Started the rainy and cold and 25 km to Calzadilla. I had a choice to take a little shorter walk to El Burgo Ranero but took the original rout through the forest. Glad I did

As I was leaving town I ran into Mateo from Slovenia. We had a great time talking about family, work, US, Slovenia, what we do on vacations. The walk went fast.

This is the official halfway point to Santiago. I can’t believe it I’m half done. I can’t say it is any easier but I know what to prepare for.

Along the road I found this swimming pool. No houses around, just this. Things that make you go hmmmm?

As the wind and the rain picked up I thought I am all by myself. What if the weather got worse? Then I came across this in the road and thought hmmmm? I picked up my pace

Finally got into town at 2:45 and walked by this old church. I new I was saved.

Found my hotel at the other end of town. What a beautiful place. Met Hemma and Leo. They asked if I was hungry

I asked do you have soup and Leo brought me this. Life is good!

Met Anne and Cheryl from Ireland at dinner. They were very nice and great to talk to. We were the only ones in the hotel. I guess it is early season

Until tomorrow

Had a very nice hotel to stay at. So clean and warm. Had big cup of coffee and toasted baguette. Then on my way

On the road at 7:30 and walked into this when I started.

36 degrees again and my gloves were still wet from yesterday. Had to keep my hands in my jacket pocket until 11:00 am when it started to warm and the gloves dried. Will buy new gloves.

This was my shadow in the early morning sun. Tall guy! Still not 40 degrees yet. Wind blew all day. Didn’t talk to anyone all day which was good time for reflection. Tomorrow I’ll talk.

Very cool curved stone and iron fence. Mostly flat farm land. Not much to take pictures of.

Got theses two I thought were interesting

Got into town about 1:30. Made good time considering it was 24 km. Another 24 km tomorrow.

Had dinner with Tutsi from Japan, Jersey from Poland, Ito from Germany, his wife from South Africa, 5 from Spain. Great food and greater company

Rain and more cold, but I am ready

Until tomorrow….

Started the day with coffee and a chocolate croissant. Very good.

Rain and wind and rain from the start. And it got worse later.

Started out on a rocky path that was very hard on the feet. But glad it wasn’t muddy.

The hills were full of these dry stacked walls. Some these wall are 600 years old

Came across these ruins to find a hostel in the back. As we were looking at it we heard American jazz being played.

We found Angel who ran a coffee shop with snacks in the middle of nowhere. He lives there for 5 months during the Camino. He rolled a cigarette and once he lit it I found it to be more. Nice guy.

Walked half the day with Benedict, who is a girl. She walked as fast as I did but stopped a lot to look at the scenery, buildings, and everything else. It gave me perspective to slow dow and look at everything.

A lot of monuments and shrines along the way.

This a new hostel that opens in May. Very cool!

For the last three hours of the walk it rained and sleeted and had winds over 30 mph. There were times I thought we would not make it.

Long road for the day. Got to the hotel at 6:15 and took a hot shower and knew I had survived the day.

Had dinner with Mateo from Slovenia and his three friends that surprised him to give him support and will fly back tomorrow. Great guys!

Started today at 36 degrees which was a tad warmer than yesterday. Long day today. Will do 34 km today

Had every layer of clothes I had just to stay warm. Rained all morning. Windy and cold.

Small shelter to get out of the weather. Muddy on the dirt roads.

Saw a guy pulling a wagon with his tent clothes and three small black dog walking with him doing the Camino. Different.

More murals along the way all related to the Camino

Another cross along the way. Don’t you love the clouds? It was like that all day.

Another is of wayside rest

This is the view of the small city of Hontanas. Very cool little town

My hotel room and a very neat three legged chair. Will go to bed early tonight. Way to tired.

Until tomorrow…

The coldest day yet. 26 degrees when I walked outside. Had a hard time keeping warm.

Surprised to see the fountain still running.

Decided to walk through the forest instead of by the highway. Very peaceful but no sun to warm me.

Came across this heard of cows blocking the path so I climbed a fence and went around them.

Got to the top of a large hill and found this cross. In the background there was a prayer circle with 15 rings connected to the center. You pray going in and you bring a small rock for each person you pray for. I had to load my pockets so I could pray for all of you.

Got to Burgos at about 3:00pm and stopped at the Cathedral. Huge!

