Day 34: Lavacolla to Santiago

Miles Day/Total/To Go: 8.2/492.8/0.0
Weather: Cool with Showers

The last day of walking! Finished the Camino at a torrid pace of the last 10 km in 1 hour and 15 minutes - pure adrenaline!  After an almost rain free Camino it seemed correct and cleansing that the last 20 minutes or so were in a gentle rain. The feeling after walking 33 days across mountains, hill and dale of seeing the Cathedral and spending time touring the cathedral and the city was a bit overwhelming.  Gratitude is the word that mostly comes to mind...it will take a awhile for all of this to mulch. Look for some synthesis in a future post that will come stateside in a post to be titled Epilouge.  Buen Camino!

Day 33: Arzua to Lavacolla

Miles Day/Total/To Go: 17.8/484.6/8.2
Weather: Hot & Sunny

Today's walk was the last long (30 km) trek on the Camino. I think this is a good thing. I am sure that part of this is purely mental,  knowing that it's coming to its conclusion,  but the pain in my feet at the end of today's walk was profound.  There was some beautiful scenery, in particular the Eucalyptus forests were stunning.  Anyone who thinks about doing this Pilgrimage needs to keep in mind that any movies like "The Way" or books that you night read cannot possibly prepare you for the 5-6 weeks of day in and day out phyisical and mental stresses of this walk. It's physicality and the resulting test of your soul and emotions is stressful and involves significant suffering. That being said the rewards are many and profound,  this multidimensional experience will test your body,  soul and emotions,  but the inner growth and amazing inspirational people you meet along "the way" make it all worthwhile.

The place we landed at today is Lavacolla,  Xan Xabaco is fantastic, perhaps the best spot of the entire trek. Owner is amazing. It will be sad to bid Gavan & Lesley farewell in the coming days, we have been a fantastic team.

Tomorrow will be a very short walk into Santiago,  its been a long time walking but it seems a bit surreal to be coming to an end. I am ready to go home though and see my wife, my dog, my family and friends. Looking forward to making some music.

Day 32: Palas del Rei to Arzua

Miles Day/Total/To Go: 18.7/466.8/25.0
Weather: Sunny & Hot

We are in the final days and the increased traffic on the Camino is really making itself known. The number of touring pilgrims is staggering, it must be nice to get dropped off, picked up and not have to carry a pack for just the last 100km. Those of us who have been schlepping since France over mountain, hill and dale with 7-10 kilos on our backs, just can't quite relate.

Today was a long hot walk that was very taxing. The highlight of the walk was some Pulpo in Melide....and vino tinto after arriving.

Day 31: Portomarin to Palas del Rei

Miles Day/Total/To Go: 14.7/448.1/43.7
Weather: Sunny & Hot

Today was a relatively short but tough day. The weather was scorching hot which was a challenge. The traffic continues to intensify. The leg and foot fatigue are getting to feel like this is coming to an end.....I am quite tired and humbled to think I am really going to complete this.  I am grateful for too many things to mention.

Day 30: Garolfe to Portomarin

Miles Day/Total/To Go: 20.8/433.4/58.4
Weather: Sunny & Warm

Today I passed Sarria and the 100 km to go mark. This milestone really changes the nature of the Camino. The Cathedral in Santiago awards a Compostela to any Pilgrim , that completes the final 100 km. Human nature, being what it is, results in more than 50% of the Pilgrims starting in Sarria, the bare minimum required. So the traffic on the Camino bssically triples at this point. Needless to say there are some very interesting interactions and body language exchanges between the Pilgrims who have walked 700 km from St. Jean in France, and those with fanny packs having their luggage shipped to the next hotel. The level of traffic has increased nearly 300 percent and it is only going to further intensify the closer I get to Santiago.

It was a decent walk today with a few pleasant surprises, I ran into a few folks that I started with in St. Jean but have not seen in a couple of weeks.

The Camino is coming to a close and my body, legs and feet are exhausted. 

Day 28: Portella to Bideudo

Miles Day/Total/To Go: 18.2/412.6/100.5
Weather: Sunny & Mild

Today was a grueling 600 meter climb up to the peak of O'Cebrario. The slope was very steep and tough but was very rewarding with stunning vistas. I passed into the Spanish Province of Galatia which tells that Santiago is not that far away, I suspect I will be in Santiago in about 6 days! Todays climb reinforced the importance of perseverance; my knees were ready to explode and my lungs were screaming for oxygen;  it would have been easy to quit and get a lift to the top, but I did not and I made it. Anything worth anything is going to take work; while its easy to quit, persevere anyway and magical things will happen!