Stage 2: Orisson to Burguete (23 km Up & Down!--18 degrees)

Last night we met our fellow perigrinos and enjoyed a wonderful supper together at the albergue. While having coffee, as if on cue, a rainbow appeared outside and everyone rushed out to take a picture.

We turned in early and had a pretty good sleep (only one snorer in our hostel room and it wasn't Jim!). We woke at six and after a breakfast of toast and strong coffee we headed out to cross the Pyrenees. We started out with about 20 other hikers but soon it was just us and the sheep. Rain threatened but never materialized and we walked in pleasant cool temperatures all day. Going up was not as tough as we thought it would be, but going down into Ronsevalle was far worse. We missed the general ascent route and took an express route down--our knees and shins did not like it!

The good news is we are finished the hardest part of the journey. Two days down, 33 more go and no blisters yet!!!

Stage 1: St Jean pied de port to Orisson (8 km Straight up!--18 degrees)

A perfect first day! From St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Orisson (France) 8 kms up a steep hill in the Pyrenees -- perfect scenery, perfect trail, perfect weather, perfect company! Our reward is showers and a pitcher of sangria and a can of Coke on a terrace looking out over green mountains and valleys dotted with grazing sheep.