Metro Madness and the Cemetery

By Allan Brown:

After arriving in Red Square We merged back into Moscow morning traffic and grid lock. It was the kind where only one car per traffic signal was getting through as we clawed our way towards our first stop the Novodevich’ye cemetery. The Novodevich’ye cemetery is the Who’s Who of the Russian dead. The plots are not very big in size so the tombstones over compensate for that. The tombstones are essentially sculptures depicting the achievements and life of the Russian elite. There were past presidents, generals, artists, poets, builders of aircraft and actors side by side. The rain was light and it was chilly enough for us native Southern Californians to wear gloves and scarves. Our guide, who sounded like Borat, guilt tripped us into not using the bathrooms and after 45 minutes we boarded the bus.

About Us

By Marla Laine Brown:

After cycling a section of the Spanish Meseta on mountain bikes, we arranged to rent cruising bikes for France. Our next goal? …. To transverse France via the Canal des Deux Mers. This waterway, also known as the Canal of Two Seas, connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea by way of two man made canals. Our adventure will begin in Bordeaux France as we head southeast toward the Mediterranean.

Burgos to Hornillos del Camino 22km

By Allan Brown:

We left at dawn, with our new steads beneath us and pedals churning. It was great. In the early morning light we were zipping by peligrinos like formula one racers.

We had scouted our route out of town the day before while the city was setting up for the Vuelta de Esoana race. There were some barricades being set up and streets were being watered. Va room! It was nice to have a city street all to yourself, I could hear the crowds roar, cheering us on and then we came to a barricade causing us to walk our bikes down some stairs to the next street killing our Speed Racer fantasy.

About

By Marla Laine Brown:

Allan and I had just finished our hike on the Portuguese Camino when we decided to explore the Andalusian region of Spain. To do so, we limited our time in Santiago and bought train passes southeast. Our first stop would be Madrid. From there, we would head south to Seville and Malaga, and on a whim, Morocco!

The Way of El Camino Portuguese

By Marla Laine Brown:

The Portuguese Camino is one of many pilgrimage routes that cross through Europe to converge in Santiago de Compostela, the presumed burial site of the Apostle St. James. This Camino traditionally begins in Lisbon which continues north into Spain with a distance of approximately 610 km. Due to limited time we instead began the “Portuguese Way” in Porto where we had a choice of one of two routes, both a distance of approximately 227 km. We decided on the inland path known as the “Central Way” versus hiking along the “Caminho da Costa” on Portugal’s coast. At the time we believed it to be better signed, but after comparing notes with some coastal walkers we learned both routes were well marked and fairly easy hikes.

What is the Camino de Santiago?

By Marla Laine Brown:

El Camino de Santiago or The Way of Saint James is a pilgrimage across northern Spain to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino has existed for well over a thousand years. The Way of Saint James was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the medieval times. Legend has it that the remains of Saint James lie at the Cathedral in Santiago Spain. There is evidence of a pre-Christian route as well. El Camino de Santiago is now considered a main European cultural route as well as a World Heritage site. Other major pilgrimages include the Via Francigena toward Rome to the Tomb of Saint Peter and the pilgrimage route to Jerusalem which leads to the Holy Sepulcher of Christ.