Carrion de Los Condes

After a wonderful breakfast at our hostel we headed out for our 11 mile walk to Carrion de Los Condes.  We walked along the river Ucieza, away from the traffic and busyness of the main road and came to the small village of Villalcazar de Sirga where they have been welcoming pilgrims since the 12th century.  The town is the home of the church of Santa Maria la Virgen Blanca.  It houses the tombs of nobles and royalty and the church is now declared a national monument.  The churches south entrance has beautiful sculptures of the saints and angels as you enter it's doors.  We had our pilgrims  passport stamped there and took a tour of this beautiful church.  We had lunch in the plaza opposite the church and then continued on our journey to Carrison which was 5 km away.  We are settling in our hostel which is right over a bar !!!  I expect we will not get a lot of sleep this night.  Our journey tomorrow takes us to Calzadilla de la Cueza, only 10 miles away.  The weather has been beautiful, sunny cool and breezy.  Perfect for walking.  Buen Camino

Scripture Passage - Aug. 31

Psalm 132:7

Prayer Companion(s):

Thelma Quiocho

Joe and Marge Capazolli

Scripture

Scripture for Aug. 30:

Jeremiah 6:16

Prayer Companion(s):

Connie and Rick Martin

Ken Laverone

Fromista

We left very early this morning at 6:30am for our 16 mile walk to the small village of Fromista.  About 1km outside Castrojeriz, we encountered a difficult ascent to the Alto de Mostelares, where we overlooked the valley and saw the sun rise.  Another 5 km and we crossed the Itero Bridge over the river Pisuerga.  This is a natural border, leaving the province of Burgos and entering the province of Palencia.  We stopped in the small village of Itero de las Vega for some cafe solo ( espresso).  After two  cups of coffee, I was ready to go.  We came to the village of Boadilla del Camino where we stopped for lunch and had a Spanish tortilla ( egg and potato - delicious).  We then started walking to Formista along the Canal de Castilla, arriving at our destination around 2pm.

Most the the Camino consists of trails that are made up of sand and rocks.  Sometimes the rocks are large and other times the they are small.  As I walk along the Camino, I try to avoid the larger rocks, since stepping on them creates an irritation that shoots through the heals of my boots.  So I move from one side of the Camino to the other side, trying to avoid the discomfort.  Yet when I move to what I think is smoother ground, the rocks seem to appear again.  There is no escaping !!  Sometimes a little pebble gets lodged in my boot and causes some discomfort in my walking.  This happened to me after crossing the Pyrenees the second day on the Camino.  At the end of the day, I took my boot off and, a small pebble fell out.  Today, as I was walking, I was thinking of how the Camino is a reflection of life.  Sometimes in life, we encounter rocks that make our journey more difficult.  The rocks cause us discomfort, they are painful and interrupt our daily activity.  We keep trying to avoid them, but they seem to always be there.  There is no escaping !!  How do we deal with the rocks and pebbles that come into our lives?  God always gives us the freedom to choose how to respond.  We can avoid them or deny their existence, or we can face their reality and call upon the power of God to give us the strength to face the struggle with courage and hope, transforming that struggle into a moment of growth and life.

I have kept the pebble that was in my boot to remind me that life is like the Camino, filled with rocks and pebbles.  But with God's help, we can face those realities and use them to transform our lives into something greater.  Buen Camino !!!

Castrojeriz

We left Hornillos del Camino late, around 9am to make our 12 mile walk to Castrojeriz.  As we left the small village of Hornillos, we found ourselves in the middle of a completely unihabited winding agricultural landscape with its long roads going up and down small hills.  This apparently is one of the most typical landscapes of inland Spain called the paramo ( bleak moorland).  It is flat, dry and barely with vegetation.  Thank God it was a cool and breezy day today !  After climbing a little we entered the small town of Hontanas.  We had lunch in this quaint village and then continued our journey where we came upon the ruins of the Convent of San Anton pictured below.  It is now a rest stop for pilgrims along the Way.  In the ancient days, it was here that bread would be left for the pilgrims along the Way.  This ancient monastery and hospice was founded in the 11th century.  As we continued our walk we soon could see the village of Castrojeriz, population 600, our final destination for the day.

