I made it to a pretty special place tonight. I am staying in a small town called Atapuerca. It is a UNESCO site of archeological importance. It is where the earliest known remains of humanity have been found. The remains date back 800,000 years. They were found in a collection of caves that was apparently perfect for life back that far. It is kinda cool to think that they have found humans remains that old and it is even more amazing for me that I am where they are. Scholars believe that human life here could date back a million years. Wooooo! I kinda feel like I have come full circle.
Today was a very nice day to walk. The winds subsided and the storms had passed. We passed through about four small towns. It is hard to keep track after a while. We had a long stretch through the woods. Both Ricardo and I agreed that this was the first day without any substantial pain all day. Each town we passed through was unique and special. Each one was small and we very much felt like we we walking in a very distant past. It is so quiet here. It seems like most of the pilgrims are spread out at this point so we only run into a few at a time now. We seem to be at the end of the season for sure. None of the places are full. Tomorrow it is onto Burgos to get a day of rest. Nice!!!!
Dave's Not Here 
The stone circle is a labyrinth, usually created for spiritual/meditation purposes. This one actually looks relatively new as the stones are sitting on top of the ground still.
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Yep, I found a bigger one today. I walked it, very cool!
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Dave, I must say you have a great blog– pretty informative, and great pictures! Hope, Mark and I get to see you and Ricardo soon. Sorry I didn’t mean to take off on the way to Burgos, but I wanted to rest my old and shaky legs sooner than later. Haha!!
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Thanks for the kind words my new friend. I told Ricardo as you faded off into the distance that you looked like a man on a mission to get to Burgos. We are staying an extra night, if you are around let’s get together. Peace.
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Really enjoy your comments and the pictures. I realize it’s extra effort on your part to memorialize the journey but it appears to be appreciated by many. Maybe your blog moniker says more than you intended!
I moved to San Francisco about 2+ years ago and went to a lecture at the SF REI one night about the Camino. The guest had walked from Le Puy, France to Santiago, Sp in 8 weeks; it was about a 1,000 miles. The presentation was so intriguing that I did some research. Then this year I watched a movie about the Camino called THE WAY with Martin Sheen & produced/directed by son, Emilio Estafan. Very charming movie and strongly recommend it to all. So I’ve convinced my wife to walk the route from Le Puy in either 2014 or 2015 when I retire. She’ll do it if we stay in the hostels and buy our meals to keep our packs light.
This is just a suggestion but it would be interesting to hear about the daily challenge of food and bed. The REI lecturer had definite comments re the French side vs the Spanish side. Are you staying in the hostels? Cooking? Food availability? Cost of food, wine, coffee, hostel? Quality?Also more comments about the people you meet such as their motivation, experiences, etc. How are Americans viewed along the trail by other trekkers? The locals? One book reviewer called the Camino the ‘European Divorcee’s Trail of Tears.’
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Thanks for your nice note. Always good to here from new fiends. I can speak to some of those questions briefly now and I plan to get a post on food out later on in the walk. I can only talk to the Spanish side since I started in St Jean.
Food is readily available here. I have been carrying three ProBars for emergency purposes for 12 days and I haven’t had to break into them yet. You have to watch for Sundays and Holidays as the stores are closed then, but not the bars/restaurants.
We are late in the season and there are not many pilgrims now. we have no problems with finding room in hostels, hotels, or albergues. I heard about the divorcee thing but I haven’t seen it here at this time. One odd story. Lots of couples on the trail, lots of Americans and we are treated quite nicely. I was worried about that too. Until I saw a German talking to a Spaniard in English becaus it was their common language. It is ok to speak English here. But you definitely want a working knowledge of French and Spanish if you want to be able to tell what is on the menu.
Good luck with it all, we can talk over the phone when I get back if you want. Buen Camino.
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Thanks again. Really look forward to your blog every day. It’s traveling vicariously which in your case…this blog, is great.
I taught English in Spain for a week in 2004 & 2005. It was a non-paid position to teach English to Spanish business exec’s, but they paid for my meals and lodging during the course. We were in Burgos on our way north to the coast.on the 2005 trip. We thought the coast was great in October anyway.
The 2014 or 2015 trip depends on my ankle. I’ve been backpacking for over 20 years but have to admit that I can finally feel a little age. I broke my leg on a BP in 2007 when I fell. Have a steel plate with 6 screws. I’m very certain I’ll be able to walk but some mornings are not what I’d like.
We plan on doing the trip starting from Le Puy in early Sept. Have to get across the Pyrenees before snow. So we’d be about where you are now in Spain about this time in October.
Photos add to the blog!!
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Sounds like fun. I run intoamy with one injury or another. They just take it slow. It can take up to 45 days to get from st jean to Santiago. Good luck and thanks for following. Buen Camino.
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