Buen Camino! Blogs Day 1-12

Blog Day 1 from Dad & Momma Dawn 

Welcome to each of you who has decided to join us virtually on our pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago.

So today was a travel day from DFW to Madrid which was approximately a 9 hour flight and of course with time change we are now 7 hours ahead arriving at 9am Spain time. We then elected to change from waiting until late afternoon for the train to a bus getting us into todays starting point of Burgos Spain by 1:30. This is the city I left off from on the last walk in 2019 so we are beginning here tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a real test for us on day 1 we are going to try to cover roughly 31km or 19.2 miles. Stay tuned for our daily blog we are praying Gods grace on all of you following us. 

God bless and Bueno Camino.

Blog Day 2

Camino de Santiago

Dear family and friends if you are walking virtually with Dawn and I along “The Way”, you are probably wondering how our first walking day went and if we could actually walk 31km or 19.26 miles?

Well the answer is yes we made the grueling distance averaging a little over 2 miles per hour including multiple stops to enjoy the sights. One stop today was in Hornillos del Camino were there was the beautiful church (pictured) we spent sometime prayed spiritual healing over our list of family and friend requests. Even though we had a very long day we know that God was with us every step of the way.

Blog Day 3

Camino de Santiago

Good day fellow virtual walkers of the Camino de Santiago. So you are probably wondering with great anticipation if after yesterdays monumental distance were we actually able to walk again today and if we were was it a much easier walk?

Well the answer to that question is today was much tougher than yesterday believe it or not. As for distance we were able to walk 28.39km or 17.64 miles and even though it was slightly less than yesterday it was much tougher.

We started our walk at 8:00am walking 6.5 miles, stopped for brunch then headed out only to encounter a 1 mile climb almost straight up to 3450’. Additionally the roads were very rocky today. But here is the important part God gave us such Grace today we stopped at the Cathedral in Castrojeriz Spain where we were so touched by the beauty and spirituality in the air feeling the exuberant spirt of our Lord and Savior.  We stood before the alter and prayed blessings over family and friends in need of Gods healing or reconciliation.

Friends, I will tell you honestly today was a real test of our faith and would ask each of you following to lift us up in prayer. 

Until tomorrow Dawn and I wish you,

Buen Camino

Blog Day 4

Camino de Santiago

Well this is day 3 of actually walking the Camino de Santiago also known as the walk of “Saint James the Apostle”. So far since we left Burgos Spain we have walked 85km or 52.81 miles. Each step along the way as the body gets extremely tired, your feet burn with pain and your shoulders ache from the weight of our backpacks the realization that this pilgrimage represents a small sampling of the pain and agony our savior Jesus Christ went through for our Salvation. When I planned this trip I was a little unsure of what spiritual awakenings I would have on this part of the walk especially if you followed the first part in 2019 you know I had 4 Godly encounters. But, the one thing I do know so far is that this walk is definitely strengthening my already strong marriage to Dawn an amazing woman who trusted me to join this pilgrimage which she new little about. We have been able to lean on and encourage each other as the going got tougher. As a prayer warrior she is amazing joining me in prayer for family, friends and our needs. It is hard to walk this far and not know that God is walking each step with you. Today was a beautiful day slightly overcast with a light breeze as we walked through miles of Alfalfa fields, wheat fields and saffron fields, listening to the birds sing, smelling the rich fragrance of wild flowers and the sheer peacefulness of this journey. Along “The Way” we often heard church bells in the far off distance summoning us to our next destination. One big problem on this pilgrimage is getting accommodations so we are forced to walk farther each day since there are so many pilgrims on the Camino. Tonight we have a wonderful room with private bath at the Convent in Carrión de los Condes Spain.  

Stay tuned for tomorrow as we face one of our biggest challenges walking 17.4k or 10.6 miles without any villages, water stops or rest areas to break at, so please keep praying for us. 

