Travel Adventures

Sitting here in Santiago waiting for the train to Madrid and thought I would review some of my gear. Most importantly footwear. For shoes I chose the Salomon Speedcross 4.  I chose trail runners because they are lightweight and comfortable. They feature a very agressive tread design that provides exellent traction on most surfaces.   On the other hand they do not last as long as boots, I have about 700 miles on them and the center treads are basically gone.  Not an issue for me because I am an REI member and get free replacments within a year.  I also think Salomon has a year warrenty on them. Shades next... I wore Oakley Holbrooks (Daniel Defense Edition) and they provided excellent protection against the sun. For my backpack I had an Osprey Talon 33 (33 liter pack).  It was just about the perfect size.  I liked the pockets on the hip straps for spare change, chapstick and my Streamlight.  The seperate pouch for my water bladder was also a nice feature.  No complaints.

John from Scotland

Oh and I forgot to mention that we have been blessed with perfect weather pretty much the whole time we have been here.  I have not seen a cloud in a few weeks!

The hike from Finisterre to Muxia was beautiful as the trail followed the jagged coastline and presented us with breathtaking views.  We passed through a few small towns along the way and got stamps to prove that we had hiked through there so that we could get our certificates. Muxia is another small fishing town on a peninsula with an big rock and an old church on the tip.  We watched the sunset from there last night.   We are headed to Santiago tomorrow on the 2:30 bus.  It will feel weird to go somwhere using a form of transportation other than my feet.  Since I have walked everywhere for the last 5 or 6 weeks. Total mileage comes to about 600!  Averaged about 18.8 miles/day with a max of 33 min of 10.  A mean of about 16.5 for all the math experts out there that might ask. I want pancakes really bad and wanted to make some today or tomorrow but could not find any instant mixes in the grocery stores here, and didnt wanna mess around with making them from scratch at the hostel.  I wa

Article coming later...  Headed to Muxia in 5mins sunset at the end of the earth

Pancakes are a rare find in Spain.  This is the first I have seen them.  This mornings breakfast Evening shot of the cathedral Morning shot Dinner tonight  We are staying in a very nice old hostel

We left Santiago de Compostela today for Finisterre (the coast).  Put about 21 miles in today and hope to be their by saturday.   the hostel santiago this morning   

forest fire Portomarin, Roman ruins still visable in the water

Today I walked the last 26 miles to Santiago de Compostela.  Which is the "end" of the Camino de Santiago.  We are continuing to Finisterre and then Muxia, Spain.  Finisterre is known as "The end of the earth".  Way back before Columbus discovered the Americas it was thought that peninsula that Finisterre is on was the end of the earth.  From there we will hike up the coast to Muxia, where our journey will end.  They are both small fishing villages.  

I walked 33 miles yesterday.... Longest day yet.  My father and I will arrive in Santiago this afternoon.

We have entered the province of Galicia.  The scenery has changed to lots of green hills and cloudy weather. I am less than about 50 miles from Santiago de Compostela.   Once I get there it is another 60ish miles to Finnesterre (the coast) and then another 15 miles up the coast to Muxia. hostal.... cooking nuts on the 55gal drum