Day 3 - On the Road to Pamplona

Dave drinks his cereal bowl just like I do. 

Scary how many things we have in common. 

(Mike)

We ran into some cute girls from Australia.

They were all so darling. 

(Mike)

The Aussie girls jumped and clicked their feet! 

We are too sore to bend down and tie our boots.

(Mike)

Mike, looking down the loooooong road ahead.

More flat land and small, country farms. Very pretty.

It rained really hard for the first hour, then sunny.

Gorgeous clouds. (Mike)

That is Dave, always ahead of me.

He is just a little faster. (Mike)

Stopped for lunch (icy drinks and leftover rolls from breakfast).

Met a cute group from Vanderbilt that looked like babies.

(Mike)

Mike, pointing out the Spanish flora and leading the way. (Dave)

Small church offered a nice, cool respite from the day.

(Mike)

"Anyone seen a yellow arrow for the Camino? I think I'm lost."

(Dave, speaking for Mike)

Getting on to Pamplona. 

We covered 12.3 miles before we were through.

(Mike)

Didi, from yesterday's story, with his friend's grandchild.

(Mike)

Ran into somebody that actually walks a little slower than I do.

(Mike)

Yuck. (Sue)

Dave, on the bridge at Pamplona; we're a little tired. (Mike)

Mike, taking a load off on a bridge entering Pamplona. 

Today we walked  6 1/2 hours. (Dave)

I think they will enjoy their day of rest tomorrow! (Sue)

As we enter the old fort of Pamplona, we can see the end

of today's journey, which went up 1280 feet and down 1570.

(Mike)

Nice, stone-paved streets of Old Town.

The old Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the city.

Where I plan on spending the next two nights.

Shower is fantastic, times 100. (Mike)

And here is the Aussie Camino chant video,

 for your viewing pleasure.

One quick story from Dave:

At the small church pictured below on the Camino, we stopped to take part in a sweet tradition. I put all the names inscribed on the rocks I'm carrying for my loved ones on a paper sticker, with the words, "God bless." Mike wrote, "Max, if we are worthy, we will be with you again." 

If you look at the second picture below, just above Christ's left hand in the picture, you will see Mike's sticker for little Max...high up, so it stays there longer. 

 

Your sacred gift to us is this:
a clear view of forever.
The path to you glows straight and true.
One day, we’ll be together.

In that great day, our eager arms
will reach no more in vain.
God’s work fulfilled, our longing stilled,
we’ll hold you once again.

∞§∞

And what a happy day that will be! (Sue)

Click below to support mental health services

and read more about the cause Mike and Dave 

are supporting with their walk.

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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Dave's Take on the Camino

Crossing the Pyrenees, Camino de Santiago

When Mike Taylor first asked me if I would like to accompany him on his Camino de Santiago trip, I said yes pretty quickly. We had spoken of the pilgrimage before and even watched a movie about it called "The Way." It seemed like an adventure, and that appealed to me. Later, in talking to Mike, I began to see this as more than just a fun thing to do. We started talking about the possibilities of making it a spiritual experience as well, and one way we are doing that is by supporting two causes that are important to both of us and our families: suicide prevention and improved treatment for mental illness. The three organizations we chose to donate to are ones that have directly helped friends and family members, so they are important to us. We hope to raise enough money to help them help others, and we have set up a YouCaring page to assist us in making that happen. Now all we need is your help, and we hope you will consider donating. Most of us know and love people who struggle with mental health in one way or another, and supporting them in their efforts to get and stay well is good for everyone concerned. (Just click the link in the sidebar for more details. Of course, if you are on your cell phone, there is no sidebar. In that case, just click here.)

Whether you decide to donate or not, we hope you will follow our blog here and kind of travel along with us vicariously. We will post pictures and experiences on a regular basis. Mike and I intend to log 500 miles if our feet hold  up! No "quest" for the weary, as they say...Our flight leaves Thursday, and we will be on our way.