Today was another 20-miler! This time instead of covering flat landscape we had a significant climb to the Cruz de Ferro (The Iron Cross) and then a long, steep descent over rocky trails. Only the last 6 kilometers were through city. Despite the worn out hips and feet, this stage offers some spectacular views. Again, it threatened to rain, but fortunately it was only a threat. The day remained clouded and the air clean and cool.
The Cruz de Ferro has its origins as early as the Celts and was thought to be a cairn of sorts marking points along the road. In Christian times it was the point where you could see Galicia in the distance and a divider between regions. This spot also acquired a more spiritual symbolism as pilgrims would bring a stone with them on the trek and then place it at this spot. It represented the leaving behind of a prayer or a sin. We carried our stones and left them here as had done the year before.
So, you are probably wondering, "Where is the rocky trail?" Below are only examples of the type terrain we had to walk for nearly 12 of the 20 miles.
(side note: This is a funny guy who lives in Manjarín, better known to many as the One-man-town). He is funny, odd, and a lot eccentric, but a fun guy to meet. He is an "expert" in the Knights Templar)
(looking back at what we had just covered)
Lizzy was a real trooper and kept Jannette and me moving along (even when I kept threatening to call a taxi!)
Looking back at a ravine that we were traversing.
We finally arrived to civilization (city of Molinaseca). I collapsed on a bench and decided that it was an opportune moment to take a pic of this Roman bridge. From here on was city, street walking (pretty much).
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