David and Sean’s Camino

June - July 2023

David and Sean will fly to Paris, France on June 2, 2023 to begin their Camino de Santiago adventure--a walking trek of approximately 500 miles. Read more

98footprints
4countries
52days
218photos
13videos
17.9kmiles
15.1kmiles

Follow Calendar Share Bucket list

Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 12, 2023, 4:59 PM
- ☁️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 1,352 ft
- Spain La Rioja Logroño Gaunas Park 42.452738, -2.44810342°27’10” N 2°26’53” W
Day 11
Bells
June 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
We have heard a lot of bells on our Camino.

First it was mostly on animals: cows, sheep, and even some horses.

Then it seemed like we always passed through a small village at the top of the hour and it was church bells.

And lastly, Sean wears his two metal water bottles tied to a scarf so they hang down from his neck, and when they clang together they sound like the cow bells! (I’m certain there’s a great joke there, but I’m too tired to see it.)

Looking forward to a few days in one place, dialysis a couple of times, and enjoying a hotel room with a great shower, a phone, and even a TV.

p.s. Nancy, remember how surprised we were to discover that the first floor is “zero” and that the next floor up is “one”?!Read more
Traveler Yeah don't know why they do that on my trip to Great Britain most of the hotels were ground floor, Mezzanine, then the 1st floor really weird.
6/12/23Reply
Traveler We also noticed the 0 was used in Ireland. Had many stops on the First floor….scenic vacation.
6/15/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 12, 2023, 5:10 PM
- ☁️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 1,348 ft
- Spain La Rioja Logroño Gaunas Park 42.452781, -2.4482142°27’10” N 2°26’54” W
Day 11
Respect
June 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
I have sometimes felt embarrassed and disappointed in myself on this Camino.

Taking a cab to finish the climb over the Pyrenees on our first day. Taking a cab to get from one side of Pamplona to the hospital on the other side. Taking both a taxi and a bus today.

However, while walking today (deliberately in the wrong direction) we passed our good friends Carlo and Luigi! We explained our situation and in very halting and careful English, Luigi explained how much respect he had for us doing what we are doing.

Very kind.

And Luigi has military background (something that he and Sean have discussed at some length), so his salute to me was especially meaningful.

Very gracious.Read more
Traveler You are AMAZING!
6/15/23Reply
5 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 12, 2023, 6:00 PM
- ☁️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 1,332 ft
- Spain La Rioja Logroño Gaunas Park 42.452927, -2.44802142°27’11” N 2°26’53” W
Day 11
Thunder or Door?
June 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
Some of the doors here at Hotel Logrono close with such difficulty that they are hard to distinguish from the thunder outside. Hint: the doors make a louder, shorter sound, while the thunder makes a softer, longer rumbling sound.

We have seen and heard many thunderstorms, but not been caught unprotected in any. A few raindrops here and there but usually gone by the time I can get my raincoat on and my rain cover over my backpack.

Last night I was having difficulty getting to sleep. Very hot and humid. Then God sent a thunderstorm and it got considerably cooler and less humid. Thank you God!Read more
3 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 13, 2023, 2:55 PM
- ☁️ 70 °F
- Altitude: 1,352 ft
- Spain La Rioja Logroño Gaunas Park 42.45276, -2.44811742°27’10” N 2°26’53” W
Day 12
Somewhere in between…
June 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
According to the stages that we have completed on the Camino, solely walking, we have walked 46.4 miles so far, plus a bit more for partial stages.

According to my FitBit we have walked 81.93 miles so far.

The truth lies somewhere in between.

I have realized that the FitBit doesn’t really count distance—it counts steps and converts every 2,000 steps into 1 mile. The “miscalculation” becomes the much smaller steps that I am often taking: uphill, downhill on unsure footing, and even flat terrain when I am tired.

