Good morning Spain. My hubby is feeling better and we are heading out as Team Baraga. After packing, we went down to our Truckers Diner and had a simple breakfast. George isn’t ready to push Chicken Fried Steak or Eggs and Bacon, not that they have that?? But it is a Truckers Diner and they should. I get my typical Espresso, Croissant and a very crunchy green apple, yum. George settles for Cafe con Leche and his Chocolate Croissant. We settled our Bill, drop off our Hotel Key Card and head to the north to hook up with our trail.

Walking through town this morning, we look at each and decide the Trucker Diner and Hotel was a good choice. There’s not much here but a church, a handful of Pilgrims and a local or two. And the big stork nests!

The cobblestone street exits town and we are on our flat trail that extends for miles. No complaints here. George can use an easy 15 miles, if there is such a thing. There’s quite a few Pilgrims ahead of us and before long a few more pass us. All good, we have all day to make it to Villarente. This stretch of the trail has two options, road base (asphalt) or dirt trail. We choose the roadway until traffic starts flowing.

Our eyes are set on cruising to the next town, which will be our halfway mark for the day. Religios is a quaint town with little more than a small convenient store and a couple of Bar-Restaurant-Cafes. They serve all three needs! We stop, drop our packs and I head in. George isn’t too hungry so I order for both of us and eat it all. When I walk in, the Owner Operator is quite impressed with my color choice. Blue Shirt, Blue Earrings and Blue Shell Necklace, Blue Polish on my fingernails and just a sea of blue on me. She turns and hands me her Bar Ribbon, which is blue. This is meant for you. I take it with pride and tie it on my pack.

I eat everything and George helps me with the banana. This may be the first hike that I’ve engaged in where I come back weighing more than when I left! I can’t help myself, I am hungry all the time and the food is too good to pass up. I feel like I’m eating for two, both me and George! He needs to start picking up his fair share.

After pounding down toast with all sorts of Vegetables, a slice of Tortilla, which is closer to a quiche, I’m ready to tackle round two. We head out of town and I stop to check out a monument. It’s all in Spanish so I’m not grasping the significance of it all. George checks it out and translates.

The Day of the Holy Innocents on December 28, 1947 at 8:30am, with thick fog, a meterorite fell, which sank about 35 centimeters (cm). It was approximately 23 cm. long, 10 cm wide and 10 cm high. It weighed more than 17 kg (close to 40 pounds) and broke into 3 pieces on impact, causing a great scare to the neighborhood. You think?? It is currently on display at the National Museum of Sciences. Of all the places to fall? It falls smack dab in the middle of this tiny little town of Religios. No one was hurt but what a fright that must have been.

We leave quickly looking for the sky to start falling! The trail continues very flat for a long, long time. There are fields that are loaded with Cotton which is, in fact, falling from the sky. I noticed the last few days of walking, that there is this white fuzz everywhere. No wonder my eyes are itching, and George is all stuffed up. I’m thinking Cottonwood Trees? It’s so thick that it looks like snow on the ground. One of the Bikers called it Chapo.

Once through the fluff we landed in Mansilla de las Mulas. This town is known as the Gateway for Pilgrims. The south-east door of the wall, named DOOR OF SAINT JAMES because it is through it that the pilgrims on the “French Way” enter the town. In the twelfth century, Mansilla was the first stop in the Kingdom of León. Only the side walls remain, and the arch between them has disappeared. This door was built using the same material as the wall, in the shape of a passageway towards the outside.

This town is so rich in history. The town square has a beautiful sculpture depicting three Pilgrims sitting at the foot of a cross. This was created in 1998 by Mr. Ángel Muñiz Alique, Sculpture from Leon. It is a tribute to the pilgrims who walk the Camino de Santiago, which is of great importance to this town. Carved in stone, it represents three pilgrims on the Jacobean route resting, along with Christ. The location is in front of the Puerta Castillo, in an area considered the junction between the Roman Road and the French Camino de Santiago. Another reason I love Spain. They cherish their steep religion, culture and tradition.

With only a few miles to go, we head through the Door of St. James and continue west. Once again the road stays flat, lined with trees to provide enough shade. We cross a few creeks and a small river before making it to Puente del Villarente. It seems like this town is a bit larger than most, separated by Rio Porma. We walked through the new part of town, crossed the bridge and ended up in the Old Town. I really like the ancient towns. They have so much charm and history. We arrived at Albergue San Pelayo.

As soon as I walk in, I see a name plate, Kelly. This is a great start. The gal comes out and it’s like we know each other. You like Blue! Oh do I. That’s a great thing. She walks us to our room and says its quite the coincidence. Nope, it’s exactly what God had planned. Thank you.

George immediately checks out the backyard. Ends up that it used to be stables for cattle and they reconfigured it into an incredible outdoor patio. Beer was flowing, people were laughing and the misters were on! This is our kind of place. We are home!

What a great day. The sun was shining, but not too bright. The trail was flat, with only a bump or two. Everyone likes blue, which is a big plus and my George is feeling like his old self. I couldn’t be happier. We sat around the table tonight having dinner with a couple from Canada, a gal from Pennsylvania and three men from Korea. We ended up closing the place down and planning to meet up for breakfast in the morning. Everyone plans to walk to Leon tomorrow and take a day off or two. The couple from Canada, Carlo and Peggy, plan to arrive in Santiago the same day as George and I. Hopefully there’s enough room for all of us! It’ll be quite the party! As I reflect on the day, I’m so grateful that I am able to share this experience with so many others. What a blessing to have Gods people from all over the world share bread. After all the trials and tribulations, George has broken through and sees the new day, bright with endless possibilities. It just doesn’t get any better.