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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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

Training Resumes !!!!!!!!!!!

Preparing for the Camino de Santiago has many items on the checklist, one of which is getting a physical check-up. Bad Boy that I am, it’s been three years since my last Physical. So it’s off to get all the orifices probed! Hmmm, doc says Prostate is enlarged. Hmmm, blood work is perfect with one exception, my PSA was elevated. I get sent to a Urologist. He says, we need a Biopsy. Let the games begin! Need help here Lord! Rather uncomfortable !

Today, the results are in. Quite a few sleepless nights. I was fully prepared to hear about Radiation and worse things. Biopsy (all 6) were Cancer free. Talk about the weight of the world being lifted. Thank You Jesus. I will have a procedure in mid June to reduce the Prostate size. Called RF something. Not pleasant, but the alternatives are pretty gruesome.

Makes me wonder, if not for the Camino, it may have been another three years before I had a Physical. Did the Preparations save my life? Is this the first miracle of the Camino? Make no mistake, I am a happy Dude right now.

Bottom line, Doc says I will be good to go for September. WAHOOO !

So, Training resumes! My heart-felt thanks for the prayers from all my friends and Bloggers that knew of my situation. GOD IS GOOD

Your Favorite Trekker.

Training Day April 23,2013

Well, it’s been a fun week in Lake Wobegon. Hand surgery was more than expected. I was not ready ! I could have guessed when they told me I would be OUT COLD ! Next clue was my hand was NUMB FOR THREE DAYS ! Went in for post Op C/U. They took off the bandages and I nearly fainted. GROSS! Looks like some kind of Hairy legged Centipede in the palm of my hand. I am thinking about posting a picture….NOT

Oh well, Yesterday I got to get some training in. I needed to get out. I was trapped in my house and all I heard was stories about Two Whacked out brothers in Boston. The town they came from had nothing but ghetto type conditions , so they come to the USA for an unbelievable education, complete with I phones. So, they learn that they hate Americans and it is best to kill as many as possible………Sorry, had to say it………….

Well my training walk went way better than I thought possible….I decided to try using my “Camino Taxi” aka jogging stroller.

It is great! I trekked for 3 hours without a problem. It was Very windy 20-30 mph with gusts up to ???? I wanted to make a film with my new editor but when I got home, I found the wind noise in almost all of the video was terrible . I salvaged what I could so you can see a little more of the places I ‘Hang’ at.

If they have ‘Hacked’ up my video again, go to http://www.dailymotion.com and then in their search bar type: training for the camino de Santiago and you will see a commercial free version…….

Buen Camino

Training for The camino de Santiago

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz25ij_corpus-christi-bayfront-training-for-the-camino-de-santiago_travel#.UW1_xGso4dU

This training exercise was a struggle………..I intentionally over-packed my backpack by about 10 pounds. Big mistake. Then I extended my intended trek by one hour. That turned into two more hours. Huge mistake.

These things were done because I knew I would be only able to train a small amount this week. Yesterday, I had surgery on my left hand. Duypuytren’s Contracture. What? It’s a genetic thing that happens primarily to Dudes of Northern Europe decent. That would be me. You will see it it the video below. Scar tissues cause a finger to fold over the palm and eventually lock. Well, my left pinky Locked. Today it is 75% straightened and my hand is really sore.

Friday was as good as it gets around here so it was off to the Bayfront………. Where I live……

I have a New Camera and a new Video editor that I got from http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware . It was free (the software) so you have to figure out how to use it yourself. I am learning, so bear with me. Had difficulty seeing images in the bright sun. Thus some images were zoomed in (like the Pelicans and sadly the pretty joggers) when I did not intend. A lot of Video on the cutting room floor. haHa.

Or

Sorry, This will probably be my last blog with a long video. All the commercials were NOT entered by me! To see the Video without commercials, go to: http://www.dailymotion.com . Then enter the search bar bayfront walk april 2013 reload Sorry for the trouble.

Hey, it will not win any Oscars, but it is FREE……….

Just Do It

Buen Camino Friends

Camino de Santiago – Explained

Just Do It

A friend emailed me the first link below. So after viewing it, I thought all the Trekies would like this one.

The Point where a Pilgrim first sees The Santiago de Compostela

The Video below is quite long but worthwhile. The transformation of this guy is quite amazing.

Buen Camino

The Electric Connection

Got a tip from my Brother-in-Law that I should think about Solar energy for the Pilgrimage. What? He said I should get a small panel that could attach to my pack so electronics would charge as I walked. Electricity may not be plentiful in the Albergues or Hostles. Hmm, Cell Phone, Ipad, Ipod, Video Camera & Digital Camera. That’s a whole lot of charging. Everytime I come upon a Wifi ‘Hotspot’, I would be able to Blog without waiting for batteries to charge.

