Simple Intro, and my beginning

Here is a brief introduction to the Camino ( El Camino de Santiago).  Camino is a Spanish word meaning "path".  The Camino is also known as the The Way of St James, or just "The Way". The Way of St. James is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried.

  During the Middle Ages, the route was highly traveled. But then came the Black Death, the Protestant Reformation and other nasty political unrest in 16th-century Europe. By the 1980s, only a few pilgrims per year arrived in Santiago.Currently the route attracts a growing number of modern-day pilgrims from around the globe. The pilgrimage is also considered by many a very spiritual path. By way of retreating from the daily bustle of life and spending each day walking, praying, meditating and forging new friendships with fellow pilgrims.

Here is a brief introduction to Saint James.James is the son of Zebedee ( he died in 44 AD) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the brother of John the Apostle. Saint James is the Patron Saint of Spain and according to legend, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela

 The pilgrim route is a very good thing, but it is narrow. For the road which leads us to life is narrow; on the other hand, the road which leads to death is broad and spacious. The pilgrim route is for those who are good: it is the lack of vices, the thwarting of the body, the increase of virtues, pardon for sins, sorrow for the penitent, the road of the righteous, love of the saints, faith in the resurrection and the reward of the blessed, a separation from hell, the protection of the heavens. It takes us away from luscious foods, it makes gluttonous fatness vanish, it restrains voluptuousness, constrains the appetites of the flesh which attack the fortress of the soul, cleanses the spirit, leads us to contemplation, humbles the haughty, raises up the lowly, loves poverty. It hates the reproach of those fueled by greed. It loves, on the other hand, the person who gives to the poor. It rewards those who live simply and do good works; And, on the other hand, it does not pluck those who are stingy and wicked from the claws of sin.
Codex Calixtinus

1st hike today. Kings Mountain National Park. 5 miles. Total to date =5