Welcome to the Camino Moody & Mel, aka M&M. And what a day it was. No easy break-in, just strap your boots on and get ready to climb. But let’s start with breakfast because who doesn’t like a full-on mouth watering eat all you can eat, gourmet first meal! This was the Hyatt on steroids. I’ll just tell you, think of any fruit market, meat counter, pastry shop, and you’ll have a great start. Then throw in a full on Honey Comb, and Espresso Machine and bam, breakfast is served.

We waddled out and after turning around a few times in front of the Hotel, we were well on our way. The morning stroll went through the city streets, which were being buffed, washed down and cleaned after last night “Just Friday Night Party.” Eventually we made it to the University, took a couple of courses, no we didn’t but we could’ve. Then out to the rolling hills of Pamplona.

This area, like many of the other areas I walked through is so lush and green. There were wild red poppy’s that lined the trail, along with waves of wheat grain. Understand this, the wheat here is not polluted or stunted like our US Frankenwheat! It is like the Super Model of Wheat, sender green stalks, worthy of chewing on with perfectly grown heads. Beside the wheat, is a field of sweet peas, tender, juicy and pretty darn tasty. It was unequivocally the Garden of Eden on the Camino.

The morning was spent climbing and climbing. Many of you know the metal sculptures on the peak, Camino Frances arrives at Alto de Perdón, the Mount of Forgiveness. It shares the peak with over 40 Wind Turbines. Between my shortness of breath and the wind created from the turning wind generating power plants lies an incredible piece of artwork.

It took us most the day to reach it, but in the end we arrived at this magnificent place. There were many Pilgrims, watching, contemplating and just taking in this beautiful view that was constructed in the late 1990’s, not long ago. But the rest of the story tells the history behind this piece of art.

“The sculpture exhibits a small history of pilgrims and the pilgrimage…through various stages of development, from the beginning in the Middle Ages up to the present day, in the form of a procession. Of the twelve pilgrims, the first pilgrim appears to be searching for the route and symbolizes the beginning of interest in the pilgrimage. Next is a group of three that depicts the growth or rise in popularity of the Camino. These three are followed by another group depicted as merchants or tradesmen on horseback that symbolize the medieval era of merchants hawking their wares to the pilgrims.

Spaced away from them is a solitary figure that characterizes the decline in pilgrimages due to political, religious, and social unrests from the mid-fourteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. At the very end of the procession are two modern-day figures depicted to show the renewed interest and rise in popularity of the pilgrimage in the late twentieth century.”

How truly spectacular the history of this sought after place. I had no idea the meaning of these silhouettes until I researched it myself. Such a deeper meaning of time that has passed and the journeys that many have taken before me. It truly is enough to make you pause.

On the other side was a rock monument that is a memorial, symbolizes the recognition and reparation for the 92 people assassinated in 1936 and 1937 by the Francoist repressive regime, after the coup d’état against the government of the republic, in Sierra del Perdón.

This is a tribute to the victims and their families who were kiled for fighting for their ideals of social justice and democracy in Navarra. These people were killed without a triai, deprived of their homes by force and buried in mass graves in this land. All of them forgotten and silenced for 81 years. What a sober reminder of what these people fought for!

After we took in this sacred space, we slowly made our way down. The trail is mostly loose gravel and larger rocks with hard-panned dirt. It was probably the easiest path of the day. The sun was beating down and we still had a good 5-6 miles to go. There were several benches along the way and a water crossing or two. This helped to cool us down as you can soak your head or hat in the creek.

Mid-afternoon we located another watering hole called a Bar! That was a much needed stop to cool things down and give us the extra carbs to finish up our daily slog. After a beer we meandered back on the route and finished the afternoon in Puente de Reine. I won’t get into the gory details of how I almost lost my cool, but let’s just say that there were a few hoops I needed to jump through to gain access into our Apartment for the evening.

Once we opened the door and crossed the threshold, I collapsed. Hot weather is my nemesis. Mel took a shower first, then me and the boys figured out the days affairs, our mileage and tomorrow’s schedule. Once cleaned up, we headed out to a Saturday night on the town. I tell you, these people in Spain know how to have a good time. We got a recommendation for good food at the Blue Door Restaurant. We ordered drinks, George impressed upon the waitress that we needed to eat soon and she did her very best to accommodate us. Moody and I had Cod, also known as Bochalo and George and Mel had Cheese Pizza.

Such an incredibly rewarding day with lots of beautiful scenery, good food and great company. M&M have been a great addition to our dynamic duo! Mel can hike like a well-oiled machine and Moody is keeping George company in the rear. I’m thinking the next ten days will be nothing but fun, laughter and a lot of entertainment. Thank you Lord for fellowship coming in the form of M&M.

Today I was able to spend some time on the trail with Greg & Rachel, and Hannah. They are a family from Australia and traveling their 21 year old daughter who has some challenges. What a gift they are, such kind people and endearing parents. Their patience and love is priceless. Hannah and I had some laughs together, over water on the trail, hay that can be picked and sprinkled on each other and just looking at the sky. Did you know that three planes leaving one airport are on the same flight path? Contrails will never look the same. Thank you Lord for introducing me to your kindness through the lens of this precious girl.