782011-12-05T10:11:00.000-06:002011-12-05T10:11:45.472-06:00WalkingMan Tour 2011I'm all set for this year's Big Bend adventure. This year I'm going to focus on the desert of Big Bend, instead of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/hike-da-high-chisos.htm" target="_blank">hiking the Chisos</a>. I've been intrigued for some time with Elephant Tusk and the Fresno Creek area so I'm planning to set up camp at the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bibe//images/20070106160114.JPG" target="_blank">backcountry campsite</a> and <a href="http://www.nps.gov/bibe//images/20070106162547.JPG" target="_blank">dayhike</a> around, with the focus on silence and solitude.<br />
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On Monday I'll go down the River Road past <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/big_bend_ranch/" target="_blank">Big Bend Ranch</a>, hiking Closed Canyon, and then on to the Getaway for the rest of my time.<br />
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I'll share more soon.WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-89415986844847897692011-08-15T10:10:00.000-05:002011-08-15T10:10:15.223-05:00Getting Back in the Groove for 2011This morning was the first one this summer where I could feel the cool of fall approaching. I realize that it will still be hot for several days, but the process of fall has begun, and so must I.<br />
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I walked to work today in preparation for WalkingMan Tour 2011. Big Bend has received rain, so I think it will be possible to have my annual getaway. Last year I took a fellow hiker, but this year I will be seeking solitude again.<br />
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I plan to blog more as the days progress.<br />
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Stay tuned.WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-57876465879409635992010-12-01T10:03:00.003-06:002010-12-01T11:07:25.739-06:00Countdown to Big Bend--Day 8Today I was back in form. I walked to St. John hospital to have blood drawn for a physical next week. I should be in great shape. I've lost forty pounds since February 2010. My foot is nearly well and I am breaking my new boots for this hike.<br /><br />My hiking partner and I have decided to do a South Rim hike rather than the Outer Mountain Loop this year. Rough plans are to leave Tulsa early Friday morning and get down to Big Bend in time to get campsites that evening. We will spend the night in the lodge and then take off at first light up the Pinnacles trail.<br /><br />We are planning to stay at NE4 for two nights, with day hikes on Sunday to Emory Peak and Cattail Canyon. Water permitting we may stay for a third night, but we'll have to see when we get there.WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24345178.post-34081600526353326462010-11-09T12:02:00.003-06:002010-11-09T15:44:41.314-06:00Countdown to Big Bend--Day 31I've missed a few days of blogging but Big Bend has not been far from my mind. My foot is almost completely well and this is encouraging. I have put on a few pounds since my walking time has slowed down, but I think I'm back on track to be at hiking weight by December 10.<br /><br />The leaves in Tulsa are beautiful right now. Since we've rolled back to standard time, I get to walk at first light. I loved seeing the sunrise this morning, clouds reflecting a pinkish glow. The maples in Mapleridge are almost at peak and this is very enjoyable.<br /><br />In the evenings, it is sundown as I walk back home. Again, the colors from a different angle provide a beautiful backdrop for the walk. Five miles a day is the goal, and I've accomplished this for the month of November.WalkingManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05950199084019263347noreply@blogger.com0