Staging Area @ St.Jean Pied de Port
We are spending two nights here at St. Jean. This is an old quaint border town at the base of the Pyrenee mountain range. This town has been the crossroads to the ancient pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostella since around 923 AD. We can see some pilgrims arriving daily. Most of them are French, however, late in the day we did meet a couple from Kansas who are leaving on Saturday. We are leaving tomorrow which is Friday on the oldest route called Route Napoleon. This will be a very steep climb for 4 miles. We will spend the night in the mountains at a hostel. The next morning another steep climb of 5 miles to the top of the mountain (3750 feet) and then a 3 mile descent into the village of Roncevalles. Now we will be in Spain. This will be a challenging but a rewarding day.
This beautiful town is located on both sides of the Nive river.
Typical narrow European streets
Mike & Angie On The Camino de Santiago 
Wow, that’s just beautiful. What is the temperature?
April 11, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Good luck! It truly looks beautiful there!
Marianne
April 11, 2013 at 1:56 pm
It will be so much fun for me following your adventure on your long journey. Many years ago I went up the Pyrenees mountains from Spain to Lourdes. I bet, at the age of 87, I am the oldest person who is on your list of people enjoying your adventure with you. I will pray for you both. Love, Ann Davenport
April 11, 2013 at 1:58 pm
The journey begins. What beautiful sites you are experiencing.
Al
April 11, 2013 at 2:24 pm
God bless you guys on this wonderful journey!!
April 11, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Angie and Mike,
This is so exciting. It’s like you will take us every step of the way. I am so “on” to this.
I will make my trip someday. Keep up the Posts, and I would be very interested in
the people you meet. On another note, Mike is getting better but it is a hard
way to go. George and Marian are coming down to see him on Saturday.
Kay
April 11, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Hi Kay…Sorry to hear Mike is having a hard time I will pass this on to Mark who went through this recently. I will have him contact Mike. Any other suggestions regarding the blog, please let me know as this is my first one!
Mike
April 11, 2013 at 5:03 pm
This is so amazing! Thank you for taking us along:)
April 11, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Dear Angie and Mike.greetings from Ireland.Great to hear from you.Photos are really good.My prayers are with you as you start.Remember:Steady and Slow. God Bless Father O’Mahony.
Sent from my iPad
April 11, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Love the ability to travel along with you two! thanks for keeping us with your friends and loved ones —- I’m thinking of you and wishing you a wonderful time.—–Christine
April 12, 2013 at 12:07 am
So exciting to follow your pilgrimage!! Can’t wait for the next one. Be safe.
April 12, 2013 at 4:02 pm
forza e coraggio!!!! bravissimi!
April 12, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Hey there ! Thanks for taking me along ! I didn’t particularly want to go on a pilgrimage, Mint Juleps on the Veranda are my cup of tea, but we can do that when you go to Kentucky and we sing “My Old Kentucky Home “! It is great to be with you vicariously….beautiful town, let’s hope it doesn’t flood ! Love you ! xx Jane
April 12, 2013 at 4:32 pm
What a fantastic experience…we wish we were there with you!!! I look forward to following your journey on this blog. What a great idea!
April 13, 2013 at 6:00 pm