It will be interesting to see what difference these upcoming dialysis sessions will make and how much further we will be able to go.Read more
Traveler Good morning. Praying for good dialysis people and that to go well, strengthen you. Hope Sean finds good food to eat (I’m on the picky side. Can’t make fun of him ).
6/13/23Reply
Traveler Spent time with the director today. She was awesome! I’m in good hands. Thank you for your prayers.
6/13/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 14, 2023, 11:59 AM
- ⛅ 68 °F
- Altitude: 1,325 ft
- Spain La Rioja Logroño Gaunas Park 42.455445, -2.44874542°27’20” N 2°26’55” W
Day 13
Dizzy as a Loon
June 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Dialysis went well yesterday, particularly considering the language barrier. Everyone was very kind—doctor, nurses, technicians, and even patients. The other patients were very interested in where I was from and I was somewhat of a celebrity.

Needless to say, I didn’t “fit right in” as you can see from the picture! Back home they put a stool out in front of my chair so that my feet can rest on it, rather than hanging for four hours. But here there is a foot stop, so my knees were bent for that time. I don’t think they get many patients this tall!

Some medication they gave me caused me to be as dizzy as I’ve ever been, and for over 12 hours after. We won’t do that again on Friday!

My weight gain was NOT bad considering that I hadn’t had dialysis in over a week—in fact, I’ve sometimes had more weight gain during my 3-day weekends at home.

All is good. Sean and I are spoiled, but it will be good to be back on the Camino at the end of the week.Read more
Traveler Think I’ve gained weight reading your culinary reviews. After reading your reviews, I’m finding myself really hungry.
6/15/23Reply
4 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 15, 2023, 10:58 AM
- ⛅ 68 °F
- Altitude: 1,375 ft
- Spain La Rioja Logroño Gaunas Park 42.452572, -2.44811842°27’9” N 2°26’53” W
Day 14
Food
June 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Cousin Russ wrote that he thought he was gaining weight reading about our food experiences. Well, it’s a good thing we’re walking so much!

What I’d read: meager breakfast, big meal at noon, pilgrim dinner (lower quality, lesser choices).

Our experience: fresh-squeezed orange juice along with a fresh-baked, French-quality croissant, often with Spanish ham and cheese. Meager? Yeah, right! We’ll often grab a sandwich for lunch since we’re still walking and don’t want to fill up, but even then it’s Spanish ham and cheese on a French baguette. Ooh la la! And dinners! Three courses and the first course (often a salad for me) is usually as much as I would eat for an entire dinner at home. I feel bad leaving half of a course, but I simply can’t eat all of it!

Again, it’s a good thing we’re walking!Read more
Traveler I am glad the food is better than expected. That is really great 🍜🥐 Buen Camino 🌻
6/15/23Reply
Traveler Not just better, so much good stuff that I can’t finish it all! I was more concerned for Sean because he is pickier about food (less so than when he was younger) but there is more food that he likes AND he is adjusting very admirably. We may lose weight on this adventure, but it won’t be due to lack of good food.
6/15/23Reply
Traveler 💜🥳🥾🥾👣👣
6/15/23Reply
Traveler Looks to me like you’re getting your steps in today! Lol!
6/15/23Reply
Traveler Lol 😆 well on break, lunch & after work yes ✅
6/15/23Reply
4 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 15, 2023, 7:25 PM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 1,309 ft
- Spain La Rioja Logroño Plaza del Mercado 42.466553, -2.44738742°27’60” N 2°26’51” W
Day 14
On the road again…
June 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Nancy and I will frequently sing that phrase (we don’t know the rest of the words) whenever we start out on a trip—whether a road trip, a short journey to visit one of the boys, or one of our grand adventures.

Tomorrow morning I will have my final dialysis session here in Logrono and then Sean and I will be “on the road again.” The next part of the Camino is a bit of a climb to Najera, so we’ll tackle the first part in the afternoon, hoping to reach Navarette by nightfall and have that much less of a climb on Saturday.

Got to venture into “pinchos territory” this evening. Tapas are called pinchos in this region. Had a bit of success, after first wandering on the wrong street for a bit. LOTS of pinchos places in the old town. Have posted a couple of pics. We also enjoyed gelato, but too fast to take a picture!

