Leaving stones at the Cruz de Ferro

At about 20 days into the Camino, we came to the Cruz de Ferro. Here is a basic description of what it is all about:

At its base there has been a mound forming over the years. A legend says that when the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was being built, pilgrims were asked to contribute by bringing a stone. The tradition is to throw a stone here, brought from the place of origin of the pilgrim, symbolizing what the pilgrim want to leave behind and get ready for rebirth on the last part of the Camino.

We had brought stones from home for ourselves and for a few other people. 

The Cruz de Ferro atop the pile of stones

Stones we carried for lost friends of our friend and neighbor, Dibby Clark.

Stones for our neighbor Frankie Meeker

A stone for Dibby Clark

Leaving the stones next to the cross.

Two of Dibby's stones resting on the pile.

Two stones from Mike's parents, found along the Columbia river near their home. 

The entire contents of my pack when I got home

People usually ask what we brought. Earlier in the blog, I described what we planned to bring. I think that it is more important to show what we actually kept. Along the way, we bought a few things and we sent home two small boxes of stuff that we did not need. Here is the entire inventory of what I had when I stepped through the doors of the house. 

Two underwear, one pair nylon shorts, one washcloth, one ultralight dry bag. Underwear is wool for anti-stink and for easy hand washing Shorts were purchased along the way because the ones I brought didn't fit too well. 

Guide book, one shirt, one pair pants. Shirt is thin nylon, pants are Prana Stretch Zion. The shirt is so thin and breezy that I wore it almost every day, even in the heat, instead of using sunscreen.  I washed it out in the shower and it would always be dry by morning. 

Hiking shoes and a lightweight sil nylon daypack that doubles as a stuff sack for my clothes. The shoes are La Sportiva Synthesis GTX

Glasses, eyeshades, 2-hole european USB charger and cables and a bag of small items.

The "foot kit" with various foot-related items. Compeed is the european anti-blister brand.

Ditty bag with small LED light, safety pins, sewing kit. laundry line, iPod and extra batteries

Inflatable pillow, water bottle, water bag, plastic cup, spoon,  Kindle, and my toilet kit. The toilet kit is a little bit light right now, but it would usually have had a few small bars of soap in it. 

Three socks, and my lightweight city shoes. The top socks were found in a hotel room and were very thin. The formerly white socks are smartwool and lightweight and the grey socks to the left are nice thick hiking socks. 

Yellow puff jacket, red wool t-shirt, grey windbreaker and my cotton "howdy pilgrim" t-shirt. I wore the cotton t-shirt mostly in the evenings after hiking.

The cat was not in the backpack. 

Rain stuff - green pack cover that came with the pack, black rain hat, red poncho. Also, a green baseball cap. 

It all fits into a 26-liter Osprey pack with my pilgrim shell attached to it. I started the hike with a larger pack but ended up just buying a smaller one in Leon. I left the old pack (an eBay purchase)  at one of the municipal albergues with a "free" sign on it. I hope it made the trip to Santiago, too. 

From Santiago de Compostella to Finisterre and Muxia

After reaching Santiago, there is an option to keep walking to the Atlantic coast. It is either three hard days walking, or four easier days or, as we did it, one hard day, one taxi ride and two nice short days. After arriving in Finisterre, we spent one day just doing nothing, and then walked to Muxia, the end of the road for the Camino. 

Ana, Justine and Brent did the hard three days and caught up with us in Finisterre. Justine had to head out from Finisterre, so it was down to just Sherry and I plus Ana and Brent. 

As usual, the photos are in reverse order, so start from the bottom if you want to see these in chronological order. 

Looking out to sea from Muxia

The four survivors, on the rocky shoreline of Muxia

Ana of the sea

The church in Muxia, right on the water. 

Heading back into the town of Muxia after visiting the lighthouse. 

Muxia!!! If you watch the movie "The Way", this is the final scene. 

Small beach coming into Muxia

Mike and Brent on the road to Muxia

A lot of people do Muxia to Finisterre, instead of Finisterre to Muxia, so the signs point in both directins. 

A displaced stepping stone and 3' deep water. I think I'll take the other bridge. 

Snail beach - somewhere between Finisterre and Muxia

Still in Finisterre watching the sunset

Contemplating the next steps

Hard to imagine that the sun will be setting soon. It is about 10pm here. 

Mike, feeling happy about the sunset. 

Arriving at the beach around 9:45pm to see the sunset

The sunset beach crew

Sunset on the west-facing beach near the town of Finisterre. 

View from the end of the cape

Sherry at the zero mile marker

Justine on the path

Beach babes, Justine and Ana

Walking into Finisterre

Celebrating the arrival of Ana and Justine and Brent at Finisterre. This is our hotel room. 

The view from the end of the cape/end of the world. 

Pilgrims are more fashionable now. 

Hiking out to the end of the cape in Finisterre. 

The zero mile marker in front of the lighthouse in Finisterre