Molinaseca and 218 Kilometers to Go.

 Today I started with a wonderful sunrise.   This is probably the most beautiful sight so far since the Pyrenees mountains.    I was glad to have such a beautiful start  because it was kind of a miserable day walking.   I am happy that the scenery is so lovely because the walking is very slow and hard.  This area is one of the most beautiful areas I have seen on Camino.  Second only to the Pyrenees.

Today I passed Cruz de Ferrol.  This is the place where you leave a stone at the foot of the cross.  It is a famous spot and there are generations of rocks.

You can also see that I am soaking wet, but the Poncho over my backpack has done a good job of keeping everything fairly dry... except my feet.

I forwarded some questions from your Uncle Mike.  It is a good time to share your answers.

How Long do you walk between breaks?
It is a pretty random mileage in between breaks. Most often I stop when a town comes.  On the short side that could be every 3 miles on the Iong side 6 miles. I am walking approximately 25 kilometers a day which is 15 miles.  Some days like today, the terrain is very rocky because I have been going up and down a major mountain.  It has taken me 6 hours to go 9 miles.  It is very hard walking!! And I have stopped very little since I am walking so slowly.

Does she have to find a bush when Mother Nature Calls?

 Yes, there have been many a bush that has come to my rescue and hiking in a skirt has been very helpful for protecting my modesty.  You try and find a place to hide and then see if anyone is coming behind you. 

Leischen found a travel skirt that can be tied into shorts, pants or used as a skirt with hiking shorts. They sound pretty useful.

Does she have enhanced water or does she fill at the local villages?

The water in Spain is very good. I just fill up my reservoir in the evening at the albergue.





I asked Leischen about the food.  She says she likes the Tapas (small plates or finger foods) but what is the food like more specifically?

The food on camino is not often gourmet. So there are a lot of fried foods or Bocadilla (bread with meat on it, a sandwich but not a very tasty one). In the evening they have what is called a pilgrims menu. 3 courses, first one salad or soup or macaroni or potato salad often for the second course it is chicken or pork, fish and usually French fries. Last course is a desert.  I am looking forward to Madrid when the food is a bit more fancy.

Mike's final Question - Would she do it again?

Would I do it again?  Oof. Yes and no. I don't know.  It has been such a rewarding experience and getting to know people from all over the world has been amazing.  I understand how God takes care of his people in a way I could have never imagined.  But, this is very difficult.  It seems like everyone hurts somewhere. It is not a comfortable walk. It hurts at some point every day.  But every day is a blessing from God and I never forget that here.  Just look at what I got to see today!  


Today we are in the sweet little village of Molinaseca.  A tourist town and lots of wealth.  I spent some time in the village.  There is a big wedding tonight.  The town is closed down for it.  They are shooting off fireworks in the middle of the town tonight.

 It is really hard to explain what it feels like to be on camino.  It is one of the most amazing things I have ever done , but it is so damn hard.