We rise early this morning to catch the sunrise on the highest point on our Camino. We climb toward the Cruz de Ferro, where in the pilgrim traditition, we deposit stones we have carried from home. They ask for forgiveness, healing for a friend or remembrance of a loved one. Susan deposits her stone and asks for healing of her beloved sister-in-law Sarah. Afterwards, the descent of the mountain takes us to Molinaseca, a lovely riverside village nestled in a bend in the Meruelo River beneath the shadow of the Bierzo Mountains.

Ponferrada, the capital of the El Bierzo region of Spain, was an important Roman mining town, thanks to the abundance of gold mines once found in the region. Its name (Pons Ferrata in Latin) derives from its bridge which stretches over the River Sil, and which in 1082 was reinforced with iron, another mineral found in abundance in the region. It was also home to the Templar Knights, sworn to the protection of pilgrims traveling the Way of St. James.

Each morning is up at 6:15, briefing at 7:15, breakfast at 7:30, walking by 8:30. It is a long day as some leave in the dark to finish 8-10 hour days only to repeat again the next day. Why are we so enthralled with the beauty and entranced with the process? Who knows, but we are. Inspired by the motivation of Paul Lucky and fueled by his pastilles we march on!