Headed Home

I am just getting settled on the plane from Madrid to JFK.

May 28th - Santiago de Compostela - Pilgrims´ Mass

We loved our hotel in Santiago. It was so cute; and they were sooo nice. We sat out on the terrace and had wine and hung out on Wednesday night before going to bed. I took some pictures out our window. We realized that we had taken no night pictures. This is probably because we were in bed before it ever got dark. Riding 6 - 8 hours a day will do this to you.

We had a great breakfast on in teh breakfast room over looking the hills and the cute terrace. We had all local products! It was so great. And, we were not getting on our bikes for the first time in 11 days. My legs and body were (and are) not sure what was going on!

After breakfast, we walked around the city a little bit. We headed to the church for the pilgrims´mass. We saw our Ecuadorian friends. Pietro was going to sing at the mass. We also saw the Dutch one last time as well. We never saw the Polish dude and his mom again. The mass was nice. I am glad we went. I was also glad we were able to hear the Ava Maria. It was really beautiful. We grabbed lunch and head to the hotel and then to the airport.

It was amazing to have arrived at our destination. It also seemed a little surreal that we arrived. It was a little anticlimactic. I wasn´t sure what I expected.

It was great to see all of the pilgrims as they came into the city and into the square. It was wonderful seeing all of the people that we had met along the way. The happiness and excitement and relief was present on everyone´s faces. It was wonderful to witness and experience.

Just landed in Madrid

Heading to bed in Santiago

Going to the pilgrim's mass tomorrow where our Equadorian friend will
be singing the Ava Maria. We are staying in the cutesy and nicest
little hotel - Costa Vella.

We can already hear the chanting, singing, and fireworks in
celebration of the football game between Barcelona and Manchester
United. Barcelona was up last time we checked.

Arrived in Santiago de Compostela

We arrived at 2 pm today. We are making our way through the city. We
had to stop at a bar in the sun for a celebratory beer and much needed
food!

We made it!

Sculpture at Monte do Gozo . . . 4 km to go

Santiago . . . On our way

Day 11 Melide to Santiago - getting ready for the day!

Day 10 - Sarria to Melide

We rode 34 km today. We got a late start by our own choosing. A lot more climb than we realized. We were both really low energy and could not get in a groove or step up the energy. We decided to call it a day in Vendas de Naron. We had wanted to ride 60ish and we rode most of the up hill.

We are both feeling like we may be on the verge of getting sick.

We plan on getting an earlier start tomorrow and riding the 55 km left to Santiago.

After a really long day, we finally got checked into a hotel in Sarria. All of the albergues were full and actually all of the hotels were full as well but, luckily, we had to wait for some more bike and shoe maintenance and while we waited there was a cancellation! We took the room. We were okay with not taking a taxi to a neighboring town and staying right where we were! I will update more details about our day later.

We are good, getting unpacked and getting clean!

Bikes loaded on a taxi!

We decided to load our bikes and ourselves in a taxi due to the main
autoroute being closed and all of the traffic being routed on to our
little two lane road. After one too many large trucks came within
inches of us, we stopped at the next town and the nice lady who spoke
French called us a cab. We are now riding in the cab, in the fog, in
the rain and we are having the taxi cab driver drop us off about 20 or
so km ahead. We are hoping at least out of the fog. We decided
maintaining our sanity, reducing the amount of tears and maintaining
our lives . . . This will be the best 70 euro we have ever spent!

Heels Down Day!

We arrived in Villafranca del Bierzo. We are in the municipal albergue.

Today was listed as difficult and difficult it was! The climb today
was beautiful. It was foggy and cold. I also found I did not much care
for the down which followed the up! It was too steep for my liking. I
made it down. Woo hoo!

We pedaled our way to the industrial town of Ponteferada (sp? - I
don't have my map in front of me right now.). We followed our very
beloved yellow arrows and shells through the city. They are great
because they get you through a big city without a map and, generally,
pretty quickly.

We were not as fortunate today. While we were able to take a break
from the sun, the rain did not cooporate as of did yesterday. While
riding through Ponteferada, the rain started; and it rained on us for
the next three hours. We decide to stop in Villafranca due to being a
little and getting cold not to mention my legs were about done for the
day.

Our albergue is fine. It is on the bigger side. AND, the best thing is
that they have a washer and a dryer so we can get all of our wet and
dirty clothes clean and dry. We are forgoing food so we do not loose
our place in line. We are eating our snacks. It really makes you
appreciate the little things!

