Day 11, Belorado toAtapuerca
Hiked through Belorado with lots of murals. Went through a couple small towns before there was food in Espinosa. Hiked to Villafranca de Mont Oca where all hell broke lose with a hard climb. Went to a spot where there was a monument for the hundreds of people executed at that spot during the Spanish Civil War. Stacia from Nebraska wanted to take a photo there, so we took a solemn photo. Stopped by at the church I San Juan de Ortega. Went through Ages and to my Albergue in Atapuerca. Then I realized I left something in Belorado and was driven back to get it. 30.6 km, 19 miles
Day 12, Atapuerca to Burgos
Started out then I realized I left my hiking poles back at the Albergue. Went back and retrieved them and luckily there were still some pilgrims there because I had forgotten the code. Hiked up and over the Sierra de Atapuerca in the dark. Had to watch every step because it was rocky. Once I got up to the top it went on a gravel road which was easier. Saw the lights of Burgos off in the distance. Was light out when I got to Cardunella for breakfast. Hiked past the airport which took forever and was annoying. Took the River route which was nice but also took forever. Bought a usb charger to replace the one I lost. Had lunch and toured the Cathedral with Win. Stay at the modern Burgos Municipal Albergue. 20.6 km, 12.8 miles
Day 13. Burgos to Hontanas
Started out on the city streets then took a straight sidewalk through a park, this was all in the dark. Headed through an area with lots of highways and the railroad track on the way to Tardajos. Went up over hill And could see Hornillos out in the distance but it took a long time getting there. There was an uphill stretch then the way went down to Sanbol. The wind was fierce and it started raining hard. But it start before I reached Hontanas. Went sharply downhill into Hontanas. I really liked the cute little church in town. 32.7 km, 19.7 miles
Day 14, Hontanas to Boadillos
Hiked in the dark past the San Anton ruins. It was spooky. Got into Castrojriz for breakfast. Took a while to hike through town because it is strung out over a mile. Then headed up Alto Mostelares. It wasn’t as bad as some other hills I have hiked up because it had a good road going to the top. Celebrated reaching the top with Maddie, Jonas and Mie. Then at the top there is a flat plane of farmland for about a half mile. Then you get to another incredible view going to the west. Hike down to San Nicholas where Francesca had me try Italian coffee. I didn’t like it. Hiked through Itero de Vega which had a great mural. Climbed up a hill and saw Boadilla out in the distance but it took forever to get there. Stayed in the attic of the hotel. This town is a spanish ghost town with very few people compared to how many buildings there are. Church wasn’t open. 29 km, 18 miles
Day 15. Boadillos to Carrion de los Condes
Hiked along a canal in the dark to get to Fromista. Ate breakfast at a bar café with Maddie. Said goodbye to Lama who was hiking with Marcelo and Andrea. Left Fromista crossing over a 4 lane highway. Then the way traveled next to a two lane highway for the remainder of the day. I went through 4 small towns and had ice cream in Villamentero at the Albergue with the tipis. Continued hiking next to the highway all the way to Carrion de los Condes. Didn’t get into the Albergue with the singing nuns, but managed to catch the performance. Mass afterwards with a great pilgrims blessing by the priests and nuns. 25.4 km, 15.25 miles