Hontanas to Carrión, Days 3-4

Posted on by Pete Schloss

From the Camino an open letter. June 7, 2026.

Dear followers, friends, and family.

In 2022 I decided that my posts from the Camino would be written as open letters to my wife Christine. They were meant to be read by all, yet they also conveyed a feeling of intimacy. I am continuing that “tradition“ from this Camino. I welcome, indeed celebrate, that you will look over my shoulder and be within the closeness. Buen Camino!

Dear Christine.

Charlie and I have completed our seventh day. However, the photographs that follow are from days two and three. We have been so fortunate that the weather has favored us. The extreme heat of the preceding week has moderated. Night temperatures are in the upper 40s and lower 50s (Fahrenheit) and daytime highs are barely above 80. The humidity is so low that I barely need a towel when I step out of the shower. A few minutes and my skin is dry!

We have met so many interesting people and so far none older than me. The “old ones” are out there somewhere!

We had an “interesting” experience at one albergue: shortly before bed the water for the entire village was turned off. We still don’t know why, perhaps it was to repair the system. Our hostess left bottles of water at the sinks which we used to brush teeth and drink. Unfortunately, (and unpleasantly) the toilets could not be flushed. The following morning I got up and stood before the toilet as nature called. When my first few drops hit the toilet bowl suddenly the tank of the toilet began filling, The town’s water was restored! It was a miracle of biblical proportions. Charlie had a great laugh when I told him. I hope you find it worthy of a smile.

I hope all is well with you and the grandchildren and that you are enjoying your own unique “Grandma Camino”. Love, Me

… and Buen Camino, Everyone!

The ruins of San Anton
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Charlie shelter from the sun at the top of a long climb 
Police or emergency workers driving the route to make sure that the pilgrims have enough water and are safe. 
The Camino!
Carla and her daughter India from California
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A waitress at our lunch stop. She is from the Ukraine and gifted us two special commemorative stamps honoring a Ukrainian victory that sunk a Russian warship. It was quite an honor! I had explained to her that my paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from a small German community north of Odessa. 
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A beautiful morning, hiking along the canal. 
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Jerusalem, nearly 5000 km away. I once met a pilgrim nearing Santiago who had walked the Camino from Jerusalem. 
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Anna from Belgium and Diego from Florida.
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Very long day. Not too bad for a couple of old guys! 

13 thoughts on “Hontanas to Carrión, Days 3-4”

  4. Bert says:

    Nice photos, Pete!
    3. Looking back from Alto de Mostelares to Castrojeriz. The top is about 145 metres from the start.
    4. The shelter at the top of Alto de Mostelares.
    6. Looking forward from Alto de Mostelares.
    7. Area de Descanso para Peregrinos just before the Ermita de San Nicolás de Puente Fitero.
    11. Boadilla del Camino. The Rollo de Justicia.
    12-15. Canal de Castilla.
    17. Church of San Martín, Frómista.
    18. Memorial to Pablo Payo, named best inn-keeper of the Camino de Santiago in 1990 by the Asociación Internacional de Amigos del Camino de Santiago. He died aged 83 on 14 April 2003, ten days before I arrived there on my first Camino. I met him in 1998.
    20. Interior of the Church of Santa María del Camino in Carrión de los Condes,

  7. Annie Pyle says:

    As always, great pictures of a beautiful country! Even tho we dont personally know each other, I am so proud of you for taking on the Camino again at your young age! You are AMAZING!!

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