Aug – Oct 2023

Camino de Santiago (Frances)

We're setting out on an adventure of a lifetime. Just two crazy kids walking 500 miles across northern Spain. I hope you enjoy following along. Read more

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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 49
- Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 5:48 PM
- 🌧 61 °F
- Altitude: 1,778 ft
- Spain Samos 42.729327, -7.32776442°43’46” N 7°19’40” W
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Rest Day in Samos
October 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
Had a wonderful day off, toured a monastery, as you can see in the images. We are starting our home stretch tomorrow (means no more rest days) with an 11-mile walk. We will finish our Camino next Sunday (the 22nd).Read more
That front reminds me of the remains of a cathedral in Macau, built by the Portuguese . [Josefina]
10/15/23Reply
Very Good [Josefina]
10/15/23Reply
Traveler 😂😂😂😂😂
10/15/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 50
- Monday, October 16, 2023 at 4:18 PM
- 🌧 63 °F
- Altitude: 1,742 ft
- Spain Barbadelo 42.769112, -7.44492842°46’9” N 7°26’42” W
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Day 38 - Barbardelo
October 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 63 °F
We have past the start city (Sarria) that many people who cannot spend over month on the Camino start in. The rain was farlirly light today, but we are expecting heavier rain tomorrow.
We are less than a week from our goal, and it feels surreal. Stuff we talk about at dinner or lunch feels like it happened last year.Read more
Traveler Awwww.....
10/16/23Reply
Traveler This one should be framed. So so tranquil and definitely timely. Happy Fall. 🍁🍂
10/16/23Reply
TravelerI absolutely love all the scenery in this area. 💜🤗 Hard to believe you're so close to the finish line. Wow!!!!
10/16/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 50
- Monday, October 16, 2023 at 4:25 PM
- 🌧 64 °F
- Altitude: 1,742 ft
- Spain Barbadelo 42.769141, -7.44498142°46’9” N 7°26’42” W
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Day 38-Barbadelo
October 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 64 °F
Today's walk went by in the blink of an eye. We walked 12 miles through lush farmland and trees, through villages in a light, misty rain. We stopped in Sarria, a small city, for lunch and we bought waterproof gaiters to keep our socks and shoes dry. It's supposed to rain everyday for the rest of our trip.

It's been said that once reaching Sarria, the Camino gets more crowded and noisy. It's gotten a little more crowded but alot more noisy from a group of four Kiwi ladies having a good time. They're really nice but it's a bit jarring after the peace and quiet we've had for over five weeks. We might just have to join in since it's harder to notice the noise when you're part of it.

The days are really starting to go by quickly now. It's really a bittersweet feeling. It's been a really hard journey at times, physically and mentally, but it's been everything having Pat with me to experience the highs and lows. Even though this Camino was my idea, I don't know if I would have had the willpower to keep going if I weren't with him.Read more
Traveler💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
10/16/23Reply
Traveler Wow! That sunrise on the water! So pretty....😃
10/16/23Reply
Traveler May Camino Karma find them....🙀🤦🏼‍♀️
10/16/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 51
- Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 5:53 PM
- 🌧 68 °F
- Altitude: 1,316 ft
- Spain Portomarín 42.807581, -7.61882942°48’27” N 7°37’8” W
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Day 39-Portomarín
October 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 68 °F
It wasn't supposed to rain until 3pm today so we headed out optimistically but had our rain gear handy. Well, what do you know, it started raining one hour into our walk. So we stopped to put our rain jackets and new gaiters on. I also put some duct tape on the front of my shoes since they're not waterproof. It did the trick because it stopped raining for most of out walk. The wind was pretty brutal though so our rain jackets acted like windbreakers. It's a pain stopping for a break when you have rain gear on so we walked about 12 miles without a break.

Our room is up on a hill and has a great view to the bridge, river and hills on the other side (where we walked today). I had a great lunch of lentils, pulpo (octopus), and flan made from scratch. I've had flan a few times over the last few weeks and have been underwhelmed. They've tasted and had the texture of the kind made from a powder mix. Today's flan tasted and had the texture like the ones my mom and gradmother would make. By the way, I make a pretty good flan too. Delicious!