Tomorrow is a long day for us as we travel to Fromista, a distance of almost 17 miles.  It's hard to believe we have traveled over 200 miles since leaving St. Jean.  It has been a wonderful experience in spite of the blisters and tired feet.  We have met so many wonderful friendly people along the Way.  Truly a gift from God.  Buen Camino !!!

Scripture passage - Aug 29:

Psalm 139:22-23

Prayer Companion(s)

Anita Wasserburger and Walt

Scripture for the day

Scripture passage - Aug. 28:

Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer companion(s):

Eileen McNally

Barbara and Susan Badelewski

Armond and Pam Seishas

Hornillos

It was a beautiful day today: sunny, low temperatures, and breezy.  A perfect day for the 13 mile walk from Burgos to the small village of Hornillos.  The terrain was dirt and stony tracks with very little shade or water.  That's why I'm grateful for the cool temperatures.  You can see from the pictures below, the journey would have been unbearable if it was hot.  We passed through a couple of very small towns, Tardajos and Rabelais de las Calzadas, with its beautiful church and town plaza.  Along the way pilgrims construct rock monuments as they journey along the Way.

The day's rest in Burgos was a gift, especially for my feet.  The next day of rest will be in Leon, a week from now.  Tomorrows walk to Castrojeriz is a little over 11 miles...what a break!!  But the following day's journey takes us a little over 16 miles.  I will try to post every day, but we are now walking in the plateau region of Spain where it is flat, hot, and sparsely populated.  So there might not be Internet service in the places we are staying.  Always, at the end of a long journey, an ice cold beer is a welcomed sight.  

Buen Camino !!!

Cathedral of Santa Maria in Burgos

The 13th century Cathedral of Santa Maria in Burgos, is one of the most beautiful in Spain and one of Spain's largest cathedrals.  It is Gothic in style but combines many different architects.  It is designated as a World Heritage Site.  There are many side chapels dedicated to the saints, including a chapel dedicated to St. James, the Moor-slayer (pictured below).  In the center of the cathedral lies the tombs of El Cid and his wife Jimena.  We spent all morning touring the cathedral, then had tapas and a beer and now just relaxing during their siesta.  Tomorrow we leave Burgos for a 13 mile walk to Hornillos del Camino.  Buen Camino !!!

Scripture passage - Aug. 27:

Matthew 7:14

Prayer companion(s):

Jeff Sloan

Burgos

We walked from Atapuerca to Burgos yesterday, a distance of about 13 miles.  After leaving the small village of Atapuerca, and at the top of this hill we climbed, we encountered a large cross.  The sun was just coming up and I immediately thought of Easter and the new life given to us by Christ.  It was a moment to stop, stand quietly and to give thanks.  As we got closer to Burgos, the traffic became heavy, the noise louder, and the scenery very boring.  All of his made the journey more difficult.  Finding our way through the  city was made easier by people who helped give us direction.  

We said farewell to two more of our walking companions.  Susie, from Australia, and Peter from Canada.  They continued their walk today while we are taking a day of rest here in Burgos.  We plan to visit the beautiful Cathedral and just do a lot of relaxing.  Tomorrow we begin the more mental part of the journey.  We walk through flat terrain with very little shade or water.  Lots of time to reflect keep ourselves mentally alert. Buen Camino !!!

Atapuerca

We left Belorado early at 6:30am and began our long journey of 18 miles to Atapuerca, a small town about 12 miles east of Burgos.  The weather was perfect for walking, cool and sunny.  It was a long walk with very little accommodations for food or water, so we had to make do whenever we could.  About 5 miles outside Atapuerca we entered the small village of San Juan de Ortega.  San Juan was a disciple of St. James and his remains are buried in the church.  Tomorrow we enter the major city of Burgos with its population of 250,000.  What a change from the solitude of the past two weeks of walking.  We take a day of rest in Burgos and then head west on our way to Santiago.  Buen Camino!!

