Then I meet John and Vicki from Ireland. Hearing about my Achilles heel struggles, Vicki introduces me to another woman at a nearby table who’s also having trouble walking. The woman shares that she walks part way and then takes…
I’m not in control. Nope. The Camino is in charge, leading me step by step, moment by moment. I don’t know what’s ahead. I just follow the yellow arrows marking the way, up and down, over and under, on smooth…
I struggle through the dirt. I feel weak. It occurs to me that I’m probably dehydrated. I could pass out. If I do, who knows how long it would be before anyone would find me. I keep moving on, one…
Today the trail ascends to an altitude of 2600 feet, leveling off at Alto de Perdón (Forgiveness Mountain Range) where art depicts pilgrims through the ages. As I start up the path, my heart grows heavy. It gently whispers to…
Today is a short 3.6 mile walk. I’ll rest, recuperate from yesterday, and prepare for a strenuous climb tomorrow. I walk through a lovely field of sunflowers and reach my destination before noon. Agnes from Poland joins me for lunch.…
I’m alone on a dirt road leaving a small town when I hear a bell ringing. I turn to look and see a herd of rams coming my way. They fill the breadth of the road, leaving no where for…
Today’s challenging eight miles is hard again, but peppered with some very nice visits with other pilgrims – the kind of experience that the Camino is about in large degree. I drink a lemonade in a shade with some young…
I start the day with concern about my heels. But by the time I walk seven miles to Vizkarret, every other part of my short little legs vie for my attention – knees, thighs, calves, ankles, hips. I am in…
Took a bus the first day over the Pyrenees into Spain. I would have liked to walk the 13 miles up 4757 feet, but I have Achilles tendon injuries. Such a start would probably end my hike before it started.…
My train was late and I arrived at 11 pm, in the rain, not knowing my way around. While still on the train I watched two young men prepare their backpacks and themselves for rain. I checked the weather report…