(Web co-administrator alert: This site experienced technical difficulties related to user content production and a temporary outage of power to the main grid requiring routine maintenance. In other words, Dave fell asleep last night with the iPad on his chest. Sorry for the delayed posting. Sarah)
On Sunday we left the beautiful walled city of Pamplona and made the gradual ascent to the crest of Alto de Perdon – ancient site of a pilgrims’ hospital, but now the site of a famous pilgrim’s sculpture. The sculpture was erected in the 90’s and it depicts pilgrims (peregrinos) through the ages. It is pretty humbling to realize that people have been walking these same paths for almost 2 millennia. (What is even more remarkable is that they did it without waterproof hiking shoes, sweat-wicking clothes…and Pringles.)
The highlight of the day for me was the appearance of windmills dotting the hills right near the pilgrim’s sculpture. They are huge and quiet and I think, beautiful. Almost had to contain myself from breaking out into “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha (the best Robert Goulet version). Spain committed to renewable energy years ago and now wind power provides nearly 20% of Spain’s energy and only 13% comes from not-quite-as-beautiful coal. In the US, only 6% comes from wind, 30% coal (2015 data). But the trend is shifting…(just read a good article on the tremendous growth of wind power and associated good-paying jobs in Texas and other rural areas of the US. Since I fell asleep reading it…I lost the link…but will retrieve and include as soon as possible. Good news though.)
The weather was very nice for a second day in a row and allowed us to take some wonderful photos of the surrounding countryside all the way through to our arrival in Puente la Reina. A small, but enlightening discovery on Sarah’s part (and her highlight of the day) was to stop occasionally and look back at where we came from. The photo above was taken “looking back” at Pamplona and some fellow pilgrims. Sarah’s discovery was made inadvertently while she was walking backwards to reduce the searing pain in her quads, calves and hip flexors. We certainly enjoy these inadvertent discoveries but will attempt more advertent discoveries in the future – primarily because we have never heard anyone use the word “advertent” before.
Final insertion for your viewing and listening pleasure.
Beautiful pictures. Know you’re having the time of your life. Enjoy!
Glad to hear you’re sustaining yourself with Kellogg products (Pringles). Always have been partial to the Jim Nabors version of The Impossible Dream, quite a step up from his Gomer Pyle days. Another great post with great pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Looks beautiful!
For me as a “Nordlicht” (=Person from north Germany) it’s kinda cute when I read that you were impressed by windmills 😉 We got plenty of them up here. “Windmill tour for the Smiths” is noted for your next visit…
I’d like to know when you usually start your daily hike? And how long are the walks in average?
Xx Katja
Thanks, Katja. Yes…please put windmills on the itinerary for our next trip to northern Germany…as well as a Flansberg brewery tour (or please combine). Our starting time has varied from 8-10am. Including breaks…we have been finishing about 4-6pm. The elevation really plays into it. Day 1 took us about 10-11 hours. I will perform a regression analysis of my Garmin data to give you a more precise answer. Do you prefer Excel or PowerPoint?
Power Point, please. I think the graphics are better.
Ok then…but watch out for a distracting font style
I love the landscape, I love pilgrims, I love looking back and as Antonio Machado said:
Walker, are your tracks
the road and nothing else;
Walker, there is no path,
the path is made by walking.
When walking, the path is made,
and when looking back
you see the path that never
it has to be stepped on again.
Walker there is no way
but wakes in the sea.
And I love Sting
What a beautiful stage and what sweet dreams!
Courage and follow!
Muchas gracias, Pilar! Thanks for the lovely words. You and Selin are the only 2 people we personally know who have earned their compostela. We hope to achieve ours in Santiago next month.
You have it assured, of that I do not have the slightest doubt!
I can’t help but think about our dinner before you left; and our discussion about future opportunities . Perhaps windmills are in your future! Stay safe!😊