Day 11, May 19, 2016 Tosantos to Cardeñuela de Riopico

 Cardeñuela Riopico, Spain


May 19, 2016
Cardeñuela Riopico
Via Minera
20.9 miles, 47580 steps, 58 flights, 7:54 hr

It's been a good couple of days on the Camino.

To Tosantos

May 18, 2016
Tosantos
Los Arancones
13.9 miles. 32676 steps, 1 flight, 5:53 hr

Yesterday I needed a recovery day after the donativo experience in Grañón. I took off early and only got a couple of kilometers before my right foot became excruciatingly painful. I hobbled into the next town and had breakfast... thinking I might take a taxi to the next main town. But after breakfast, I felt better, and the feet have improved since.

Albergue in Tosantos

Regardless, I took a short day yesterday and was the first to check into the Tosantos albergue. It was Shanghai La: with functional Internet, running water, and beds!... I was a happy man. Delightful dinner companion was a German woman, relocated to Australia Maslin Beach and working as a marine biologist at the U. These random meetings are almost sad when you realize how fleeting they are. People walk their own pace, and it is unlikely I will see her again.

Cardeñuela Riopico, Spain

Via Minera
20.9 miles, 47580 steps, 58 flights, 7:54 hr

Today I forged ahead across the mountains of Oca. In former days, this is where many pilgrims met a bad fate at the hands of brigands. I have to say, the barren trees and eerie moss were a bit frightening, even in the daylight.  This is what I visualize when I hear about the deep dark forest in a fairy tale that is going to go bad.

Crossing the mountains brought me into the Burgos basin. Burgos is a major town. I need to read about it, but I am tempted to push straight through it tomorrow.

It was a long day with 20+ miles and crossing the mountains (small, but mountains). So I am going to have a beer and relax.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 0 St Jean Pied de Port

Image
 May 6, 2016 St Jean Pied de Port What have I gotten myself into? The Camino... who's idea was that? This project is really nothing short of insane. I was having a nice weekend in France with my friends.  Now I've successfully connected to the train bound for St Jean Pied de Port, and tomorrow I start my walking journey. Many pilgrims don't choose to start their pilgrimage with three days of unabashed gluttony, but then I would be hard pressed to ever characterize myself as a pilgrim. While I can't really put my finger on why I am embarking on a 500+ mile/30 day hike, I think we all know that it's not a spiritual quest. I'm simply not that deep. I think my good friend Annamarie accidentally summed it up best in the voicemail I just fielded. When Mike told her I was going on "The Camino" , she assumed it was a large and famous cruise ship, with endless buffets and chocolate decadence parties. She clearly expected reports of lounging about o...
Read more

Day 2.8/37: May 5, 2017: Foncebadón to Molinaseca

Image
Molinaseca, Spain May 5, 2017 Molinaseca 20.47km; 6:03hr; 53500 steps; 180m elevation gain This is the day we cross over the pass, the highest point on the Camino at 1530m. The pass is marked by a pile of stones and an iron cross. Pilgrims begin their journey carrying stones in their packs to represent their burdens and their prayers. This is where they are left behind. The tradition pre-dates Christianity as ancient Roman travelers would leave stones at the top of passes as a tribute to Mercury, who watched over commerce and travelers. A local hermit Christianized the monument by sticking an iron cross on top. But, the monument transcends religion and is truly the spiritual highlight for the Camino. At this point pilgrims have been physically tested by mountains and blisters, and wind and rain. In the first third of the Camino, we learn to deal with the physical challenges. Then we are confronted with a vast expanse, an eternity to walk across. The Meseta confronts us with the mental ...
Read more