Pamplona to Obanos

I know Chris is working on a rundown of today’s sights, so I’ll just share a few thoughts:

— Starting to ur walk a little before sunrise was key. We were halfway done with our walk — and completely finished with the difficult climb and tricky descent from the Alto de Perdón before 11.

— We saw the iconic pilgrim monument on top of the Alto de Perdón. It was awfully cool. What I didn’t expect was that there’s _also_ a monument to 19 people who were disappeared during the coup that started the Franco era. I found that more moving, honestly especially given what’s going on at home.

—I have an easier time pushing myself when the humidity is low.

— On the Camino, you don’t get a sign unless you’re on the right track. Since the Camino is a metaphor for life, I’m trying to figure out how that little bit of wisdom will help. …still not sure, but I spent the better part of the day thinking of all of the times I waited for a sign to make a change.…

—Being able to think about and pray for the people on my “blessing book page of the day” really helps on the tough climbs and the last hot KMs of the day…but not on tough descents when all I can focus on is not breaking my ankle.

—The Church of Mary Eunate was worth the 3KM detour on a sunbaked road. I loved how the Mary on the altarpiece looked so kindly, and the octagonal design was cool to see.

—Chris takes more pictures than I do because he’s got to do something with himself while his pokey puppy of a wife inches her way along the trail….

— in tiny Spanish towns, no place is open for dinner until 7:30 or 8, but there’s always a bar when you can get beer, Aquarius and olives.Read more