John R. Rogers - Photographic Artist

To Mansilla de Mulas
I left Bercanos del real Camino headed to Mansilla de las Mulas around 8:30, accompanied by Terry and granddaughter Emma and and bf Jack.
Today wasn’t the prettiest or most dynamic of days. It was basically just a long (partially shaded) hike along a trail next to a medium busy road. Going through the village of El Burgo Ranero, storks were working on their nest on the steeple. (I’m wondering it they have some sort of barter system worked out with the Catholic Church….)
A little later I ran across a row of trees where someone had knitted
little sweaters for the trees along the path. (Perhaps to make them more huggable?)
Finally I made it to our apartment and passed out for a short nap. For last
night’s accommodations, I found a 5 bedroom apartment that I ended up sharing with four other Camino family members. (Terry, his granddaughter, her boyfriend and a new friend Sue) The “kids” went out and picked up groceries to cook a great pasta dinner while I worked on laundry for the gang.
The original plan was that Sue (a salsa and swing dance instructor) was going guide a dance party pretty much fell apart when the reality that we had all already walked over 18 1/2 miles earlier in the day so after dinner we just all said our good nights, and headed off to bed in preparation of our hike to León tomorrow.

To Carrion de Los Condes
A little shorter day today at a little less than 15 miles. It’s official about 20k but I always manage to get I a little distance just walking around. I started off about 7:30 this morning and passed by the Iglesia de San Martin XI century church (consecrated in 1066i in the warm morning light. The passed by a little pilgrim monument in Villovieco. There was a fork in the path pretty early today, that would either take you by the road or the river. The river at less than 1k additional length was an easy choice. Then we stopped for lunch in Villacázar de Sirga, I stepped inside the local church the Santa Maria La Blanca that was built in the last 1/3 of the 13th century to check it out.
The Knights Templar built with the help of the Cistercians literally a church-fortress to protect the pilgrims bound for the hokey land. What is truly amazing to me is not just that these amazing structures were built nearly 1000 years ago… but you run across one, in practically every little village.
Tonight I’m staying in a working Monastery. The Monasterio de Santa Clara. I’ve been keeping my eyes out for Julie Andrew’s.. Tomorrow on to Terradillos de los Templarios.

To Frómista.
Today was a a little bit longer day. It ended up being just over 17 1/2 miles or 28k. The morning started with a pretty steep climb up and then down a big hill that is between Castrojeriz and Frómista. From there, it was (mostly) downhill to Frómista. Shortly after starting out I entered the Provincia de Palencia. (It’s sort of like crossing state lines.) I have definitely begun my passage through the Meseta of Spain. The land is flattening out and the fields are a rainbow of crops. Some folks describing this part of the Camino have called it boring. I’m finding it anything but that. I would say peaceful.
I passed by two more memorial’s on the hike over the hill. Reminders that life is short. One appeared to be for a 44 year old man.
Again the pathways were often lined with wildflowers, and some fields were made up entirely of poppy’s. Beautiful.
Along the way I passed through the villages of Itero de la Vega and Boadilla del Camino, that made for nice coffee and lunch spots. The last part of todays hike was along the canal de Castillo which was a nice shaded hike along a working canal just before Frómista. Then I went out just after 7p and ended up joining my New Zealand friends for diners then off to sleep.

I accidentally posted this here instead of my personal page, not sure how to move it…
Cardeñuela Riopoco to Burgos.
May 26th
I intentionally hiked a longer day yesterday so today would be a “short” 16 kilometer day and I would have time to explore Burgos. I passed one small village Orbaneja Riopoco before entering the outskirts and passing the airport. After that it was pretty much just business surburbs until I got near the old town city center, fortunately I passed a nice outdoor photography art installation on my way to my hotel.
Although I really like the group dinners in the albergues, I’m less of a fan of sleeping in a room with multiple bunk beds, so I splurged and used my sons employee discount (he is a cook for a major hotel chain) and booked a nice hotel room. Thank you Dustin! My own room with an en-suite bath was a luxury!
After settling in to my hotel, I went out exploring the old town of Burgos and the Cathedral. Not being critical here, the gates to the old town really reminded me of something you would see at Disneyworld. The first thing you see when entering the old city is the Burgos cathedral. It’s enormous. I purchased a discount peregrino (pilgrim) ticket by showing my pilgrims passport and proceeded to walk through the tour. The place is amazing. As I’ve previously expressed, I’m not religious and certainly not Catholic (although I did sing for a while in a Catholic choir…. It’s a long story..) still it was impossible not to see the beauty and feel the majesty of the art and architecture. Afterwards I had a nice dinner and Vino Tinto at an outdoor bar on the plaza before retiring to my hotel room and a hot bath and writing this the first time (before accidentally deleting it.
Tomorrow I’m off to Hornillos del Camino….

Ford GT Light Painting from last week. Amazing car, wonderful owner!

From Instagram…

Over beautiful Greenland on our way home from Iceland. (Yes, Iceland is the green one and Greenland is he icy one…) Looks like a great place to visit! Photo credit to my wife on this one, she had the window seat. Although… she was shooting with my IPhone. , , mm LLC

Over beautiful Greenland on our way home from Iceland. (Yes, Iceland is the green one and Greenland is he icy one…) Looks like a great place to visit! Photo credit to my wife on this one, she had the window seat. Although… she was shooting with my IPhone. , , mm LLC

From my Instagram…

Iceland. The land of Fire and Ice and… and cute little churches, and some of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met.

From my Instagram…

From my Instagram…

Prancer and Sergio on summer vacation in Iceland.

Prancer and Sergio on summer vacation in Iceland.