Until tomorrow,

Buen Camino

Blog Day 5

Camino de Santiago

This was our forth day of walking with an early 7am start since the first leg today was 17.06km of wilderness or 10.6 miles followed by an addition 6.14km or 4 miles for our a total so far of 123km or 76.42 miles in just 4 days. It was a slightly cooler cloud covered day, but we enjoyed the fullness of the beautiful Spanish countryside. What made today uniquely special was the very essence of the walk which is the melting pot of different nationalities crossing paths and learning each persons purpose for “The Way”. Some were seeking the mere challenge of the walk, but most like us were seeking the spiritual connection. We met amazing, kind people from Germany, Ireland, Belgium, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Brazil and Switzerland, but God also crossed our path with Foley from Brisbane Australia who was born and raised in the same place as my dad, Townsville Australia. 

Also, we got to meet some incredible pilgrims here from the USA including California, Oregon, Illinois, Maine, Arizona, New Mexico, South Carolina, Michigan, of course several Texans and believe it or not a very nice lady from Denton Texas! 

Like any adventure it has ups an downs, but the experience is overwhelmingly worth it.  The ability to spend hours in meditation with God, thanking him for his blessing, praying for others and asking His protection over each and every step we make truly humbles the soul. Until tomorrow a heart felt thank you from Dawn and I for following our journey.

Buen Camino!

Allan and Dawn

Blog Day 6

Camino de Santiago 

Dear virtual pilgrims,

I know the pictures over the last couple of days has been a little sparse, but unfortunately it was very long distances between villages and mostly vast farming areas, but get ready for todays photo bombing. The one thing you learn very quickly about the walk on the Camino is that it involves physical, mental and spiritual strength! Your body takes quite a beating physically so to cope you must mentally walk each day with purpose and intention, but the most important factor that keeps you going is knowing this pilgrimage is a sacrifice honoring God. The time you spend praying, reflecting on your life enjoying the day surrounded by the sounds and sights of this majestic country and in fellowship with other pilgrims you know the certain presence of God. Matthew 18:20. We had great fellowship with Edwin from France and Alexandria from Germany. Today was a really short day we only walked about 7.6 miles due to injuries as I deal with tendinitis and Dawn with blisters on both feet. We both decided to get treatment and take a shorter walk today since it was also a celebratory day for me when we arrived in Sahagun Spain we crossed the half way mark from Saint Jean-Pied de Port France to Santiago de Compostela Spain. I have officially walked approx 390km or 242 miles of the Camino. Friends until tomorrow Buen Camino!

Blog Day 7

Camino de Santiago

Well like with any adventure there are good days and some more challenging. Today fell in the category of challenging as I fought this nagging tendon issue and Dawn a knee problem, but we struggled through 18km or approximately 11 miles of long rolling trail enjoying a couple of beautiful Spanish farming communities along with some magnificent local cuisine. Take note of the Storks nesting on the Church bell tower picture we have seen several. Stopping along the way to rest in some shaded picnic areas allowed us a break from the harsh sun and an opportunity to just talk to God and fellowship with other pilgrims making the long journey.  Often in our busy lives at home we struggle with having enough quiet time to mediate on our spiritual lives and some special time to count our blessings, so the Camino offers plenty of solitude as there are no distractions.  We are excited to be in Leon Spain tomorrow for a day of relaxation and then onward to Santiago de Compostela. Stay tuned for some beautiful pictures of the next unique City of Leon Spain. Until tomorrow family and friends Buen Camino!

Blog Day 8

Camino de Santiago

When you set out on an adventure like this involving over 300 miles of walking there comes a day of badly needed rest and today was that day. Being plagued with some minor injuries when Dawn and I arrived in Leon Spain we were able to get a luxury room at ARVA Spa Paris Hotel which was just what we needed. After a good nights rest and a wonderful breakfast we beelined straight to the pharmacy for a reload of ibuprofen and then onto the spa for an hour of therapy. After that it was off to meet our new Pilgrim friends Edwin and Alexandra at Mama Tere Restaurant for some amazing Spanish cuisine including my favorite Paella. After lunch it was off to explore the oldest part of the City much of which was built in the mid 13th Century including the incredible Cathedral Leon pictured. It truly was amazing what spending some time in a House of Worship praying for family and friends can do for your soul. 

Things I have noticed in Spain are friendly kind people, very little homelessness, clean and safe streets and strong Christian values which warms the heart on every turn. Thank you for your prayers and being a virtual Pilgrim with Dawn and I.

