Part 2: Finding Our Way (October 1–3, 2026)

After three days on the Camino, we were starting to settle into a routine. Wake up, pack up, walk, collect stamps, meet interesting people, eat, sleep, and repeat. Of course, no two days were ever quite the same, and the next three would bring everything from sunshine and laundry adventures to some of our most challenging miles and one very emotional moment for me.

October 1: Redondela to Arcade

We intentionally planned this as our short day. At this point, we’d been away from home for several days, and it was time to tackle something very exciting…laundry!

We walked about six miles total, and thankfully, it was a fairly easy day.

Before leaving Casa D’Mina, I had the opportunity to chat a little more with Kate, one of the women from our Australian delegation. Originally from London, she was ending her Camino early after learning that her younger sister had received a devastating diagnosis. We talked for a bit, and I wished her safe travels and healing and peace for her sister. It was another reminder that everyone walking the Camino has a story, and sometimes those stories are heartbreaking.

After spending much of the previous day walking in the rain, we were thrilled to start this one in the sunshine!

Since we had such a short walk, we arrived at our accommodation at practically the same time as our luggage. Unfortunately, our place wasn’t quite ready, so we headed down to the waterfront to enjoy the beautiful weather.

There were boats, birds, and a peaceful view of the water. Honestly, it was wonderful to just sit in the sunshine, breathe in the fresh air, and not have to be anywhere. After several days of walking, it was exactly what we needed.

Once we were able to check in, it was time for our big adventure of the day…the lavandaria, otherwise known as the laundromat!

Now folks, believe it or not, I had never used a commercial laundromat before. I’ve done laundry at home and in college dorms, but never at an actual laundromat. I have to say, I loved being able to wash multiple loads at once!

The only problem? Everything was in Spanish, and the temperatures were in Celsius.

Let’s just say there was a bit of a learning curve.

I may or may not have shrunk Diane’s bed socks down to a child’s size. LOL! But hey, they stretch!

While doing laundry, we met a fellow pilgrim whom we affectionately referred to as “Mr. Azerbaijan.” We never did get his actual name, just where he was from. He didn’t speak Spanish and was having trouble figuring out the machines, so we helped him get his laundry going.

Apparently, after one trip to the laundromat, we were now the experts!

That evening, we headed to a local restaurant for dinner and ordered what had become our usual…charcuterie!

We also decided to try a Spanish specialty called a Gilda, which consisted of olives, peppers, and sardines on a toothpick. I’m always willing to try something new, but this one was a big NO for me.

I gave it a try, and about 20 minutes later, my stomach decided it was an even bigger NO.

And just like that, my evening was over!

October 2: Arcade to Pontevedra

Today we walked 10.4 miles from Arcade to Pontevedra, and the scenery was especially beautiful.

We started the morning crossing an old stone bridge and continued along some gorgeous stretches of the Camino.

Along the way, we met the TikTok-famous Manolito, who was absolutely hysterical! He entertained us and gave us a beautiful wax stamp for our pilgrim passports. Just another one of those fun, unexpected Camino encounters.

At one point, the Camino split into two routes: the regular route and the complementaro, or scenic alternative.

Apparently, we were enjoying our surroundings a little too much because we managed to take a wrong turn! Thankfully, we realized our mistake before we’d gone too far and got ourselves back on track.

We didn’t make many stops that day, other than collecting stamps, but there was one stop I hadn’t planned on making.

And it turned out to be one of the most meaningful moments of my entire Camino.

As we walked through the woods, we came upon a beautiful, peaceful stream. There was something about that spot that immediately felt right.

You see, I’d been carrying some of my mom’s and Mama J’s ashes with me since leaving the United States. They had traveled with me through Portugal and Spain, tucked safely in my backpack every day as I walked the Camino.

In a way, it felt like they were walking those miles with me.

I knew I wanted to spread their ashes somewhere along the Way, but I hadn’t decided exactly where. I figured I would know when I found the right place.

And standing beside that stream, with nobody around except Diane and me, I knew.

I spread Mama J’s ashes first, followed by Mom’s.

And I cried.