We walked a bit around town until it started raining hard. If it stops raining, we'll have a few tapas later. If it doesn't, we have Mr. Corn (corn nuts) to snack on.Read more
Hurrah! [Josefina]
10/17/23Reply
Nice. [Josefina]
10/17/23Reply
Those are not miuras,but what horns! [Josefina]
10/17/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 51
- Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 8:28 PM
- 🌧 64 °F
- Altitude: 1,316 ft
- Spain Portomarín 42.807571, -7.61902142°48’27” N 7°37’8” W
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Day 39 - Portomarín
October 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 64 °F
We are getting closer, the crowds are getting bigger, especially in the bigger towns.
The wind was howling, and we had little periods of rain, not really a fun day of walking. Hopefully, the wind will die down tomorrow.
We are 91 kilometers from Santiago de Compostela!!!!Read more
You look like a. Native. With the socks. [Josefina]
10/17/23Reply
Lovely [Josefina]
10/17/23Reply
It is not a miura,but thehorns are beautiful [Josefina]
10/17/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 52
- Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 4:38 PM
- 🌬 63 °F
- Altitude: 2,156 ft
- Spain Ligonde 42.855251, -7.7744442°51’19” N 7°46’28” W
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Day 40 - Lestedo
October 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 63 °F
Windy and misting to light rain most of the day. We stayed at a very nice hostal and had a great lunch / dinner.
We walked 20 kilometers today (12.5 miles) and have 19 kilometers tomorrow. The rain will be heavier tomorrow.
We are now 71.5 kilometers from Santiago de Compostela.Read more
Traveler That's spectacular
10/18/23Reply
This last leg has been beautiful! [Rosemary]
10/18/23Reply
Typical Galician weather…almost there! [Cisco]
10/18/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 52
- Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 5:39 PM
- ☁️ 63 °F
- Altitude: 1,955 ft
- Spain Lestedo 42.873142, -7.81522842°52’23” N 7°48’55” W
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Day 40-Lestedo
October 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Walked 12 miles in an on and off drizzle and a little wind. There were alot more people on the trail today. Alot. We didn't see anyone we had met previously. Up until now, we've been in the middle of the pack. We're not slow walkers but we're not fast either. Fast, long-legged walkers passed us frequently. Now that there are alot of new pilgrims that started in Sarria and don't have their Camino legs yet, we're finding that we're passing alot of people.

The countryside is beautiful and the villages we walked through were cute, even through the rain. I think we passed a manure factory at some point because it smelled really bad.

Our host for tonight is also a pilgrim who bought this place five years ago when he stayed here during his Camino. He gave us big hugs when he found out we started in St. Jean, as he did too.

We didn't take too many pictures today because of the rain.

Our host took me and another lodger to see a 12th century church nearby that is thought to have been built by women. There is also a knight's tomb inside of it and frescoes from the 1400s. The elderly gentleman who gave us a tour is a defender of women and told us several times to keep fighting for women's rights. When we got back, our host gave a chupito (shot) of a local liqueur called Tostado. It tastes like caramel and packs a punch.Read more
That many! [Josefina]
10/18/23Reply
That is really beautiful [Josefina]
10/18/23Reply
I bet that cheese was really good and organic. [Josefina]
10/18/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 53
- Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 4:58 PM
- 🌧 57 °F
- Altitude: 1,476 ft
- Spain Melide 42.914647, -8.01767442°54’53” N 8°1’4” W
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Day 41-Melide
October 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 57 °F
It rained during all but the last hour of our 12+ mile walk. It wasn't bad on the pavement but half the time we were on a dirt trail the turned into a dirt river with thick, mucky mud. I slipped at one point and landed on one knee. No real injury, just a dirty knee and a small cut on my hand.

A highlight of the day was meeting an American couple that moved to Spain five years ago. Kelli blogs about their life in Spain and just published a book that is set on the Camino. I was able to get a signed copy from her and we all had a great chat.

