Author Archives: victoria hoffer

To be consistent and continue kvetching, I will complain today about, oh, I almost forgot this one: at the start of the walk there was an arrow with a waymark sign. Let’s say it was pointing north.  Guess what?  You were supposed to go east.  15 minutes lost there.  Then there were the wretched wheatContinue reading “June 20, Paresotas to Bóveda”

If memory serves, yesterday started out stunningly, and I was all excited for a frustration free day.  “Ah, this is what it is all about!” And for several hours it was just glorious.  There was a scenery change.  John, you all know him by know, says that these stones are reminiscent of France.  He isContinue reading “June 17, 18, 19 Salazar”

I am now at el Balneario de Corconte, a gracious, gorgeous hotel that has a spa, as the name implies.  The room, on a Saturday night, is $70.00, the same price as last night’s very modest hotel.  I will have lunch ($15.00 for two large courses, bread, a bottle, yes an entire bottle of wine,Continue reading “June 16 Corconte and then to Pedrosa”

A nightmare of a day, even before I tripped on a black thing on the road in Reinosa—I was not looking for black things on the road—and whacked my forehead so that now I have a huge egg over my eye.  But at least the phone did not break nor did a tooth.   My opinionContinue reading “June 14 Brañosera to Reinosa”

Today was different from all previous days in that the muscles in my legs, whichever ones they are, or they could be tendons for all I know, but in any case, they did not ache at every step.  And a good thing because although this was not the longest day so far —19.5 miles thatContinue reading “June 13 Cervera Pisuerga-Brañosera”

Left Los Apartamentos in Prioro with a slam of the door.  Not that there was anyone to hear it, but it was a statement, in its own little way, nonetheless.  It was 35 degrees and soon after setting out, which, again took a bit of time because, well, it is often not easy to findContinue reading “June 10-12 Prioro-Camporredondo-Cervera Pisguerga”

If it can go wrong, it will go wrong applies to today’s logistics, but first, the walk.  14.5 miles.  About three quarters climbing and descending, but pretty.  Had one annoying navigational situation near the beginning, so spent about 15 minutes wandering about looking for a bridge. But a man, who came outside to toss hisContinue reading “June 10 Salamón to Prioro”

Half hour taxi ride through lots of traffic, five hours in a bus, the first four and a half of which were as flat and dull as can be, and then, all of a sudden, the mountains, some still with snow, started to appear, another taxi ride of about 45 minutes, and voila you arriveContinue reading “Campo de Caso June 7+8”

Excellent flight, slept almost the whole time, arrived at hotel at about 9:30 a.m., asked if it would be possible to check in, thinking that it would not be, since it hardly ever is, but guess what?  Not only did el señor allow me access to the room, but even upgraded me to a gorgeousContinue reading “Madrid June 5+6, 2019”

Essentials Do not be misled.  The brand is not also the destination:   Rojita, as I am calling her—because what if she does not roll right on over when I need her?— won out over an alluring, flat, long, neon green bag, whose name, Big Agnes (for real), was proudly splashed on the top in orange. Continue reading “España 2019 Getting Ready”