Awoke at 5:45 am this morning and started our walk 2 hours later. Still struggling with organizing stuff bags, after washing clothes daily. Seem to be constantly opening and closing backpacks, typically looking for things or adding objects we overlooked earlier.

Huge group of pilgrims started the walk with us – as we started our 14.5 mile hike to Zubiri. Started out in the enchanted forest (supposedly haunted) and passed through three or four beautiful villages in the first 10 miles. Continue to add to a growing list of international pilgrims we have met and walked with periodically throughout the day, as an example: Mary, Mary Elizabeth, and Mary Katherine – from Ireland, Tim and Carolina (England & Spain), Evelina (Germany), Anna (Holland), Bruno and Margaret (Germany), Georg and Sylvia (Austria)and Vanessa (Switzerland) – along with two or three other couples from the US. The last two miles of our hike was a very steep and technically difficult descent into the town of Zubiri. Beautiful village adjacent to a majestic river. We were very lucky to find accommodations in a small private albergue – as several pilgrims arriving after us had to keep hiking toward other towns further down the Camino.

It has been three difficult days, but all five of us have had an incredible experience – and best yet, no blisters !