Embarking on the Camino de Santiago, where every step brings new friends and unforgettable moments. From stunning landscapes to enriching conversations, the journey is as much about the people you meet as it is about the miles you walk.
Tag Archives: backpack
Day 7 -A Guarda to Viladesuso
A perfect blend of walking a Camino that takes you through villages, mountain trails, coastal walkways and busy highways.
Day #6 – Vila Praia de Ãncora to Guarde
A whirlwind of activities! From exploring Portugal to Spain, every step was a new discovery.
Day 5 – Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Ãncora
An incredible day of exploration, with stunning landscapes, charming villages, and finally a coffee spot or two.
Travel Day – as always patience is needed.
Would not suggest this travel itinerary.
T’was the Night Before….
The night before departure is always an endless blur. I’m thrilled to almost have the planning behind me and the actual trip ahead, filled with the excitement of the unknown.
Day 9 – Logrono to Madrid to Dublin to Seattle
As I coughed my way into the evening, unable to think about leaving my room for food, I decided to either find a hospital or a plane home. The start of my travels home. Fortunately there was a plane leaving from Logrono to Madrid early in the morning. I could fly from Madrid to DublinContinueContinue reading “Day 9 – Logrono to Madrid to Dublin to Seattle”
Day 8 – Lorca to Logrono
https://videopress.com/v/2p5j8Lsv?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true I’ve been walking since 6 AM and there is no one on the trail in front of me or behind me. I keep checking my map to make sure that I’m on the Frances. Caution! On a hill miles from somewhere In Rioja! Snails to Santiago Nature’s palette is perfect Working the Vineyards AContinueContinue reading “Day 8 – Lorca to Logrono”
Day 5 – Pamplona to Obanos
https://videopress.com/v/eA9pf65h?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true The early start was a great idea. Lots of open area with little shade. Nothing on the Camino is truly flat and it is easy to be caught up with “oh this stage doesn’t have much elevation!” I don’t think that anyone said that about today. It was a long up hill climb toContinueContinue reading “Day 5 – Pamplona to Obanos”
Day 4 – Ilarratz to Pamplona
Today the morning was cool and refreshing. A nice walk through some woods and countryside with just a bit of background noise from the freeway that runs parallel to this part of the Camino. I’m looking forward to the day. It’s not as hot as yesterday. https://videopress.com/v/pJAi0gNg?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true If I could whistle like my dad, IContinueContinue reading “Day 4 – Ilarratz to Pamplona”
Day 2 – Borda to Burquette
13 miles Today was challenging again. This time it was twice as long. There were so similarities to the Primativo. Lots of climbing and lots of downhills. Truly beautiful scenery. Today the sheep, cows and horse grazed on the sides of the road. https://videopress.com/v/4suR9LLl?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true https://videopress.com/v/G2myzzQb?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true A little too close for my comfort! I am tiredContinueContinue reading “Day 2 – Borda to Burquette”
Camino Travel Day
It was an early rise today, 3:00 am to catch my plane from Copenhagen to Paris to Biarritz when a shuttle to St Jean Pied a Port, the start of the Camino Frances. Boots on for the first time of this Camino. Hummmm. Sitting on the ground in Paris. No one can come out toContinueContinue reading “Camino Travel Day”
One day Until the Journey Begins…
I spent the day packing, unpacking, repacking and finally saying I’m ready. Many people have asked me what I take with me so I have done a picture essay of my packing and added it to the blog. Hope it’s helpful for people who are getting ready for their Camino. Because I carry my packContinueContinue reading “One day Until the Journey Begins…”
Time To Get Into Action….
I woke up last weekend and realized I was three weeks from leaving for Spain. I had made a few reservations: my favorite albergue in St Jean Pied de Port, France, and at Borda Albergue on my first night of hiking, but had done very little else. So I started making my way through theContinueContinue reading “Time To Get Into Action….”
