The heat has been increasing as I travel west so today I was on the path by 5:30 am, walking by the light of a beautiful moon, in order to beat the heat that arrives by 9:00 am. Unfortunately, it was already warm when I arrived at the Cruz de Ferro at 7:30. The Cruz de Ferro is a small iron cross mounted at the top of a long pole at the top of a hill. For centuries pilgrims have left something symbolic or important to them...to either celebrate an event/person in their lives or to release a burden. I added a small rock I´ve carried from the family farm in Minnesota to celebrate our family´s history and to acknowledge that it will need to be sold soon. I also left a St. Jude medal for a friend who will never walk the Camino herself. I hope she felt her burdens being lifted!
The walk has continued to be beautiful although today contained a long, brutal descent that had me longing for a good uphill or a flat road. Perhaps tomorrow. Tonight I´m in Moninaseca, near Ponferrada. I said goodbye to my German friend, Petra, shortly after the Cruz de Ferro and will now need to leave a little later in the morning...Petra was one of the few people I´ve met who thought leaving at 5:30 am was perfectly normal.
Robyn and Tom continue to walk in morning fog (I´m a little jealous at the moment) but as they make their way south/west they´ll acquire my weather.
For now...216 km to go (134 miles)...buen camino...Cindy
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