I spoke to quickly - Post 2 for today from the Camino

This morning I wrote:  "a night´s rest has rejuvenated me and I am ready for a short 24K today."  The early morning was glorious with the moon full or near full and the sun coming up as I left Santo Domingo de la Calzada (named for an 11th century saint who did much to improve the road to Santiago for pilgrims -many of the roads and bridges were built under his direction).  With only 24 kilometers, I thought I´d take it slow, stopping in every village along the way.  I was probably only 1K. out of town when my body (espeically my feet) told me I´d need to take it slow whether I wanted to or not.  

We have passed through the wine region of La Rioja and arrived in Castilla y Leon, which we will walk through during much of the rest of the journey.  As I walked this morning, the the sky started to look threatening, but I wasn´t worried, the sky had bluffed two days ago.  But not today.  For much of the day there was a strong headwind (I´d estimate sustained winds in excess of 25mph and as a runner in Oklahoma, I am pretty good at estimating winds) and then the skys opened up with a steady rain.  I gave my poncho a try and within an hour or so, it was in tatters because of the wind, I guess.

In short, it wasn´t a fun or easy day.  The sun did come out when I arrived at my destination Belorado where I am staying at the parish albergue suggested by my son Christopher and his wife Mary who stayed here two months ago.  This year, the parish (Santa Maria) albergue is being staffed by Swiss friends of the Camino who take two week shifts in Spain.

I am full of gratitude but my body is tired.  I have a rest day in Leon on Oct. 18 when my friends Bill and Mark join me for the last two weeks.  But, that is a long way away.  Please keep me in your prayers.

Finally, I sense I am being called to even more quiet on the Camino - at least for a time.  And, this seems to be confirmed by the externals.  I haven´t seen anyone from the group I walked with for the first day and a half since then.  For the past week, I have walked alone but spent the evenings with a cast of around 10 - I´d see some on some days and others on other days depending where people stayed.  Injury has kept some behind.  Other are on other paces - some faster, some slower. Of this group, the only one in Bolarado tonight is staying at a different Albergue.  So, it may be that my silence (except for blogging) continues on into the evening.