A Long Day, A Short Day

Yesterday was a very long day. I walked over 7 hours and almost 20 miles. I started at 7:15 and only stopped 10 minutes to have a cappuccino. I was both sore and tired. However, along the way, I had not planned…to walk in the middle of a forest most of the day; or discover some totems in the middle of the forest (not sure they were from the Middle Ages); or meet a vendor with clown nose dancing with Korean pilgrims (sorry, no picture), or pass my hotel at 10am, make sure I had a reservation, and walk for another 4 hours, and then be taxied back. I was fortunate I had a reservation, but accommodations are sparse in this area and it turned out to be a nice hotel and a wonderful evening of conversation with a doctor and his wife from Pennsylvania. I had an interesting conversation with a young man who was walking a little strange and I asked if he was “OK”. He said yes, just a blister. He had walked 45 km (28 miles) one day and said, “It was 4 km too many.” I responded it was about 15 km to many and he laughed. The beauty has not changed. I have avoided thunder showers for the last couple of days which is great. I was asked yesterday why I was on the Camino and I said, “To Listen”. And so he asked what have you heard and I said, Well, silence, stories of challenge, transition, determination, grace and heartache.” Those are the themes so far, but more to come. Today I left Atapuerca for Burgos. I thought the walk into Burgos would be through an industrial area, but the route took us right beside a river walk. It was very nice, with a lot of people out walking today. Atapuerca is interesting because the was a discovering several decades ago of some of the oldest human remains in Europe. It is absolutely fasinating. Tomorrow is a rest day and the consensus is I do not count my steps when walking around Burgos. The way I do the step count is to put on my watch after breakfast, as I am leaving my accommodations and record the count when I get it the room of the next accommodation, so this choice is fairly consistent. Though I will say, “some were quite passionate, an some very diplomatic.” Thanks. By the way, I do take questions, so ask away, I will answer privately or for the group. Only 476km or 296 miles to go! Buen Camino

Parts of the Trail TodayWater for PilgrimsView of the Burgos ValleySun dawning outside my room todayThe river walk in BurgosCant see well, but I was wondering why so much barb wire along the walkA nice bottle of wine-10€, not brand region, Ribera DueroRecreation of Saber Tooth who roamed areaTotemsMore TotemsThe ForestA Place to Eat (or be eaten?????)

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM

    Walking by a river sounds so wonderful. I would have stopped for the day to fish! Enjoy your day of rest Craig.

    We had the Board Retreat this weekend up in Ventura. Went over the resident survey and strategic planning for the future. Good meeting.

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