One Week Later

It seems as if we have been back for much more than one week.
Telling the story's of "The Road" and explaining our trip and the things we found.
Happy to be home, but missing the daily routine of starting the day riding off to a place we had never seen, and never could expect
We will miss the little villages and the people that call them home. The Foods that seem to always come as a suprise and all the differnt and wonderful people that served us.
The tough riding made us stronger and bonded us in a way that simple everyday life could never accomplish.
We both are looking forward to another adventure, be it here or there, Anything new, hard or easy. Its always a pleasure!

18 Days, 644 Miles and 68,570 Feet of Climbing,,

We are home. That was some trip! Without knowing that impact of a "Jubilee Year" Santiago was packed with tourists and Pilgrims alike. Everywhere you went there were more people. After Tuesday night, things got quiet and back to what we had expected for the crowds. In the Plaza in front of the cathedral there were large groups of cyclists, always. One group there were over 20 guys getting their photo taken all in team uniform. I'm thinking that in the future, the Camino will be off limits to bikes. Who knows. Here are some photos from the last 5 days. Most of the computers that I came across did not have a USB port for be to be able to upload views of the road. That is the reason there were not any during a lot of the postings. Remember to click on the photos to make them larger.

There is Nothing like Santiago

This city is all hand cut stone. Every turn of the head is something beautiful and a work of art.
As I walk through the streets, I am overwhelmed by the intricate stone cuttings that must have taken years to accomplish. Six hundred years of stone art. Made to last for generations of travelers to enjoy for many years to come.


Lovely outdoor cafes, serving our favorite drinks and little dish's of ham, cheese and bread, or just chips. People watching is constant with thousands of tourists the fill the streets. Many "Pilgrims" in hiking boots and staff walk by having just arrived after there long walk.
We love being here. We have made it and enjoy the sit and the time off the bike that now sits waiting to be boxed and shipped back home with us on the plane on Wednesday.
Back to our worlds that while here in Santiago, seems so very far away!

We Made It!

We are in Santiago!

The final day and the road into Santiago was quite beautiful. Mostly all off the main road, unlike the Camino Frances to the North that we finished in 2008.
It took a little wile to find the hotel. A beautiful little spot with a back yard and a view of the "Obradoiro", the facade of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
The bells from the cathedral can be heard from the room, chiming on the quarter hour. Soft and beautiful, not over powering and not too loud.
We got our things together and headed back into town for a walk and see the sights.
The center around the cathedral was packed. 2010, being a "Jubilee Year" has brought over two million people to Santiago this year and the streets are packed! The line to get into the cathedral are longer then we have ever seen!


The view from our back yard of the "Obradoiro"

Cold, Rainy Saturday

Here are some photos for you to enjoy as we pedal North on our second to last day on the Road to Santiago. Click on the photos to make them larger.

Calling from Ourense, Spain

Still moving north. Its cold wet and windy. The landscape is beyond belief, but the computer here at the hotel has no way of sending the photos.
I just wanted to check in and let you know that the team of two is fine and moving North to our destination. On time and looking forward to seeing the tower at the Cathedral at Santiago, Two days away!.
More tomorrow, Time to head out on foot in the rain for some food.

Two Days Later

Leaving Zamora, the weather was dry. Shortly after we started riding it began pouring with a 30 mph wind, Tail wind thank goodness, but when we felt a rear flat, things became a little different.
Hard driving rain at your back while on the bike is hard driving rain never the less, but when you stop and try to do anything, things get tough.
I headed down the road on the flat while Barb walked. I found a cement piling to a power line tower to use as a work bench and something to lean the bike against.
Back on the road in short order. The flat turned out to be a rim pinch because the rocky road and the 22 mph we were traveling at with the super strong tail wind.
We found a Bar / Restaurant for a little bite and warm up.
Our weather has changed from Hot, Hot, to Cold, Cold. Not bad, and to be expected.
Our stay last night was weird. Greeted by a gal that looked like she had been punched in the mouth, (missing teeth only on the right side of her mouth) She looked at barbs reservation for our stay and said, "This doesn't mean anything!"
A nice fellow took over soon after and had us heading to the room.
There was Foosball in the bar, but too many people to play it. We also would be standing in front of the TV where real "Football" was being played and watched by the whole room.
We walked around town in the wind blown rain and after 6 different bars we found a quiet spot. Beers and a sit down to read was the best thing we could think of doing.
It got to be around 3:00 and thought we might have a bag of chips. I think there was a slight misunderstanding, because the bar owner after 45 minutes brought us a pile of french Fry's and about 5 pounds of meat-. Some on skewers and some cut in small pieces and on a plate. All very yummy and never a question of goodness.
We left the bar around 6:00 and headed around the corner to our hotel.
Dinner was at 8:30 so we had some time for a nap.
I was woken by Barb saying, Scott, I'm going down now. OK, Lets eat! Again!

Dinner was OK, Pialia and Chicken and Fry's. The Spanish don't seem to think oddly about serving rice with Fry's, god bless them! In Oil too boot!

We woke this morning to clear sky. We were told the the weather was rain for the day, but not yet.
What we never figured was sticky clay. So sticky the wheels would not turn in the frame. I had 5¨ of clay stuck to my shoes with a grass garnish. Nice! Something Shimano never figured with the design of there pedals.
The clay was so sticky it picked up rocks. YES its true, rocks. We later saw homes made of the same material and laughed when we realized it was true.
The good part of the story is that we are one of the nicest places we have ever been too. Very homey and fun. More on this later with photos and more about today and a short on the ¨Chicken King¨ Funny.

Zamora

Just north of Salamanca is a sleepy little town by the name of Zamora, NOT!
People were up untill 6:30 this morning yelling in the streets. We are not sure if the bars ever closed.
The ride yesterday was all on the road. We could see the trail, but being flat and fast, we just agreed to stay with the pavement and get the ride done.
Ariving in town, we checked the bike and bags and washed up to head out for a nice lunch. Beautiful little city. Loaded with old world charm.
Tapas is the thing in Spain. Every bar serves it and in all style and fasion. Its nice to explore and try new things and Tapas is a great way to start the evening of dining.
Todays internet access is running out so the photos will be posted later.

A Day on Foot.

Just walking around here in Salamanca can be so nice. As I said before, every turn of the head brings another spectacular view.
The weather here on the first of October is cool and crisp. The sun feels so good and the town is filled with students and travelers alike. Every once and a while we see another Pilgrim coming into town by foot or by bike. No tandems though. Mostly Mountain bike and loaded with panniers.
Its nice to have the day off from the road and soak in the scenenry.
Today, I wish you were all here.
Here are the photos of the last two days.

Salamanca Spain Calling.

Say it, Sal a Monk a. That's Salamanca.

We are about one half way through our trip. Today's ride was very short and mostly down hill. Dirt path and dirt road. Fast speeds and cool breeze. Warm sun after thick fog.
Last night was wonderful. The place we stayed was so comfortable that we did not want to leave. Ham and eggs for breakfast and Coffee that was actually good!
The Women running the Hotel was so sweet. Hugs and kiss, (French Style, and that's not American French style girls!) There was a tear in all of our eyes when it came time to go.
First place that the Beers were huge! I will miss that for sure.

So were here in Sal a Monk a, Say it. Big city and incredible views with every turn of the head.
We will be here for the next two days. Good thing too, rain forcasted for tomorrow.

See the photos; and click on for larger views, The purple flowers are Saffron.