Day 54, May 30
10 miles, 657 total miles
Altitude: 2,821 feet (3,116 feet daily high)
Weather: light rain and sun with clouds 45-60F
Burgos
Cathedral de Santa Maria is among the most beautiful of Spain’s cathedrals. It is 13th-century and a designated World Heritage Site.
Day 53, May 29
15 miles, 647 total miles
Altitude: feet (feet daily high)
Weather: overcast 45-60F
Cardenuela-Riopico
I lined my back pack beside three other packs outside a woodworker’s shop. Suddenly there was a loud commotion as one pilgrim was stopping a thief from making off with two of the packs. His plans gone a rye the thief jumped into a waiting green Lagoona and sped away.
At the next hamlet we came upon the police were interviewing a person who just had her money bag and passport stoked. Our incident was shared…Evil persons haunt pilgrim’s Shangrila.
Had he gone to church, perhaps the thief would have chosen a different profession.
Day 53, May 29
15 miles, 647 total miles
Altitude: feet (feet daily high)
Weather: overcast 45-60F
Cardenuela-Riopica
Who could ask for a more delightful walk in the woods?
Day 52, May 28
14 miles, 632 total miles
Altitude: 3,116 feet (2,460 feet daily high)
Weather: mostly light rain 45-60F
Villafranca Montes de Oca
When walking in a mostly rainy day, take advantage of each village’s cafe for expresso. My hat sags heavily from the rain.
Strolling through grocery stores and variety shops are intriguing. Today’s finds were a replacement coin purse and zip-lock bags.
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Day 52, May 28
14 miles, 632 total miles
Altitude: 3,373 feet (2,460 feet daily high)
Weather: mostly light rain 45-60F
Villafranca Montes de Oca
The geometry and symmetry of church and cathedral ceilings are fascinating. The vaulted ceilings have expanded on intersecting lines (+, /, X) and circles. I can’t help thinking how these designs would look piped in buttercream on a gateau.
Day 51, May 27
14 miles, 618 total miles
Altitude: 2,460 feet (2,460 daily high)
Weather: blue sky with clouds. 45-65F
VillamayorFront and rear of the Cathedral in Santo Domingo, 12th-century and a place in between.
Day 51, May 27
14 miles, 618 total miles
Altitude: 2,460 feet (2,460 daily high)
Weather: blue sky with clouds. 45-65F
Villamayor
Wild flowers form streaks across the field as though Milky Way stars have fallen to earth.
Day 50, May 26
16 miles, 604 total miles
Altitude: 2,296 feet (2,296 daily high)
Weather: blue sky with clouds. 45-65F
Ciruena
Though the road isn’t yellow, much of the day was spent walking along a wide rock-packed rode.
At last I had the pleasure of a family meal served at the albergue (pilgrim’s hostel).
Day 50, May 26
16 miles, 604 total miles
Altitude: 2,296 feet (2,296 daily high)
Weather: blue sky with clouds. 45-65F
Ciruena
Veins of white snow cap the mountains to the south (not Pyrenees). Red rock is characteristic of the Rioja wine region.
Day 50, May 26
16 miles, 604 total miles
Altitude: 2,296 feet (2,296 daily high)
Weather: blue sky with clouds. 45-65F
Ciruena
I no longer feel the need to sing Peter, Paul, and Mary’s “Five Hundred Miles.”
