The Journey to Santiago de Compostela makes you a Pilgrim. The Camino is not a trail to be walked or a destination to be reached. The Camino is a parable and a reality at once. It is done within and without each day.

The question has been asked is the Camino Life or is Life a Camino? It is both. As a parable, century old churches contain artifacts used to illustrate spiritual lessons. Amazing carvings and paintings have told stories to tens of thousands for hundreds of years. The architectural genius of the builders of the the great cathedrals of Burgos, Leon, and Santiago is unbelievable. Even those in ruin such as San Anton refuse to stop inspiring. It’s very existence is something to be contemplated.

As a reality, the Camino makes you simpler, brings you close to nature, and connects you to the people of Spain and other pilgrims. A light pack carries all you own; a change of clothes, rain gear, snacks, and water. As you see the sunrise each morning, the songs of birds greet the day, and the breeze moves a sea of wheat. The morning walk brings on hunger. Then an open Spanish bar run by a welcoming Spaniard appears. Experiencing that first coffee Americano, zumo de naranja, croissant, and tortilla is heaven. When you turn around somebody you met a day or two before appears. Nourishment for body and soul.

Why did we make this journey? In the beginning and even now it was and is an expression of gratitude. However, 42 days later it is much more. The Camino is Life and Life is a Camino. The answer is paradoxical and can be understood by our experiences on the Way.

Thank you for following us on our journey. We are reminded that Life like the Camino is a journey not a destination. The understanding we bring home is to cherish the beauty and challenges of each day’s journey in life as on the Camino. Live in the Present.

Walking for 40 days with my best friend

The crunch crunch of gravel underfoot

Morning sunrises

Cool air

Beautiful flowers and plants

Birds songs in the morning including cuckoos

Other pilgrims who kept turning up

The smells of Spain

The path fading into the horizon

Seeing beautiful churches

Towns that are seen in the distance, but take forever to walk to

Finding a strange new place to sleep each night

Seeing deserted streets during afternoon siesta time

Sleeping 9 hours a night

40 days of having only three things to do: walk, eat, and sleep

Overcoming challenges and difficulties along the way

Learning to make plans, but to appreciate the way each day actually unfolds and the gifts that it offers

June 12 at Night 12:30 pm

500 miles, 40 walking days, 2 rest days, 42 total from May 2 – June 12th.

We are one day’s walk from Santiago. Today we passed a memorial to a 69 year old Pilgrim who died on the Camino just a single day from Santiago. It is a reminder that we never know when the journey will end.

Today was possibly the prettiest of the walk. Maybe not such a bad place to step through a thin place such as this to the other side.

Words along the Way

A Moments of Joy

A Reflection on what walking the Camino means by alburgue owner Christine.

Make plans, but be prepared to live each day as it comes. The best events are the unexpected ones. Be open to receiving them.

Flute and Gregorian chant concert in the Portomarin Church.

Today we were out the door at 6:20am to try to beat the wind and rain that was predicted for the day. Immediately we faced a couple of tough hills. As we walked on the first 2-3 towns were just a couple of old buildings. We usually walk for a couple of hours then look for a bar/cafe for breakfast. On and on we walked. The fourth town looked like all of the rest, nothing to eat.

Then we passed by a small door and looked in to see an old courtyard with a table of food, a donativo. Take what you need and give what you can. We had a banana and some juice, then a young Spanish man asked if we would also like coffee. Si, gracias!

A friendly inviting place just when it was needed.

On a damp, rainy early morning we took a break from walking and rode horses up the final 7.4 km to the town of O’Cebreiro. The path was a bit slick and rocky in places, but the horses did fine even as one rider kept a keen lookout that there were no four legged missteps.

A bit of Camino magic occurred when the night before we got a message from our friend Tuyet asking where we were. Tuyet started her Camino a week ahead of us and rode a bicycle from Burgos to Santiago finishing two weeks ago. Turns out she felt that she missed some of the Camino traveling so quickly by bike. So she took a bus back to Las Herreras and was going to ride the horses and hike for a couple of days.

When we got to the horse place in Las Herreras, there was Tuyet. It was so good to see her. Tuyet’s Camino has had many highs and lows. Her journey to Santiago and on to Land’s End at Finisterre has been a search for peace.

We were all happy to see one another and share a day or two together. Tomorrow she heads to the Samos Monastery and we continue our walk on two legs toward Santiago.

The Lone Ranger rides again!

My Side Kick

The horses know the way over the slick rocks.

Hot soup, coffee, and wine in a bar after the ride up in the cold. O’Cebreiro is nearly 5,000 feet.

Here is what happened when we walked out the next morning.

Getting blown away!

Where can a dog get a warm snack?

Somewhere along the Way

Along way from a town in forest and fields, we came across this sign. A hundred meters later in a shady grove we came across this.

Smoothies, vegan burgers, 60’s music and…

…sofas in the forest!

A food catching dog and

Words of Wisdom.

The Camino is full of surprises and by the “Way” the strawberry, mango, banana, orange smoothie was delicious.

Goodbye to this magical place and back to the Camino.

Early this morning we arrived at the Cruz de Ferro or Iron Cross. For centuries pilgrims traveling along the Camino de Santiago have paused here to make a plea, say a prayer, or release a burden. All of this is symbolized by the leaving of a stone carried from home.

Remember the stone from our front door? The stone that has witnessed Karen and I turning the house into a home. The stone that saw newborns pass through the front door then leave for college. The stone that has seen grandparents come to celebrate and grow old and pass on. The stone that has seen grandsons come through the door to spend time with new grandparents, us.

Today the stone was left at the base of the Cruz de Ferro. This stone represents no wish, only a prayer of gratitude. Gratitude to my parents, Helen and Clyde, who raised my sister Linda and I. My dad for working 36 years at Safeway to make it possible for his children to go to college. My mom for always being there when we came home from school.

Wayne’s sister Linda, Mom Helen, Wayne, and dad Clyde

Wayne his mom Helen, sister Linda, and dad Clyde

When I met Karen in 1980, my heart said she was the one. I was wise enough to follow my heart. Together we spent a year living in Maine.

When we returned to California Karen’s Parents Charlie and Helen were so proud of our daughter Annalise.

Wayne with Erik and Annalise

Erik and Annalise

Now we are the grandparents.

Annalise, husband Charles, and our grandsons Teddy and Henry.

Erik and his wife Samantha

So many stones, so many prayers!

The Way after the Cruz de Ferro returns our gratitude.

The BEST Camino partner. She is the center of my gratitude.