Walking The Way

10/19- Left a little later this morning due to the rain and high winds. While we only had to walk about 12 miles to the Cathedral, it was on muddy trails with 50 mph wind and rain.

Today was an interesting day. It seemed the Camino wanted to give us all one last challenge before we arrived in Santiago, but no one was going to rain on our parade today!

Finally with a break in the weather, we managed to make the hike up the hill to Monte do Gozo (The Hill of Joy). It is known for being the place where pilgrims on the Camino get their first views of the three spires of their destination, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. At 370 metres (1,210 ft), it is the last hill and last stop before reaching the cathedral, with about an hour’s walk still to go, and by tradition is where you cry out in rapture at finally seeing the end of your journey.

Walking into Santiago today and seeing the cathedral was very emotional. Finally making it to the destination of this journey after 43 days, was/is filled with so many emotions. As we walked through the city, and down to the entrance to the square where the cathedral is located, I could feel the tears begin to well up.

Once we hit the square and saw the cathedral, the tears began to flow. So many emotions as this life changing journey comes to an end. I knew one person was watching over me on this journey (I wish she was there to greet me, but I felt she was there looking down on me with pride) Wow just wow!

525 miles walked – – 1,026,579 steps – – 39 walk days – – 5 blisters – – and countless memories, new friendships, and experiences too many to count.

From here, I will take a couple days of rest, before continuing on to Finesterre (the end of the world), which I will travel to by car, given the weather forecast this week.

My thoughts: I’m filled with emotions. Happy, sad, all mixed together. This has been my only focus for 43 days… One thing I can tell you is that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything!! Was this easy? No. But so challenging, satisfying, fun, and life changing. Feeling humbled and fortunate!!