Tomorrow is the day…………

Tomorrow morning, The journey begins…………Well, sort of…..

 My Camino friend from Florida , Dr Bill, gave me some advice to just let thy will be done……… Been thinking a lot about that piece of advice. it’s as good as it gets.  So my Camino starts tomorrow, but thinking about it, My Camino actually started months ago.  Tomorrow is the beginning of the end of the Camino….

I am still struggling with the fact that the actual Pilgrimage has been shortened.  Just may have to go back next year if my body holds up. I am about as fit as I can get. My last training walk was this morning and I aced it.

Thanks for all the Prayers and Wishes. I will be carrying all with me……………

Trekker

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What Did I Forget??????????

Two days !!! Losing sleep !! I know I have forgotten something ! What is it ? Is it Critical ?

The Bus leaves for The Camino de Santiago on Tuesday 9/17/2013. I will be on that Bus. The Pilgrimage starts on the morning of the 19th. Oh my ! Feet don’t fail me now !

Two Weeks tp Go !

What I will look like in Late October.

14 Days ! Can it be? Sounds like a long time but I think I have three weeks worth of things to be done……………..

Over the weekend, Doctor Bill, my Camino friend from Florida, sent me a list of tips. Having “Been there, Done that”. I was struck by the simplicity and logic he advises. So much so, I decided to repost his comment that can also be seen my last Blog Post (23 Days/23pounds). See Comment below

dogtorbill on September 2, 2013 at 5:17 pm said: Edit

I am so excited for you. Beginning to wish (shocking!) I could do it again. I will be doing it again vicariously, rest assured. Just a couple of suggestions. I would trade the sleeping bag pad in for a insecticidal liner. (I’m more than glad to lend you mine. This time of year the bedbugs may be rampant, and they will def help. Also some nights way too hot for bag, so sleep on top of bag, with liner a brilliant idea. I did this often when hostel room was too warm from heaters. I considered the pad, but was one of the first things I booted when shaving off 10#. Absolutely do not need it, unless camping. Also, with your back issue, the foot gear is so very critical. If you don’t wanna spring for fitted orthotics, strongly suggest super soles. That’s what we both used. Also at least knee bands, if not full braces. I’ll lend you my braces, or sell you the bands (still in package) I got for Sharon. Two short sleeve T-shirts and one long (maybe also the one button up) are enough, as are four socks and boxers. Make sure boxers and T-s are under armor or similar synthetic (NOT COTTON)! One towel only. No shorts? Good call on losing the pillow. Lose the PJs. Your fleece should be plenty this time of year, I slept in next day’s boxers and T-Shirt. One less thing in a.m. Finally, get good (really good) quality baggies to keep organized, waterproof, and compress. Socks, boxers, T’s in one; pants & shorts in one; raingear in one; fleece, extra shirt in one; etc. Anyway, fold garment to take up no more than 1/2 of baggie, stack them flat inside, zip baggie 1/2 way, then roll very tightly, compressing out all of air & then complete zipping before releasing roll. PRESTO! Can’t stress enough that back will not stay dry, regardless of cover, and all clothes will get wet! Remember bar of soap (ivory?) for yourself (I used in hair also), as well as clothes in hostel sinks, and clothesline length and clothespins. More to follow… Hope these

23 Days/23 pounds

23 days until departure. Time is flying now. I just did another ‘Repack’ and it came out to be 23 pounds. Wish I could drop a pound every day.

Still some changes coming. Decided to get rid of the Camping pillow. My Fleece folded up stuffed inside a ‘T’ shirt is pretty nice 🙂 That’s another 1/2 pound cut,.

A short clip below. I like the beat………….

Tips and Myths………….

I have received numerous tips about preparations for the Camino. Most have been really good, some are myths……Sorry, (name withheld) the idea that if you wait until the last day, Airfare is like “Way Cheap” . NOT SO !!!!! I purchased R/T tickets from Corpus Christi Tx to Madrid and back Two (2) months early. Cost – $924 US. Just for comparison, Last Monday, I checked the same broker (Cheapo Air) for the rate leaving the next day. $1896. Same Carrier, Same Flight #s.

BTW, CHEAP-O Air is very efficient……….

Another Tip…….. Been thinking that if I have to stick to the plan of a shortened Camino, I would not have any decent clothes for Auto travel. Buy New? Then how to get back with them. And so, the tip………. Take a carry-on bag (part of the air fare). Once in Spain, FedEx, UPS or Post too Santiago. There is a business there that stores baggage until you arrive. I like this Tip.

Stay Thirsty My Friends !
Ha Ha, He once Parallel parked a TRAIN ! Too Funny. Also like that his 2 cents is worth $32 and change……

Buen Camino,
The Trekker

Fathers Day 2013

Dr. William Klein

I just knew that my ‘Brother’ Dr. Bill would post today. Sure enough. There is no doubt , he is one of the all time best Fathers. I have followed him throughout his Camino with his son Cullen. Being an emotional person like Dr. Bill, I think I shared many of his tears. Only Faith in the Blessed assurance has seen him through. God’s Blessings to you and your family……….

It is time now for me to say goodbye to the “Reposts” from Dr. Bill.  I can only hope he has touched as many of my friends the way he has moved me with his love and courage. A small part of Cullen will help guide me through my Camino that begins in 78 days………

Enjoy his post at the link below.

http://dogtorbill.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/dear-god-thank-you-for-this-family/

The Cathedral at Santiago Spain

And so it comes to pass that Bill and Sharon enter the Cathedral at Santiago Spain on the 17th of May. All through the  Pilgrimage, I wondered why Doctor Bill punished himself by making daily treks way beyond What should be considered rational. It’s the Date! They had to be there on that DAY ! Buen Camino and Bravo!

One exception I take with the movie ‘The Way’,  Religion has everything to do with it, EVERYTHING !

Please read & enjoy the link below……………

http://caminowithcullen.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/catedral-de-santiago-de-compostela/

Pilgrimage preparations and a Look at the Ranch

Today, I sent a video clip from the Ranch in Rockdale Texas to a New Friend in Colorado so she could get a better understanding about the Trekker. Then I thought that most of you have never seen the Ranch either, so here is a brief tour as seen from the seat of my ATV. I challenge anyone to drive a ATV and film at the same time.

Before we start the tour, I have news on my trek preps. Some time ago I started having problems with a spot on my neck. If I scratched it, It took a long time to get it to heal. Yes, I knew what it was, but denial is a powerful tool. So Off to the dermatologist. She says, “L@@ks like cancer to me”. Thanks for the sugar coating. Then she says, “I don’t like this either.” So 5 Biopsies later, That’s a whole lot of needles, all 5 areas were Basal (sp) cell carcinoma. Gulp! Two surgeries, One Burning and the rest “Deep Fried” with Aldura (sp) cream. (Note: this cream over the counter price is $999.99 for 24 single use packets. double gag. Call Canada Pharmacy, $137 for 36 packets. Go figure!) Well, the bottom line is yesterdays’ check-up = all clear. Wahoo! :=)

Meanwhile back at the ranch, we start our driving tour along the West side of the farm that runs about 1/2 mile North South.

Continue along toward the North end………

Now down to the ravine. We call it the “Soggy Bottom” because at times it is quite Soggy.

Then it’s on to the Cabin…

And Last but not least, Our lake. That’s my Baby boy fishing…………

Hope I didn’t Bore you…………..