Our 42 day journey ended in Santiago de Compostela on October 25, 2024, at the magnificent, beautiful cathedral there. The last 6 days of walking from Sarria to Santiago were very busy with pilgrims – the number of people walking quadrupled, if not more. This is because one earns a compostela certificate of completion if […]
6 Days to Santiago de Compostela Read More »
Our dear friends from Hood River, Eileen and Brian, joined us for 4 days of walking, starting in Ponferrada. They were troopers, maintaining fun and upbeat attitudes through rainstorms and lots of climbing and descending. We loved their company and are grateful that they walked with us in between their visits to Venice, Sicily, Madrid,
Ponferrada to Sarria – Day 31 to 36 Read More »
Our nephew Jordan joined us through the end of the flat, arid Meseta, over the Cantabrian mountains and into the fertile El Bierzo valley to Ponferrada. Jordan is on a 3 week vacation from work in Seattle Washington and we were delighted he wanted to spend 6 nights with us! And we had one 20
Day 23 – 30 Crossing the Cantabrian mountains w/Jordan Read More »
Albergue Orion in Castrojeriz (day 18) is one of our favorite stops so far. It is run by a kind, welcoming proprietor, Daniel Perez, and his equally lovely employee, Mussafah, from Morocco. We were served a Korean Bulgogi bowl for dinner (very unusual in the Spanish countryside) and our clean, well kept room, with attention
Albergue Orion and the Meseta Read More »
One of the delights of a walking across Spain is the variety of experiences available to the pilgrim. One night we can be staying at a rustic hostel with a simple pilgrim’s dinner in the Spanish countryside and a few nights later enjoying wine and tapas in front of an elaborate cathedral in the cosmopolitan
Day 7 to 18, Estella to Castrojariz Read More »
Steven’s sister Nancy, and her two close friends, Rob and Jamie, all from San Diego, joined in Pamplona, to walk for 6 days with us. Today was our first day of walking, covering 15 miles and 1500 feet in elevation gain. Terese and Andrew from Brisbane Australia, joined us for dinner and lively conversation. Terese
Day 6 – Puente la Reina Read More »
Only in France would they have a Baguette vending machine! After all the dreaming and planning involved in making this day happen – day 1 of our 500 mile pilgrimage walk – we are here! I’m sitting at the Orisson Auberge, drinking mint tea, and enjoying this gorgeous view. Steven, my
DAY 1 – Walking the Camino Francés Read More »
Published: July 2023 I haven’t done any traveling by myself for a very long time. In my 20’s I spent two weeks traveling alone in Kathmandu, Varanasi, Agra, and Delhi India after finishing a 4-H exchange program in Nepal, and a few years later, a month alone in Mexico and Guatemala. My motives then
Photo: My first Camino glee of completion Firstly deep gratitude to Tom Gustafson for loaning me this fantastic poncho. I didn’t need to use it until today, and it lightly rained nearly the entire 16 miles into Santiago from Padron, except for the last hour. Coming into the Santiago
Santiago De Compostela — Day 15 Read More »
Photo: Inside the Cathedral at Santiago De Compostela Saint James holds an important role in the Catholic faith. Not only was he one of Jesus’ original Twelve Apostles who was also present at the Transfiguration, he is believed to have carried out Jesus’ ministry to the far reaches of Europe, spreading Christianity here
Saint James, the Camino, and Padron peppers. Day 14 Read More »