I Cannot Ignore the Call of the Camino…
I have walked approximately 2000 miles on Camino trails. I guess it is yet to be enough. I was planning on doing two shorter Camino‘s this year but as I started planning, the Frances called out to me again. I turned 75 in April and for some reason it feels different than just being inContinueContinue reading “I Cannot Ignore the Call of the Camino…”
Final Day
Our last trail day was long and a bit difficult for me. Usually I am at my peak walking in this area, but the Camino taught me a few lessons that have humbled me today. Soreness from my fall showed up in my hips which made the long climbs and descents difficult. Josh was hisContinueContinue reading “Final Day”
Day 13 – Melide to A Brea
Today was a 17 mile hike full of hills and lots of cafes and bars; finally! My goal today was to have breakfast at one of my favorite small village cafes, and it ended up that we made it for lunch! 10 miles without food thinking it was just around the corner! Going from aContinueContinue reading “Day 13 – Melide to A Brea”
Day 12 Ferreira to Melide
What started out as a quiet stroll through Galacia… Hippy scare crows The first black cow I have ever seen in a Camino Today smelled of eucalyptus… This can was here the last time I walked by… Pig farm We climbed and descended our way over the hills of the region. The climbs are definitelyContinueContinue reading “Day 12 Ferreira to Melide”
Day 11 Lugo to Ferreira
I love Galicia. Walking through the hills today felt like being home. I loved sharing this area with Josh. Our bodies and minds are in sync today, and we flew through the day. There was a lot of road walking, but they were back roads. Today was quite pleasant except for the pounding our feetContinueContinue reading “Day 11 Lugo to Ferreira”
Day 10 – Lugo
We are on a walking day through Lugo, replenishing our bodies and minds. In 15 minutes we had first breakfast And second breakfast. Eggs benny absolutely the best! Then we went on a wall walk. Old town Lugo was a walled city. Back to our room for a rest then out again for afternoon vermutContinueContinue reading “Day 10 – Lugo”
Day 9 – 0 Piñeiro to O Cadavo
First, of my thoughts for the day: I am grateful for my son. He is thoughtful, caring, observant not to bruise my already black and blue ego, and has patience beyond humanly possible. https://videopress.com/v/5KRCfI9u?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Josh and I discussed the trail today and wondered why it felt so hard. Some said it was going to beContinueContinue reading “Day 9 – 0 Piñeiro to O Cadavo”
Day 8 Castro to O Piñeiro
Somehow, I had convinced myself that today was going to be an easier day… HMMM? In a way was easier because we only had a 2000 foot elevation gain instead of 3000 feet. Walking 16 miles was two miles more than I wanted to do, but with no choice we made it to our Albergue.ContinueContinue reading “Day 8 Castro to O Piñeiro”
Day 7- La Mesa to Castro
I knew Josh was multitalented , but now he can add Madidore to his resume. Our day started with a massive climb of about 1500 feet, and when we reached the top, it was magical because the fog was below us. It looked like we were walking into a a white sea. Unfortunately, we wereContinueContinue reading “Day 7- La Mesa to Castro”
Day 6 Pola De Allende to La Mesa
I come to this blog tonight from my bed. I feel like a Tour De France rider after the mountain stage who lost their lead because their legs gave out. Unfortunately, there is no massageus helping my legs recover. Three thousand nine hundred two feet of elevation gain today! The morning started out promising; well,ContinueContinue reading “Day 6 Pola De Allende to La Mesa”
Day 5 Campiello to Pola De Allande
We decided to do an alternate route today because we were unsure my knee would withstand a big climb and a decent for 19 miles. And also, Allison told us that this village has some of the best Asturian food in the region, so who wouldn’t choose the alternate route? So it was a 9ContinueContinue reading “Day 5 Campiello to Pola De Allande”
Day 4 – Bodenaya to Campiello
We said goodbye to our Albergue host from Twist and off we went. It was great to be back on the Camino. For most of the day, my knee felt good. I taped and wore a knee brace, and except for specific slopes on the downhills, I did pretty well for 16 miles. https://videopress.com/v/hT2MGT62?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true LotsContinueContinue reading “Day 4 – Bodenaya to Campiello”
Day 2 Paladin to Cornellana
I call today “highway to hell…when you have a knee injury anyway. I tried all measures to overcome the now up and downhill pain….singing my irritating “Oscar Meyer Weiner” theme song in my head; Josh had enough to deal with. I tried cursing and then laughing. I wanted to cry, but again, Josh had enoughContinueContinue reading “Day 2 Paladin to Cornellana”
Day 1 & I Thought it Might Be the Last Day….
