The travels for the past three days has been through the last part of the plains of Spain. Two very long days and one short day. We walked over 2000 year old cobble stone roads put in place by the Romans as we entered the Provincia de Leon. The largest, wealthiest and most populous province that we will pass through on our journey to Santiago.
The valleys we walked through for three days were surrounded by the snow capped Montes de Leon, or Mountains of Leon. Thousands and thousands of acres of grain, beans and assorted crops everywhere one would cast a look. The wind gently made a waving sea of wheat and rye stocks as we made our way down the cobble stone path. Traveling through this area in the Spring is a bonus in that in the late summer and fall it is very hot and not one of the most favorite sections for the Pilgrim. The route from Calzadilla to Mansilla is some 16 miles and has no potable water so you must pack extra aqua. Yesterday we only saw four other Pilgrims on the path, meaning a very large portion of the Pilgrim population boarded buses in Calzadilla and either went on to Leon or stopped in Mansilla. They missed some of the most beautiful scenery on the walk. My intent is to walk every mile of the way, so no buses for Nick. I was calculating from the first day I had some 32 people start the journey with me, I would guess that maybe only five of us have walked every step of the way so far. It is easy to take short cuts in life but one never knows what you are missing unless you keep the Rumb Line. As I tell my fellow Pilgrims, you never stop going up the hill to rest, you can rest when you get to the top...because once you stop you have a very difficult time getting started and to the top, .my thought for today.
I walked with Lee Welker from Brisbane , Australia, an young 32 old man who is a production manager in a food plant. Lee proved out to be a very interesting day on the way. A Buddhist, vegetarian and one of 8 siblings he was not what I would call your typical Aussie. It was a very enjoyable walk and one that I will have in my book of memories. He thought it was great that I have my 5th graders following the journey. Actually everyone who I tell about the 5th grade class says to say hello and that someday you too shall do the walk. I am awaiting the next Mrs Cheese email from home by the way.
As the sun sets tonight in Leon I realize I am over half way finished and still have so much to see in Spain and take in from my fellow pilgrims. My feet are tired but after 30 minutes of walking around in my socks it is like I have never walked. The energy and enter feelings generate a high that is hard to describe. As Lee stated , "it is amazing how much day there is, when you are in it". I look forward to a tour of Leon. Weds we go back to the mountains and on to Santiago.
My prayers today are for my friends Steve Morgan and Tim Balch who both need God's help at this hour.
The photos today are a stork on the church bell tower, a cat on a roof, a very old cemetery , and the mountains that continual keep an eye on one as you walk and of course the faithful Sara who keeps an eye out the window when not getting in trouble stealing food from the kitchen counter. The latest prize was a small turkey breast for a large un official dinner.
