Author: Linda

Identification ~ May 24, 2018

• Thursday, May 24, 2018, Day #14

• San Vicente de la Barquera

• Distance 15.5 miles; total 201.5 miles (including 5-minute car ride to apartment)

• 1,539’ ascent and 1,629’ descent

• 100% hard surface

• Time: 8 hours

• Weather: 55-65 overcast

By the water, near the water, and on the water.

All sea worshippers…cows, pilgrims, and surfers. With whom do you identify?

1st towards San Vicente

2nd towards San Vicente

3rd towards San Vicente

• Thursday, May 24, 2018, Day #14

• San Vicente de la Barquera

• Distance 15.5 miles; total 201.5 miles (including 5-minute car ride to apartment)

• 1,539’ ascent and 1,629’ descent

• 100% hard surface

• Time: 8 hours

• Weather: 55-65 overcast

By the water, near the water, and on the water.

Sea worshippers…cows, pilgrims, and surfers. With whom do you identify?

1st towards San Vicente

2nd towards San Vicente

3rd towards San Vicente

Dodge Tourists ~ May 24, 2018

• Thursday, May 24, 2018, Day #14

• San Vicente de la Barquera

• Distance 15.5 miles; total 201.5 miles (including 5-minute car ride to apartment)

• 1,539’ ascent and 1,629’ descent

• 100% hard surface

• Time: 8 hours

• Weather: 55-65 overcast

Comillas, a beauty. I keep walking and dodging the tour bus passengers who have come to beautiful Comillas.

1st towards San Vicente

2nd towards San Vicente

3rd towards San Vicente

Open Door ~ May 24, 2018

• Thursday, May 24, 2018, Day #14

• San Vicente de la Barquera

• Distance 15.5 miles; total 201.5 miles (including 5-minute car ride to an apartment)

• 1,539’ ascent and 1,629’ descent

• 100% hard surface

• Time: 8 hours

• Weather: 55-65 overcast

Open door policy. Church doors should never be locked.

1st towards San Vicente

2nd towards San Vicente

3rd towards San Vicente

Vespers ~ May 23, 2018

• Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Day #13

• Cóbreces

• Distance 14.5 miles; total 171.7 miles (including 2-minute train ride crossing river)

• 1,628’ ascent and 1,459’ descent

• 100% hard surface

• Time: 7 3/4 hours

• Weather: 55-65 overcast

Vespers at Abadia de Santa Maria de Viaceli. So much quiet.

1st Cóbreces

2nd Cóbreces

3rd Cóbreces

Church Bells ~ May 23, 2018

• Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Day #13

• Cóbreces

• Distance 14.5 miles; total 171.7 miles (including 2-minute train ride crossing river)

• 1,628’ ascent and 1,459’ descent

• 100% hard surface

• Time: 7 3/4 hours

• Weather: 55-65 overcast

Gunter, a volunteer guide, shared the 16th century Iglesia de San Pedro’s history, sanctuary, and bell tower with me.

1st towards Cóbreces

2nd towards Cóbreces

3rd towards Cóbreces

Santillana Del Mar ~ May 23, 2018

• Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Day #13

• Cóbreces

• Distance 14.5 miles; total 171.7 miles (including 2-minute train ride crossing river)

• 1,628’ ascent and 1,459’ descent

• 100% hard surface

• Time: 7 3/4 hours

• Weather: 55-65 overcast

Santillana Del Mar, a huge tourist destination. Arrived and departed before the tour buses.

1st towards Cóbreces

2nd towards Cóbreces

3rd towards Cóbreces

Not Leading, Not Following ~ May 22, 2018

• Tuesday, May 22, 2018, Day #12

• Requejada

• Distance 13.5 miles; total 171.7 miles (including 2-minute train ride crossing river)

• 1,146’ ascent and 1,154’descent

• 90% hard surface

• Time: 7 1/2 hours

• Weather: 55-65 sunny

Not leading. Not following. Just walking. I have broken the standard stages so I no longer walk with the daily pilgrim pack. It’s too easy to walk at their pace, to make their right turns, or to make their wrong turns. I do not feel the burden of conversation. Today I feel the most at peace with myself because it’s just me.

1st towards Requejada

2nd towards Requejada

3rd towards Requejada