What the heck? Years of hiking and not a twinge in my knee. That is until today. I was the weak link, and everyone knows I do not like to be the weak link! I was fine climbing but when the downhill came my body let me down. I was in pain most of theContinueContinue reading “Day 1 & I Thought it Might Be the Last Day….”
Two Days of Travel….
Day one: One forgets how much time and energy it takes to get to Europe. Well worth the effort, but the hours in the plane takes it’s toll. And no matter when I go, I never go rested. So our wonderful overnight in Dublin was measured by a great pint of Guiness and mediocre bangersContinueContinue reading “Two Days of Travel….”
I am a bit of a mess….
Walking the Camino is about the experience; letting the journey unfold before you. This is my vision for our journey on the Primativo. I feel a bit unprepared. After numerous Caminos you would think that I could pack without a list, need no new purchases; just jam, bang and take off. Well….. Aging has changedContinueContinue reading “I am a bit of a mess….”
Can It Already be June?
Josh and I are seriously on the count down now. In 15 days we will be boarding the plane for Dublin. This will be our first day adventure in Europe. I am looking forward to spending an evening in pubs with live music, sharing a pint with my “favorite” child (according to his sister😂) NoContinueContinue reading “Can It Already be June?”
Day 6 – Sorrento to Rome
https://videopress.com/v/KSa9oQFS?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true We had another train ride again today. We are returning to Rome, where we will spend four days before heading home. We rode the local train to Naples and then upgraded to the fast train, which saved us two hours. After we checked into our room, we decided to do a whirlwind walkabout throughContinueContinue reading “Day 6 – Sorrento to Rome”
Day 5 – Pompeii
There are a lot of families traveling together. The teenagers seem bored, but I know they will remember their family trip with fond memories as the years go by. Today, I observed two teenage girls intently, looking at their phones until one noticed a flock of chickens outside the train window. They got very excitedContinueContinue reading “Day 5 – Pompeii”
Day 4 – A Favorite Day
This was just the type of day I love about traveling. We did a cooking class in an agriturismo just 20 minutes in the hills above Sorrento. It was wonderful to get out into the rural area of Campaigna seeing the groves of citrus and olive trees and vineyards of local grapes. The Agriturismo PrimaluceContinueContinue reading “Day 4 – A Favorite Day”
My Whirlwind Italy Trip…
Brenda and I are traveling separately both coming and going to Italy. Brenda is leaving before me with a two-day stopover in Iceland. She will meet me in Rome on April 3. I’m flying out of Seattle in one day. I have a 1.5 hour layover in London at Heathrow Airport which is a bitContinueContinue reading “My Whirlwind Italy Trip…”
Day 35 Castaneda to O Pino
As Santiago grows nearer I am doing more reflection on this journey that has taxed my body and my soul. It is so much different than the other two Frances’; not better or not worse, just its own. There was familiarity, and then there was total surprise. Some days, I wondered how I could haveContinueContinue reading “Day 35 Castaneda to O Pino”
Day 33 Portamarin to Palas De Rei
I am tired today. The no rest days are catching up with me and I am out of sync with my Camino. The last few days are a mix of emotions always. People who have been a part of your weekly life are now missing, the end is near, the Camino is busier, and bodyContinueContinue reading “Day 33 Portamarin to Palas De Rei”
Day 31 Triacastela to Sarria
There could not have been a more perfect day. The weather, the cool dark start to the day, being on the trail to hear the birds singing their first songs of the day, walking through the forests of Galacia, and having my daughter-in-law share my love of the Camino Frances. One of my favorite placesContinueContinue reading “Day 31 Triacastela to Sarria”
