Put Down Your Stone
At the highest point of the Camino in Spain, upon the plateau of Monte Irago, is a cross. This cross, called Cruz de Ferro (literally, “iron cross”) is a tall oak post with a small iron cross attached to the top. All around the cross is a large pile of stones.
Pilgrims have been laying a stone at Cruz de Ferro for centuries.
I’m no different. I’m bringing a stone. I collected it during my inadvertent Camino day, back in August. On that day, my friend Paul and I sort of accidentally walked about 25 km.
Along the way, we passed near a number of tall, crumbly cliffs. On a whim, I grabbed a small stone from the base of one. I’m glad I did.
Today, as part of our continuing training, I walked a mere 18km, and Francine walked 16km. Full packs.
It was a good walk, but the aftermath has been less than pleasant. Our feet hurt, and we’re crabby. Some days are like that. Some days you forget to put down that stone you’re carrying, the one that’s weighing you down.
When asked why angels could fly, G.K. Chesterton replied, “because they take themselves so lightly.”
Perhaps for us to fly, we need to put down those stones we carry, the ones we keep collecting.
Next Saturday, I walk 20km. The Saturday after that, 25.
A few weeks later, I’ll be walking on the Camino. We should get to Cruz de Ferro sometime in the last week of April, at which point I will lay down my stone, as have countless pilgrims before me.
Lord, may this stone, a symbol of my efforts on the pilgrimage that I lay at the foot of the cross of the Saviour, one day weigh the balance in favour of my good deeds when the deeds of my life are judged. Let it be so.
(traditional pilgrim’s prayer at Cruz de Ferro)
Wow! Thank you for sharing those precious thoughts.
Thanks, Liz! And thanks for stopping by.
Thom,
My wife and plan to do the walk and as it turns out we know a couple that started the walk from Leon. We have heard that the best time to do the walk is in April due to the increase of tourist / pilgrims now flooding the pathways, according to the reports that I seen.
Are you traveling with a full pack (30 + pounds) and camping along the way or going to the hostels at night ?
Have you found the hostels being over crowded ? (The better half is in favor of a hotel verses. A comfy bag on the ground 🙂 h
Are you doing the whole route ? How are you scheduling distance/time ?
Soon to be ” On my Way – pilgrim ”
Cam
I’m starting from either Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncenvalles, depending on whether there’s snow in the passes or not. Francine is meeting me in Leon.
I’ve heard that both spring and autumn are great times, and in the end we chose spring because it worked out better with my work schedule.
My “full” pack is at just under 20 pounds (with water), and I certainly wouldn’t recommend walking with more than that. There’s no need – the Camino is packed with places to eat and sleep.
No need for sleeping on hard ground, there are hostels in almost every village and town.
If you haven’t checked out the Camino forum at http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board/ you should do so now! It’s a great source of information.
Buen Camino!
Tom,
Thanks for that web site. I actually stumbled into it while researching the Camino sometime ago. In the photos you posted, I recognized the blue and arrow patch but not the Camino shell patch that you had blessed.. (Good Idea!) Where did you find those?
Researching on the web I’ve found a bit confusing in that I want to hear what other had to say about the trek, while there’s a few sites which have some unfavorable comments about walk. I figure that it just someone’s opinion, and leave it at that.
You must be getting fired-up to get out the door?!? But there a few holidays coming first !
We’ll be watching for your postings or pictures (if possible). The utility of the Iphone has made traveling SO much easier and less to carry !
Later
Cam
The family relations that I mentioned before, did pretty much the same route that you spoke of in your previous posting…The husband is in his 70’s and he too swears by the Tilly Hat (same color too, what a hoot!:-) ) It’s not and OLd Man Rite of passage, but a smart utility which maturity teaches the young pups!
I got the patches here:
http://www.patchquartermaster.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=camino&Search.x=0&Search.y=0
Last night, Francine sewed them on to our packs – I’ll see if I can’t post a photo soon.
Sorry to bug you again, but in talking to my son, he sparked a question in my mind. How long do you figure it is going to take you to get to Leon ? Do you plan to crank out 25 KM a day ?
That would be a SPRINT.
Buen Camino! to you
Cam
I hope to get to Leon on the 19th. Given the condition of the pass, I’ll probably start in Roncesvalles rather than Saint-Jean.
Most of the days are less than 25km, but out on the flat of the Meseta there are two that are considerably longer. We’ll see how that goes!
Thank you for the web link. I would have respond quicker, but I was out taking a long training type walk.
– Cam