Had dinner with Jacki, Tiffany, Michael and Cathy and Menachem. Nice way to end the day

Tired after staying in hostel. On the road by 7:30. Stopped for coffee and croissant and Menachem from Israel. He has a home in Paulo’s Alto, CA and Tel Aviv.

Interesting art on the buildings as I left town this morning. Met Meredith and Jeanna as they were walking to get coffee. Walked with Tiffany and gave her Ibprophen.

This is an old pilgrim shelter hundreds of years old

Worst weather so far. Started out at 36 degrees. Then it rained then it snowed. I had to keep adding layers. Finally got warm.

Walked with John from Florida. He works up in Alaska as a train tour guide out of Seward. He was walking in short sleeves at 40 degrees. Came across these signs showing countries and how many kilometers.

Walked 25 km today and was glad to get to my hotel. Got into town at 2:00, showered, napped then got up for dinner. Ate with Graham and his wife and Juliet from Australia

On my way to Burgos tomorrow

See you then

Woke up a little late in my pensione. Didn’t get on the road until 8:30 but felt great

Just got out of town and there was this cross overlooking the valley.

Stopped in Granon for breakfast with all of my friends. Jeana, Meredith, me, Tiffany, ?, Cam, Aaron, and Chris. Great way to start the day

The views were great and the weather better. So blessed so far!

Water fountain refill water bottles.

Got into the hostel at around 2:00. Got my bed, took a shower, and went to have a beer.

The town of Belorado has some great architecture.

Took shower in hostel. So so. Tried to take a nap but kids kept talking so definitely using ear plugs

When was walking to go to dinner I ran into Michael and Cathrine from Ireland, a lady from London and Tiffany from Oklahoma. Invited me for wine and then dinner. Had chicken potatoes and a salad. Great time. The front doors were locked at the hostel but Aaron let me in

I guess hostels are not for me. To noisy and no privacy. I’m a Mike and Linda Pilgrim.

See you all tomorrow

Today was only 21 km. Walked with Diane from Vancouver. She is a performer for festivals and special events

Walked with Graham from South Africa. He is a Remax realtor and also does property management. He and I kept up a pretty good pace. We stopped at a roadside stop where I got an apple and granola bar. He waited for his wife to catch up.

Went by myself and later walked with Julia from Australia. She was taking month off from her job to walk the Camino.

Got into Santo Domingo at about 1:00 pm and went to my Pension or apartment. It wasn’t open yet so went to eat pizza. I got into my room at 2:30.

It had a wood pellet stove. Nice and warm! I had the chills and laid down for a nap. Wonderful! They had a wash machine so I did all my clothes all at one time

There was a band playing outside my room but I couldn’t figure out what the occasion was.

Got to bed early

Got up and had breakfast with Mike then headed out to Najera. Mike walked with me to the edge of town and then I was on my own. Did over 30km today. Long day snd my feet were hurting.

On the way out of town was a brass sculpture of two people walking the Camino.

They a had a run for Cancer today in Logrono when I left. Very cool

There was another fence of crosses with all kinds of materials

Beautiful garden along the way

And more memorials and vinyards

Got to my pension at about 4:00 and was really beat. As the caretaker of Pensión she showed me they have a stork that nests at the church. I thought it was fake but then started moving around

Was odd to be without Mike but went to dinner and found a bunch of Camino walkers. Australia, Israel, Alaska and more. Food was not to good but company was great

Got up early and on the road st 7:30 am.

Just waked a bit before we came on this vineyard. Everything ready for the grapes to start growing.

Winter wheat growing…

And the olive trees ready. In just the short time I’ve been traveling the trees are budding and flowers starting to bloom.

The weather has been perfect. 40 degrees in the morning 65 in the afternoon.

Came across this shrine and so reminded me of Patty’s mom Mickey. Seems to capture so much love!

And another…

More beautiful churches

Came across this guy resting in the field in the sun and on the dirt. Not in the grass with shade. Maybe doing some sort on penance. Weird

Wonderful shaded path. Appreciate it as we were in the sun all day

This nice woman selling souvenirs on the path. So nice.

Got into Logrono at about 2:30, checked into the best hotel, had lunch and a beer. The best. Went back to hotel, showered and took a nap. Life is good

Mike and I had a great last night dinner. Logrono was like Neo Orleans. Lots of people for Saturday night. Logrono is a big city. Did not see any Camino friends

Love to everyone