Isn't it awesome when you have a good night's sleep - makes the prospects of the next day look great. In Lent when we have been struggling - then things start to suddenly come together - easier to pray - sit in silence - your spirit starts to come alive - future looks much better. Same on Camino - rough days - easy days - all days lead to better days. Refreshed by yesterday's shorter day - we head out - open to whatever we experience today.
Up and ready to walk more - pray more - experience more
This looks familiar - blacktop - dirt - gravel - up hill - down hill - sort of like a song stuck in your head. And it goes on and on.... Hail Mary - Glory Be - Our Father -
Looking at the mountains
A new version of the Camino signs - markers - as we walk through different areas - variety is the spice of life - correct?
Walking this path we came upon the Abandoned Ruins of the Monastery at San Anton - there is a small albergue there - no lights - no heat - no hot water - wash your clothes in the stream nearby - very rustic - we move on - too soon to stop.
When the monastery was occupied the monks would leave fresh baked bread for the pilgrims who would pass by in these two spaces - thank you Lord for those who help nourish us with food - words from heaven - that encourage us to continue on our journey
We had been warned to look out for people on the Camino who might be looking to take advantage of us - so when these two women appeared from out of nowhere we were cautious - they just wanted to say hello and offer us some hard candy - did not ask for money - wished us well - so who were they - Camino angels?
As we continued on we came to a sign directing off the trail - heading us into this field - road construction ahead
Head This Way Please
Over the hills - through the fields - we come upon a place to rest and get a drink
Un Refresco y Bocadillo Por Favor
A quick lunch break and back on the trail heading towards the open fields again. Every day - in Lent - time busy with daily life - taking breaks to refresh ourselves spiritually
A Very Old Camino Way Marker
Following an old Roman road heading into the mountains - a challenge ahead
Modern bridge over creek mostly dry
The Challenge - an extreme incline for the next kilometer - a 12 degree incline -
even those on bikes ended up walking up this stretch
The incline begins pace slows down drastically - sun is bright - hot
Top of the hill finally - see if you can see the trail we just walked
Quite often in Lent - when we don't know where we are heading - we have just as difficult time trying to see where we have come from. Where did we start - when did we start - are we in the middle of our journey - lost - Lord guide me I pray
At the top of this hill dozens of pilgrims - walkers - bikers - gathered dripping wet with perspiration - temperature close to 100F - sharing space under a lean to - avoiding the sun - drinking lots of water - regaining our breath - preparing for the next challenge just ahead
Everyone excited - happy - celebrating - conquering -
one of the biggest challenges on the Camino
We are the champions - conquering our own fears - Thank You Lord
Ready for the next immediate challenge
Downhill - an 18 degree decline - remember down hills are worse on your knees - ankles - stay erect - don't stumble. It looks like the cyclists have a free ride here - hopefully they see the tight turn up ahead that will send them flying down a 12 foot drop if they don't pay attention
Walking down about a 45 minute walk - cycling - 10 minutes at best
Flat terrain again getting close to stopping for the day
There it is
Deacon Dale
