Wednesday, August 28, 2013

One Good Hill Deserves Another

Woke up earlier this morning - left about 7:45 saying googbye to Uterga albergue - got coffee from a vending machine and headed out down a country gravel trail. Walk was mostly down hill to Muruzabal. Completed that just fine but outside the village almost missed the turn off to Obanos. Another steep ascent to the small village town - they had bronze metallic shells embeded in the sidewalks that led us through the town. Headed to Puente la Reina - no problems - then another steep hill to Maneru.
          

After we saw bikers walking their bikes up the hill - we decided that biking the Camino may not be as easy as one thinks. This was very difficult. On the way to Cirauqui we had to cross an old Roman trail and bridge. It was only after slowly climbing over these huge steps that we noticed an off trail track that would have been much easier. As we were looking back we saw a team of bikers getting ready to cope with those same stairs. Luckily - for them - we were able to get their attention and signal the alternate path - that earned us a hearty thank you from the guy and gal from California. The path continued to throw steep hills in our way as we moved on to Cirauqui and Lorca. We did manage to find a Farmacia that was open - talked with a young fellow who told us he had done training in Chicago and St Charles, Illinois for Arthur Anderson where our youngest son also had an early job. We spoke with the lady pharmacist - told her we were retired pharmacists - that earned us a professional discount on some vaseline and Compeed - for blisters. Foot still bothering Dale - so stopped in Lorca at the albergue. Talked with a young woman from Texas/California as we drank a Coke - needed some sugar - and ate dinner with two ladies and a fellow from Austria. Hot shower - clean dry clothes - shared a pilgrim's meal with Arlene and now ready for sleep. Trying for an earlier start Thursday.

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene 

9 comments:

  1. Thanks, I am starting out of pamplona on Sept 3 and maybe I'll catch up with you - ha ha. Your words are now inspiring me and chasing my doubts away

    Gabriel

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  3. According to my map, roughly another 12 miles! Love seeing that you are doing this. Telling many people about it and how much pride and joy I hold for the two of you.

    ps. Your son did not work at Anderson ... he worked for a competitor of theirs.

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  4. Praying for continued safety and health during your pilgrimage! Many Blessings! Amy M. :)

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  5. Confused ... does the change to this entry reflect your journey on Thursday (top)? The bottom still looks like the entry from Wednesday. I imagine you are a little tired now :-)

    Love you guys!

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  6. Love reading about your journey! Thinking of you during your walk...love to you both!
    Your niece, Debbie

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  7. Started in Pamplona on 9/3 arrived in Burgos on 9/12 - took bus to leon 9/13 - walked from leon to Santiago 9/14 - 9/25. Only two days with rain; only one blister + one self inflicted one.
    Great experience and wonderful people met along the way; no other problems, got a bit aprehensive when told there are wolves and bears in the mountains - never saw one

    Gabriel

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    1. We never heard anything about wolves and bears - wonder if that is true - we walked aboit the same time - ended in Santiago on 9/25 (the only day we got rain)

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