Then we trudged along several more miles in the rain. We didn't take many pictures because it was raining too hard so the ones you see are pretty tame. I'm proud that we toughed it out and walked every step. We saw a huge group of pilgrims waiting for a bus.

We're expecting more of the same tomorrow.Read more
TravelerSuper proud of you both!!!! You will never forget how strong you are! 💜
10/19/23Reply
I am here holding my breath, without being there I knew the hazards and the beauty of the trip thanks for my reading of Spanish literature.You are champions!Poud of you both. [Josefina]
10/19/23Reply
I am glad that you are braving the elements of Galicia..Let's see,A calle,Lavacolla an Santiago! [Josefina]
10/19/23Reply
TravelerOnly two long walks and one short one.
10/19/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 53
- Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 5:34 PM
- 🌧 55 °F
- Altitude: 1,476 ft
- Spain Melide 42.914623, -8.01768642°54’53” N 8°1’4” W
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Day 41 - Melide
October 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 55 °F
Well, pretty much a repeat of yesterday, rain, rain, and more rain. Oh, and guess what, we have the samething on tap for tomorrow, yea!!!
There are not many pictures today, but some videos.
TravelerAmazing to see you both push through this together!!! Inspiring!!!
10/19/23Reply
Traveler SO cool about meeting the writer!!! 🚶‍♀️🚶✍️
10/19/23Reply
Traveler Awesome!!!! Can't wait to hear more about that!!!
10/19/23Reply
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- Day 54
- Friday, October 20, 2023 at 5:21 PM
- ☀️ 55 °F
- Altitude: 1,132 ft
- Spain Ferreiros 42.917932, -8.24246842°55’5” N 8°14’33” W
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Day 42-Outeiro/A Calle
October 20, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We started today's 13 mile walk in a little rain. It was off and on for a few hours but then we got ahead of it and saw blue sky and sun fir the last hour.

We're back to seeing about a dozen pilgrims a day because we are staying in towns that are not designated as the overnight towns in the guidebooks. Tonight, we're at a lovely guesthouse that includes a small café and terrace. When we arrived, there was a lively group of Spanish 20 year olds. They're from different parts of Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, and Málaga) and met on the Camino. When they continued on to their next stop, we realized that we're the only ones staying here tonight.Read more
Traveler Looks too much like my house. Next! 😜
10/21/23Reply
Traveler That Emerald green wow!!!
10/21/23Reply
Traveler Reminds me of my diet. Next! 😂
10/21/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 54
- Friday, October 20, 2023 at 5:41 PM
- ☀️ 55 °F
- Altitude: 1,132 ft
- Spain Ferreiros 42.917939, -8.24246242°55’5” N 8°14’33” W
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Day 42 - Outerio
October 20, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Wow, we are so close now. We have one more 11 mile day and then a short 6 mile day into Santiago. It is so unbelievable in my mind. Feels like the start of our pilgrimage was last year sometime.
Well, the forecast said it was supposed to rain all day, we caught a break and had good weather. We did start in the rain for about an hour and a half. It is a little cooler and we will have rain the rest of the night.
We have 31 kilometers left, 21 tomorrow, and then 10 on Sunday.Read more
You two could walk on home! [Rosemary]
10/20/23Reply
Traveler Those Feller Buncher machines are pretty amazing, aren't they? No lumberjacks with chain saws.
10/21/23Reply
Traveler SOoooooo beautiful!!! Love the 🦢.
10/21/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 55
- Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 4:42 PM
- ☁️ 59 °F
- Altitude: 971 ft
- Spain Carballal 42.899897, -8.44720242°53’60” N 8°26’50” W
Day 43 - Lavacolla
October 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Well, the penultimate day is done, Day 43 is in the books. The weather turned out to be nice, and tomorrow looks even better.
We walk into Santiago de Compostela tomorrow with a short 7-mile walk. We will do a noon mass and then we will get our Compostela. This will the last day of our pilgrimage.Read more
TravelerSo close! Are you also going to the End of the World?
10/21/23Reply
TravelerNo, we're going to Porto instead.
10/21/23Reply
TravelerWe all know you have the stamina to walk to the end of the world!!! But....do please come back here instead....🤗
10/21/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 55
- Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 5:15 PM
- ☁️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 971 ft
- Spain Carballal 42.899898, -8.44719642°53’60” N 8°26’50” W
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Day 43-Lavacolla
October 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
We had a pretty easy 13 mile walk today. I never thought I would equate 13 miles with being easy. The weather was nice and there was only about five minutes od rain. We met up with the Texans (that we met in Samos) today who are walking into Santiago tomorrow too.

