Day 1, Braving the Pyrenees

Officially registering as pilgrims in Saint Jean Pied de Port.

Lighting the first of many candles along the way...

Leaving St. Jean for the Pyrenees at 8:30 AM.

Fog until Orrison. Gorgeous, soaring, mystical views.

Enjoying the moment above the fog at Orrison.

Look at that manly man of mine. Just sayin'.  ;)

(Quote by Sue)

Still climbing!

Making strides toward the statue of Mary and baby Jesus.

Is hopping on a horse a temptation at this point? ;)

Great "group" picture!

(Quote from Mike)

Mary and baby Jesus keeping an eye on a couple of

 knuckleheads on the Camino. (Quote from Dave)

Almost to the top. They've come a long way, baby!

Mike leaves a ribbon and a prayer for a loved family member.

Summiting is good. Ready to climb over that highest peak.

"We've got to go over that!" (Fake quote from Mike.)

765 kilometers to Compostela. About 1.3 million steps.

Beechwood forest on the way down.

Boots stepping through the deep leaves: nice sound!

(Quote from Dave)

Destination in sight!

Lookin' good!

 They start down the hill. Two more miles to food and a bed!

And now the reward: Goat cheese and soda in Roncesvalles. 

"That was a day!"

(Quote from Mike)

And in keeping with the day, our dauntless pilgrims are taking in Mass tonight. 

Hey, when you're in Rome, right...? (Or Roncesvalles).

A couple of first-day stories from Dave along the way...

On our way to Roncesvalles from Saint Jean, we met a young couple from Columbia. The woman was having great difficulty pushing her bike (loaded with gear) up the steep trail to Orisson. Mike walked over, took the bike by the handlebars, and pushed it up the mountain quite a way; then I had a turn. Even Mike and I tired quickly, so it's good we were there to help her. The two were very grateful, and we made some new friends. This was our first experience of that Camino spirit we have heard and read so much about.

Further up the mountain, we met a man named Pierre. He was traveling with an employee who runs his business in Poland. Pierre lives in Saint Jean and grew up there. He has traveled all over the world for his job, but he eventually returned to purchase his parent's home, where he now resides. He explained that, as a young man, he was anxious to get away and see the world, but the years taught him that the best place to live was back where he had begun. I guess staying close to your roots is important, no matter where you come from.

We ran into Pierre again at lunch in Orisson, and he invited us to sit with him. He really helped us to order food. During lunch, he told us about the Basque history in the area. (He is northern Basque.) As a child, he was not allowed to speak Basque in school. They forced French, in order to get rid of Basque culture. Apparently, the Basque are a very independent group, and the culture still survives and thrives. Pierre is 78 years old and easily hiked up the hills. He was so generous with his time, and Mike and I both grabbed for the bill when it came. We wanted to thank him for his kindness to us with a meal, and both he and his companion seemed touched by the gesture...a second experience of the Camino spirit.

Click below to support mental health services

and read more about the cause Mike and Dave 

are supporting with their walk.

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