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Second Camino, del Norte
  • Jzionna's Wanderings
  • Jzionna's Wanderings

Second Camino, del Norte

A 42-day adventure by Jzionna's Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 27, 2023
    Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Preparations-13 days before take off.

    August 14, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    I woke to a growling stomach and the endless whirling thoughts of my trip preparations. I recheck my mental lists over again while unpacking and repacking my backpack to be sure that I am only carrying the essential necessities for this trip ahead. I need to keep my pack's weight under 13 lbs. The consequences of overpacking are misery, and I've been there and done that.
    I'm not prepared physically for this long walk, I slacked in the training, but I still have 13 days before I fly out to Spain. Without proper training, the first week of walking will result in a more painful beginning. And I undoubtedly will train as I go.
    I also have to put in order house and pet carers to come into our home for the time we'll be gone. I always feel the weight of my anxiety in leaving my animals.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    12 days before I fly

    August 14, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °C

    My pack is packed, weighing in at 15 lbs. with two full water bottles. I'm bringing extra clothing because I think it gets a bit cooler on the norte than the Français camino.
    I'm grateful for my husband, who prefers to stay home and be the house sitter and animal caretaker while I trek across Spain.
    I'll unpack and repack my bag one last time. Maybe I can lose a pound of weight... but what could I eliminate?
    Eating fresh tomatoes and plums from my garden, for by October, when I return, the harvest will be over.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    11th day before take off!

    August 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 30 °C

    At 9: pm. I'm walking my dog around my neighborhood; it is 33 celcius, muggy, and not another person out on the streets. The doors and windows of the houses I pass are open, and I could hear muddled conversations. I realize that in just 10 days, I will be on the streets of Spain at this hour filled with people talking, laughing, music playing, and food being served! Life gets active after 9 pm in Spain.
    A photo from a July evening of 2019 in Santiago.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    9 days count down.

    August 17, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    I thought we may have two years in a row of smokeless summers, but no, we almost made it through August. Northern Cali fires have filled our valley with smoke, and we're socked in now!
    But still, the sunflowers shine bright amongst the haze!
    I'm attaching a small scallop shell this year rather than the larger one most commonly attached to pilgrim's packs on the trail.
    A shell is a shell by any other size....    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    10 days until I fly to Madrid!

    August 17, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Ok, no more, no less. This is the pack ( at skeleton necessities) that works for me at 15 lbs. with water bottles.
    It's an overcast day in August with an incling of fall in the air. Two nights ago, I heard geese flying over head. Autumn, geese, and the sound of train whistles have always triggered restlessness in me, the travel bug...the wanderer. I am ready to go and explore!Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    8 days before I fly.

    August 18, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    The Camino begins long before the walk and continues for the rest of ones life. When I first walked in Spain (2019), I learned how to walk without worry on where I will sleep and how I will eat. There are provisions along the way being prepared outside the means of my own control. Life is going on with my worrying or without, so why bother being anxious when I continue walking into exactly where I'm supposed to be. I took that and many lessons with me through these past four years.
    So, here I'll go again on another 500-mile trek to wander and ponder and share experiences with people from all around the world. I'm ready.
    Though the evening was hazed with smoke, many people gathered at Pascal winery for the joy of music and dancing last night.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    One week before take off!

    August 20, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    The sky is hazy with smoke, and the poison oak is thick on the trail side, but still, I must get out to train for the walk in Spain. Three hours of walking up and down and all around Roxy Anne Point with my 15 lb pack. I overshot the parking area and had to back track up hill another mile to my car. All good for the greater workout. My shoes are well worn in, and my feet are as ready as they're going to be.
    A bicyclist past me and slowed to a stop. He asked if he could bother me for a wipey of some type. His elbow was raw with gravel embedded in it and dripping of blood. He happened to fall near me, the only hiker with a Spain ready pack on my her back. I was able to patch him up with wipes and bandages. Who knew I'd be opening my first aid kit today for someone in need!
    A large part of today's hike, I walked alone ( not quite alone for I had my furry companion). So many familiar thoughts of walking my last Camino surfaced, reminding me of how the next 35 days will look like...feel like, walking 500 miles. I anticipate the many incredible interactions I have yet to encounter. ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Cleaning and harvesting before I go.

