Background
This is a blog of Lynn and Teresa’s Camino. I created it as they were going. Most of this was written by me; so we are missing the key voices of our story. As they started to contribute, I quoted their comments. Maybe when they get back, they’ll update it or create a new page in their voice.
This pilgrimage on “The Way of St. James” has been on Lynn’s bucket list for years. St. James was one of Jesus’ apostles. Lynn and Teresa are taking on this amazing adventure together. They’ll be walking 150 miles over the next two weeks; September 9, 2025 thru September 23, 2025.
Wednesday:
The trip from Cincinnati, through Paris, to Porto, Portugal was uneventful. The best kind of trip abroad. The Hotel Jaguar is very cool, kinda of boutique-ish. They’ve already met others on their trip. Thursday is a day to acclimatize to the new timezone and tour the city of Porto. The big trek starts on Friday.
This is their route. They are going north. Each red pin is a stop. The last leg is actually two days.
Thursday:
Today was a “spa” day. They each had a “Send Off” massage at the Grand Bleu Spa in downtown Porto. They’ll go out for lunch and then tour the city more.
They have met 4 people already in the group! All ladies, their age or older! Two from Chicago and two from California/Texas!
Friday:
Today did NOT start the walk. They are touring the city more. But they do get their first stamp today at the Porto Cathedral. The weather is great. They’re having a wonderful trip.
They met more pilgrims from their group. Total of 12 now? All women similar to them. Middle-age, affluent, husbands stayed back. 😀
My theory is men like to walk the Camino the old way; carry everything with you, stay at Hostels. These women are more modern. Get a guy to take your luggage to the next hotel while you walk.
Saturday is a group tour of Porto. At 1:00pm (WEST) they take a bus north to Spain and start with a short walk. They stay at hotel Bahia Baoina.
Saturday:
The Camino has officially started. Today was a short walk. All uphill.
Lynn’s backpack, that she used for training, has been deemed too heavy and she got a new one. The weather is great. Dinner is at 8:00. They start the first 15 miles walk tomorrow at 6:30am.
Notes from Lynn:
There is a photo from the Portugal side looking into Spain. The fortress granite walls was to protect Portugal from Spain during battles. Portugal gained independence from Spain as a result of those wars.
We crossed the “International Bridge” from Portugal to Spain and that beautiful sign that says “Portugal” is shown as you enter the country.
Our feet one is cool… Halfway across the International Bridge is the Portugal/Spain boundary. Teresa is standing in Portugal and I am in Spain. We thought that was cool.
We are standing under the Spain sign when we crossed the bridge.
A cathedral where we got our 2nd stamp on our passport. Interesting fact is that there are “pilgrim makeshift” clinics along the way that are free for minor issues.
Manuel is our guide and leader.
Sunday:
Itinerary: This is the real start of your journey. May every step be a thought on peace and an extension of loving kindness. Leave Baiona behind, and follow the coast across the Rias Baixas through the beach town of Nigrån. Walk along long pristine beaches and admire the magnificent Cies Islands from a distance. Vigo is Galicia’s most important harbor and busiest city
Our pilgrams treked 15.5 miles today. It took them 8 hours including stops for food and meditation along the sea.
Notes from Lynn:
A unique bridge into a small town—it was beautiful and then on the other side was this memorial lit up with shells (the symbol of the Camino), and stones with people’s names on them. We received our shells on the first day and tied them to our backpacks. When you see those with these shells on their backpacks, you know they are our fellow pilgrims.
These stones were all along the beach (see photo), and there was a marker on a huge rock so all pilgrims can place a name on their stone. Teresa chose a special stone for Eleanor, and I chose a little larger one for Jorden. We placed them on the beach in the sand with a special prayer for each of our precious grandchildren. There were hundreds left there by other pilgrims.
The Camino trail is marked with yellow arrows. Along the way, when we stop for a Americano or lunch, we receive a special stamp on our Camino passport. These stamps are important as they are required in order to receive the last stamp of completion in Santiago.
Many water stations and bathrooms along the way for pilgrims.
Monday:
Itinerary: Take in the stunning views of Vigo Bay, the Atlantic Islands, the Morrazo Peninsula, and Rande Bridge. After a pleasant walk on an unpaved path through woodlands, reach Redondela. Our driver will take you to the hotel in the centre of Pontevedra, where you will spend the next two nights. You may wish to visit the stunning Sanctuary of the Virgin Pilgrim.
Lynn and Teresa experienced Camino pilgrims’ friendships today that strengthened their understanding of blessings in suffering. Today’s 10 mile trek was relatively easy except for the rain. They each brought rain gear but didn’t take it on the hike. Two people from their group shared extra Patagonia jackets.
Notes from them:
This morning on the Camino, they both decided to skip packing their raincoats since the forecast promised nothing but sunshine. Naturally, partway through the wooded stretch, the skies opened up. They figured they would just deal with being soaked, but two pilgrims passing by offered extra ponchos and jackets they had tucked away.
At first, Lynn and Teresa said no—they didn’t want to take these other pilgrim’s gear—but after a few minutes more down the trail, one of the men stopped and insisted, saying it wasn’t right to carry gear that could help someone else and not share it.
He said “after all, the Camino always provides what you need.” So they accepted, and later met them again in the next town to return the borrowed gear.
If they had not experienced the chilly extreme discomfort of the rain and downpour, they would never have be encountered this act of giving as they did today. Lynn and Teresa wanted to do a nice gesture for these pilgrims who lent them their gear. Due to no access to thank you notes or a small token or appreciation, they promised to pay forward to others along the way.
Tuesday:
Itinerary: After a short transfer back to Redondela, continue your journey; first uphill by the coast with stunnning views over the Vigo Bay and across the infamous Ponte Sampaio bridge, where Napoleon’s Army suffered one of the greatest defeats during the War of Independence. Continue then mostly downhill, through peaceful oak forests and along the river to the center of Pontevedra, the city founded by the Romans and dedicated to the Virgen Peregrina (the Pilgrim Virgin).
