Camino Francis, Day 12

 Day 12 on my Camino, it’s hard to believe. It’s 6:58am, and it’s 51° with a light rain falling, I put on my rain pack & rain jacket before I left Hotel Papasol.  I stopped shortly after that to put on my poncho, better be safe than sorry. I looked at the weather report, last night, no mention of rain until later in the day. Once  again, boy were they wrong!!!!. I  just hope the trail wont be too muddy. We will see if these new ultra Gore-Tex shoes will help keep my feet dry.🤞🏻

Hotel Papasol has a nice rustic vibe. All the wood floors creek. Old wood beams support the ceilings. None of the room doors fit correct, you can see cracks of light coming through the door jams. The rooms are small & the bathroom even smaller. They did offer an individual pilgrim style meal. 1st choice Soup or salad, I picked salad. 2nd, main course, I went with ham croquettes. 3d course, desert, I went with custard pudding. The hotel sits right below the village church. I think this may have been some type of Inn back in the day..

Interesting little tidbit about Atapuerca. The caves of the Sierra de Atapuerca contain fossil records of the earliest human beings in Europe, from nearly one million years ago. I am just a wealth of knowledge, if you don’t believe me, just ask Google where I just pasted that info for you🤣🤣.

8am, 52° and it’s still raining only 1.2 miles in. It’s slow going. I am climbing up a rather step rocky path and the rain makes the rocks slippery, so I am just taking my time. I just stopped under a large tree to shed my rain jacket and just go w/ my poncho. I was getting too hot w/ both on. I come across another large group of Asians. I don’t believe they are the same group from a couple days back, but they are sure having fun walking in the rain.

8:50am, 3.5 miles. I have reached my first little village of the day, Carla Rico. They do have an open cafe, but it is packed w/ pilgrims so I push on. I’ll have to wait for my coffee. The rain has stopped, but I don’t dare take off my poncho, at least not yet. I am now walking on the street, off the muddy path for now.

9:23am. 5.2 miles. I stop at a Albergue that has an open café. Yes, coffee time finally. I take off my poncho and  put on my rain jacket. I ordered my cafe con Leche, and a cheese danish the size of a frisbee🤣, okay maybe not quite that big, but close. I finished my coffee & danish and decide to just go with my rain jacket. It’s only a very misty type of rain, plus my poncho is easy to grab if need be. Side-note, I didn’t need it again that day. I saw the two Italian pilgrims from day 1 of my hike. It’s day 12 and I keep running into people from day 1.

9:57am, 53°, rain is holding off. Turned off the regular Camino path into Burgos and now on an alternative route, that I have learned about, by watching YouTube videos, veers off and takes the river route path into Burgos. The regular Camino path takes you through the industrial area of Burgos, whereas the river route takes you along the Pico River and through a park, which is more scenic.

11am, it’s 56° cloudy skies no rain. Currently walking along the Pico River on the alternate route. 9 miles in, having about 3 to 4 more miles to get to Burgos. So far the rain is holding off. 🙏. Stopped at a little covered picnic area for a quick rest. I’m going to attempt to take off my rain jacket and go back to just wearing my fleece jacket.

12 noon, I am walking through this lovely park on this very long straight walking path along the Pico River. I’m 11.3 miles 4hr 45 min. The rain is still holding off. is now 58°. This is a very well walked pathway by the residence of Burgos. Lots of people out getting exercise. Not seeing many pilgrims on this alternate route. I’m thinking that most of the pilgrims take the regular route because unless you knew in advance where to turn or did some research then you would have not known about this route.

12:40pm, I have made it to the Cathedral in Burgos. 12.9 miles 5rs 34min. 59° Clouds w/ the sun trying to peak out. I cannot check into my hotel until 2 pm so I am stopping at a restaurant, El Jaleito, to grab a bite to eat until I can check into my hotel. There is a lot of activity currently going on around a cathedral. They are currently taking down a stage in front of the Cathedral, tour groups going in every direction, and just lots of people milling around. The Burgos Cathedral, The Cathedral of Saint Mary Burgos, is the second largest Cathedral on the Camino Francis, second only too Santiago de Compostela.

2:40pm, arrived & checked into my hotel room. Nice room on the 4th floor. Have a view of the main street leading towards of the Cathedral. This street is full of shops, restaurants, & bars. I just unload my pack, hung up my poncho to dry and suddenly a loud the clap of thunder rings out soon followed by the rain. A couple lighting flashes, makes my room light flicker. I jump in the shower, no washing things in my room today. I was told there is a coin laundry mate just around the corner. 

5:45am. Rain has stopped, I even see blue sky out my window. I decide to take a quick walk to the Cathedral. There is a large presence of  old Spanish Knights w/ many granite Spanish Knight Statue around the entrance to the Cathedral. The Cathedral is massive. I poked my head in but it cost money to go through the whole thing. Tomorrows agenda. I was getting hungry, so I punched in Tacos on my phone, not thinking I would get a hit, but wouldn’t you know it I found a Mexican taco joint close to my hotel…The Camino Provides once again!

It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact I am actually in Burgos Spain. All the time, planning, & video watching and here I am. Not only am I here, I freaking walked here, that’s the crazy part. And now I am sitting here eating yummy steak tacos, & enjoying a Corona. Life is Good!!!

Stats- Atapuerca to Burgos, Stage 12

Miles- 12.9

Duration- 5hr 30min

Elevation- 410ft

Weather- 51-62 degrees, off & on rain w/ clouds

Song- Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head

Tomorrow is my official rest day. That means no having to get up when the roosters crow. 

I found a bakery, a few steps from my hotel, and they have Pastel de Nata’s!!!! Oh Happy Days

Thanks for reading, and see you on down the road.