We walked past the Santiago airport today and realized it's been a long time since we'd seen an airplane.

I can't believe this pilgrimage is coming to an end, although when I think back to some of our experiences, it feels like they happened a long time ago. I'm excited for the morning to come so we can be on our way.Read more
TravelerWhat an amazing trip of a lifetime!!!
10/21/23Reply
Ahhh,cute. [Josefina]
10/21/23Reply
Besuiful [Josefina]
10/21/23ReplyTranslate
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- Day 56
- Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 8:49 PM
- ☁️ 55 °F
- Altitude: 866 ft
- Spain Alameda Park 42.877103, -8.54453442°52’38” N 8°32’40” W
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Day 44 - Santiago de Compostela
October 22, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
OMG, we have completed the Camino de Santiago (Frances), 800 kilometers or 500 miles, and 8 weeks.
Now we are on vacation!
We spend a couple of days in Santiago, and then we go to Porto Portugal for 3 days. We start our journey home on October 28th, which will be 2 full months. I will still try and send updates until we get home.Read more
TravelerYahoo!!!!! You did it!!!!!!!
10/22/23Reply
TravelerSO PROUD OF YOU BOTH!!!!!!
10/22/23Reply
Traveler Was there an In and Out nearby? 😂
10/22/23Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago (Frances)
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- Day 56
- Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 8:58 PM
- ☁️ 55 °F
- Altitude: 866 ft
- Spain Alameda Park 42.87711, -8.54453142°52’38” N 8°32’40” W
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Day 44-Santiago de Compostela
October 22, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Well, we did it! After almost 500 miles of walking, we arrived at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. It's hard to wrap my mind around it. It seems like climbing over the Pyrenees happened so long ago; the never-ending meseta ended; and the recent days of rain stopped as we ended our pilgrimage. What a wild ride. Some days were really hard but we kept putting one foot in front of the other.

We went to Mass and saw the botafumeiro swing and then we went behind the alter to hug the statue of Saint James (Santiago), the patron saint of Spain.

We visited the pilgrim office to collect our Compostela and distance certificate and celebrated with a steaming bowl of ramen to warm us up. We followed that up with churros and chocolate.

What happened next was such a treat. Way back at the beginning of our journey, we mailed a suitcase of our non-pilgrim clothes to the post office in Santiago which we were going to pick up tomorrow. When I checked their hours, I found that they were open today (Sunday). So off we went to collect our suitcase. We couldn't remember what was in it, so we were so happy to find a set of warm clothing for each of us. It's a little strange having to manage more belongings when for the last seven weeks all we've needed was in our backpacks. There's a lesson there.

Well, now were on vacation for a few days before flying home.Read more
Beautiful [Josefina]
10/22/23Reply
You smile says everything. [Josefina]
10/22/23Reply
Awesome! [Josefina]
10/22/23Reply
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- Day 60
- Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 6:47 PM
- ⛅ 63 °F
- Altitude: 318 ft
- Portugal Praça de Carlos Alberto 41.149124, -8.61499141°8’57” N 8°36’54” W
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Porto Portugal
October 26, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Finally, we had good weather in Porto. Since we completed our pilgrimage to today, it has been non-stop rain.
We are on day 58 of 60 days in our vacation, one more full day in Porto (of course, it is supposed to rain), then we fly home Saturday.Read more
Traveler Shake it, Gina!
10/26/23Reply
Love it! [Rosemary]
10/26/23Reply
You two look so happy! [Rosemary]
10/26/23Reply
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Trip end
October 28, 2023