On Tuesday,  May 8th at approximately 1 pm in the afternoon Dominique Leblanc and myself strolled past the final ring of modern city streets surrounding Santiago and entered the ancient heart of the old city, following the scallop shells embedded in the cobblestones leading to the cathedral.  After 799 KMs  over 32 days of walking…

The last 200 KMs of the Camino included some of the most breathtaking scenery of the entire journey in the high country of Galicia and increased social interaction as the Pilgrim  throngs thickened approaching Santiago.  This  was the point where I started slowing down, and stopping at roadside cafes more frequently to socialize and savor…

As indicated in an earlier post, there are three trials to the Camino,  first the physical trial as you adjust to carrying your pack 20-30 KMs per day, then the mental trial crossing the long, dusty plains of the Meseta and Tierra del Campos between Burgos and Leon, and then finally the spiritual trial in…

One of the greatest aspects of the Camino is the completely spontaneous way your journey unfolds.   There is no point in making advance reservations for your lodging each day because you never know how far your legs will take you, or how an unexpected human interaction may change your trajectory.   Just get up…

When you walk the Camino you will inevitably pick up more and more chatter about the most notorious portion of the journey as you approach Burgos.   This section of the path is called “The Meseta”, an arid high elevation plain which stretches over 100 kilometers between Burgos and León,  with long stretches  of isolation.…

As you travel the path of the Camino you are reminded repeatedly that the journey consists of three sequential challenges:  the first third physical,  the second third mental, and the final third spiritual.    Today I completed the 11th stage, of a 33 stage journey so the physical challenge is behind me.   I feel…

When it comes to Spain,  I think we all have preconceived notions of the weather – hot, dry and dusty (think Clint Eastwod and the Spaghetti Westerns). Day three into my Camino these weather fantasies were shattered and the first trials of my pilgrimage began in earnest.  Of course I had packed for foul weather…

Now I have entered the 2nd phase of my journey,  leaving the glories of Greece and Crete behind and embarking on the ancient pilgrim path,  the Camino de Santiago.  I traveled all day Wednesday – Thursday (literally car, boat, plane, train and bus) from Crete, arriving   St. Jean Pied de Port,  France as the…

Well like many of you, I have taken a lot of great day hikes in my life, and eventually they all blur together in your  recreation memory bank, collectively nourishing your need to be outdoors, walking the planet and communing with nature.   Now with that said, certain hikes on certain days will have deeper…