Arca to Santiago

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Today is our last day of riding. We had a great night sleep. Woke up to cloudy weather. Headed out following the pathway. It begin to climb just outside of town. There are quite a few large groups on the path. At 2.5 miles we stop and eat breakfast. I am feeling little anxious. We have a short ride but expect it take extra time riding the trail. After breakfast the trail climbs. Seriously, Spain is not flat!!! I had to walk because I thought my breakfast might come up. Got to a spot were it leveled off. Back in the bike. Traveling through small town after small town. Some of the climbs I am being encouraged with words of "animal"! I guess they are impressed with my climbing skills. After 14 days of riding, I can pretty much tackle anything. The sun is peeking through the clouds, I can feel the city is getting closer. There is a long descend into the city limits. We stop and take photos at the city sign. We attempt to ride on the sidewalks into town. It s very busy. We decide to walk our bikes. I look up as we are traveling on cobble stone and there is the backof the cathedral. Continuing down the path through a tunnel and steps we arrive at the front of the cathedral. There are many people there, hugging, high fiving, taking pictures and just standing in awe. A journey complete. We take a few photos, absorb the ambience of the moment an ahead to get our compestela. The only allow so many per day, I wanted to make sure we received ours. At the p pilgrims office there is a line. It takes us 45 minutes for us to approach the office. Inside we present our American passports and our pilgrim passports. The lady stamps our pilgrim passports, has us fill out a form and presents us with our certificate of completion. I feel very proud of our adventure. Not only of the ride but the power of accomplishment. Sweat, tears and determination got us through to the end. As a couple we have grown too. Having married my best friend I am so excited to have shared this adventure with him. We rode 475 miles in two weeks from Pamplona to Santiago. Now it's time to find our hotel and relax!

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Photos

The Cathedral
Under construction

Compostela
Certificate of completion

Comments

[Home and Away]

Congratulations on having completed the Camino...
I've enjoyed following your journey, and now look forward to completing my own next year.

[Outdoorsie206]

Thank you
I have read a few post on your blog. Admiring you easy flow and writing style. Although I am starting later in life with my travels I too have caught the travel bug.

[Mom]

Hurray!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh! There are no words just tears at what you just finished! You've always been strong and determined! Way to push through another milestone in your life! Love you tons!

[denidax]

Congratulations!!
Bienvenida a Compostela! I have loved reading about your camino, it is an incredible accomplishment!

[Outdoorsie206]

Thank you
It was quite an accomplishment and journey.

[Home and Away]

I was hoping that the Camino wasn't the last we would hear from you...
glad to see you caught the travel bug, so we can expect to hear more from you. I was also pleased to see you on the APOC FB forum...perhaps you saw that I posted your response to the cyclist behavior question. APOC pilgrims provide lots of great advice. I also see that denidax also followed you. I'm hoping we can connect on the Camino next year.