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Camino 2023
  • Shawn Mickle
Sep – Nov 2023

Camino 2023

A 45-day adventure by Shawn Read more
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  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    1
    211

    Day 23 Bercianos to Reliegos

    Oct 13–15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Today we started with another beautiful sunrise. The chill wore off pretty quickly. This was another sparse stretch of the walk. The first stop was 5 miles out at El Burgo Ranero. All along the Camino there are various murals, sculptures, and other interesting objects often in random places. Kim managed to find a cat to feed right away this morning. There were several small "parks" along the path if you wanted to stop for a rest, stretch or have a snack. It started to sprinkle our last couple miles into Reliegos, a small village with several nice albergues.Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    211

    Day 24 Reliegos to Leon

    October 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    It was a relief to wake up and see that it was not raining as predicted. There were several small villages along the route which we enjoyed passing through. At Mansilla de Las Mulas we walked through "The Door of Saint James" the east entrance of a 13th century midevil wall protecting the city and the pilgrims first stop into the Kingdom of Leon.
    The remaining landscape until Leon was farmland and crossing peaceful rivers. Like other big cities it was a long walk into the central district. Our hostel is located on the edge of Plaza Regla right next to the Cathedral of Leon. It is an extremely busy weekend because of Spain Day a national holiday. We were treated to a lovely dinner on the plaza with the "Last Patrol" guys. We walked around a little after dinner and got a few pics. Having a second day here tomorrow will allow for some great exploration.    Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    1
    1

    Day 25 Leon

    October 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    It was a cool day and it drizzled off and on most of the day, not ideal for sightseeing. I had a bittersweet reunion with my newfound friends from Spain. We visited a couple churches together and then we had to say good-bye. They were ending their journey here in Leon. Like many Europeans they do the Camino in segments over multiple visits/years... they don't have to travel as far, so it is easier to do. Maria wants to join Randy and I when we do the Portuguese Camino. I took a long walk along the Rio Bemesga and stopped for a delicious treat at one of the many pastry shops in the city.Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    1

    Day 26 Leon to Fonceboden

    October 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Kim and Julie are such seasoned Pilgrims now and since I have walked this Camino last year, I have decided to alter the remainder of my route. I have some special stops to make that don't fall within their plan, so I will forge ahead alone. It has been a wonderful adventure and I am grateful to them. 🙏💗 for everything. Another bittersweet goodbye on the Camino! Started the steep climb up into the mountains again. It was cool, but the incline warmed me up in a hurry. It drizzled for the last half hour, but I was warm enough to stay in short sleeves. This is the most rustic Albergue to date, the bunk beds are a bit wobbly and creak. But at least I got a bottom bunk and the $22 included dinner which was very good.Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    2
    14

    Day 27 Fonceboden to El Acebo

    October 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    It didn't take long to reach the Cruz de Ferro (Cross of Iron). A famous stop where pilgrims leave a rock or other itoken of love and blessing commemorating their journey. I spent about 20 minutes looking for the stones we left last year but they were apparently buried under the thousands left since then. I had a special heart to leave that Randy and I had engraved with our names, the date and our city. I ended up wedging it into a crack of the pole holding the cross. Not far after that I passed through the village of Manjarin, population 1, the resident who operates the bare bones, uniquely adorned Mountain Albergue. The hike today was a steep up and down through the forest and high cattle pastures. Last night I had considered pushing through to Ponferrada today as I realized El Acebo wasn't as far as I thought and that weather was likely to prevent the spectacular views of last year. But then I woke up hearing the wind and rain and I thought better of it. I am so glad I did because it rained the majority of the hike and the wind was so strong it was blowing me off trail. The "luxury" of a hot shower and a private room were never so welcome!!!Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler

    Day 28 El Acebo to Ponferrada

    October 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    I was able to capture a glimpse of the views from El Acebo on my way out in the morning. The albergue I stayed at, La Casa Peregrino, is relatively new and modern. The pics don't do it justice...but the flags were from an array of countries and it was quite the standout for such a small village. The "breakfast included" was really nice by Albergue standards.
    I walked to Molinaseca with an Irish lad named Shamus. He was about Randy's height and I was barely keeping up, but it sure made quick work out those first 5 miles. The walk into Ponferrada took me right to the Castle, 🏰 (Castillo De Los Templarios) another special stop I wanted to make.    Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    2

