Walking the Camino

The final day is not far, just 13 miles, but the thoughts and emotions are big. There are still a few hills to climb and there are more pilgrims on the trail, but mostly I was just grateful for strength, this great opportunity, friendship on the trail and back in California. Thank you so much for following along. The final route was really beautiful until you got into the city and the crowds took over. Santiago is a busy city and people are coming from all over the world. The square in front of the Cathedral is full of emotion as people enter and see this journey completed. Today as we were walking in, I met a couple from Singapore who I had met on the first day. We both had traveled over 500 miles and met again on the final day. It was so fun walking again with Henrik and Lone from Denmark. We laughed, cried, high fived our way to the Cathedral. At dinner tonight, I met 3 ladies who I had just met 2 days ago at breakfast. We are all grateful. Such big smiles. Tomorrow I leave for Pari...

When my granddaughter, Cosi, asked me why I wanted to walk 400 miles, I said, “to listen.” I should have corrected and said, “It is 500 miles, like walking from your house to Lolo and Nana’s, then walking back to Fresno, and walking back to San Jose again.” I’m sure she might have said, “Your crazy,” and she might be right. Today I crossed the 500 miles milestone. I walked this far in 31 days with 2 days for rest. My knees are sore, and my muscles ache a little bit. Advil has become my friend and I have worn out a pair of shoes and put a pretty good dent in another pair, but I am thankful. Today was a short day and tomorrow as I enter Santiago it will be even shorter. It has been a wonderful journey, I think I have heard and seen God at work. But I will say on the Camino, and I believe in life, many times God works in wondrous and mysterious ways. Beholding the beauty of northern Spain is a gift and the Spanish people have been so kind to an American with lousy Spanish who points a lot...

Today was a 30km day which is a good walk, but I felt better today. I walked much of the day with friends from Denmark. We have the same pace, need breaks at the same time, and have the same sense of humor. It makes for an enjoyable walk. The scenery has not changed much, though it feels like there are more woods to walk through, smaller villages, and hills. I saw a few odds things. Tomorrow is 20km and then Tuesday is 20km and I will arrive in Santiago. What an adventure! Buen Camino! Leaving Palis de REI Countryside photos Im looking Chrissy, but still no undomesticated wildlife. The town of Melide is known for octopus. Questions: are they close to octopus or is this marketing ploy of an inland city for tourist dollars? Just asking. Would you consider pairing the house this color Chrissy? What would the neighbor think? Mike and Jamie? Mike and Claire? Just wondering… Look who showed up on the Camino! Pilgrim Mickey. What do you think Marisa, Vargas kids, Henry and JJ? This guy is eve...