Monday, September 30, 2013

Awake


Can anyone explain the purpose of the 3:00 am church bell? 

I'm laying here awake but it is different than the later night anxiety that takes over my head when I'm at home. Here I'm wound up with excitement about tomorrow. It happens to me every night lately. It's the same type of excitement you get before a big trip. 

When we pulled away from the Seattle crew last week Dan shook my hand, gave he a hug and said " Don I know you will reach Santiago but I hope your Camino never ends". Now I know what he meant. Image how great it would be if every day you could not sleep because you were excited about tomorrow.
When Morgan and I were in the grocery store tonight the REM song was planning " that's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight ‎....". It's stuck in my head. An ear worm. I never understood the words to that song but I'm telling you I FOUND my religion on the Camino. " Oh no I said too much, haven't said enough..."

OMG this town has a 3:30 bell. Night.


Don MacKenzie
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Dominican Republic

‎Hey, for a minute I thought we were in the DR. 
The only thing missing is Rose and a beech.

Don MacKenzie
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Sparky #5

‎Another dog doing the Camino. 

Don MacKenzie
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Great scene



Don MacKenzie
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Corrion de Los condes

‎This is the screen from our room. From now on Morgan is picking them. 

Don MacKenzie
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Hey Darren Ings


Big green is ever where.
Don MacKenzie
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Morgan is the best


She scored this for 22.
Don MacKenzie
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Sign


Just when you are feeling confused you come across a sign like this that makes it all crystal clear. 


Don MacKenzie
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Hi Megan Deighan



Don MacKenzie
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Mother and daughter.



Don MacKenzie
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Begging at the table


Some trail side stops have cats that beg for food. Not this place. 

Don MacKenzie
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Donkey



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Rotary

‎I filled up my water jug at this Rotary fountain. Good for a make up?‎

Don MacKenzie
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Lock

‎I could have spent the morning here. 

Don MacKenzie
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Quote

‎There are aqueducts everywhere. Quote of the day from Morgan " I have to fix my shoe. There's an aqueduct. Go entertain yourself. "‎

Don MacKenzie
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Flat


We love flat. About 35 km today.
Don MacKenzie
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Monday. Morning

‎Great walk along a canal. I truly admire the engineers of old. 

Don MacKenzie
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Sunday, September 29, 2013

21 km today

‎Easy day today. We needed one. 

Don MacKenzie
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Sunday

‎Morning tea Castrojeriz 

Don MacKenzie
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Sunday. Home sweet home



Don MacKenzie
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Oh look another church on a hill


Castrojeriz

Don MacKenzie
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Bridge.

‎Leading into Itero de la Vega. Beauty. 

Don MacKenzie
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Back down we go.

‎We are in  Itero de la Vega. It is at the far end of the flat land shown in this photo. We made great time crossing the flat plains. Head down and the walking poles clicking. If it had of rained while we were crossing we would still be there in the mud. Today was very windy but only rained a few times. The Eddie Bauer breathable rain coat acted like a sauna.  

Don MacKenzie
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Damn hill

‎Okay you climb up the hill. Fine we did it. Then you walk 500 meters on the level top and away we go back down the hill. Very steep. Hard on the knees. 

Don MacKenzie
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Morning tea Castrojeriz



Don MacKenzie
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Looking back at Castrojeriz



Don MacKenzie
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Not impressed

‎Sparky truly enjoyed hearing about Nova Scotia. 

Don MacKenzie
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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Home town Saturday night

‎We are in Hontanas for the night. Everything we own is in the washer. No color separation here. My $13 Costco pants with the zip off legs are perfect. The Tilley shots are for evening wear. May soon need a belt. 

Don MacKenzie
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Last km


The sun showed up for the last km.  
Too little too late. 


Don MacKenzie
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Here comes the rain

‎Wet? Let me tell you!   OMG it rained hard. Had to walk last 10 km of our 30 km in my sandals. You have to avoid bluster and water filled boots cause blisters. So far we are both good. ‎

Don MacKenzie
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Saturday

‎Rain. At times heavy. 

Don MacKenzie
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Donkey Saturday morning

‎We rolled out of Burgos at 6:15 this morning. On the edge of town we saw this donkey in a park. His owner was in a tent.  

Don MacKenzie
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Beer.

‎Less than $1.00

Don MacKenzie
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The enemy

‎Plastic return trays. 

Don MacKenzie
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Friends

‎Morgan was sitting on a bench alone when I left for 15 minutes. When I came back all these friends were on the bench chatting . Hard to believe that we walked around a city of 400,000 and met 50+ people we knew. 

Don MacKenzie
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Same as Palladium.


Only thing missing was the Dominican music. 

Don MacKenzie
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Tour. Gear

‎For our tour of the cathedral we were given these phones. When you saw something of interest you simply punched in the number and you were given a description of what you were viewing. 

Don MacKenzie
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Tour

‎We toured the Cathedral in Burgos. Unbelievable. We also attend Mass Friday night. 

Don MacKenzie
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Burgos


Checking out the city square. We love city squares. 


Don MacKenzie
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Hotel

We sprung for a hotel. The sheets. The shower. The towels. ‎And oh, the lack of snoring.  

Don MacKenzie
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Entering Burgos

‎The trail leads through an industrial park. There were many abandoned factories. Sad actually.  

Don MacKenzie
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The pack

We had most meals with this group. We all met our first night and became good friends. Morgan and I did not walk with then but we usually ended up having morning coffee and our evening meal with them. Burgos was the end if the line for two as they were only walking for two weeks. The remaining people were taking a rest day in Burgos on Saturday. Morgan and I should have done the same but our schedule is too tight to stop. As it is we have to make up a leg. We are not worried because we hit the open flat lands soon.

Don MacKenzie
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Road


This would be a dream road for a motorcycle or sports car. Not bad to walk on. 

Don MacKenzie
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Sun Flowers



Don MacKenzie
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Friday am. Burgos in the distance.

‎Weird walk today. We could see the city for most of the day. The last 10 km was through an industrial park.  

Don MacKenzie
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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Supper sure smells good


I have no idea what is in the pot but it sure smells good. 


Don MacKenzie
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Happiness

‎Happiness is seeing you name in the registration book after a hot day.

Don MacKenzie
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In to town.

‎Sometimes you envy the bikers. Then you see them on an uphill push and you realize they pay for the glide. 

Don MacKenzie
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