    August 21, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    I'm putting my house in order before I go, which also includes the garden. I'm harvesting and tidying up. I have a circle of pavers around a choir of Sunflowers and Zinneas growing in the front of my house. I call them a choir because of how the flowers stand in facing the road in such harmony of colors that they appear to sing out to the viewers. The sweet mystery of the painted rocks began last early spring when I noticed one placed at the base of my young flower bed. And then they continued to show up. There are now eight stones gifted by fans of the choir of flowers.
    I"m excited for my trip, but I'm not void of anxiety. I can't help but feel a bit anxious with all the natural disasters going on around us right now. But that's life. Nothing is for certain, is it?
    But I continue to make plans and go with an open agenda, willing to take an alternative course, if need be. To travel is to go without expectations, without rigidity, with a whole lot of flexibility, respect for different cultures, and the willingness to adapt.
    Traveling is a humbling experience.🙏💖    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    5 days! Packed, but am I ready?

    August 22, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    It's another smoke filled August in Oregon! But still, Azul ( my dog) needs to walk . So we did a couple of laps around the park through the smoke. My dog had a great time. I have itchy eyes and a sore throat. Mario (my husband) says that he feels like a smoked ham. Everything smells like smoke. Fires are becoming a norm for summertime everywhere. There's so much devastation by fire; every day we hear of another blaze somewhere out of control around the country.
    I don't know exactly when it started, but Max, our cat, has become very comfortable on our table. I used to be adamant at pssssting him off tables and counters whenever he jumped up. But when did I stop bothering to scat him away? And here he is now, up in our face, the beautiful feline he is.
    I remember seeing fields of sunflowers in Spain in the month of July. I imagine they are being harvested by now. Seeing Spain in autumn will be magnificent.
    This little grasshopper caught my eye, and obviously, I caught his, for we stayed caught up in one another for several minutes until it side crept behind a leaf. Thanks for the moment!    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    While I'm gone,all will be in good hands

    August 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Some of my training walks include the steep streets of Ashland. I love coming across little yard jewels on the way. Besides lawn ornaments and signs throughout this neighborhood, there's this wonderful bed & breakfast "Chanticleer" that displays such lovely rooster art (spoon art by Steve Flemming) and whimsical magical things all around the yard. A bed and breakfast I'd highly recommend.
    It's the eve of the day before the day I leave. I'm soaking my garden like it is the last drink my plants are going to have in a long time. When I return, the whole landscape will be different. It will be the fall and cooling down. I will have walked over 500 miles, visited many incredible places in the south of Spain, and I already feel the pangs of missing my dog. The hardest part of going away is having to leave my dog for so long. But she will be in good hands while I'm gone.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    A day for pause...

    August 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    To Travel

    Let me be still and stand awe struck in astonishment.
    Let me stand again under the black sky, where the only light is from a million stars and a swallon moon.
    Let there be wind at my back and rain in my face.
    Remind me again of the wilderness of youth.
    Let me wake up in a new place,
    With freshened eyes and new interpretations.
    Derail me.
    Give me reason to climb the hill, walk another road, cause delightful havock to my taste buds.
    There is the unfamiliar, the inconvenience, the uncomfort in extending one's mind when learning something new.
    Ignite the electric stimulation of human connection.
    Bathe me in the element of nature and open my awareness to the spirit who walks beside me.
    The journey continues-Jzionna    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Sanfrancisco for one night.

    August 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    At the Sanfrancisco airport, I would usually be rushing through to connect to another flight, but today I have all the time in the world. So I was able to mosey through, noticing things I had not stopped to observe before. But one area especially caught my eye. There were display cases arranged with relics of the past that were used 50, 75, 100 years ago. Metal lunch boxes, tin soldiers, a tin doll house, tv remote controls, rabbit ears, erecto sets, film cameras, and
    Mr. Potato head. I took a stroll through corridors accompanied by my own childhood ghosts.
    I had hours before I could check into my hotel. This may have been an inconvenience, but then I discovered a very popular Pancake House in Milbrae near the hotel. I had sour apple crepes on a patio under red umbrellas. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I appreciated eating outside with fresh, clear air! After coming out of the smoke from Oregon, this is so refreshing.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    I arrived in San Sebastian in the rain.

