Day 3 (9/21) - Roncesvalles to Zubiri

Last night was spent in the huge pilgrim's hostel at Roncesvalles. At 10pm they turn off the dormitory lights and then back on at 6am so we got an early start at 7:15. Sunrise is at 8am and there was a full moon and clear skies so it was neat walking. Today's walk was about 15 miles under pleasant weather with a few big hills and one steep descent. When we arrived at Zubiri we were ready to stop for the day. It was difficult finding a place to stay but we were fortunate to find a pension. That gave us our own room rather than the bunkbed filled room at a pilgrim refuge. After cleaning up we found fellow pilgrims at a local bar and then met at an Alberge for a communal dinner. We have been seeing most of the people shown below every day so far.

Location:Zubiri

Day 2 (9/20) - Orisson Auberge to Roncesvalles

Woke up to steady rain. Simple breakfast at auberge and hit the road. Pathway climbed 2000' in heavy mist, fog and rain. Scenery was supposed to be awesome as we crossed the Pyrenees but low visibility. Reached Roncevalles pretty wet but in good spirits, having passed one of the toughest sections of the Camino. Dried out, did laundry and visited in a bar with new friends. Dinner was "pilgrims Menu" and then went to mass in old church. Our lodgings are.bunks in a monastery but remodeled recently so much nicer than years ago.

Location:Roncesvalles

Day 1 (9/19) - St, Jean Pied de Port to Orisson Auberge

Finally started our Camino. Because of the difficulty and that we still have jet lag, we decided to start slowly. First day was "only" 6 miles with perhaps 2500' feet of climbing. Walk was along a narrow country road and quite steep. We had made reservations at Auberge Orisson and arrived before noon. Lunch was a wonderful leek & potato soup and a bottle of inexpensive red wine. Dinner was communal and just as good.

Location:Orisson, France

Day 0 (9/18/2013) Madrid to St. Jean Pied de Port via Pamplona

Train at 7:35 from Madrid to Pamplona (first pic below) arriving at 1038am. Then bus to pilgrimage starting point in St. Jean Pied de Port (rest of pix). Stayed in pilgrim hostel, had communal dinner and will start over the mountains tomorrow.

Location:En route to Pilgrimage Start.

Arrived in Madrid

Arrived Madrid after two tiring flights. Got checked in at pension, bought train tickets for tomorrow (to Pamplona), cellular data plan for iPad and then dinner was tapas bar hopping on nearby Calles de Jesus.











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Location:Plaza de Jesús,Madrid,Spain

Yikes!  Our departure date is tomorrow and we’ll be in Spain for 2 months, returning to Seattle on November 16^th.  We will walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, nearly 500 miles, starting on Thursday, September 19^th from St. Jean Pied de Port, France with a final destination of Santiago de Compestela, Spain.  The first two days walking will be a challenge as we will cross the Pyrenees mountains over the historic route used by Charlemagne and later by Napoleon when they invaded Spain.  We hope our endeavor will be more successful.

 

We got back from our summer job in Yellowstone on August 27^th so have had just a bit more than two weeks to get ready for the pilgrimage.  My dad’s memorial service was yesterday so that will give us some reason for thought as we are walking.  It has been an interesting challenge getting our backpacks ready and we are carrying less than 15 pounds.  It will be interesting to see what we forgot or should have included as well as what things we do not use.  Living for two months using only what we can carry in our small backpacks will be a new experience for us! 

 

Summer update

We worked this past summer (May 18 thru August 26) as Guest Service Agents (i.e. front desk workers) at Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone National Park. This was our second season, having worked there in 2011 and we had a great summer!

Now, we are packing up for two months in Spain. We leave September 16th and will pass thru Madrid and start hiking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route beginning in St. Jean Pied de Port, France.

Location:Olympia,United States