When I was growing up along the Wasatch front in Utah, I always loved spending time in the canyons and mountains that surrounded my hometown of Kaysville. I felt right at home walking the 12 miles of today’s Camino because the mountain canyons looked so much like home. Winding mountain roads with tall cottonwood trees and pine forests were today’s scenes. If it weren’t for the few Spanish towns we passed through, I would have sworn we were walking through Midway, Utah, or up through Weber Canyon into Morgan.
We started our day in Villafranca del Bierzo and crossed a beautiful medieval bridge on the way out of town. We were soon into the mountain passes with the sound of a canyon river to comfort us along the way. Not too far into today’s journey I noticed the falling cotton from the cottonwood trees growing alongside the river. The air was crisp and fresh, the birds singing happy tunes. It was a great start to our day.
Along today’s walk I couldn’t help but think of our Camino friend Bob aka Paul from Atlanta. I received an email from him letting us know he had to end his Camino last Friday because of intense knee pain. He is incredibly disappointed and I couldn’t help but be heart broken for him. Paul and I had a nice evening together in Burgos many days ago. He is Catholic and was able to give me some perspective on the Camino from a Catholic’s knowledge. He told me that Pope Frances declared 2016 a holy year and that doing a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, while also confessing your sins, then walking through one of six holy doors (one is at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela) ones sins would be fully absolved. There are many Catholics on the Camino de Santiago this year, working through the hardship, because of the special significance the holy year brings. I was, and still am, very proud of Paul for taking on this endeavor. He is a great walker and I’m honored to have met him and the lessons he taught me in the short period spent on the Camino together
Eladio and I had a very pleasant and enjoyable day walking through the canyons and mountains. Approaching our stopping point for the night, in Las Herrerias, I again started thinking of my Utah home and how much I was going to enjoy spending some time in this beautiful, special area. Bob aka Paul, although you’re not from Utah, I know you’re going to love this part of the Camino when your knee is healed and you’re back to complete your journey.
Rick's Camino de Santiago 