Signing off from Day 9!

Medival Albergue

We stopped here to get a stamp. It was cool. They had a fire going to
warm your hands which we took part in. It was really cold! These
signs were in front of the albergue.

We stopped at the iron cross.

Everyone stops here to leave a rock as a tolken of your passing by
there and of your journey.

We went from fog to a little ice to rain and then we were off again!

Leaving Rabanal heading into the fog

Day 7: Leon to Rabanal by way of Astorga

We made it to Rabanal. Only 300 more meters of climb to start the day. We have a lot of down hill after that and then 100 meters of climb tomorrow and the next day. Jenn is giddy because we just miraculously got back on schedule with her original schedule made from the states without any of the other factors taken into consideration.

We are staying at the cutest Albergue. We are both in bottom bunks tonight as we got in to the albergue fairly early. My legs were totally ready for a break!

By the way, everyone is super nice and freindly and helpful and pretty much willing to do anything for you which is refreshing! And, again, my french has come in handy!

I just spoke with my parents for the first time which was good. We just finished dinner of pasta, churizo (sp?) (Am not in sync with foreign keyboards!) and salad. The salad is huge! They were not happy that we did not eat the whole thing. They put tuna all over the salad. I am not a fan of tuna at all! Oh well, we needed our vegetables!

We have not run into any of our friends in this little town. We have not seen the polish guy and his mom, the Dutch or the chubby smokers (as we will still affectionately call them). The Dutch were a little bent that they could not camp and that they had to go 110 Km as this was not what they had planned. I am not sure what their plan was for today. It seemed when we ran into the chubby smokers that they were planning on stopping here in Rabanal. Alas, we have not seen them. We will have to start making more friends.

We did run into a cute couple from Georgia in Sta Catalina. They were the 7th and 8th Americans we have run into here. They were taking their time as she had hurt one of her feet anf was told to take it slow. We chatted with them for a while after a little ice cream and some internet to blog. :) They also took out picture together in the cute town. We did not take a picture on the iPhone so I cannot upload the images. They will have to come later.

I think that it is it for now. I know there was more. We had a lot less bugs today. I did not feel like a windshield! With the rain and the drop in temperature, it was good. No almost fly by´s. It reminds me that I was more fortunate than Jenn yesterday. I ate one bug. I have probably eaten more but I was aware of this one. I also had a huge bug fly into my mouth and I got it out before it could do any harm - no swallowing and no sting! It was a good day!

All is good! I am heading to bed! Buen Camino!

We have started our ascent. The country side has changed again. It sort of seems like the foothills of Colorado. The terrain is beautiful. We are gradually climbing which is easier on the legs. We just came over the summit and saw this adorable town. We stopped to get our stamp at the Albergue. Everything about this town is quaint and has a good "vibe".

It has stayed overcast today. It was amazing. I could hear the rain last night and this morning when we were getting ready, it was still raining. When we were ready to go, it had stopped. Mom - it sort of reminded of Camelot!

It has not rained on us yet today. The clouds and nice breeze are much appreciated after traveling across the plains yesterday in full sun with no shade or breeze to speak of.

Astorga was a beautiful town as well. It had three catherdrals. Unfortunately, due to our flights back to the states, we need to proceed on. I have left much to come back to at some time in the future.

Just arrived in Santa Catalina de Somoza

It is the cutest town and the surrounding country side is beautiful!

In Astorga, eating a little lunch at 12:45. We have gone about 50km so far today. We now have two days of climbs. We are going to shoot for Rabinal del Camino which is about 20 Km away and has the most rooms.

We ran into chubby smokers again while getting our stamp in Astorga. Jenn said she slept by one of them (there are two) and then they rode by us and we realized, one of the cyclists is not so chubby! Still a smoker. He has been mis-labeled. They were continuing on as well.

We are amazed at how many people smoke! It is crazy. In the morning, before getting on the Camino, while eating, while walking . . . It is totally crazy! Just an observation.

We are off in a bit. Will text later.

Leon to Astorga

A little rain to start our morning . . . All geared up and ready to go.

110 km later . . . Arrived in Leon

Quick update - longest day ever! Went from Carrion to Sahagun to Leon.
Really tired. Lights are about to be turned off. My legs are super
tired! I will write in more detail tomorrow.

