Well, we certainly aren’t on the plains anymore!

Today displayed the most beautiful scenery we’ve had to date, as we climbed up and over the highest pass of the Spanish Camino Frances. The accomplishment and beauty made the day a highlight as well as the high point!

We started by leaving the very special little mountain village of Rabanal de Camino. Once again, we were greeted by a rainbow–our third and most spectacular so far. It stayed before us, appearing and reappearing as we gradually went up, up, up.

No surprise that we both had in our heads, “Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow…”

At the apex of the pass stands a huge rock pile, topped by a tall wooden post and iron cross. Tradition has it that you leave a rock there when you pass. People have different interpretations of what this ritual means.

For some, it signifies that to which they are dedicating their walk, or something for which they are grateful. Maybe it symbolizes their prayer for the world or a gift they want to give to the world. Maybe it is an expression of gratitude or a symbol of something they want to leave behind them.

Walking the Camino gives you time to contemplate things like this.

Then came the descent. Don’t be fooled into thinking that up=hard and down=easy. Most of the descent was extremely steep and very rocky. It was by far the most taxing part of the day. We had to go slowly and constantly pay attention to make it down safely.

We’re pleased to report that our record of staying on our feet continues!