Scripture passage Aug. 25:

Matthew 10:9-10

Prayer Companion(s)

People of St. Augustine church, Oakland, CA

Belorado

We got a late start from Santo Domingo, leaving the area at 8:15am after having breakfast at the convent we stayed at last night.  The sister were very gracious & hospitable.  The walk today seemed a bit long even though we walled only 13 miles.  Today was the first day it RAINED on the trip!  That might have been a blessing, because there was very little, shade along the way, and in the heat of the day, it may have been unbearable.  

As we were walking, we passed a shepherd tending his flock.  The sheep were grazing and the shepherd was watching over them with his dog that sat by his side.  When the shepherd moved to another area of the field, all the sheep immediately followed the shepherd to the new grazing area.  What a beautiful image we have in Scriptures, that mirror's this experience, of the sheep following the Good Shepherd to greener pastures so they we may have life.  The Scriptures really came to life for me.

Today we said good-by to Katherine, one of our traveling companions, who ended her Camino trip here in Belorado. She took a taxi to Burgos and is leaving tomorrow by train for Madrid where she flies back to Virginia.  After having some wine and good conversation, we said our farewells and wished her God's blessings.  She will be missed.  Buen Camino my friend!!

Scripture passage - Aug. 23

Psalm 139:2-3

Prayer companion(s)

John and Kathy Kluesener 

Scripture passage - Aug. 24

Psalm 25:4-5

Prayer companion(s)

Brian Stevens

Santo Domingo

Walked 13 miles today from Najera to Santo Domingo.  Santo domingo was founded in 1044.  It was a very cloudy day with some light rain or mist.  This was good because there was little shade along the way, and if the sun was out, I know it would have been very warm and a little difficult to travel. We actually washed clothes in the laundromat instead of the bathroom sink !!!  We had dinner and then went to mass at the cathedral chapel.  After having ice cream, we are ready for bed.  Tomorrow it is suppose to rain... Lets hope not.  Buen Camino.

Najera

Today we traveled almost 19 miles through the wine country of Spain to the small town of Najera.  The walk seemed shorter than yesterday, but we are glad we all arrived in good shape.  Tomorrow we travel to Santo Domingo, a 13 mile trip - easy!!!  Randy and I were commenting on this as we walked today.  When we were training for the Camino in the Bay Area, we thought a 13 mile walk was a great achievement.  Now it's a blessing after having two days of traveling 18 and 19 miles consecutively.  Just goes to show you how our lived experiences changes our perspective on reality.

It's hard to believe we are on our 10th day of this journey and we have walked over 120 miles !!!  Buen Camino !!

Scripture passage for Aug. 22:

2 John 6

Prayer companion(s)

Tom and Susan Star

Scripture & Prayer companions

Scripture reading for Aug. 20:

1 Peter 2:11

Prayer companion(s):

Betty & John Swenson

Bob Charm

Scripture reading for Aug. 21:

Psalm 81:13

Prayer companion(s):

Maria & Bernie Zoch

Los Arcos & Logrono

The day before yesterday we walked about 13 miles from Estrella to Los Arcos.  Early in the morning, outside the town of Estrella, we stopped at the Fuentes del Vino (Fountain of Wine) for a little indulgence before breakfast !!!  Actually it was just a sip to fortify ourselves for the journey ahead.  We arrived in Los Arcos in early afternoon.  The town was just ending their week long Fiesta, so there was much singing and dancing in the streets.  We went to mass at the church of Santa Maria where the priest blessed all the pilgrims.  We had dinner at 8:30pm ( this is not America) and hit the sack for a long walk which took place today.

We woke up, as usual, at 5am, had breakfast at 6 and were on the road by 7am.  This was a long day of walking (17 miles).  On the way we passed through the town of Torres del Rio and visited the 12th century church of the Holy Sepulcher with its beautiful 13th century crucifix hung over the altar.  As we passed throughout the village of Viana, my "God moment" for today was this elderly lady sitting outside her home directing pilgrims in the right direction.  As we entered the path she directed us to, I waved to her and said gracias.  She waved back with a big smile.  God always sends people into our to show us the way.  Tomorrow we leave Logrono very early for Najera, another 18 mile walk.  Thinking of you and praying for you along the Way.  Blessings and Buen Camino.

