Camino de Santiago – Day 14 – Solo

Burgos to Hornillos del Camino

For more pics from Day 14…

Lyrics from my theme song of the day:

I don’t know where I’m goin’ but I sure know I where I’ve been

Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday

An’ I’ve made up my mind, I ain’t wasting no more time

Here I go again, here I go again

Here I go again on my own, goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known

Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone

An’ I’ve made up my mind, I ain’t wasting no more time.

Thanks, Whitesnake! Surely you had this day in mind when you penned these lyrics.

WP_20170616_02_16_49_ProWe were up early, and Jimmy walked with me to the Camino, a few blocks away. We said our goodbyes, hugged, and issued our final Buen Camino to each other. And then I was on my way.

Out of Burgos on my own, goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known. I didn’t see another pilgrim the entire journey out of Burgos and often wondered if I’d gone off trail. Still, I would come across the occasional arrow or shell, restoring my confidence in my stellar navigational abilities. When I was fully out of the city, I started seeing a few pilgrims scattered across the wide-open spaces in front of me.

I stopped for breakfast in Tarjados, a little over 10km from Burgos. It was here that I had one of my two conversations during the walk today. A nice couple from California and I talked about American football, the conversation prompted by my Houston Texans hat. The rest of the walk was alone and in silence except for the brief conversation with a farmer about his beautiful alfalfa hay field.
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Alfalfa field – I know some livestock that would love a little time here…
If I had to pick one word to describe the Meseta it would be expansive. For my fellow-Texans, imagine walking from Lubbock to Amarillo in the panhandle. The Meseta is similar in distance and scenery. Some people switch from walking to riding bikes to get through it quicker and others skip over it all together. It was my first day in and so far, I loved it!
The pilgrim’s exposure to the sun is intense, there is very little shade along this Way. WP_20170616_06_22_42_ProSunscreen, lots of water, and the wisdom to take refuge when it’s available is a must.
Three-fourths of the way to my destination for the day, I came across this little gem of a rest area, the Fuente de Praotorre. I pumped water into both water bottles and caught a nap on a picnic table in the shade.
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Hornillos del Camino

Not far from the Fuente, my destination for the day came into view, Hornillos del Camino. By mid-afternoon, I made into town. I settled into the Albergue Meeting Point.

Later in the evening, I joined my fellow pilgrims and our gracious hosts for a fantastic pilgrim meal. Delicious paella and vino tinto!

Day 1 as a lonely pilgrim was in the books.

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Finally getting some color on my legs!

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