Countdown

Today was the long hike up the final pass.  It may not be quite as physically demanding as the first day, but it was a tough day.  We left the city and immediately started heading uphill.  The final push was the hardest with respect to the grade.  

To help with the steep grade, some enterprising folks offer horses to haul you up the hill.  First of all, the horse, after looking at me and my pack, said, “not a chance”.  Second, there is the question of “cheating” on the Camino by using a horse to do the most difficult part of the journey.  So, I passed on the horse and walked.  The next challenge was all the flies that are around due to the horse “apples” that fill the trail.  

Again, all part of the Camino challenge. 

The trail up the pass is the old road that winds through several small towns.  In multiple locations you can see the highway in the distance.  Nevertheless, these small towns carry on and many have very old little chapels that are open for prayer, etc.  I enjoyed talking a look at as many as possible.  Oh, the story these churches could tell.  

Tomorrow I will have the last 2 KMs of the hill to climb and then descend down the other side to Sarria.  This is the final 100 KM of the Camino and where many people join.  Per the “rules”, if you walk at least 100 KMs you can get your Compostela or certificate.  Therefore, lots of people start in Sarria and just walk for a few days.  

It is hard to believe that I am almost done.  I have walked for 26 days and have covered over 80% of the distance.  Next Monday I hope, God willing, to stroll into Santiago.  Pilgrims are using terms like “my next Camino” and planning to return.  There is definitely something magical about this place. 

 

34,342 steps

  16.77 miles

 

Location:  La Laguna @ 42.701379, -7.022008