Day 14: Villafranca Montes de Oca - Cardeñuela Riopico

The albergue room was busy, in the night and early morning. I woke up just after 6 and stayed in bed stretching before rolling out at 6:30. I left the dorms at 7 and was surprised by a night dark sky filled with stars. Other early pilgrims stopped and marveled too. A group of us congregated around the cafe door below. It was not much higher than freezing, but with 12 k before the next village, coffee was not optional. The café opened on Spanish time... so a little after 7. ;)

An ascent up, along with the double espresso, helped me wake up and I witnessed another spectacular sunrise. The photos really don't do it justice, but I have to try. 

It was a beautiful walk and I chatted literature for a bit with a guy from Sevilla and said good morning to some of the now familiar faces that seem to be on about the same stages as me. 

We passed through pine trees and it reminded me a little of Flagstaff, Arizona. There was a funky rest stop about halfway, with painted wood and stones. 

Two rest stops and some kilometers later I arrived at San Juan. It was warming to sit in the sun in the plaza and let my fingers thaw... I didn't think I would be this chilly on the Camino in September, but I think gloves are in order. 

Picnic lunch spot:

While I was eating my lunch, I saw a fox scurry by!

I climbed another hill and came into a small town. Dinner is at the albergue tonight. 

I'm looking forward to having a shorter day tomorrow and seeing Burgos!

Kilometers walked: 22.41 (Fitbit), 24.48 (Buen Camino app). 

Day 13: Grañon - Villafranca Montes de Oca

Today the good vibes at the parroquial albergue in Grañon continued as the hostaleros woke up early making lots of strong coffee and setting up breakfast. I should clarify that a place to stay, dinner, breakfast and all the amazing camaraderie are donation-based. I left my donation, packed my bag, enjoyed some excellent coffee, did a few dishes and said my goodbyes before 7:30. 

I had slept okay, but maybe just not quite enough. Still, the 6 degree Celsius weather and the gorgeous sunrise (again: remember to stop and look behind you) made me feel awake and energized. Can you see the church steeple in the two photos? That's where I slept!

I love how big the sky is and there were many small villages on the way today. Many of these towns exist because of the Camino. And they aren't new, they have served pilgrims since way back...

My mind is a mish-mash of thoughts... plans for after, ideas, reflections, randomness... I don't know how I'll ever capture it all. I guess it's all in there somewhere. I've been dreaming in Spanish and my interior dialogue is even more a squishy mix of Spanglish than normal. Learning another language does fun things to your brain! But, hey, look at the pretty flowers next to the old building! And that blue!

Today I crossed into another part of Spain - Castilla y León. Crazy hair and crazy water tube, but here I am! Camino Style. ;)

Today was also the longest day of walking since the first (obligatory) long one. And here is where I am staying!

Well, kinda... the hotel owner built an albergue in back. Our entrance is here:

I arrived just before the skies opened up to pour rain. Another Camino rainbow appeared after. 

The view is from the albergue kitchen, where I heated up a microwave meal of pisto (vegetables in tomato sauce) for dinner, which I ate outside with a few other snacks, other pilgrims' company and a pregnant tabby who ate all the tidbits I dropped to her. 

My sleeping bag is cozy and it'll be bed time here soon. Night night!

Kilometers walked: 25.18 (Fitbit), 27.64 (Buen Camino app)... my friend's guidebook says we did 29! Ha!