I cry every time I spread some of my mom’s ashes. Each time, it feels like I’m letting go of another little piece of her.

I still have most of her ashes at home with me, and honestly, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to let all of her go.

But there was something special about having them both with me on this journey and leaving a little piece of them in such a peaceful place along the Camino.

It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

After taking some time there, we continued on our way. The terrain that day felt more like hiking than walking, with plenty of uneven paths through the woods.

Eventually, we made it into Pontevedra, where we stopped for a late lunch. I had what was quickly becoming another one of my Camino favorites, a jamón serrano y queso bocadillo(ham and cheese sandwich). Simple, but delicious!

Since we’d eaten so late, we decided to keep dinner easy. We stopped at Froiz, a local grocery store, picked up some prepared salads, and ate in the square near our hotel while doing some people-watching.

And let me tell you, Pontevedra is a happening place!

When we first arrived, the square was fairly quiet. But by about 6:30 p.m., it was filled with families, children, and people enjoying the evening.

What we didn’t realize was that the party apparently continued well into the wee hours of the morning!

Thankfully, I had earplugs.

Poor Diane was not so lucky and was kept awake until nearly 4 a.m.!

Let’s just say our hotel (and I use that term loosely) wasn’t exactly the peaceful night’s sleep we’d hoped for!

October 3: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

Today would turn out to be our second-longest day on the Camino, and one of the hottest!

We walked 15.44 miles, and this was definitely one of those days that tested us.

Unlike some of the previous stages, there weren’t many places along the Way to stop for coffee, food, or even just a little break. We only made one real stop all day, which made those miles feel even longer.

We spent a lot of time walking through the woods, where we encountered what we now affectionately call “forest cows.”

Yes, forest cows.

Basically, random cows hanging out in the middle of the woods. Who knew that was a thing?

We also came across an adorable horse who practically posed for me to take his picture. Of course, I had to stop!

Despite the beautiful scenery and our new animal friends, the combination of heat, distance, and limited breaks made for a very long and challenging day.

We also noticed something different about the Camino that day. Unlike the previous stages, where everyone seemed eager to strike up conversations and wish each other “Buen Camino,” we encountered more large groups who mostly kept to themselves.

There were fewer friendly greetings and less of that Camino camaraderie we’d grown to love. Not every day was going to have the same magic, and that was okay, too.

Toward the end of the day, we walked for a bit with Emily from London before finally arriving in Caldas de Reis.

We found our hotel, checked in, and discovered one small problem.

No elevator.

Which meant carrying our luggage up THREE flights of stairs.

After walking more than 15 miles in the heat, that was definitely not what we wanted to see!

That evening, we found a cute little place for dinner, where I ordered what they called an empanada. It was nothing like the empanadas I’m used to back home, but it was delicious!

We even got some unexpected dinner entertainment when a bicycle race came through town.

After dinner, we decided to check out the famous hot springs of Caldas de Reis.

Naturally, I had to put my foot in the water. Well, the foot that didn’t have blisters, anyway!

And HOLY COW, was that water HOT!

I couldn’t keep my foot in for very long, but at least I can say I tried it!

One other thing worth mentioning is that we had discovered our new favorite Camino drink: lemon Aquarius!

For someone who absolutely hates Gatorade and has always struggled to find an electrolyte drink I can tolerate, this stuff was fantastic. We first discovered the lemon flavor in Spain, and it quickly became our drink of choice.

It’s funny how the little things, like finding a drink you actually enjoy, can make such a difference when you’re walking mile after mile!

By the end of October 3, we’d experienced everything from a relaxing afternoon in the sunshine to two very long walking days, met more people from around the world, and shared plenty of laughs.

But for me, the moment that will always stand out from these three days is that quiet spot along the stream.

When we started planning this Camino, I knew I wanted to walk in honor of my mom. I just didn’t know exactly what that would look like or how I would feel along the Way.

Carrying Mom and Mama J with me for all those miles, and then finding that peaceful place to leave a little piece of them, made the journey even more meaningful.

And while I was physically walking the Camino with Diane, I couldn’t help but feel like I had a little extra company along the Way.

Buen Camino!

To be continued…