After connecting with family in Santiago de Compostela, we flew to Barcelona for a couple of days. We began our visit with a tour of Sagrada Familia. Construction began in the mid-1800s. The construction should be complete by 2026. It is difficult to capture the scale of this sacred space, which is a goal of …
Transition is Tough
I had been warned. The transition out of pilgrim life can be surprising and difficult. It is true. Our celebration lunch was a wonderful prelude to an amazing post-Camino party! Our Camino family of 40 some pilgrims booked out an entire restaurant. It was a bittersweet beautiful bash! My wonderful family met me in Santiago …
A Camino Consequence
Among the most visible Camino consequences on my person is not my amazing Camino tan lines. In sandals, my sock line is quite amusing. Weight loss has been my most dramatic physical change. I am wearing a tie in early May 2018. The second picture is from late June 2018. Honestly, my experience with severe …
Santiago de Compostela
Yesterday, June 29th, I completed the Camino Frances. It is difficult to explain how it felt to walk into the plaza. Maybe these pictures will help. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me along The Way... pilgrims and those back home. Special shout out to my Camino family. We booked out an entire restaurant with …
Arzua!
Last two days have brought us to Arzua! We are less than 40km (25 miles) from our destination. The Way has changed much since Sarria. It is flooded with new pilgrims. Herds of middle school and high school youth. Big influx of Spaniards. I am thankful The Way is accessible to those unable to start …
100k!!
Today we walked our last long day... 27km (16.77miles) and finished in the heat of the day. Along the way we reached the 100km mark! Only 100km to Santiago de Compostela. It is hard to imagine we have 4 days of walking to the finish. I began walking in St Jean Pied de Port, France …
The Pool in Barbadelo
We walked to Barbadelo through the heat with visions of a swimming pool at our albergue. Before that, we enjoyed more amazing views and some surprises. We walked through Sarria to get to Barbadelo. Sarria is a common starting point for the Camino thus we are seeing a large influx of new pilgrims. If you …
O’Cebreiro y the View
The climb to O'Cebreiro was difficult. Thankful we chose to stay at La Faba and cut the climb in half. Took 90min of non-stop climb to reach high point. 7:30am totally drenched in perspiration. As soon as we took our packs off, the sweat chilled in the elevation and breeze. Then we saw this! It …
La Faba’s blessing!
Villafranca in the distance as we begin our climb. Headed to La Faba so as to cut our big climb. Spain is in a heatwave. It is affecting pilgrims by rearranging our walking goals and routines. I have met pilgrims who have started walking at night to miss the heat. The albergue in La Faba …
Villafranca del Bierzo
Another early morning... started walking at 6:00am trying to beat the heat. We bid farewell to Paul from Ireland as he leaves The Way to return to work. Had dinner with his sister and her friend who continue the journey. Had some beautiful views today. The mountains and vineyards were beautiful. The random snakes (both …
Sacred Stirrings 