    August 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    It was raining hard when I
    arrived in San Sebastian. It's wet but warm. I like how the moisture brings out the contrast and details of the stones and buildings. It is a very pretty boating and surfing town by the sea. They also do a lot of bike riding here. The active carousel in the city park is well maintained as is their lovely landscapes.
    The tourist season is letting up, so the locals say, though it still looks heavy with crowds.
    I didn't fly with my trekking poles because they were most likely bound to be taken away as I pass through security, as the potential weapons they are. I'm without walking poles today, and I'm having a difficult time finding them here ( maybe I'll get lucky and find a shop in stock with them on my way out of town). I'll keep looking for a pair as I pass through places.
    I expect a steep climb today as I will cover 13 miles and perhaps in continuous rain. The Camino trek begins✨️.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    From Sanfran to Dallas to Madrid.

    August 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    I could hardly believe how calm and quiet it was at the Sanfran airport. But it was the wee hours of the morning. The long line of sleepy heads loaded the plane to Calgary, and all was still.
    When I boarded the plane to Madrid, there were care bundles on the seats. A pillow, an eye mask, a toothbrush and paste, moisture cream, and a blanket. I was chilled to the bone on the last plane, so the blanket was a welcoming comfort.
    I met Pam and Mark from Texas, who were on their way to walk the Camino Frances for the first time.
    After landing in Madrid, a crowd of us squeezed into a tripple length bus and dropped off at another station. It looked like we were stuck in a maze. There was no way out but to take a rail train to somewhere. There are no clear directions anywhere. Even a man from Spain had asked me how to get around in this airport. He wanted to catch a bus. I told him the train was his only way out. "Perhaps we will find answers where the train takes us." And we did. But there are very few service providers in this airport. It was hard finding someone available to guide and give directions.
    It's 10: am, and my flight to San Sebastian doesn't leave until 4: pm.
    I'm looking forward to checking into a hotel for a shower and to sleep through the night before I set off for my walk.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Got to love animals on the Camino!

    August 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    I had a croissant and a coffee at an outdoor cafe after the torrent of rain stopped. I looked up to see I had an audience. I did share some morsels with these little chic-a-dees.
    The other animals I meet while climbing to orio. They are always magic to meet.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    From San Sebastian to Orio

    August 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Six and a half hours of gorgeous challenging walking. Oh ya, my feet ache, but not by blisters. My feet work like clock work. They tell me exactly when I've been walking six hours and when to put them up.. After the rain stopped early in my walk, it turned out to be perfectly warm and breezy, just right for a climb.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Found a bed, food and good company.

    August 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After a long haul up a steep climb, the day was getting late, and towns with services are far and few. I passed this place on the hill in Orio with several people sitting on the front porch. It looked inviting to me, "Tienes una cama para mi se noche?" The best Spanish I could fumble out, but they understood, and I got a bed for the night in a room with a mother and daughter from the Netherlands. We washed our clothing as we showered, and the host (Ruth) placed our drying rack by the fire. We were served dinner of salad, egg torta, and tea. We all appreciated them going the extra mile in making us comfortable 🥰. We were a talkative group and laughed a lot.
    Frances and Kaylie from Australia, Marisa from Belgium, Isabelle, also Australian, Sean from Georgia U.S., Lois & Marcella from the Netherlands.
    We may not meet again, but then we may. As we individually take off walking in the morning, each in our own pace, we enjoyed a moment and say goodbye, and know that perhaps we may say hello again. The Camino is like that, understanding to appreciate the moment and let go and move on. But there are a lot of circles we move through as we make our way, the round about ways of human connection.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    The walk from Orio to Getaria

    August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    I love this green, moist country! They grow beautiful gardens. There is plenty of rain and heat that allows them to grow such voluptuous crops! Walking through this just makes me happy.💖

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    In Geteria by the sea.

