We reached the famous Cruz de Hierro (Iron Cross) today, at the highest point of the Camino Frances. It is tradition for all pilgrims to place a stone at the base of the oak post with an iron cross at the top. The special stone can be one brought from the pilgrim’s home country, or from SJPDP (as Martin Sheen did in “The Way”), or from some other point on the Camino. The stone is usually placed in gratitude, in celebration, or in liberation from some burden. The rock heap is impressive and is a powerful reminder of the millions of pilgrims that have come before.
We brought along both a piece of coquina and a shell from Saint Augustine Beach to place on the pile. We chose to bring these items for a few reasons. Saint Augustine is the oldest city in the US, established by the Spanish over 450 years ago…so we thought it nice to bring part of New Spain back to this part of Old Spain. The Camino Frances continues all the way to the eastern shore of the Atlantic Ocean…so we brought items from the western shore. The scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino…so we brought a shell and coquina (a sedimentary rock from Florida compressed from shells and other invertebrates). Lastly, St. Augustine is where we met and started our life together. Although our additions to the pile were small, we felt a big sense of gratitude and joy when we set them at the base of the Iron Cross.
As we descended from the top of Mount Irago into the Bierzo Valley, there was a distinct change in the environment. Maybe it was because the Bierzo Valley is famous for their grape-growing micro-climate…or maybe the cold weather front passed exactly as we crossed over the mountain pass…or maybe I noticed I wasn’t wearing gloves for the first time in days…but it looked and felt like SPRING! I have never been a horticulture enthusiast (too much lawn-cutting as a kid), but I suddenly found myself noticing the valley flowers and budding trees. So…here are a few shots of spring in the Bierzo Valley of Spain…we hope that spring has arrived for all of our family and friends!
Love the idea to bring the shell from St. Augustine! So nice to see how happy you look after so many days of walking..
Dear pilgrims, today because of what we see, the road has had a very intimate moment, we love your contributions to “the mountain of stones” that is why we do not extend more, we only wish you to enjoy these special moments that the road offers you.
Forward !!
Amazing!! You two are my idols!!
Dave & Sarah. Love the blog. It is a soul- nourishing pleasure…an enormous gift…spell bounding…I simply couldn’t put it down…Whoops! that was the book I read yesterday. Seriously, I have great admiration for your physical & spiritual journey and how you are overcoming the elements to achieve your end goal. Truly impressive! If you do uncover the meaning of life along the way, please share. We are with you all the way!
Dan…thanks for the words of encouragement. Once I have achieved total consciousness…I shall share with you the secrets for true enlightenment. Somehow…I expect it will involve some quantity of Miller Lite. All the best to you and Mary…they name every other church in Spain after Mary!
I love that a little piece of St. Augustine is there. Again, I am loving the photos of you both.