The last picture was prob our favorite: a quail egg on some meat mixture on a fluffy bun with a slice of roasted red pepper. Yum!Read more
Traveler I have pigeons on my roof. I could probably scrounge some eggs if I time it right. (Similar to quail eggs. No? 😆)
6/16/23Reply
Traveler I think similar yes, at least in size. Tasted the quail egg last night, haven’t tasted pigeon eggs that I know of
6/16/23Reply
Traveler There is a temperature posted with your photos. I’m thing 68- nice walking weather. 81 - maybe hot to walk in!! 🥵
6/16/23Reply
Traveler It was a hot day. Very little breeze or clouds. Thankfully only 10.58 miles—and that will reduce tomorrow’s walk ( or get us further)
6/16/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 16, 2023, 5:55 PM
- ☁️ 86 °F
- Altitude: 1,686 ft
- Spain La Rioja Navarrete Iglesia Parroquial de la Asuncion de Maria 42.429283, -2.56143342°25’45” N 2°33’41” W
2
Day 15
Navarrete
June 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
Just a quickie. Walked after dialysis to get part of tomorrow’s climb out of the way. Stopped in Navarrete—a lovely little village. I’ve attached pictures of the church here as well as the BEST dinner we’ve enjoyed on the Camino, which is saying quite a bit! We enjoyed paella along with a number of finger foods (I went slightly crazy picking out a bunch of things from the display case with no.idea of what many were!).

Taking a breakfast break as I write this then on to Najera, after an early start to the day.Read more
Traveler Little village?! That church or cathedral looks huge. Beautiful. I tried to comment on the picture with the view of the countryside.... absolutely gorgeous 💜 Thank you for posting these updates 🌻🙂 Buen Camino
6/17/23Reply
Traveler I think they have a population of 3,000. But you’re right—the church is magnificent for such a small village. I need to read “Pillars of the Earth” to better understand the significance of churches and cathedrals in these villages.
6/17/23Reply
Traveler Gorgeous! I’m glad you are stopping at the churches. What a beautiful treasure inside.
6/17/23Reply
Traveler Interestingly, it was very dark when we went inside. Someone behind us noticed a little machine, put in a euro and the lights come on. Wow! What a difference! It was a great place to meditate and pray and then suddenly it was a great place to also take poured!
6/17/23Reply
Traveler Beautiful
6/17/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 17, 2023, 7:44 AM
- 🌩️ 64 °F
- Altitude: 1,834 ft
- Spain La Rioja Sotés 42.417042, -2.5985542°25’1” N 2°35’55” W
1
Day 16
Najera
June 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌩️ 64 °F
We got an early start today and thought we would be in Najera by lunch, the maybe go further and take some distance off tomorrow’s trek. However, we took a wrong turn somewhere (or missed a turn) and got off course. Settled into a delightful old albergue on the outskirts of Najera just in time to shelter from a tremendous thunderstorm! Lights have gone out once or twice.

Spotted a bar/cafe that offers a delightful selection of paellas so we’re headed there for dinner in a bit. And I’m hoping to pick up a walking stick before dinner. Left my trekking poles at home, never used them enough to understand their value, but will benefit from at least one for balance sake.

Here’s a few pictures from today.Read more
Traveler Sean was NOT using the “facilities” in this photo! We had just finished a significant climb, had some folks coming up behind us, and he was pointing out to them the much better view partway up than at the top—which he had also kindly done for me!
6/17/23Reply
Traveler Great photos I am so enjoying seeing these with you
6/17/23Reply
Traveler Me too. Next best thing to being there!! (Without any blisters !).
6/17/23Reply
Traveler And praise God, no blisters for either of us so far!
6/18/23Reply
2 more comments
3 likes
Traveler David and Sean’s Camino
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jun 17, 2023, 1:22 PM
- 🌩️ 82 °F
- Altitude: 1,749 ft
- Spain La Rioja Nájera Roc la Campane 42.415497, -2.70315542°24’56” N 2°42’11” W
Day 16
Purple
June 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌩️ 82 °F
Silly thing. I became obsessed with the color purple during my preparations for the Camino. Purple iPhone, can opener, towel, collapsible cup, and so forth. Don’t know why. It’s just become my favorite color—although I am still very partial to green.

Anyway, we are seeing a LOT of purple along the way, mostly in the way of wild flowers by the side of the trail. I’ve attached a pic here, but there seems to be an endless and delightfully never ending variety!

Thank you God for purple. (And those other colors too.)Read more
4 likes