A Classic Day

If there is a day that epitomizes the Camino, it's today. 

I'm back up in the mountains, and today's stage included the highest point on the Camino, the Cruz de Ferro. 

The tradition is to carry a rock with you from home, and leave it on the pile. I've been hauling my Napeague rock for 1300 miles and I'm glad to finally leave it behind. 

It may have been the single hardest day of walking yet. It was a 350 meter climb from Rabanal to the Cruz de Ferro, which wasn't too bad. But the descent was brutal. It was almost a 1000 meter drop over 10km. On the plus side the temperature rose 30 degrees and there was some spectacular scenery!

I'm in the region of Bierzo now. Sandie sent me this article about the local wine so it seems like a good time to go see if I can find some!

http://nyti.ms/16rM8zf