Photo of Otis

Our little guy is on the right. He is my project once we get him 12/2. 

10/14 We did it!

Sandee and I made it into Santiago completing our big walk. We are both good and so glad we have finished what we set out to do. It was really wonderful having only 5 km to walk this morning. We could actually take photos and stand in line for a little under an hour for our credential without being exhausted. 

It was so wonderful to drop our packs at thee hotel before we did a little more sightseeing, etc. we were able to have some good tapas for lunch and also ensure we know how to get into the cathedral for evening mass. 

We have had a wonderful time doing this big adventure together, but I can assure you we won’t be found on quite this long of a trip again. I can say that I have always appreciated my life but possibly never so much as after being 45 days or so in a different bed every night and mostly walking from one to the other. 

For now I’m looking forward to going home and reading about others adventures. 

10/13 To San Marcos

The main thing I have to say today is we are tired. All the people we talk with who started where and when we did are tired too. Today was about putting one foot in front of the other and getting to our hotel which is only 5 km from Santiago. We want to feel rested when we arrive tomorrow so we can enjoy the day. 

I was surprised how pretty the walk was even though we are so close to the city. We were along the road some, but mainly on dirt roads in the countryside. What was supposed to be a mainly rainy day turned in to less than 30 minutes of rain. We have been so fortunate with the weather. 

Time for a rest. More later. 

10/12 To Salceda

We expected rain today, but had much less than we expected. Maybe an hour or so. It was even partly sunny this afternoon. We took several breaks including a little longer lunch break when we had bacon and eggs with French fries of course. We both feel like we aren’t getting near the protein that we’re used to. It’s carbs, carbs, and more carbs. 

Because we are in between the designated stages there were far fewer people in the trail near us. It seems so much more pleasant as some of the folks stop right in the middle to take a photo or whatever, no trail etiquette whatsoever. 

We have only about 28 kilometers to go. We will walk 23 km tomorrow and stay the night. Then on Friday we will go the last 5 km and have fresh legs to stand in line for our certificate and do a little sightseeing. It is still a little hard to imagine we have almost done it. One week from today I will be home, seeing Ron, and sleeping in my own bed for the first time since September 1st. And hiking without a backpack. Oh all the wonderful things. Meanwhile I am grateful to have had this adventure with my dear friend. We will never forget it. 

10/11 To Melide

We beat the rain today and not by much. We have been so fortunate with the weather, but it looks pretty certain that we will finish up with a day or two of rain. One thing that is good news is that we only have private rooms now. If we have to go in dripping st least we can spread things out and let them dry. 

There is a washer and dryer here and we planned to do laundry. Luckily one of the other ladies let me know the dryer is very hot. When we hiked the TMB IN 2013 I shrunk one of Sandee’s few shirts small enough for an eight year old. We don’t want that this time. Instead of washing they’ll get an overnight airing except for undies which will get washed. 

We had beautiful countryside scenery again today. I haven’t seen or smelled do many animals ever, but it is fun seeing them. What isn’t as fun is sharing the trail with so many new people. It isn’t too hard to get a little ahead or behind so it doesn’t feel as crowded. They may have fresh legs, but we have strong ones. 

My cold is annoying as the cough has gotten dry and hacking. I just went to the pharmacy and they offered codeine tablets that I understand would work great if it didn’t break me out in hives. I settled on some cough syrup which I have taken and I think it helps. Funny thing is I don’t hardly cough when I’m out in the cool air hiking. It must be the moisture. 

We are trying to stay in the present, but thoughts can’t help but go to home and the people and our pleasant lives that we miss. This has been a wonderful opportunity and I don’t take that or any of the blessings in my life for granted. 

10/10 To Airexe or Eirexe, it seems to be spelled both ways.

Beautiful hike again today, thru the barnyards and countryside of Spain. We had a long hill to climb, but it was fairly gradual most of the way here. We are both stronger over these weeks, so the hills are no problem, even with a cold. Our walk today was only 4 hours or so. We had a great lunch of ham and eggs. What a treat, even though the hash browns were French fries. 

Our lodging is a 4 bed dorm. Unfortunately our room mate has a GI bug. I sure hope it isn’t catchy. I gave him some Limotil and hopefully that will help. I don’t want to give up the rest of my probiotics in case I need them. I will recommend he gets some though. I was hoping for a nap this afternoon in hopes it would help me get over this cold, but I think I’ll stay out of the room as much as possible. I really don’t need one more thing. 

Truth be told, I am tired and ready to be home. I think most all of us who have been walking this far feel the same way.  In a week, we’ll be back in Madrid and almost ready to fly home. 

10/8 To Sarria

Nice hike again today. We started with up the hill which was good to do when our legs were fresh. We walked through the countryside and it seemed like we were walking thru the barnyard most of the day. Roosters, cows, hens and chicks and even lambs and their babies were in abundance. 

I am getting a darned cold again which I am none too happy about. We’re in a dorm room, so I hope I won’t be spreading it. I got some more cold medicine and cough drops. I still don’t have a blister on my feet and I am grateful for that. I guess we all have some sort of trial. 

According to the guidebook we now have 71.6 miles to Santiago so I’ll take that. Nothing more to add today. 

10/9 To Portomarin

A beautiful hike today in sunny weather. The fog cleared early and it was beautiful hiking thru the countryside again today. 

Sarria, where we stayed last night is where many people start because you can get a credential at the end for going this far. Boy was it crowded. Lots of new people with day packs. Some were being dropped off by vans and most of their gear was transported for them. We need to be careful not to have an attitude of superiority. 

We made it to our Albergue and realized we are off the Camino and came up the hill for nothing.  I should think we will be the best hill climbers around whether we want to be or not. We are in a dorm room again tonight and tomorrow. A private room will be grand soon. That’s it for today. We are truly on the home stretch. 

10/7 to Triacastela about 26 km

We had a beautiful hike today. The last 1/3 of the hill, then up and down and then down and more down.  The grade wasn’t ever bad nor was it rocky. Boy does that make a difference.

We have a great Albergue today with a very large private room with a bathroom bigger than some of our rooms have been. We had a terrific early dinner and now have the evening to relax. We’re making plans for our last few days like taking the train back to Madrid. It is much more relaxing once these details are taken care of. A big thank you to Sandee’s daughter, Lynaia, who is helping us out. 

That’s it for today.  Less than 83 km to go!

10/6 to La Laguna

It was supposed to be a short day, but due to a wrong turn and 4 extra kilometers (half of them up a steep hill) it turned out to be a moderate day. The scenery was very pretty once we could see it (we had headlamps on for the first hour in the dark). Honestly the scenery is getting better every day. 

Anyway the good news is that we are both really strong and made it fine. We are 2/3 or more up the hill and the grade tomorrow looks much more moderate. 

Yesterday we made reservations clear up until the night before Santiago. So soon we’ll take a look at the last few days, the bus out to Finesterre and the bus or train back to Madrid. 

It’s really nice to be done with lots of the reservations. A young man at the Albergue where we stayed yesterday made a couple of calls and was available if needed for the calls I made. 

We continue to meet so many nice people and are amazed at the affordability of this trip. It’s true that not everyone would be happy with all the accomodations, heck neither are we, but for the most part they are great. 

We are getting a tad tired of the food. If we were in bigger cities more often we would have more choice, but often we are in small towns with only the pilgrim’s meals to choose from. 

Tomorrow we do the top part of the hill, then down a bit. I’m counting on a good day.