Day 30 – Liñara to Triacastela
Sleepless on the Camino….This was Vini’s first night and Nancy’a 2nd night in a bunk room Albergue. Neither of them could sleep. So we got up at 5:00, out of the Albergue by 6:15 leaving a tramatizes bunk mate. There is an art to leaving a shared room quietly and we failed. But what aContinueContinue reading “Day 30 – Liñara to Triacastela”
Day 29 – Vega De Valarce to Linares
The 3 Amigas Today we set out to conquer the mountain with headlamps to beat the heat. Luckily today was much cooler; perfect mountain climbing weather. Nancy was a little mountain goat today, so we did not see her until the end of the day. We went from 2000 feet elevation and climbed to 4400ContinueContinue reading “Day 29 – Vega De Valarce to Linares”
Day 27 Rabanal to Cacabelas
Unfortunately for Nancy, she joined me when I had set up some 15-18 mile days to get to Sarria by the 5th. It is rough to begin your 10 day hiking with these big mileage days. She is doing well, but has a few blisters and sore muscles. From day one she has become comfortableContinueContinue reading “Day 27 Rabanal to Cacabelas”
Day 26 – Rababal De Camino to Molinaseca
I couldn’t quit saying how much I loved this morning’s hike. I know that I even tested Nancy’s patience. I loved the climbing, I loved the pastures, I loved the heather, I loved the smell of the pine trees….. We got into the top and reached Cruz de Fiero. We didn’t make it by sunriseContinueContinue reading “Day 26 – Rababal De Camino to Molinaseca”
Day 25- Astorga to Rabanal
Hmmm, as easy as yesterday seemed for the same mileage, today was much harder. It was the heat with barely any shade. It was in the mid 80’s today with no wind. This was a real test for day #1 for Nancy. She did a great job! Today was a day of meeting new CaminoContinueContinue reading “Day 25- Astorga to Rabanal”
Day 24 Hospital De Órbigo to Astorga
I thought that heard some familiar voices behind me this morning. When I turned around to take a picture of the sunrise: there were Alan and Barb! Today was a perfect day. It seemed fo fly by. It was so much fun having a day with Barb and Alan. It was great doing some climbingContinueContinue reading “Day 24 Hospital De Órbigo to Astorga”
Day 23 – La Virgin del Camino to Hospital De Orbigo
Today I felt like I was on the Camino. I know that sounds strange, but I felt a lightness. No more huge Camino signs that no one can miss. I am back to having to look for those yellow arrows and being in the moment as I walk. Stork nests A little rest… Today wasContinueContinue reading “Day 23 – La Virgin del Camino to Hospital De Orbigo”
Day 22 – Leon to La Virgin del Camino
As I left Leon this am I ran into a Camino friend for sharing an albergue in . She had injured her ankle in the downhill into Zubiri and here she is still waking the Camino with an injury. We walked together until just outside the La Virgin del Camino, then she was on herContinueContinue reading “Day 22 – Leon to La Virgin del Camino”
Day 22 Leon
Wow! Did I need this. After clearing out my pack and having a lengthy conversation with T-Mobile (which they resolved the problem in the most caring way) I sat in the plaza and watched people and had a delightful Italian 🤣lunch. Leave it to my nose to lead me to Italian. I soon found myselfContinueContinue reading “Day 22 Leon”
Day 21 – to Shahgun to Leon
Last night I made my final decision. I am taking the train to Leon and get some rest. It was a difficult decision to leave the last three days on the Meseta, but my body needs a break and I need to be in a Astorga by the 28th. A short hike into Sahagun; 1/2ContinueContinue reading “Day 21 – to Shahgun to Leon”
Day 20- Carrion De Los Conder to San Nicolas del Real
Today was 20 miles. I am trying to make up for some short days early on. The morning was amazing. I took off at 5:30 AM and there was no one in front of me or behind me for about two hours. The skies were beautiful; full of stars. This part of the walk wasContinueContinue reading “Day 20- Carrion De Los Conder to San Nicolas del Real”
