Day 2: Montbonnet to Monistrol-d'Allier

Day: 2, Miles Today: 9.37, Miles To Date: 21.67

If day 1 was perfect, like a big hug and welcome from the Camino, then day 2 was pulling back the curtains, slapping me in the face, and asking me if I can really do this. 

Today was very hard. It was a 2600 ft descent. Basically 2 miles of steep narrow trails full of rocks and roots. It was tough on the knee and thighs, but an absolute killer on the ankles. I was going at almost 45 minutes per mile on those slopes. Having to concentrate on the placement of each foot on every step. 
 
But by the end of the day, and after a cold  “bière”, all was well. The 5 lovely ladies from 🇺🇸 that I met yesterday  adopted me for dinner. A table of English speakers is a real treat. Especially when they are as interesting and friendly as these ladies. 
  

12th-century Chapelle Saint-Jacques. Tiny chapel at the top of a crag overlooking the valley.  Dark and lovely inside. 


I saw this sign a dozen times and’s each time thought “I want to stay at the Ribeye hotel”. 


Look. I’m almost home. 

Buen Camino!





Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 2, 2025 at 5:59 PM

    I’m glad the cold “bière” did the trick:)

    Day 2 done… 88 days to go… and 978.33 miles to go, but, who’s counting. :) MFB and MEB

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM

    Buen camino Michael. The Miller family thinking of you

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 3, 2025 at 7:39 AM

    A little tidbit that I remember from my Camino - if you ask a local how far it is to xyz, more than not they will say “2 kilometers”. Don’t necessarily believe them. Everything is 2 km.
    🤣🙏🏻. Paul

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jeff P.April 3, 2025 at 7:44 AM

    Yes 2600 ft down hill sucks! How was the climb? First of many hills and decents. Each climb like many in your life. May your descents in life and on the Camino be short. Buen Camino

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jeff P.April 3, 2025 at 7:47 AM

    Oh and are you climbing a hill or mountain into phase 3 of your life or descending?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Paul VetterApril 3, 2025 at 9:05 AM

    That's awesome Mike...praying for you. Thanks for the pics. Have a great walk today.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousApril 3, 2025 at 10:32 PM

    This is all so amazing! Keep going! You got this. 🙏🏻♥️

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousApril 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM

    Smart Decision. 2 Timothy 1:7 ...Was that a Waffle House? JHHIV

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jan D.April 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM

    Wow! 45 min per mile painstaking! Love your sense of humor at end of day.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousApril 8, 2025 at 10:33 PM

    Thinking about you thinking “I want to stay at the Ribeye Hotel” made me laugh out loud. 😂

    ReplyDelete

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