It’s a Long Way to Tipperary!

Espinal, Spain
We watched a gorgeous sunrise as we chowed down on a quick breakfast of toasted baguette and bowls of coffee before hitting the trail for Roncesvalles. It's also mostly uphill, but a gentler incline. The scenery is spectacular from the top, especially when you remember to turn around and catch the mist rising up the valley. Profuse fields of heather lined the trail interspersed with nettles. The livestock was out in full force, with multiple herds of sheep, cattle and horses. The hills were alive with music as multiple animals were sporting bells. At one point our path was blocked by a couple of horses, but fortunately French and Spanish horses respond to the same cues as American ones and we were able to easily move them along. From the mountains, across streams, and through forests, we made it to Roncesvalles around 1:30, passing an imposing church and monastery with strains of singing emanating. Congratulating ourselves on making it thus far, we grabbed a seat at a bar and set about locating our lodging for the evening. Turns out that even though it's named Casa Rural Roncesvalles, it's another 4 miles down the road in Espinal. Shouldering our packs, we set out again. We were thrilled to finally reach our destination, having covered 15 miles on day 2 of our Camino. I can tell, it's going to be an ibuprofen night.Read more