Day 19 – Frómista to Carrion de Los Conder
I very rarely have dreams about my sister; maybe never in my adult life… it’s complicated. But last night I dreamed that she was in my private room with me. This morning the dream was weighing heavy on my mind. On the Camino Meseta I have done some soul searching each time, but never feltContinueContinue reading “Day 19 – Frómista to Carrion de Los Conder”
Day 18 – Castrojerez to Fromista
The hill climb went on for about 3/4 of a mile. It was steeper than I thought it would be and I almost fell off the side of the mountain trying to adjust the bill on my rain poncho! Note to self: figure your gear out before you are in harsh weather on a mountainContinueContinue reading “Day 18 – Castrojerez to Fromista”
Day 17- Hornillas to Castrojerz
Our dinner last night was wonderful. Eva and I had stayed at this Albergue in 2019. It was a wonderful hike today. There were some climbs from a lower meseta to an upper meseta. It was very interesting and then turned into an area with a river so the terrain changes a bit. Pretty RockyContinueContinue reading “Day 17- Hornillas to Castrojerz”
Day 16 – Burgos to Hornillas del Camino
today was very interesting day. this is the beginning of the Meseta. There are a lot of people who choose to bus across the Meseta that I find it a perfect time for thinking, and observing and reevaluating. Before we made it to the Meseta I had to walk out of Burgos. Luckily, the walkoutContinueContinue reading “Day 16 – Burgos to Hornillas del Camino”
Day 15 – Acapuerca to Burgos
One complaint I have about all the guidebooks for the Camino is that either they under or overestimate how difficult a day is going to be. A woman in our alberge read that today was going to be a short uphill with a long downhill. True on the long downhill, but we climbed a frickenContinueContinue reading “Day 15 – Acapuerca to Burgos”
Day 14 – Villa Franca to Atapuerca
What an interesting little town. It is tiny yet a UNESCO sight. The caves of the Sierra de Atapuerca contain a rich fossil record of the earliest human beings in Europe, from nearly one million years ago and extending up to the Common Era. Only 172 people live in this important archeological site. They alsoContinueContinue reading “Day 14 – Villa Franca to Atapuerca”
Day 4 – Zubiri to Pamploma
Not too much to say about today but I am happy to finally be settled in my Albergue. It was a 4:30 wake-up in our Albergue with numerous phone alarms going off. Notes for group sleeping: -Turn your alarm to vibrate only. -Get you backpacks ready the night before and take them into other spacesContinueContinue reading “Day 4 – Zubiri to Pamploma”
Day 2 – Orisson to Roncevalles
Today was a great hiking day. Lots of elevation but a variety of terrain. I walked alone most if the day and it felt wonderful to just put one step in front of the other. The only drawback was the wind. The good news is that the extra weight I didn’t want on my bodyContinueContinue reading “Day 2 – Orisson to Roncevalles”
Day 1. SJPP to Orisson
And I am off…. Today was extremely hot and very humid. I didn’t sleep well and nothing but coffee for breakfast so all those things made a challenging day. Today was difficult. Like childbirth, I forgot the pain of the first 7 km of the Frances. Tomorrow is another climb but just 3/4 of theContinueContinue reading “Day 1. SJPP to Orisson”
Excitement Growing
My pack is out. A sign that I am ready to believe I am going. In seven weeks I will be leaving for Europe! This will be my first Camino solo. It feels freeing and yet a bit sad to not daily share the journey’s struggles and joys with a friend or family member. EvenContinueContinue reading “Excitement Growing”
Ticking Off Prep Items From My To Do List
After purchasing my ticket to London in February, I decided to try to put my seventh Camino on the back burner for a bit. That is not always possible for me once my ticket is confirmed because I go down the rabbit hole of planning. Now that I am… ….weeks away, I am ready toContinueContinue reading “Ticking Off Prep Items From My To Do List”