Wednesday August 12, 2026
We've been waiting a long time for this day, and the weather conditions look great. This eclipse will be different from the one we saw in 2024, in that it will be a sunset eclipse-- low on the horizon, so we won't have to look above our head for the sun...it will be 11 degrees from the horizon.
- A few fun facts about a total solar eclipse...which makes it even more special that we are here today:
- Fewer than 1 person in 1000 has ever seen totality
- On average, a total eclipse is visible from any one given spot on Earth about once every 375 years!
- A total eclipse is only visible from inside the path of the Moon's umbral shadow--the path of totality.
Our group went to tour the Monastery of San Millan Yuso, a UNESCO heritage site. (Maybe to pray for good eclipse weather??--just kidding.) It is the "newer" of the two monasteries, built in the 1500's, while the older monastery close by dates back to the mid 6th century. It was originally home to 100 Benedictine monks, but only 2 remain at the facility today. It is another beautiful soaring structure that has been remarkably well preserved. 
The monastery was a stop for pilgrims on the el Camino way, via the French path. It is said the monastery was funded through donations from those pilgrims. There were many elegant altars and worship spaces.
There was a pretty impressive choir loft too
The original books of music are still in their storage space. Each book is about 3 ft tall with music in large print so that it could be shared among the choir members, and each book weighs almost 100 lbs. The music book would be carried to the choir area for use by the monks at each service!
We then ventured on to lunch....yes, eating again! We saw more beautiful countryside and interesting sights, including these crazy bicyclists taking on the hills.
We ended up in a small town for lunch. As we walked to the restaurant, a funeral passed by with a hearse decorated with flowers. It also must have been laundry day.
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