2016 Fall Decorations

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 33

Tom and Eric spent their thirty-third night in Triacastela. They booked 30k today. The first 10k was almost straight up. They left in the dark and got most of climb done before 10 am. Tom said the "pic doesn't do justice to the magnificence of God's nature with full moon still up over the mountains."

Church of Santa María la Real

Oldest church at least by origin on the camino is the Church of Santa María la Real in O'Cebreiro. The status is of Father Elias who was the priest credited with resurrecting the camino and inventing the yellow arrow way marker.

Putting up Fall Decorations

Sharon and I spent the loin's share of the day putting up fall decorations. With the fall dinner party being moved to a different venue this year, we probably won't go out to Davis Ranch for a load of pumpkins until October.

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 32

Tom and Eric spent their thirty-second night on the Camino at the Albergue Pequeno Portala in Ruitelan. This was a recommendation from Liz. It is pretty basic, but has the promise of a great meal.

They got a late start, but the track was nice, straight and smooth, often with concrete paths. Eric is moving slowly in sandals to air out his feet; he got a rash from wet shoes few days ago.

Liz was right; dinner was pretty good!

Songwriter

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 31

Tom and Eric spent their thirty-first night on the Camino at Villafranca del Bierzo. At a strategy meeting over dinner last night (early bird special at 9 pm; it is Spain), Tom and Eric decided that they needed to take a rest day. Villafranca del Bierzo is a nice little mountain village!

Twenty Years Ago...

20 years ago, the Davis Mafia (Tomasin, Hunter, Connor, Geselbracht, Bachman and Snipes) plus Larkin took me on a bachelor party to San Diego and Mexico. The highlights included a Padres game at Jack Murphy Stadium, getting acquainted with law enforcement in the United States and Mexico, stopping at Rosarito Beach, paying to leave an entertainment establishment in Ensenada, Hussong’s Cantina and the Macarena. Although not in the picture, Chabrier and Siskowic made guest appearances at the beginning of the trip.

Tomasin bought this Polaroid picture at dinner in Ensenada. I have had it my nightstand for the last twenty years.

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 30

Tom and Eric spent their thirtieth night on the Camino at Villafranca del Bierzo. Tom said that it was "kind of a miserable day, jockeying between rain gear and no rain gear all day. [It] makes one almost long for the good old Meseta... almost."

Frank Family Wine Dinner

Sharon and I went to Matteos Frank Family Wine Dinner with our neighbors Greg and Michelle and Rod and Kathy.

We visited the Frank Family Winery last October while we were celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary.

Castillo de los Templarios

Exploring Ponferrada

Tom spent the day exploring Ponferrada. He was dashing through rainstorms, while 24 year old (Eric) nurses aches and pains and catches up on social media.

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 29

Tom and Eric spent their twenty-ninth night on the Camino at Ponferrada.

They started the fifth week of walking in the dark to beat rain. Tom and Eric stopped in the nice little town of Molinaseca for breakfast of--believe it or not--eggs and bacon, plus canned baked beans (for Irish and English no doubt). They covered 8k in 1.5 hours, slipping downhill all the way in dark over slippery shale and gravel. They did beat rain to Ponferrada and waited for the Albergue Area ( Liz recommendation) to open.

Molinaseca

Lodi

After finishing up more than a year and a half working out of the Napa Valley on Friday, I worked three 12 hour shifts starting Sunday at a go-live at a hospital in Lodi...

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 28

Marking their fourth week, Tom and Eric spent their twenty-eighth night on the Camino at Acebo. Tom thinks that they have about 10 more days to go.

They didn't have a long day. Tom and Eric turned in at noon in Acebo. This was short of the traditional stage end at Molinaseca. They battled wind, rain and cold over the 4500 foot peak.

After settling in and while having an excellent late Spanish lunch of scorpion fish terrine, mussels and rabbit with almond sauce, they watched the rain come down in sheets. It was a good choice not to push on.

Red sky in the morning, Peregrino take warning.

Along the way, they stopped at a little hut on side of mountain: a Peregrino rest stop and alburgue with no services other than outhouse and well water. Tom and Eric moved on after warming up, but there are great stamps featuring Knights Templar symbols as they were here protecting pilgrims centuries ago.

Cruz de Ferro

This was an emotional day as Tom and Eric reached the iconic milestone of the Cross of Iron (Cruz de Ferro) and left their rocks. Tom left two rocks that he picked up at El Retiro Jesuit retreat house in March when he decided to walk the Camino. He and Rebecca had a good experience there some years ago. Tom also left a third rock from home representing his own burdens. The last two rocks are memorials for Becky and Max. He was glad to have Eric with him as emotional support.

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 27

Tom and Eric spent their twenty-seventh night on the Camino at Refugio Gaucelmo in Rabanal del Camino. The alburgue is run by the English confraternity of St James, but seems to be staffed by Irish. They had a nice afternoon tea and biscuits in the spacious back yard.

In Murias de Rechivaldo - 100s of swifts on wires, going on forever

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 26

Tom and Eric spent their twenty-sixth night on the Camino at the Gaudí Hotel in Astoria. They had some great view from their room of the Episcopal palace designed by Gaudi. It was one of few jobs he took outside of Catalonia.

Starting early, they covered about 20k with some rest spots. Tom said it was a nice walking day with pleasant weather. They can see the mountains that they will be starting into tomorrow.

At the McConnell Estates Winery

Sharon and I met the Borjas, Renterias and Alan Wackman at Alan's house. Our boys played baseball together for a number of years with the Gunners and the Outlaws. From Alan's house, we wandered to the McConnell Estates Winery. This is the Wackman's winery... We listened to a Styx tribute band?!? Even though Sharon and I cut it short due to the fact that I had to work on Sunday, It was a great evening.

Tom and Eric's Progress on the Way of St. James - Day 25

Tom and Eric spent their twenty-fifth night on the Camino at Alburgue Santa Ana in San Martin del Camino. They had the best paella yet!