#3 Walking the Camino - April 24, 2016

Wow!!!!!  What a day this was. Three different stats for you:

Guide book-15.06 mi (adjusted for climb 19.2

Map My Walk 17.02 mi 11 Jr. 40 min

Fit Bit 44,933 steps 19.16 mi

There are two ways to get from St Jean to Ronvesvalles. One is for the true pilgrim who laughs at pain, who is willing to suffer to receive the blessings of the pilgrimage.  This is the Route of Napolan. The other is, honestly for wimps. This is the Valcarlos a Route. It is shorter, follows alongside the main road, wanders through country lanes, and has scenery that is ho-hum. The Napolean route was used by Napolean (who knew) to invade Spain in some sort of war.  This is the longest and most arduous route of the entire Camino and it plunges the adventurous into wondrous views of the Pyranees. 

Dad and I chose I follow General Napolean. The distinctive red and white trail markers showed the way

The markers for the other route had, really not sure, probably yellow and green marks. 

Picturesque buildings along the way

Fertile fields (but pretty steep for much of anything except animals)

Spring evident by flowers on the roadside 

We definitely experienced steep roads and trails. They were so steep that each of us silently reviewed our route of choice but we knew we were not wimps but strong and invincible Oregonians!

The higher we went, the better the views

These are copper beech woods 

Finally the summit is in sight

The last bit was downhill which turned out to be equally painful. 

The alberge is beautiful. Two single beds in a compartment to ourselves. 

I have to rush and publish before doors close for evening at 19:00