God Bless and Buen Camino

Blog Day 9

Camino de Santiago

Well today we left the plains of Spain behind and headed back into the mountains. It was a spectacular day of easy inclines and after yesterdays rest it went very well. Last night I spent over an hour with a sports injury therapist and he worked his magic getting the swelling down and pain under control, so onward we go. As we ascend into the mountains the scenery is changing quickly from vast farm land to now more rocky treed terrain. Along the walk today we came across a quaint break area where a Spanish gentleman had laid out a smorgasbord of fresh fruits, nuts, snack foods, meats and a wide selection of drinks, but here is the interesting part there were no prices it was whatever you are willing to pay on an honor system. After 15.66 km or 9.73 miles we landed tonight in Astorga Spain which is absolutely beautiful. The hotel we are staying at has been in their family 270 years with original painting hanging of the patriarchs. After a wonderful stroll around town we stopped off at the Cathedral Astorga which had the first stone was laid in 1471 and it truly was magnificent.  Stay tuned for tomorrows adventures.

Thank you again for following along virtually. 

Buen Camino

Dawn and Allan

Blog Day 10

Camino de Santiago 

Another amazing day on the Camino de Santiago as we continued to ascend to new heights covering 25km or approximately 15.53 miles. From here the days get longer and the terrain rockier with steeper inclines and declines. As most days meeting other pilgrims is always interesting I enjoyed time with Stephon from Switzerland who walked several miles with me today as we enjoyed great fellowship and also got a short visit with the Forest Gump of Sweden this gentleman told me in the last 6 years he has walked over 9000km or 5600 miles and this year 2000km or 1242 miles. This evening was spent in Rabanel del Camino where we attended church and then a traditional Spanish dinner with our Switzerland friend Stehon. Tomorrow marks a very important stop on our journey as we will be in Cruz de Ferro, please continue to follow us we believe it will be a very special and spiritually fulfilling day.

Until then God bless and Buen Camino.

Dawn and Allan

Blog Day 11

Camino de Santiago 

Not an easy day by any stretch of the imagination, but certainly an amazing day. With an early start I made it to Cruz de Ferro by 10am. Cruz de Ferro is a very significant spiritual stop along the Camino de Santiago it is marked by a very tall cross and a place where each Pilgrim brings a stone from their home to lay at the base of this mighty cross, important because it signifies laying your burdens of your life at the foot of the cross. Today we laid several stones for personal reasons and for for those family and friends as well. Emotionally it can be a draining day, but one that everyone walking the Camino is anxious to experience. Now having accomplished walking approximately 550km or 342 miles to stand before the 

cross of Cruz de Ferro we now enter the final phase of 220km or 137 miles into Santiago de Compostela where Saint James the Apostle is said to be buried.  

The path today has very steep inclines and declines testing over and over your physical, mental and spiritual strength. You will notice in the pictures how rocky it was, but added to that mix was 42 degrees, very winding and raining.  Walking the Camino is not easy, however neither is life so I guess anyone on this path recognizes that same thing. Tomorrow continues mountainous walking, uncertain weather and challenges that remain to be seen. Thank you for following us on this amazing Pilgrimage. Until tomorrow Buen Camino!

Blog Day 12

Camino de Santiago 

In comparison to yesterday today was a breeze because it was a much shorter day of only 16.5km or 10 miles of mostly smooth, flat terrain. The downside was walking though several very large towns that melted together which  was not as picturesque as many other days, but still lovely. One stop today was a tour of The Castle of the Templars in Ponferrada Spain built in the 11th Century. After a lovely brunch beside the Castle it was onward towards Santiago. Our stop for tonight is Camponaraya Spain where we checked into the Hostel La Medina with a very decadent room and a restaurant with some of the finest Spanish cuisine thus far.  Today was a special day in that it marked the cross over into the last 200km or 124 miles to the finish. But don’t be mistaken it has some of the toughest terrain ahead with one day this week the incline is so steep it takes most of the entire day to achieve the summit. It is 9km or 5.6 miles with a vertical 662 meter climb or 2150 feet at a 4.8% grade. 

“ In life if you are never challenged you can succumb to mediocrity”-The Wall Street Cowboy

Fellow virtual Pilgrims thank you so much for continuing to follow our adventure.  Until tomorrow Buen Camino.

Dawn and Allan