Burn Camino!

For Kelly and Dave from Sahagun!

Calzadilla de la Cueza, stopped for a cafe and bike is ready to go !

Laundry Time!

5/21- Carrion - Getting my brake pads replaced & my bike looked at . . .

Carrion de los Condes - "The Ritz!"

Stayed in Carrion de los Condes

After waiting for the bike shop to open at 4 pm after siesta (picture
to follow), we got all 4 brake pads changed and the guy looked at and
adjusted my front and back breaks.

We completed 76 km today. We went from Tardajos to Carrion. It was
very different traveling. We were on what I think they call the
mesatas (sp?). I think it is the plains or high plains. It was very
green rolling hills. It was pretty and flat which was a nice break.
Tomorrow is supposed to be flatter as well.

We were going to try for more but it was still super hot or at least
it felt super hot. We were not sure that we could get a bed in the
next town 16 km away. I talked Jenn into staying here after yet
another tortilla - third for the day.

We are staying at the Ritz! compared to last night (picture to
follow). We are staying at Espiritu Santo with the cutest nuns.

After what has become our nightly ritual - check in, get a bed,
unpack, shower, do laundry, and grab a bite to eat. The doors are
locked promptly at 10 pm. I imagine that I will be in bed long before
10 pm.

Laid the bike down again this morning so my arguement of being tired
doesn't completely work. We did though just wake up from sleeping on a
small foam mattress on the floor with six people who were about 6
inches from each other. The bonus was no one snored. My collection of
bruises is as a result growing. It also always happens as I am
standing still.

Carion de los Condes 2 pm ish

We made it to Carion de los Condes. It was a hot long fairly flat ride. We are deciding if we are going to push through another 16 km or not. We will let you know. We are trying to wait out the heat for a little while and wait for a bike shop so we can have someone look at my bike quickly.

More later . . . .

We are having a bite to eat in a little bitty town which we both expected to be bigger - Orsono la Mayor. This is our second tortilla for the day. Eggs, potatos, coffee, Coca cola is good. We cannot figure out what people do I'm these towns. It is a lot of little old men. The entire town seemed to descend on the bar we choose. They slam their beers, eat their tapas and they are on their way - to where we are not sure. The seems totally closed, no one anywhere (sort of creepy) and then out of no where the bar is full. Off to our next stop, another 30 km to go.

Jenn M working on her biker's tan - No, she her hands are not just dirty. . .

Albergue in Tardajos - Camino Happy

Just finishing up lunch after 50km - 10 to go. We are in Burgos- big city, a little stressful! We are getting ready to get back on the Camino.

Just arrived in Beldorado. We just got 2 of the last 4 beds. It was a good day. It was definitely a heels down day. We are not meeting a lot of Americans. A lot of French, Spanish and Germans. My French has actually come in handy. We have to figure out our destination for tomorrow. Will let you know.

Arrived in Navarete. Cute town. Very tired. Just finished dinner off to bed. We have not figured out our destination for tomorrow.

Lunch in Viana 2:20 pm - next on to Logrono

Leaving Estella . . . Off to Logrono. . . Or possibly beyond. It is a beautiful sunny day. We will see what the day holds.

Lunch in Obanos . . . Today was much harder than expected. . . Stil have 20 KM to go . . . To Estella. We are being flexi and going with the Camino. Buen Camino!

Day 1 on the Camino: Pamplona to Logrono

Jen McClelland's quote for the day, "Jen, I think we need to be a little less anal." This was in response to my comment about the lack of clear markings on the Camino. It is 4:28 am and I have been packing and repacking my pannier bags over and over in my head. The party outside is still going strong, singing, talking loud, singing . . . To my chagrin the techno music has now stopped. I hope I can wake up when my alarm goes off at 6 am. Whoops, I forgot about the whistling. Off to sleep until our journey begins.

Leaving Madrid - Coche 3 - on to Pamplona

Arrived in Madrid an hour early!

Yes, we arrived an hour early. We made the 10:30 train to Pamplona.
Traveling for 21 hours and counting.

Woo hoo!!

Wheels down at JFK

The flight was good. A little Marley & Me, a little People mag and a
little nap. We are now on our plane to Madrid. Next stop: Madrid!

All the bags are packed. . . 25lbs

Training Ride

Test email

Linking all my technology!!!

2 days and counting . . .