As we near completion of this long walk, we’re very aware of the people here in Spain who support us (and all the other Camino walkers and bike riders) every day.

A lot happens beyond the Camino pathways to enable us to set out each day with light packs, follow maintained Camino signs and yellow arrows on good paths & roads, and get lunch and snacks on the trail. And then voila, we also find our luggage always waiting for us at the night’s lodging.

Think of luggage logistics alone. Although many, if not most, pilgrims carry all their gear in large back packs, there are thousands of people (like us) traversing the Camino every day who are using a luggage transport service. The service moves thousands of suitcases to and from every lodging point on the Camino every day!

There are taxi drivers who shuttle people who need a ride. There are food and drink deliveries, people who provide rooms, folks who clean rooms, and those who maintain the trails.

There are people who sit in churches, chapels, and hermitages to greet pilgrims and sweep the floors as Camino dust, dirt, and leaves come in with pilgrims.

Yes, it’s a whole Camino industry and, no doubt, provides an economy for many of these little towns. But we are mindful that we are only able to do this walk because thousands of people provide an infrastructure of support for us.

They carry on the traditions of pilgrim care and hospitality that span centuries.

We know we are very privileged to take this journey. We have the time and the resources. And we are immensely grateful to people who live and work along the Camino who make the journey possible.

We’re now four days out from Santiago; here are some pics from today’s adventure….