Travel Adventures

Last night we had a sweet view out of the back of the hostel deck.  The town was on top of a mountain and looked like it had been bombed.  Falling apart buildings, rough, unpaved streets. Today we climbed to the highest point of the Camino, roughly 5000 feet.  It was a beautiful walk as the trail meandered its way along ridges blanketed in clouds with windmills poking through.   Oh yea and there were a few places where you could see evidence of a recent forest fire (burnt trees etc.) Making the descent into Ponferrada was steep and rocky.  Passing through tiny villages nestled in the hillside.  We are staying at a really nice hostel in Ponferrada tonight. Well its late and I dont feel like writing any more so here are some pics. the view from the hostel deck last night

A few days ago my mom, her friend Wanda, and her daughter Anna started their bike trip on the Camino de Santiago.    Wanda has a pretty sweet blog and you should probably check it out! Here is the link http://caminojourney17.blogspot.com.es/?m=1

Two days ago we passed through the city of Leon, Spain.  In an outfitter shop I ran into a guy that was pushing his disabled daughter in a wheelchair the whole way.   Today we are headed to Astorga, about 20 miles from where we stopped last night.   Underground houses The cathedral in Leon The street our hostel was on in Leon Leon

I havent been able to update this in a few days due to poor internet and my procrastination.  We are currently on track to reach Santiago on Oct 3.  We were originally planning on hiking to Finnesterre (the coast).  But since we will have some extra time we are going to extend things to Muxía, Spain.  After we reach Finnesterre, our total mileage will probably end up being over 600.  cool shots from the other morning local guys gambling 

35degs this morning.  Headed through Burgos and stopped at a cafe for lunch.  Burgos has an impressive cathedral.

We woke up to a crisp 44 degrees this morning that only rose to a high of 58 today.  Fortunately it was nice and sunny and not rainy like yesterday because that would have been rather unpleasant. This mornings hike took us on a decent climb up to an evergreen forest up on a plateau and then down to a few small villages.  I stopped at a restaurant for lunch and had a steak and salad, with bread on the side of course. We are staying at a nice hostel tonight and the dinner we are about to have looks excellent. For those of you that are wondering how I do my laundry, this is it right here.  Wash in the sink and hang  on the line to dry.   As far as clothing goes I have two Patagonia capilene daily T shirts.  One pair of Mountain Hardware hiking shorts.  One pair of Patagonia shorts for nice things, and a pair of cheep polyester shorts for evenings or hiking.  Darn Tough socks, and two Under Armour 1/4 zips, one thin and one thick.  Tonight is the first time i have needed the thick one.  Th

Woke up to some rainy weather this morning that faded off to mist as the day went on.  We walked 20 miles to Tosantos.  Around 10ish we stopped at a cafe for a second breakfast, I had an exellant egg and potato sandwich.  For lunch we stopped at a nice restaurant and had some amazing soup and coffee.  For dinner I am having cream of zucchini soup, rabbit stew, and a salad.   Truck driver enjoying lunch lunch The zucchini soup

Yesterday we did about 25 miles. Today about 19 We have done about 128 miles so far.  Averaging 18ish/day. Yesterday I ran into a street parade and mini "running of the bulls".  With little kids and fake bulls.  We are walking through alot of vinyards.   Dog selling fruit and water Rock towers that local guy builds.... He sells snacks right here. The mini running of the bulls the fake bulls vinyards 

Over the past 2 days we walked through rolling hills and farmland, surrounded by vinyards and wheat fields.  Some of the scenery reminded me of the American west.  The place we stayed last night was very nice, it even had a pool.  The meal was teriffic.  Today we came across a local blacksmith who made all kinds of metal art.  Then we stopped at the public wine fountain at a local winery along the way. Free wine pours out of the wall.  The guy in front of me filled a whole bottle.  We also ran into an almond farmer who was harvesting his almonds by beating the trees with a large stick.  Staying at an alburgue  ran by an Austrian couple  in Los Arcos tonight. The blacksmith wine fountain almond farmer roadside musicians Rolling fields surrounded by mountains engulfed in clouds

https://youtu.be/BARRg2-sRFw https://youtu.be/x6Cwkf8KUg4

We had a teriffic meal at the hostel last night.  Sausage, salad, pasta with meat sauce, chicken legs, chicken breast, pork, and an apple torte for dessert.         This morning we started out in light rain that slowly faded out as the day went on.  We went about 14 miles from Zurian to where we stopped tonight in  Zariquiegui.  Right outside Zurian there was a church on the hillside that dated back to the 13th century.  Inside there were wood carvings of Jesus, Mary and other figures from the catholic church.  You could climb the stone spiral staircase to the tower and ring the bell so we did.  Later we stopped at some kind of gypsy festival at a nursing home on the outskirts of Pamplona, there was free food so I made it lunch. Around noon we passed through the city of Pamplona which is where they have the running of the bulls every July.  We spent a few hours there shopping around for a rain jacket for dad until he found one.  There were street perfromers dressed up in medival clothe