Steve's Blog Spot

All my ducks are pretty well in a row for my Camino Frances this year. The airfare's bought and paid for, and I have booked my first 5 nights of the trip. After that, I'll just wing it from night to night.  All I have left are my land routes from Madrid to St. Jean Pied de Port. I'll take a train from Madrid to Pamplona, spend the night, then bus to SJPdP, the start of my journey. When I am about 60 days out, I'll book them. Packing-wise, I am set. I have a 34 liter back pack which has a wrap-around waist belt designed to support the weight on my hips, rather than my shoulders. It's very comfortable, and the total packed weight will be about 18 lbs. Contents will include a sleeping bag, silk liner. a couple of changes of clothes, Crocs, my travel CPAP and battery, and a few toiletries and Rx's. Minimal! Still walking 25 miles a week, plus fitness classes and yoga for better strength and flexibility. I'm really looking forward to the whole ...

My wife and I first watched the movie, The Way , several years ago, and immediately fell in love with the idea of walking across Spain once we were both retired. Life has thrown a few obstacles in the way of timing, but it is going to happen this year. I'm not getting any younger! As an avid walker, I have wanted to do something challenging walking-wise. An acquaintance of mine walked the Appalachian Trail after he retired and that got me thinking, despite the fact that thinking too much usually leads to headaches. But 2,000 miles seemed a little much, especially combined with camping and back-packing. I'm no outdoors-man! So upon learning of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela  and that it was only  500 miles and no camping, I knew that was it! I just needed to have the time to do it. Now that I am retired, I got time! And I LOVE to walk! I'm pretty well committed now, as I have taken the first real step by snagging an awesome air fare deal. Charlotte to Madrid r/t...