15.3 miles in 6 hours 16 minutes (including breaks)
We finished our first full day on the Camino de Santiago. Today's journey took us through a very rural, flat region called the 'meseta' or central plateau of Spain. We spend just today and tomorrow on this flat terrain before the Camino heads into the mountains.
We left León in the dark at 7 a.m. this morning on a city bus to avoid the first 4 miles of urban, industrial sprawl. We then got off the bus in the suburb of Virgin Del Camino and started on the path as the sun was rising over the horizon.
Sunrise over the Camino de Santiago near Virgen del Camino.
Our journey led through ancient villages, mostly now empty of people. We were guided by multiple signs and painted yellow arrows to help keep us on track (along with the Google Maps app on my cell phone).
It´s hard to get lost with so many signs pointing the way.
Marshall and Sandy on the first day of our Camino.
Pilgrims stretch out along the Camino. You are never alone out here.
Abandoned boots along the Camino. We have seen several of these that were left by weary pilgrims trying to shed some weight.
Real guitar mounted on the side of this house along the Camino. What an unusual home decoration!
We avoided dehydration by filling our water bottles frequently. Villages are about 3 to 5 miles apart and have ample public fountains to take care of the many pilgrims who pass through.
We found water fountains to refill bottles every few miles.
A well-deserved break during today´s trek.
Mosaics like this one at Villar de Mazarife tell the story of the pilgrimages that have taken place for more than a thousand years.
Romanesque church in Villar de Mazarife. Note the stork nests that seem to exist on most ancient churches here.
Pilgrim statue in Villar de Mazarife (he looks petrified in the same way we felt by the end of today's walk).
Sun setting on the church at our destination - Villavante.
Shepherd leading home his flock at the end of the day. The sheep just followed the shepherd who just held out his hands. He had a sheep dog, but the dog just walked along side his master at the front of the flock. This was a very touching scene.
We finished today's walk a little sore but not too bad considering it was the first day. Tomorrow´s journey takes us to Astorga, the last day of walking on the flat lands. We will look forward to finally getting to the mountains.
Progress Map
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