Estella

Today we walked about 14 miles to the town of Estella.  It was a peaceful part of our journey, walking through rolling hills, farmland and vineyards.  It was a day of mostly walking alone.  All in our group started at different times early this morning, meeting occasionally during a rest stop or to get something to eat at a small village.  Today I was reflecting on all those who have traveled this way before.  Those who walked ahead of me today, those who have already walked the Camino this year, and the hundred's of thousands who have taken this journey since from its beginnings.  Pilgrimage provides an opportunity to look deeper into the purpose of our lives and to re-orientate it towards its fulfillment.  I have discovered God in so many simple and ordinary ways so far on The Way.  Today we stopped into the Church of the Assumption, a 14th century Romanesque structure in the town of Villatuerta Puente.  Greeting the pilgrims was a delightful woman who spoke clearly about hospitality through her actions.  Truly God's welcoming and greeting to the weary pilgrim.  People and pilgrims along the way wishing us a Buen Camino, another sign of God's encouragement and support.  All those on pilgrimage, present or in the past, must have come to catch glimpses of God in these small yet powerful ways.  It is all truly a blessings.  Buen Camino !!

Scripture reading - August 18

Mark 9:33-34

Prayer Companion(s)

People of St. Joachim Church

Scripture reading - August 19

Psalm 39:13

Prayer companion(s)

Dean and 

Puente la Reina

Left Pomplona around 6:30 this morning and traveled 22km, about 14 miles to Puente la Reina, arriving around 2:30pm.  It was an arduous hike, climbing over 400 meters in elevation to the top of Perdon where we came to a monument dedicated to the Pilgrims.  If you've seen the movie The Way, you will recognize the scenery.  Hiking down the mountain was not the easiest experience.  Steep terrain, rocks, and the heat of the day made it a challenge.  Good conversation along the way with my companions.  We are staying at a nice hotel with air conditioning in our room... What a treat !!!  It's off to Estella tomorrow, a 13 mile trip on a little flatter terrain.  My feet are suffering a little with soreness and blisters. The last picture is of my feet... View at your own risk !  Buen Camino

Pamplona

After a wonderful dinner and restful evening in Akerreta we began our walk at 6:45 this morning, traveling 10 miles to the city of Pamplona.  On the way we passed through a couple of small villages.  In one of the villages, Randy stopped at the church of St. Stephen.   A woman approached him and gave him a composition which speaks about the reality of the Camino.  I'd like to share that with you now...

The journey makes you a pilgrim.  Because the way to Santiago is not only a track to be walked in order to get somewhere, nor it is a test to reach any reward.  El Camino de Santiago is a parable and a reality at once because it is done both within and outside in the specific time that takes to walk each stage, and along the entire life if only you allow the Camino to get into you, to transform you and to make you a pilgrim.

The

Camino makes you simpler, because the lighter the backpack the less strain to your back and the more you will experience how little you need to be alive.

The Camino makes you brother/sister.  Whatever you have you must be ready to share because even if you started on your own, you will meet companions.  The Camino breeds about community, community that greets the other, that takes interest in how the walk is going, that talks and shares with the other.

The Camino makes demands on you.  You must get up before the sun in spite of tiredness or blisters; you must walk in the darkness of night while dawn is growing, you must just get the rest that will keep you going.

The Camino calls you to contemplation,,to be amazed, to welcome, to interiorize, to stop, to be quiet, to listen to, to admire, to bless...Nature, our companions on the journey, our own selves, God.

This woman that Randy met was God's way of reminding us of the purpose of the Camino.

We begin our Pilgrimage

On Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, we began the first and most difficult part of our journey, crossing the Pyrenees Mountains.  We began our walk at 6am and it was up still for about 11 miles.  The scenery was absolutely beautiful.  We had beautiful clear weather, meeting cows and sheep along the way, and encountering other Pilgrims along the Way.  We walked all day with two women, Susie from Australia and Catherine from New York.  We also met Peter a Canadian from Vancouver.  The five of us walked along, sharing our life stories and what brought us here on the Camino.  As,we,approached the summit, we stopped at an image our Mary for prayer and some quiet time and prayer.  Along the way there are many shrines to the saints and those modern days saints who have died on the Camino.  It was very moving.  We arrived in Roncesvalles around 3:30pm, exhausted but happy to have accomplished such a task.  We went to mass at the the local church where they blessed all the pilgrims?  Early to bed,,since we were leaving at 6:30am !

