Administriva Galore

Mom and Dad made it back from their 44-mile "dry run" in one piece, and if I say so myself, seem to have done pretty well. Dad had a number of words of wisdom, most of which included "carry less weight" in some form or fashion.

Because the Folks outdid themselves this week, we took a break from the normal Saturday morning hike, and instead did nine miles yesterday. It was a beautiful day for a hike, if a bit windy, and the "highlight" of the outing was an almost five-foot-long Sierra Garter Snake that decided to join us at one of the pit stops. For the record, I am not a fan of snakes, but of course, Dad had to take about 75 pictures of it, with Mom providing running commentary in the background, "What is he doing? What is it? Is it a snake? Why is he taking pictures of the snake? Maybe we should be back on the road instead of OVER BY THE SNAKE?" Well, you get the idea. Could be a fun 500 mile jaunt we're about to embark on, eh?

I will admit, I really enjoyed having a Saturday to do all my normal Saturday things, rather than load up a backpack and hike for 7 hours or so. I mentioned this to someone and they asked me how I would feel when I had to do that for 32 days straight. Good question. In my mind, being on the Camino will be different, because that's all I will have to do: walk till I decide to stop for the night. While I'm here, "in training", I still have all my normal chores, responsibilities, and things to take care of and worry about. Like we often say, real life really does get in the way of all the things we'd rather be doing.

So, with all my free time on Saturday, I started a list of everything I need to do before I leave. Right now, the list is growing faster than I can cross things off, but hopefully things will come together soon. Mom and Dad leave in just about nine days, I leave in 16.

In case you're curious (or want to follow us) here is Mom's tentative walking schedule:

THE HIKE BEGINS:

Date From-To KM/MI

17-Jun St. Jean-Auberge Orisson 8/4.8

18-Jun A. Orisson-Roncesvalles 17.1/10.26

19-Jun Roncesvalles-Larrasoana 27.4/17

20-Jun Larrasoana-Cizur Menor 20.9/13

21-Jun Cizur Menor-Ciraqui 26.8/16.08

22-Jun Ciraqui-Villamayor 23.7/14.22

23-Jun Villamayor-Viana 30.1/18

24-Jun Viana-Ventosa 29.5/17.7

25-Jun Ventosa-Santo Domingo 30.9/18.25

26-Jun Santo Domingo-Belorado 23.9/14.9

27-Jun Belorado-San Juan 24.1/15

28-Jun San Juan-Burgos 25.6/15.9

29-Jun Burgos-Hontanas 30.8/18.48

30-Jun Hontanas-Boadilla 29.5/17.7

1-Jul Boadilla-Carrion de los C 26.1/15.66

2-Jul Carrion-Terradillos 26.9/16.6

3-Jul Terradillos-Hermanillos 26.9/16.7

4-Jul Hermanillos-Mansilla 24.5/15.2

5 July Happy Birthday, Brian! Mansilla-Leon 18.6/11.6

6-Jul Leon-Hospital 36.4/21.6

7-Jul Hospital-El Ganso 31.12/18.12

8-Jul El Ganso-Riego 27.9/16.74

9-Jul Riego-Villafranca de Bierzo 35/21.8

10-Jul Villafranca-Ruitelan 19.3/11.6

11-Jul Ruitelan-Fonfria 21.4/13.04

12-Jul Fonfria-San Mamed 29.9/17.94

13-Jul San Mamed-Portomarin 26.6/15.96

14-Jul Portomarin-Palas de Rei 26.1/15.6

15-Jul Palas de Rei-Ribadiso 26.4/15.84

16-Jul Ribadiso-Arca do Pino 22.2/13.32

17-Jul Arca do Pino-Santiago 20.1/12.06

Apologies for the formatting - that's straight out of Excel. As you can see we have some short days and some LONG ones. Google maps should pull up all of those places, with a little bit of luck.

In other news, I spent a nice holiday weekend. I've "simplified" my life a bit by trading in two cars for a new one, which I am still trying to name, and I got another one of the old cars running and hope to get it to a point where I can get it to the next loving owner as well. After I get back from this little trip I hope to finish up the 5-speed conversion on my 1980 528i and begin rejuvenating the Dodge Coronet, which decided this week that it no longer wanted to run. There's always something right?

I am in the process of trying to decide whether to simply take my iPad on the Camino, or take my (ultralight) laptop. I fear that trying to type blog entries on an iPad could be problematic, yet am loathe to take the laptop, both for weight, and durability reasons. Anyone have any insight?

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't share my genuine gratitude to all those who have served our country and died for our freedom, as well as those who still serve. I am humbled by your sacrifice.