We left our hostel early this morning.
We got an early start because rain is forecast for the early afternoon. We are headed up to the top of the mountains today and then back down the other side. The descent is long and steep, and we don’t want to slip on wet rocks.
Foncebaden is an abandoned village that is being restored to accommodate the hordes of new pilgrims. There is much to be done.
Foncebaden is near the highest spot on the Camino, and we climbed up towards it after leaving the village.
Here is the view of Mt. Telenos from near the Camino’s summit.
At the summit is an iron cross mounted on a pile of stones. It is a Camino tradition for pilgrims to bring stones from home and place them on the pile to commemorate their purpose for walking the Camino.
A common question at dinner is to ask the group why they are walking the Camino. The best answer I have heard so far was from a Brazilian who said he had no idea but he was having a great time and he hoped that it would continue.
We rested at a juice and fruit stand near the summit.
And met some new friends close by.
The sun came out briefly.
And then we began the long descent down the other side of the mountain.
We dropped down to the village of Acebo.
After passing through the village we continued to descend.
At the bottom of the mountain, we arrived at the village of Molinaseca, our destination for the day, just as it started to pain
Molinaseca is on the rio Boeza:
It was a hard walk today. It wasn’t far, only a little over 20 km, but we descended almost 3400 feet. We are no worse for the wear, however. By the time the the walk is over, we should finally be in good walking shape.
The walk today was beautiful, but something is missing. We almost never see the friends we met during the early weeks. We still meet people and enjoy talking with them. But with the number of people now on the Camino, we have little expectation of seeing them again. There are more pilgrims, and they are are younger and moving faster and keeping more to themselves. Lately, people have rushed by us without a word. Two days ago we stood outside an emitage next to a group of 20-something Americans engaged in an obscenity-laced conversation. Something seems lost.
Or maybe we’re just tired and tomorrow’s forecast is for more rain.
Kurt's Blog 
I imagine your poles were helpful today. Did you bring a rock from home? And…thanks so much for the yummy Socola goodies!
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The poles are great–especially in the mountains. We forgot to bring a rock with us on the plane, but Anne remembered the tradition when we left in the morning and hauled a rock up to the top of the mountain to add to the pile. Glad you liked the chocolates!
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