This place was so so extravagant and wildly detailed. So glad to have gotten to see it and do the tour. The inside felt ..sad. I had yet to really have a feeling like that inside the cathedrals before this one. It was shocking and somber. Still glad to have gotten the day to… Read more: HIGHLIGHT OF ASTORGA
After 4 days off, walking today was a drag. The views and the amazing sandwich I had for lunch probably made up for it, though. We also got to see a lot of farm animals on the trail today, which is one of my favorite parts of walking this trail. Hopefully we’ll get back… Read more: Climb time
I was on my own exploring in Leon when I ended 2 miles away from our apartment in an absolute downpour. I very thankfully remembered the way back, which cut back on my rain time (even though I guessed on a lot of the turns). Either way, this is what I looked like after… Read more: R A I N 🌧️
Poppies are everywhere on the trail. Usually they line the path, but sometimes you can come across a big field of them, which is always so pretty. This poppy field was so dense with flowers that we had to capture it. You can also see that we weren’t the only ones with this idea… Read more: So many poppies
One of my favorite things while walking the camino is seeing all of the notes that people write for other pilgrims. A lot of times they’ll put them on the trail markers and weigh them down with some rocks so they stay put. I’ve taken pictures of all the ones I’ve seen (even if… Read more: A simple note
I’m starting to realize that most of my posts have to do with food (but how can they not when everything here is so good?!) This week on one of our short days, we passed through the ruins of a 14th century convent. It had no roof, floors, or windows, but somehow all of… Read more: Lunch in the ruins of a convent
We have a rest day in Leon today, which means lots of exploring. Karley and I were on the lookout for breakfast when we found a bakery that served ice cream as well. Of course we took the opportunity to buy some and eat it outside (with this amazing view).
Even though there was no rainbow present – sometimes it really does feel like I’m following a yellow brick road as the days blur together… my mom downloaded this song to our shared playlist and it happened to play today while appreciating this view. Felt like something out of the land of OZ.
Got done with a short 11k walk to look back realize I was standing within the most serene painting I have ever been apart of. Truly looks like something out of a museum (minus myself of course) 😭
ONE HUNDRED – THIRTY FOUR STEPS. All were made worth it by this bell and the five surrounding it! Had such an amazing moment admiring the simple complexity that surrounds a town bell tower!
A short day that ended in a good meal and lots of exploring! This sign gave us some hope while searching for the nest town and to remember that walking isn’t always a chore but an experience!
Looking through my camera roll, I’ve found that some of the prettiest pictures I have are taken as we leave the hostels and albergues in the mornings. Maybe being forced to be a morning person isn’t that bad of a thing (or maybe by the end of the day I’m just too tired to… Read more: Good morning, Camino
A few days back, we stumbled upon a small goat pen on the trail. To me and Karley’s surprise, they were all munching on cardboard, which immediately reminded me of our old goat, Fred, who has survived all subsequent farm animals we’ve acquired (minus a ratty old cat I kidnapped from my babysitter when… Read more: Fred 2.0
Yesterday, we got to explore a beautiful cathedral in Santo Domingo and its huge bell tower. The best thing about it— everything was decorated in chickens (superior to all animals in my opinion). Anyway, the bells in the tower were huge and I may have been a tad bit concerned about losing all hearing… Read more: RING RING! Who’s calling?
Today these poppy’s reminded me so much of the live action remake of the Wizard of Oz. I had yet to see so many blooming thus far on the Camino; I feel so lucky to have gotten to see this beautiful field of them!
We saw a lot of grass and a lot of flowers. But it was a great day to be walking the Camino. Alaina and myself adopted some deep southern accents to spice up the topics of the day! Live laugh love the Camino 🤍
First time I had gotten to talk to mom in a few days!! It was an absolute stunning moment on the terrace of this beautiful Albergue. So glad to have a moment to celebrate the milestones the caminamigas and myself have accomplished together!
We are coming around the mountain!! Little late but a quick moment before we set off to walk down the mountain! We were ready to brave the storm but luckily the sun came out later!!
One thing that I miss from the U.S. is my hometown coffee shop’s iced lattes. I love the food and drinks in Spain and France (my favorites so far being strawberry soda, tortilla de patata, and napolitiana de chocolate) but MAN I miss my medium iced farmers tan with extra caramel. I plan on… Read more: L is for Lainey’s coffee
Hiking up the Pyrenees was quite the excursion. We faced cold rain, muddy hills, and lots of animals. I loved hearing the sounds of their bells as they wandered the grassy mountains. A notable moment was when we were stuck behind shepherds herding their sheep and a van with a ram in the back… Read more: Mountain men
52 days until we leave Springfield, Missouri behind and fly off to Paris. We are creating our lists, organizing our supplies, day-dreaming about the adventures that lay ahead. Today’s task, set up the Blog site. Check.
Hi, mom. I know you’re stalking the blog every two minutes so these are some pictures I took JUST for you. We just left Paris (on a 10 hour bus ride of death) but there were the prettiest flowers in the windows and gardens of the streets of Paris.
A stunning discovery between a place of sadness and beauty. These roses were such a shock of color among the old grave yards here in Saint Jean. So happy to have had a moment to appreciate them with all my caminamigas!
MSU Camino 2024 