    August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    A Five hour walk is enough for me today! I took a designated walking area on the edge of a busy road that curls around from Zarautz to Getaria (the alternative route). Though it was loud with roaring cars and busses passing, still, to the right was a lovely sea view. Lots of local people were walking their dogs, babies, and speed walkers for fitness. There were several young people with towels taking the 3.7-mile walk to the beach. They're used to walking a lot here. I was really impressed how the beaches all have permanent changing tents. There are umbrellas and chairs available to the public.
    A man was making a fabulous sand sculpture of a pig💕💕.
    I found a nice albergue: Txalupa(chalapa), very clean and pleasant. I've already washed my clothing, showered, and now for something to eat. The juga de naranja fresca( fresh orange juice) is not as abundant as on the Camino frances. Rather, non existing in Basque country, and I'm craving it now.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Getaria farming grapes.

    September 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    I'm impressed how the grapes are grown here. To harvest, you may walk under the trellises of woven wire and easily pick the hanging clusters. Their farming style is so meticulous. The woman statue is checking out the daisy plant in her water catcher.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    UP & DOWN & UP, UP, UP!!!

    September 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    The never-ending, up day! A nine hour hiking day for me! Most people I met and the end of the hike had agony in their faces. It was a hard day. Slippery from the rain the day before and steep. But the way is beautiful! Even when I am gasping for air, rather than take my breath away , the beauty revives my breath.
    A vendor was parked up the mountain, near a small park with picnic tables. With the few choices he offered of drinks, I took a Nesté con limon. I asked him how far to Deba and responded with an answer in Spanish, and I understood quite clearly that I still had miles to go. Ugh ( he saw my face drop)! After I paid, he laid an apple on top of my can and said, "Buen Camino." I sat in the grass, up against the tree, took a bite of that most delicious apple, and cried. Being so exhausted and weary, that sweet, generous gesture of giving me an apple was just what I needed. After my drink and apple, I was able to carry on.
    I reached Deba at 7pm. There was an outage of electricity in the town. So we had no lights and cold showers (so we were told). But the showers were luke warm and pleasant enough. It's amazing how, after a shower and clean cloths can rejuvinate one so immediately. The tiered and weariness were gone. We had plastic sheets on the bed, so I'm glad to have my silk liner with me to lay as my sheet. I had 4 spanish jock boys in the room with me. But they were kind and respectful of space. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no snoring from them. Tomorrow's another steep climb, and it's pouring rain now. I'll deal with mañana, mañana.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Getaria to Deba

    September 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    I just can't get enough of discovering the fauna & flora wherever I go! I discovered these little insects that sleep inside these pillowy pods. There are beautiful donkeys, goats, and cows over every bend. Sure, footed cows stand near the edge of the sea. They are not so concerned about trimming the weeds on the road's edge because it stays so green and moist. There is less worry of brush fire. The wild growth provides beauty and harbors habitat for many creatures and insects.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    An alternative route to Markina-Xemein

    September 2, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    I woke this morning while still dark. The sounds of packs russeling, silouetted pilgrims with torches on their forheads were packing their gear. Whispers of many languages softly babbling, toilets flushing, a street cleaner roaring up the streets. The morning is hustling, with or without electricity.
    I watched pilgrims with ponchos and pack covers marching off in the pouring rain to challenge the slippery slopes. I thought, " I don't feel that brave this morning." Many people were choosing to take a bus or train to the next town or change their coarse altogether.
    By the time I set up to go, the lights came on. I met Inge (from Holland), who asked me a question in Dutch. Since I've been here, there are several times that people assumed I was a Hollander.
    Inge and I were so much enjoying a conversation, and we agreed that we should go to breakfast and continue our visit. At that moment, no hike or anything was more important than to sit and enjoy eachothers company.
    Now that's the comino to me. Go organically, and let the spirit guide.
    Another mother and daughter couple ( from Munich)decided to take the bus to Markina. I thought that was a good idea. I'm in no way wanting to challenge the slippery slopes.
    Inge went off to Bilboa. We all kissed goodbye and went our way. I needed a rest day. And if I want to meet Mario in Santiago by October 5th. I may have to do a couple of leaps. And this climb today was worth the skipping.
    So here I am, in Markina, in another donativo. It's humbling to be here. I almost turned around and bolted for a hotel. But it is really interesting to confront the things that make me uncomfortable. For that, sometimes it is a larger challenge than a mountain. And then it's not so bad. This old monastary has been my muse. I want to write again. We never know where our muse will come from.    Read more

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