    Day 29 Ponferrada

    October 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    It was drizzly today and cool, but I caught a few glimpses of blue sky in the afternoon. I had a cappuccino at a funky little cafe called Chocolate an Churros across from the castle and after that I took a walkabout in the downtown area and took some pics of interesting things. Then I ventured back to the historic district, where I visited Iglesia de San Andres (17th century baroque style alter), the Basilica Nuestra Senora de la Encina (16th to 18th centuries, built atop the 12th century church of Santa Maria),
    the central Clock Tower, the
    Ayuntamiento (municipality) of Ponferrada, and the
    Real Cancel (the old Council Palace and Royal Prison), now the Bierzo Museum. In between I did a bit of souvenir shopping and enjoyed visiting with the gracious shop owners. I topped the day off with a pic of the castle all lit up.    Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    2
    312

    Day 28 continued, Ponferrada

    Oct 18–22, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    I got to the Hostal early enough that I decided to check out my surroundings. I stopped at the tourist office first and found out that on Wednesdays all museums are free which included the templar castle. In 1178 the Templar Order and its knights were decreed to be the protectors of Ponferrada. These legendary knidht-monks were also the protectors of pilgrims across regions of Spain and Europe. The castle was built in different periods and styles from the 12th to the 16th centuries and is now a national monument. It encompasses over 8000 square meters (86,111 SQ ft). It took me until it closed to cover its entirety. It needed a separate footprint. The spiral stairs up to the top lookout were very steep and narrow but the surrounding views were well worth the effort.Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    12

    Day 30 Ponferrada to Santiago

    October 20, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after Ponferrada. Did I want to continue walking on my own or not? Aside from going to Santiago I had no more special spots on my list to visit, and in 2 days walk there would be a large influx of new pilgrims walking the last 100 miles from Sarria (making accommodations more challenging to find), the weather appeared to be getting progressively worse, and I had already walked these segments with Randy and I was really missing him. In my estimation I had nothing but stubbornness and false pride to justify continuing. So I made my way to Santiago this afternoon. I visited the famous Cathedral de Santiago, the Mosteiro de San Patio de Antealtares., Casa do Dean XVIII. and took a ride around the historical district on a mini train 🚂. (I was quite disappointed, especially in comparison to the one in Leon). I am staying a couple nights, so more to come tomorrow.Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler

    Day 31 Santiago

    October 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    I wanted to explore the rich history of the city, so I chose several sites I thought would be of interest and read up on them. Then I just took my list along with me and used Google to go visit them. It worked great and I got to decide my own itinerary
    (The order of pics match the list):

    Plaza deI Obradiro
    Palacio de Rejoy ( Rejoy palace)
    Hostal dos Reis Catolicos ( Hospital Real Santiago)
    Casado Cabildo (Town Hall)
    Plaza de la Quintana
    Rua de Villar
    Rua Nova (New Street)
    Santa Susana Church
    Parque la Alameda

    I went to Resturante Tarara for the Menu del Dia (menu of the day) because they had Seafood Pallea as a main course choice. I had flan for dessert and it was probably the best for the trip...a great way to end the Camino! The Cathedral was lit up as I walked through the square...I couldn't resist one last picture of it...sooooooo beautiful!!!🥰    Read more

  • Shawn MickleCamino 2023Traveler
    1

    Day 32 , 33 and beyond

    October 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

    Day 32: I have to say that the trip home was not a travel experience I would like to repeat anytime soon. But after 20 hours of delayed, missed and rebooked flights, I finally made it home about 12:30 am. To say my own bed was a welcome sight is a definite understatement! 💤😴

    Day 33: A new day 🌅 and the beginning of integration back to "regular life". I enjoyed sleeping in, a sunny walk with Randy, sharing the carefully chosen gifts/souvenirs for him and others, reading, journaling, a meeting, cooking and enjoying dinner together, and ending the day with yoga and meditation in my batman pajamas with my cat Blu 😊

    And beyond: This is where I spend considerable time reflecting. It's where the magic and the wonder of everything experienced, all of it from God, becomes the purpose, the learning and practice for me moving forward:
    Remembering to receive each day as a gift, whatever it may bring, to be grateful for the abundance in my life, that spirituality is found through presence and awareness, to have His living hope that I can be a light to those around me, and to practice true tolerance, to bare with and to love each pesrson, after all who among us is emotionally perfect? physically perfect? mentally perfect? or spiritually perfect?

    I am humbled by God's message!    Read more

    Trip end
    November 1, 2023
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