The line of pilgrims along the road leaving Borda this morning.

It's not a mirage -- it's the food truck! (It's not always there.)

It also signifies the start of the last true climb for the day.

I'm sure he got tired of answering questions so just drew it all out.

We finally left the road. This is more what I expected.

I caught up with Missy and we had lunch. Mine was provided by Borda.

Many beautiful carved markers, but most have been marked with graffiti.

The start of the down. If we stayed on the road these it would have been easier.

Chilly on the patio, so we were glad there was room inside the bar.

Sign outside the bar (300m from the registration desk).

And Then We Went Down

May 18 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

As much as I complained about the uphill, down is worse. So much worse.

Breakfast was served between 7 and 8 at the auberge. Someone was being quite loud very early this morning, which woke me up. Only to realize it was 7:35, I'd slept through my alarm, and I was the only one still in our room.

Today started out still going up but at a gentler slope. There are no services and only one water fountain along the stretch from Borda to Roncesvalles -- our stop for the night -- but after 6K we did come encounter a food truck. A little snack, a little foot maintenance, and we were ready to attack the last steep 1K.

After that it was 5K flat and 5K down. The flat had more climbs than anticipated, and once we finally got down it was a longer walk to the pilgrim's hostel than expected. A walk which included going through a field with four bulls lounging about 20 feet from us. I didn't pull out my camera lest they think I was waving something in their general direction.

Because this place is so large there was a line at check-in. We finally got showered and went to a nearby bar for dinner. I really wanted to attend the pilgrims' Mass, but it wasn't until 8 pm, and I am so tired and so sore after our 10+ mile day (twice yesterday!) that I just couldn't stay vertical.Read more