SpainMadridEl RastroPuerta de Toledo40°24’23” N 3°42’44” W
March 22 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
It’s been a whirlwind couple of days. Yesterday morning I was at home about to leave on this adventure. Now I’m climbing into bed after a sleepless overnight plane ride (typical for me), samplingRead more
SpainAndalusiaMálagaEl PaloPlaya del Palo36°43’12” N 4°21’28” W March 22 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
We explored Madrid a bit more, rested from travel, and did a tapas cooking class. It was delicious and I’m excited to try the recipes at home! Then we picked up a rental car and drove 5 hours toRead more
SpainBasque CountrySan SebastiánAmaraberri43°18’28” N 1°58’43” W
March 24 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
We stayed in a lovely Airbnb along one of the beaches off Malaga. We explored Málaga, had a day trip to Córdoba, and then road-tripped through Almería and Alicante to Donostia-San Sebastián.Read more
SpainBasque CountrySan SebastiánAmarazarIglesia PP Carmelitas43°18’48” N 1°58’48” W
March 29 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
I spent 4 months here in college. Donostia is much more laid back than Madrid and Malaga. It was nice to walk around the city, eat some delicious food, and catch up with old friends.
SpainNavarreLuzaide43°5’31” N 1°18’9” W
April 2 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 61 °F
I arrived in St Jean Pied de Port (SJPDP) yesterday with what felt like 100 other pilgrims on a small train. It was a bit overwhelming, but after picking up my credential and getting a spot in aRead more
WHY didn't I know you were doing this??? Obviously I need to talk to my sister more often. Praying for your trip! One of our board members, Linda, spends time on the Camino hiking and helping every year, but she won't be there until the 19th of this month and I'm not sure what region she is hitting this year. [Dorinda]
Traveler That’s so cool! I would love to know where she’ll be. I’m planning on taking it kinda slow, so I may very well get to meet her. And thanks for the prayers!
SpainNavarreAuritz/BurgueteRoncesvallesReal Colegiata de Santa María de Roncesvalles43°0’37” N 1°19’10” W
April 3 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
I’m glad the Camino started with a good day, because today was a beat down. I got a bit late of a start at just after 9. I knew that it would be a lot of uphill, but I had no idea! I’m not sureRead more
So excited for you! Glad to see your are using your Spanish ;) (from your non Spanish speaking Latina) [Aurea Knott]
Traveler I’m impressed with what you have accomplished so far. The 50-70 miles are the hardest, after that you develop a rhythm and mental toughness. 👏🏼👏🏼 To God Be the Glory!
Traveler Not gonna lie- I debate quitting several times a day! Fortunately passes after some rest and food generally. I’m hoping my body listens and that tomorrow or the next day I hit my groove
Traveler Proud of you 👍🏼. Find your groove (what works best for you) and stay in it no matter what others do. You will eventually find friends going the same speed and rhythm you are at.
Traveler As I read this it made me think of our spiritual journey. I have found myself often in this place of quitting. Not on my faith but in my decision to follow Jesus. The physical struggle you are experiencing describes many of our lives who have been asked to do more than believe but to follow.
SpainNavarrePamplonaPalacio de los Reyes de Navarra42°49’14” N 1°38’36” W April 4 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
After the brutal walk to Roncesvalles, yesterday was a nice change. Still some uphill, but not unrelenting as before. But we all know that going down can be just as hard! The rock here is crazy- itRead more
SpainNavarrePuente La Reina – Gares42°40’21” N 1°48’50” W
April 7 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
I walked about 15 miles from Pamplona to the medieval city of Puente de la Reina (Queen’s bridge). After another poor night of sleep, it was a difficult start. It seems like every day, I vacillateRead more
Traveler As I read your thoughts I can’t help but see the spiritual parallels. In these last days, a good night sleep gives over to interceding due to the burdens we carry for the lost. I scold myself often because it seems a daily struggle, vacillating “between wanting to quit and head home and loving the experience.” Missing the comforts of home and the ease of having of having everything we need right there. Those comforts tease us and tempt us leave the difficult journey Jesus has called us to walk. And as you have discovered that it isn’t just those things that cause us to question our decisions. Our miss steps, failures and mistakes cause us to wonder if we are even capable. But God, then uses those things to show us we are not alone in this thing, that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He uses kind staff to fix a booking mistake. I found joy as you stated “Walking into my tiny room, I was so happy- a double size bed, ceiling fan, private bathroom! The bed is comfy and the pillows are good. I slept 9 hours that night, then the next day did laundry today and took a 3 hour nap.” The joy you found in the simplest of things brought joy to my evening. Sometimes we cannot see the beauty of the simple things until the busyness of life it stripped away as we only focus on the journey before us. As I read about the couple you met and the struggle you went through to go out with them. Sometimes we get so focused on the journey and the individual aspect of it that we forget that God doesn’t call us to journey alone. God lives in community and delights in setting us up to stumble into community. God will speak to us in isolated aspects of our journey but it is lived out in community. Just something’s you caused me to think about. Love you Uncle Galen
SpainNavarreEstella-Lizarra42°40’19” N 2°1’42” W
April 8 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Let’s talk about smells. I had no idea. The beginning of the Camino passes livestock farms, so there manure from sheep, horses, cows, pigs. Now I’ve passed into more agricultural land, andRead more
SpainNavarreArcos, LosLos Arcos42°34’16” N 2°11’35” W April 9 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
It’s an odd thing, staying in albergues. It kind of feels like summer camp, except the “campers” are 20-70 year olds who all speak different languages and may never meet again. Tonight’sRead more
Traveler And so the adventure begins!! You are never going to regret this trip.
This looks so good! We miss you so much! [EKG]
Traveler So so excited to follow along and see your adventures!