Day 31 – Road Trip to Rabanal

Morning hot chocolate and churros in Astorga!

Dinner last night. Even better than the chocolate!

Had to catch a last shot of the Cathedral as we left.

Ran into Dana from Colorado again. She was

hung up a couple of days because she got sick.

Found the Camino!

Leaving Astorga at last...hard to say goodbye.

(Mike says he wants this Astorga sign for Fidel.)

One mile out of Astorga. We hit our 2/3 mark!

(story later)

We love seeing these sights all along the Camino.

 A real cute town with a Sesame Street feel!

Dave craving a diet coke at El Ganso.

Mike's comments turn the world on its axis-

or could it be operator error?

Mike leading the way to Rabanal. Mountains 

to climb tomorrow can be seen in the distance.

In fact, the climb has already begun.

Yes, there's a video with Dave panting as proof.

The uphill trend continues, and Mike

shows us some very cool crosses.

\

A real, live Knight Templar and his live eagle

welcome us to Rabanal del Camino.

We have arrived but our luggage has not.

Just the other people's is here.

(story later)

Mike's idea of lunch is cake and Fanta.

It's a very "weighty" situation.

Monasterio de San Salvador del Monte Irago.

Benedictine monks run it and the albergue.

Same monastery, where evening prayers are held.

Mike, lighting a candle. Dave lit one, too.

So very peaceful.

(Except the church is right outside Dave's

bedroom window. Bells every 15 minutes.)

Sweet dreams, Dave!

Outside view of the monastery.

Today we reached the 2/3 mark on the Camino!

Tomorrow we will hike 10 miles to Acebo.

A story from Mike:

From the first day leaving St. Jean Pied de Port, we have seen poppies rise up toward the sun and brighten our path. Each and every day we find them raising their cheery heads, maybe just one in the field amidst numerous acres of wheat, or sometimes a great many of them in a cluster. We also find poppies growing along the edges of our trail. Today, as we walk out of Astorga, I am particularly touched by the consistency of these wonderful poppies throughout the entire Camino. Every day the poppies suddenly and uniquely illuminate the path we walk. Each time, the poppy is looking toward the sun, finding the light, feeling its great comfort, and rising up with such joyful intent that it seems to beckon every flower to follow. What is more beautiful than a field of poppies waving in the wind, fulfilling the measure of their creation, together?

The lessons of nature can be incredibly encouraging, and there are days when I feel like that poppy. I may be standing in a field where others are hanging their heads or feeling droopy, hiding from or unsure of the sun. They might not even know the warmth that's waiting, or how to seize the moment when it arrives. Maybe growing up with too much shade has dulled their senses or blocked the urge that reaches for the light. If so, I want to share my joy and make the kind of difference those poppies have made for me, every day I've walked the Camino. It is said that this pilgrimage, The Way, is divided into three sections: The first third is for the body, the second for the mind, and the third for the soul. Today, Dave and I begin the final third, and I find myself very tender and thoughtful about the many blessings the Lord has given me. If I could share anything in the world with my friends and family, I would say that God loves us, knows each of us individually, and cares deeply about us. This knowledge offers great hope. If we can be like the poppy––standing tall, looking toward the light, feeling the warmth of heaven's glow––then we can feel peace and love in our hearts. Our paths will be brightened, and we will brighten the paths of everyone around us. Another great lesson of the Camino!

A story from Dave:

Astorga is a great city and was established because it stands at the junction of several major routes; among them are the Camino, the Roman silver route, and the treasure route from the Sea of Biscay to Madrid. This is the home of the Maragato people, who were the trusted transporters of goods in Spain for many centuries. It is believed that nearly one-half of the country's goods passed through the hands of the Maragatos, "whose fidelity to their trust [was] such that no one wold hesitate to confide them to transport a ton of treasure from the Sea of Biscay to Madrid." It is generally thought that the Maragato people are descendants of the Moors, but some suggest they come from the Visigoths of Germany. Only about 4,000 Maragato people remain, but they continue to celebrate their rich traditions and preserve their culture. Theirs is a heritage of honesty. The Andersons before me have that same legacy, and I hope to always honor it.

When we got to our lodgings in Rabanal, we thought our luggage had not arrived. Every morning, we forward the luggage to the coming night's hotel, and it's the first thing we look for when we get there. We only carry our rain gear, extra shoes, a change of socks, and some food and water in our day packs. Our forwarded luggage contains all the essentials, which in Mike's case includes his hair dryer, osterizer (!), and shoe-shining kit. (I know, right?) So you can imagine how distraught we were to find our stuff missing. Imagine our relief when we heard it was already in our room! And so, our thank-you today goes out to the marvelous Maragato spirit of the Camino.

Click below to support suicide prevention

and mental health, the causes Mike and Davei

are championing with their walk.