posted September 14, 2019
Our decision to walk this year was slow in coming. After taking 2018 off from walking in order for Peg to be co-chair of the American Pilgrims on the Camino's Annual Gathering, we thought perhaps it was time for a different type of adventure. In July, we realized that was wrong. Why stop walking the Camino when it still is calling us to come! We just could not stay away.
We mentioned to Pam and James that we thought we would go in October. Pam said Ola! Buen Camino! James said "cafe con leche"! Pam said "cerveza y vino tinto"! James said "We're in!" Decision made. The four of us will walk.
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Russ and I have walked only a tiny bit of the Camino Frances in Spain since 2013. Instead we have been walking the sections in France and Portugal. We are eager to be in Spain again. Our goal this year will be to walk from Pamplona to Burgos in about 14 days. Pamplona is at the start of the first elevation below, at 460 meters. Burgos is at the end of the second one, at 864m.
Training
It is hard to train in Florida in the summer because of the heat. Luckily, we had planned to spend several weeks in Star Lake, NY in August. We could walk three to five hilly miles a day there. Sweet! September, since coming back to Florida, has been harder but we have done pretty well. We are walking at least 20 training miles a week, including a 5-mile and a 7-mile, with our backpacks, during these last few weeks. I, Peg, have also been working to overcome "flatlander legs" by climbing the 132 steps at the Devil's Millhopper State Park each week, increasing my number of times down and up each time. I also try to get to yoga at least once a week to stretch out those leg muscles.
It is hard to train in Florida in the summer because of the heat. Luckily, we had planned to spend several weeks in Star Lake, NY in August. We could walk three to five hilly miles a day there. Sweet! September, since coming back to Florida, has been harder but we have done pretty well. We are walking at least 20 training miles a week, including a 5-mile and a 7-mile, with our backpacks, during these last few weeks. I, Peg, have also been working to overcome "flatlander legs" by climbing the 132 steps at the Devil's Millhopper State Park each week, increasing my number of times down and up each time. I also try to get to yoga at least once a week to stretch out those leg muscles.
 Training at the 5k SOS Race in Star Lake |  Walking around Star Lake. |
 Pam working on leg strengthening |  Millhopper climbing |
Gear
We didn't really need to, but we bought new backpacks . . . in pursuit of the hikers holy grail -- the perfect pack. Other new gear also twisted our arms. We will soon determine our packing list and share it and the weights.
We didn't really need to, but we bought new backpacks . . . in pursuit of the hikers holy grail -- the perfect pack. Other new gear also twisted our arms. We will soon determine our packing list and share it and the weights.
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Plan
The planning is a serious part of the adventure for me. We have selected a small "pilgrim" hotel for our stay in Pamplona . . . Hotel Eslava. We also selected albergues for our first two nights on the trail. We reserved at the Camino del Pardon and Casa Maralotz, each of which has a small number of dorm-style accommodations and a couple of private rooms, as well (we hear) as great food and hospitality.
The planning is a serious part of the adventure for me. We have selected a small "pilgrim" hotel for our stay in Pamplona . . . Hotel Eslava. We also selected albergues for our first two nights on the trail. We reserved at the Camino del Pardon and Casa Maralotz, each of which has a small number of dorm-style accommodations and a couple of private rooms, as well (we hear) as great food and hospitality.
The Camino is on. It will be a slow and easy pace. Already, I wish it could be longer.
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