El Acebo to Ponferrada 9.5 mi

Started at 8:00am
Finished at 1:30 pm

We did mostly downhill walking with some very interesting shale rock pathways that I am sure would be a geologist’s dream. I’ve not seen rock like that in Montana or Wyoming and I am sure it is a rare set of circumstance that creates it. Looked somewhat like a seashore layering or a forest that was immediately laid down in catastrophic event and petrified. Very interesting and I wished I had someone with knowledge to inform me of how these formations happened. But rest assured I was appreciating them with reverence for the rarity that I knew I was seeing. I was also appreciative that we had a dry and sunny decent. I could easily see how the shale type rock and clay combination could have been wicked slick with the smallest amount of rain water.

We enjoyed all the small towns like that of Riego de Ambros with crowing rooster and climbing cat. When we arrived in Ponferrada we realized that it is a BIG town. Dare I say that Pilgrims are not the most welcome of visitors? I feel a frosty reception from wait staff. Maybe this is isolated or a Sunday thing, but I am trying very hard to speak the language I’ve learned in Spanish so far. I am spending hard earn money and not being an imposition. Trying my hardest to ignore it and continue to be polite. Thinking that the next pilgrim might be treated better if I do. Irregardless, I can’t help but enjoy every minute of this experience. Not letting a few bad eggs spoil it.

Beautiful sites today. Rivers and vistas and special moments throughout the entire walk. Dipping our feet in the river at Molinaseca was restoring.

Shorter leg today, but still physically demanding. We are both doing well. We have our hiking legs broken in, and we’ve had our backpacks shipped ahead on the last 4 days.
It has been extra posh for me having the backpack sent ahead, and good for Cassie who is already carrying precious heavy cargo and has an expanding backpack waste band area. She is so strong and I am so impressed with her inner perseverance. She has soreness in places I haven’t had, and she is dealing with a new and off putting imbalance of weight leaning her forward. I remember trying to downhill ski at this stage of pregnancy with her. It was nearly impossible to stay vertical.

Loving the precious time with these two, Cassie and her passenger. It’s been fun thinking of the sweet boy we will someday meet.

We met a sweet young lady from France who started from France with her Dad and has many restarts of her Camino experience. She is solo now and has had phases with Camino family and phases alone. Her name is Paulina.

We found our beautiful room before check in time. So, we spent a few hours sipping beer, me - and Coke for Cassie. The waiter slogged it to us and the plates barely didn’t break. The Spanish people next to us even raised an eyebrow. I wish I knew what they said directly after, I am sure I would have been entertaining.

We’re going to rest though siesta time and then go out and explore.

Hope you’re enjoying seeing part of Spain though our eyes. I wish we could really convey the beauty of this entire experience, but words and photos can only capture a fraction.

Saw the Templar’s castle. Really impressive!Leggi altro