Day 11: Belorado to San Juan de Ortega - 24.3km

Shoes lined up at Albuergue

From my dad: 

At the end of the day we have completed 1/3rd of The Camino ... 172 miles down with 328 to go.  We both felt strong with today's hike and the 1200 foot climb didn't really push us very hard ... after 11 days we have our legs in great shape and no blisters! Today's hike was from 6:45 until 12:15 with a couple of 15 minute breaks ... weather is perfect and no rain in sight for next ten days.  We enjoy our early departure with the iPhone flash torch and moon as our guide.  The sunrise hues across the rolling hills are scenes you don't see while sleeping in.

I sent a few videos so you can get a feel for the terrain and what it's like out here.  We were pleasantly surprised with the pine trees and views.  It's nice to have a new hike every day.

There are so many styles of hiking we see ... Euros who speed hike with poles/boots and swift synchronized cadence that average about 4 miles per hour.  There are plodders and hobblers who average about 2 and some are painful to watch.  We fit into the 3 - 3.5 mph category depending on terrain.  When passing fellow perigrinos there's a friendly smile, a buenos dias or hola, then buen camino as you head on by.  Many times you simply engage in conversation and see where it leads ... usually 5-15 minutes, then on your way.

I've been sleeping well every night with my earplugs.  Sue wishes she could sleep with earplugs as last night the church bells and town dogs barking kept her awake all night so she is napping now.  She just can't get comfortable with earplugs.

The towns out here are like the wild west ... dirt roads, bars, churches and everybody lives in town.  You rarely see a home out in the country.  Tonight's town has 20 people in it ... an Albuergue, beautiful church of San Juan, a cafe and Casa Rural ... we are staying here for 50 euro! Manuel owns the entire town and he checked us into our room, will probably serve us dinner and we will most likely see him at 6 pm mass tonight.

The only time I get frustrated on the trail is when Sue starts cussing at the flies.  I tell her she should put her safari hat on and they won't bother her ... we need to get some bug spray.  There are no screens on the windows, so I usually kill a few flies, too.

We hit the town of Burgos tomorrow (170,00 pop.) and will sadly see a few of our friends head home.  Many Europeans hike for a week or two, head home then return for next stage at another time.  Most Canadians and Americans are here for the 500 mile trek.

All is well here on The Camino de Santiago.  God has blessed us with this opportunity and experience and we are living in the moment.  Blessings to all of you.

Steve and Sue

Sue is their mom :) 

Prayed for our friends back home tonight 

Claire from London

John from The Netherlands

Airing laundry at Albuergue

I see beauty in the sunflowers

A simple cross

6PM mass tonight

Sue's only purchase thus far - 6Euro

We stuck to the program today 

The wayside cross

Three fast Spaniards

The road to San Juan de Ortega 

A fork in the road

Sue nailed today's 15 miler

Cafe con leche y chocolate

New friends at Perigrino meal