I walked down Monte del Gozo and I’m immediately in the suburbs of Santiago de Compostela. I stopped about 3km from the cathedral. I now wait for my family to join me for the last couple km to the Cathedral in Santiago. While I waited, I wrote and ate. I had to add some money […]

14.2 miles, 1,300′ gain, 1,400′ loss, 4:30 Mind/Body Like most mornings, I woke up when I wake up. Today, I was one of the last ones out of the hostel at 7:30. While I assume everyone was anxious to get to Santiago, I had time. It was my shortest day and I would meet my […]

30.9 miles, 3,000’ gain, 3,900’ loss, 8:25 Mind Today was lots of rolling hills and more pilgrims. The morning is always the busiest, with large bunches of pilgrims. I used to not see more that 1-2 people at the end of my day. Now I see a lot finishing late in the day like me. […]

31.9 miles, 3,700’ gain, 3,800’ loss, 9:34 Mind Today I walked through Sarria, the starting point for a large percentage of pilgrims. To receive a Compostela – an official document that you completed the Camino de Santiago – you need to walk at least 100 km. Sarria is 110km with frequent train and bus stops. […]

(Just a quick note: I’ve finished!!! I’m finally catching up on my posts. Expect a bunch more soon!) 30.3 miles, 2,800’ gain, 1,700’ loss, 8:47 Mind Today was flat and warm. I crossed a large valley that is home to the small wine region Bierzo. The rolling hills with vineyards everywhere framed by mountains behind […]

20.5 miles, 2,700’ gain, 3,900’ loss, 9:30 Mind/Body/Spirit Today was up and over a small mountain. While it was overcast and misty going up, it started to rain at the summit and on the way down. I stopped at this eclectic donation-based shop that is run by the Knights Templar to warm up. I received […]

32 miles, 1,300’ gain, 1,100’ loss, 10:00 Mind/Body My shin still hurt in the morning, so I walked. I still have a long way to Santiago, so I would rather walk with a little pain than try to try to run and get myself into a lot of pain. Cool with a little rain, the […]

24.9 miles, 3,200’ gain, 4,700’ loss, 7:44 Mind/Body Today I went up and over the last mountain of the trip. The rain started before I woke up and stayed through noon when I had descended ~4,000 feet. This was real, consistent rain, not the light sprinkles like most of the earlier days. And it was […]

The last four days have been tough. It’s been cold, rainy, hilly, and hot. It’s also been beautiful, peaceful, loving, moving, and I have been very connected to God and other people on the Camino. This is also tough for me. I will only do it once (and maybe a reminder at the end). I […]

32.9 miles, 1,100′ vertical, 7:30 moving Mind I will write more detail, but with the choice between talking to people and writing, I’ve been choosing talking. Again, another short post. Today was more of the same terrain, but still beautiful. The cool weather has been great for hiking and running. Body Today was flat again. […]