We rolled out of bed at dawn this morning eager to knock out our last long day before Santiago. We had toast and coffee again for breakfast along with fresh squeezed orange juice and off we went. As we were leaving town we passed the town church.
The trail led us through multiple forests and they had quite the mixture of trees. Even Eucalyptus trees were mixed in and they smelled so good when we walked past them.
We walked by this guy who appeared to be doing his pilgrimage up a wall and wishing, like most pilgrims do, that is pack was not so big.
Savanna and I both love walking through these lush forests. It is like being in a green tunnel. Todays path was easy on the feet with very few rocky areas to deal with.
There are a lot of people on the trail now. Sometimes we are walking through or being passed by groups of 20 or more at a time. Many started in Sarria and some are from another pilgrim route that merged with ours. We can always tell which ones started a couple of days ago. Their clothes are crisp and bright and they are usually walking very fast with no limps or injuries.
We are seeing fewer of these small old stone farm houses now. We passed quite a few more modern homes with beautifully landscaped yards. I like the tiny villages with the ancient stone buildings that have stood for hundreds of years much more than the manicured look of more modern places. They just seem to have a story to tell.
We walked past a fence where the owner had put up all kinds of quotes and sayings in both Spanish and English Here are a couple that I liked.
We passed through some great looking country today. It was a good walk for our last day before entering Santiago. We did walk through some villages and I really appreciate them when it is time for a break, but it is the woods and streams that I like best.
We walked through a tunnel leading under a highway and this piece of wisdom was on the wall.
We entered Lavacolla about 5 PM and passed the village church that was right on Camino.
We found our little Pension and they fed us an awesome supper. Right now I am sitting on the patio and finishing this post and enjoying the cool evening air. Tomorrow we walk the final 10 kilometers that will put us at the cathedral in Santiago and our official pilgrimage will be over. We plan to carry on to the coast but Santiago is where all the pilgrim trails end at the cathedral there. Right before walking into this town I found this written on the wall of an overpass we walked under. I think it speaks for most of us that have done this pilgrimage.
Well it is time to wrap this up and get some sleep. As I look up I am seeing quite the show that God is putting on for me. I think a fitting way to end tonight's post is to snap a picture of what I am seeing right now and wish everyone a Buen Camino!
