We are walking along the mountains and through the woodlands again.
Photo of me on the ancient Roman bridge into Molinaseca & a photo of the Templar castle in Ponferrada. And of course, paths and mooing wildlife.
October 4 &. 5: Paths and Places
October 4 & 5: Stages Twenty-seven & Twenty-eight: Rabanal del Camino to Ponferrada
Going up the mountain on October 4 was a cold and rainy trek, but down below the next day was a perfect walking day. Temps were in the lower mid-50s, little wind, and no rain.
Cruz de Ferro – History – The highest altitude on the Camino (1,505 meters/4,938 feet). Stands on an ancient ritual site that dates back as far as 2,500 years. Considered the most ancient monument of the Camino. May have been a crossroads veneration site for Iron Age Celts and then the Romans, each leaving a rock on this high point for their own gods. Today, leaving a stone here is a significant rite of passage (Beebe)
October 04: 74th Birthday Review
Today’s walk brought me up the mountain to the Cruz de Ferro, one of the most significant milestones on the Camino Frances. It was a cold, rainy walk, but we were protected from the wind most of the way.
October 4: Stage Twenty-seven: Rabinal to El Acebo
This is a short stage because I know how long it took me to go down that steep, rocky descent from Cruz de Ferro. It’s one of the more dangerous descents – very steep with rolling rocks and slate outcrops. I’ve managed several this trip without a mishap: down the mountain in the Pyrenees, the descent into Zuburi, and the descent from Alto de Perron, but I think I’ll skip this one this time. Just don’t have a good feeling about it. I’ll walk up the mountain to Cruz de Ferro – the highest point on the Camino – and taxi past the descent.
Stage Twenty-six: Astorga to Rabinal del Camino
Whew! What a windy day! I’m glad this was only a 20 km stage. Otherwise, it was a pretty good walk. Temps in the 50s, no rain, and we even had sunshine. I’ve been very lucky concerning rain. Often, it rained through the night, but had moved on by morning. I’m in touch with a friend who started 2-3 days ago, and she has walked in rain every day. And couldn’t walk over the mountain in the Pyrenees due to the weather.
Stage Twenty-six: Astorga to Rabinal del Camino
A windy day ahead, but it looks like the rain will have passed on by daylight. Time to start the elevation gains into the mountains.
Pilgrims from Maryland, Italy, Ireland & Barcelona
Astorga
I’ve now walked out of the Meseta, the northern portion of the central plains. From Astorga, we begin the ascent through the foothills of the Leon Mountains.
Astorga is one of my favorite towns along the Camino Frances, so I was happy to have the day to revisit a few spots.
Meanderings: The cathedral, the Gaudi palace, an archeological dig, and less magnificent sights.
Birthdays in Astorga
I’m at the Hotel Gaudi across from the cathedral and the Gaudi Palace. Two years ago, October 02, 2019, I opened the door to my hotel room to find a giant bouquet of flowers, famous Astorga chocolate, and a birthday greeting from John. He and Ruben, the amazing desk clerk, had put together my birthday surprise (October 4, 1947).
Today, October 02, 2021, I opened the door to a replay of 2019. Once again, John and Ruben threw me for a loop. Flowers, chocolate, birthday card.