Today, Aug. 16, we began our 15 mile walk to Akerreta, Spain.  Our group met before dawn and started our journey a little sore but in great spirits.  We passed over two small mountain ranges, stopped in small cafes for breakfast and lunch and finally arrived at our beautiful hotel in Akerreta.  If you have seen the movie The Way, this is the hotel where Martin Sheehan stayed before he reached Pomplona.  It is a beautiful Basque home that has been restored to its original beauty.  Along our walk today, it was interesting to see how each person in our group respected the privacy of the other. Sometimes we would be talking as a group or in pairs, and other times some would fall behind and walk by themselves.  God always seems to know when we need to be in conversation with Him. 

Tomorrow it's off to  Pomplona.  Maybe  we'll try our hand at the running of the bulls.  Until then

blessings and Buen Camino.

St. Jean Pied de Port

We arrived yesterday at St. Jean Pied de Port where we begin the Camino tomorrow, Aug. 15.  This ancient city of the Basque region maintains its medieval flare with its narrow cobble stone streets, walled central village and fortress overlooking the town.  Beautiful views of the Pyrenees Mountains sets the backdrop to this beautiful village.  We registered yesterday at the Pilgrim's office in town, received our passports, and obtained general information about the first leg of our journey.  Tomorrow will be the most difficult part of the trip, climbing over 4,700 feet on our way to the town of Roncesvalles about 15 miles from here.  Tonight there is a blessings of pilgrims at the local church and then it's early to bed since we are leaving around 6 am.  Tomorrow's walk will take us about 8 hours.  During this pilgrimage we will be reflecting on scripture passages, and I will be praying for individuals or groups on a daily basis.  Those passages and prayer companions will be posted on a daily basis, depending on WiFi availability.  Buen Camino !!

Aug. 13

Scripture passage: Hebrews 12: 1-2

Prayer companion(s):  Mom and Dad

Aug. 14

Scripture passage: Psalm 25: 4

Prayer companion(s): Stan and Rose Zielezienski

Arrived in Biarritz, France

After a long flight from San Francisco to Paris, we boarded another flight to Biarritz in southwestern France.  We are exhausted from the travel.  So we are resting tonight and leaving on the 10:15 train for St. Jean in the morning.  It will be good to spend a couple of days in St. Jean before heading out on the Camino.

During the pilgrimage we will be reflecting on a particular scripture passage each day, and I will be praying for specific people or groups of people as well.  I will be posting the passages and my prayer companion(s) names each day.

I thank God that we arrived safely and I look forward to the days ahead.  Blessings !!

Mt. Diablo

Yesterday, August 6 th, Randy Starkweather, my walking companion on the Camino, and I hiked to the top of Mt. Diablo and back down again as part of our preparation for our journey which begin on Sunday, August 11 when we fly from San Francisco to Paris, then from Paris to Biarritz In southwestern France.  The next day we take the train to St. Jean Pied de Port, France where our pilgrimage begins on August 15th.  The elevation of yesterday's climb was 3849 feet and it took us 7 hours to make the round trip.  This was a good practice, because the first day's walk on the pilgrimage we must cross the Pyrenees

Mountains, climbing to an elevation of 4,700 feet.  The days ahead are full of excitement and anticipation, but I know I must let go and let God through this whole experience.  Letting go of my plans and letting God do God's work in and through me.  I'll be keeping you all informed.  Let us pray for each other along the Way !!   Buen Camino !!

Hiking the Oakland hills

Last Sunday, friends and I decided to take a 5 mile hike through then Oakland hills.  That 5 miles turned into a 10 mile trip !!  We got lost but eventually made it home.  The dogs enjoyed the adventure.