To Roncesvalles and Zubiri, days 2 & 3

Well, we have made it to Zubiri and the Suseia albergue. It’s warm comfort and a meal with friends is a perfect conclusion to a couple of grand days. The hike up and over the Pyranees was amazing . The day started in the fog, which was a welcome change from the heat the day before. We climbed out of the fog to spectacular vistas of mountain tops and clouds blanketing the valleys. Remembering the descent into Roncesvalles Lori and I took, Andie and I took the path to the right instead of the “treacherously beautiful” path straight ahead. It was a good move, much nicer.

https://youtu.be/RePVyps2Yl0

Today was tougher that I anticipated. The first half was under a slight drizzle that kept the temperature down and the walk easier.

After lunch was tough, with a steep climb followed by a horrible downward climb over loose rocks and fascinating layers of sedimentary rock that’s been uplifted nearly 90 degrees. Cool to look at but nasty to walk on. They seemed to go on for miles and miles.

Tomorrow is Pamplona and a rest day. Buen Camino!

Orisson, first day of walking.

We climbed our way to the refuge at Orisson today. It was a beautiful day but warm.  I felt better climbing this time, my body and spirit took it easier. If not for the temperature, around 85F, I might even say it was pleasant. Andie did great and was very patient with her twice-as-old dad. She seems to be really loving it so far. Despite how challenging it was it all ended well, amazing what a shower and a beer or two can do for you.

As before, the company and meal at the refuge  was great. We met some interesting pilgrims, hopefully we will see them again along the way.  

Sleeping dorm style can be a challenge too. I’m not having much luck with it tonight, as evidenced by the fact that I’m updating my blog at 2:57 am. Getting up to attend to nature several times just disturbes others trying to sleep and since I’m just tossing and turning in bed I decided to just get up for awhile. Who says you can’t cross the Pyranees with 3 hours of sleep. Maybe I’ll try again in half an hour or so. For now I’ll see if I can watch the stars, and upload this. Earlier this evening I made my first attempt at making an iMovie from some GoPro footage. It’s not polished at all, but the YouTube link is below. I’ll try more as we go.

https://youtu.be/raMuQRwYHdQ

Biarritz, France

We have arrived in Biarritz after an exhausting day of traveling. Four flights and a 6 hour layover in Orly airport, Paris. Our hotel was SMALL but did the trick. I slept poorly, which is surprising considering how tired I was, still am. Maybe a bit of jet lag, it’s 9:36 am here and 12:36 pm back home.

This morning we used google maps to find the train/bus station and a post office, “Le Poste”. We have a few things we won’t need on the walk but will want later; IKEA bags to check backpacks in, a carry on bag, and not least some warmer jackets for our 3 night stay over in Iceland. Looking forward to that.

Today we are making our way to Saint Jean Pied de Port at the foot of the Pyranees and the start of the Camino. We will check in to our Gite and go to the Pilgrims Office to get a shell for Andie, a stamp in our credential, and get info about The Way. We will explore the town (Andie will love it, she’s already “in heaven” with Biarritz) and hopefully get a good nights test and head up the mountain tomorrow.

I’ll post more later, and along the way, as I can. Not everywhere has WiFi or cell service, so that will impact the frequency. We’re off!

...and so it begins...

In two weeks Andrea and I will be on our way to France to start our Camino.  I am excited and nervous.  Training has been sporadic and, as always seems the case, there have been challenges, mostly with feet.  Andie had some foot issues, which (hopefully) now seem resolved.  My podiatrist told me that I would probably develop a stress fracture at some point on the Camino.  Great.

Still, there is no use worrying about the unknown.  We will be smart and take things at whatever pace feels right; we've allowed six weeks to walk to Santiago, which would mean walking about 13 miles a day with four rest days.  Very doable.

So, it's time to put the frosting on the cake and take care of the final and small details.  You may follow us on this blog, if you want.  If my IFTTT app still works, there will be posts on my Facebook page whenever I post here, just a link to the blog, not the entire post.  I will update whenever I have network services, which will be most days, but not all.  I am hoping to post some videos to YouTube with links to them on the blog. Follow along, comment or ask questions, if you want.

Ready or not, here we come.

Man Plans and God Laughs, Part Two

We live our lives everyday, thinking that today will be like yesterday, tomorrow like today.  I wonder how much of life we miss, not considering that things can be different. Certainty is not for the lives of men and women.  While we do have choices and can influence the course of our lives, we do not steer the ship.  I like to think with analogies; one of my favorites is that life is like a river.  We are in the water, being carried along.  We should not complain if we scrape over the rocks, we made the choice to swim or to drift.  And so it is.

Before Lori and I walked our first Camino I was faced with significant health challenges when I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica.  I would never have admitted that the PMR threatened my Camino, but of course it did.  I could barely walk a block, let alone across Spain.  As it was, while it didn't stop us from going, I believe it played a part in slowing me down. But only a part.  Near the end of the Camino I felt that there must be something else at play, I just didn't seem to be getting as strong as would be expected with so much walking.

So today I face new challenges to my health, known, unknown, and imagined.  I can't see where the river will take me, good or bad.  I can only try and swim, as best as I can, with hope, determination, and faith. 

The Camino calls me, as ever it does. I will go, God willing.  When I get there I will walk as all pilgrims do, one step at a time.  I will never stop walking it.

Excited!

How excited am I?!?  I am so anticipating my upcoming return to the Camino, 283 days from now.  But, how excited am I that today I bought a ticket for my oldest daughter Andrea to go with me!  I can not think of a better experience for us to share.  I wish that my youngest, Alison, and my dear wife Lori could accompany us, but they have work commitments that they cannot escape.

This is going to be wonderful.

Not done

Apparently the journey isn't over.  Since returning I have felt a strong desire to return.  I don't know if this impulse is rooted in wanting to walk the sections we skipped, a continuing challenge, or just an escape to a carefree and peaceful place.  For me personally, preparing to return will provide me with motivation to continue with my health and fitness goals.  I have always needed something tangible to work towards.  Unfortunately Lori can not take enough time off to walk the Camino again, but we are hopeful that she may be able to walk at least part of it with me.

So for now, my plan is to return in June 2018.  The Camino is still a mystery and I am still a pilgrim.