Radio Shack says sure, they have a Solar Panel that charges any device that has a USB connection. Hmmm, that’s my stuff. Price, $100 + TT&L. Ebay? $12 shipping included from China. (How do they do that?) Worth a gamble. Received it yesterday. After a guick charge, I hooked it up to my Tablet (75% indicated charge) It charged to 100% quite quickly.

It came with a 120/220v wall adapter, a USB cord and adapters for about anything you can imagine. $12 well spent.

Today, I installed it on the ‘Camino Taxi’. I am planning some extreme tests for it. So far, I am well pleased.

The Solar Panel. Very light

Devices to be charged plus Cell Phone

Installed between Cup Holders

Tablet Charging

Another Weight solution

Got a comment from my son about a video he saw of a man on the Camino that had too much weight. His solution was to buy a Jogging Stroller and push it to Santiago. My first inclination was “No Way”. Second thinking gives me a new perspective……In ’06 , I was involved in a Dog Attack that left me with a Broken back. This is the reason backback weights are a serious concern to me. I am getting into pretty good condition so legs are not my concern. My back on the other hand IS an issue.

Investigation tells me the least expensive is at Walmart $145 +TT&L. Kinda shaky quality. So How bout a better grade that is used. I will modify it anyhow. Check with Airlines. No Problem with a single seater. Ify for a double.

Try Craigslist. Bingo, several of them. Like this one, a Schwinn Arrow. A check of the WWW and it lists for $300. They are asking $80 and says “New Condition” . Be right Over.

Holy Moly, still has the store tags and the tires still have the little rubber hairs. It’s mine now

Okay, Lets get to work. Gosh, what” this? HaHa, a built in MP3 system. I guess I can Rock-On with other Pilgrims.

Starting to look promising.

Folds up in 5 seconds. about 3# lighter without fenders child restraints etc.

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Wheels pop right off if airline wants it even smaller.

Two full packs water bottles etc. Storage area under seat area will be for extra shoes, food items, the omni-present T.P. etc

Hard to push ? NO !!!! It’s a dream. Just touch it and away you go. Hand brake for the front wheel that sets as a parking brake also. Rear wheels have a shock absorbing system and parking brakes. It’s almost cheating. I am thinking It’s a Winner. I think if I return to St Jean Pied de Port after the Camino is completed , I can get 200 Euros for it.

Pictured below, the USA Urban options………

What Fun ! Bob trekker2013

Weight Loss

New sleeping bag !  Nearly 2 pounds lighter than the Old version.  Happy Happy !  Check out the size differences.  It will fit in my U.T. hat !  Will I freeze in it?  It is actually rated for colder weather than the Jumbo version.  Amazing what money can do.

I am starting to believe I can make it over the Pyrenees mountains without hiring a Sherpa !

                                      

My new trekker boots arrived.  Awesome ! Very light. ……..But they are too tight !   A Quick call to LL Bean.  “send ’em back” .  larger size on the way even before I return the originals!  Free shipping each way !  Friendly people.  I wish every business would work like that.

                                                 

The picture above is The Cross of St James.
Buen Camino Amigos

 

Back to the Beginning

Well, it has been pointed out that I should have first stated the Mission. The intent is to walk the Camino de Santiago, more specifically, the Camino Frances (French Route). This is the third of the three religious pilgrimages that is known as The Way of St James. The other Pilgrimages are the Holy Land and Rome.

This all started when I watched the Martin Sheen movie “The Way”. (You need to see this) It reached out and grabbed me. I have been working on my bucket list for some time. All the Dangerous items are scratched off so I thought here it is. Let’s do this thing.HaHa. I hope to come home to Corpus Christi on Fire with spirit. If not, I will be happy to have had a long walk/talk with my maker.

Here is a video to watch that can help you understand why I have “Gone “round the Bend”.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y45YVNxT1go If you search youtube for Camino Santiago or Camino Frances you can choose from thousands to watch.

Below is a map of “The Way”. Click on map to get a full size Map, Suitable for framing. HaHa.

For you to relax with:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRp2109STFQ

Progress is being made every day. Passports are in hand. Both International and Pilgrim passport. The Pilgrim Passport gets stamped all along the way. After Trekking 800+ kilometers. You receive a Compostela (Certificate of Pilgrimage). If I make it, it will be one of my most treasured moments of my life.

Today, I trimmed a full six pounds of weight from my pack and I ordered a new sleeping bag that will reduce weight more than a pound. Sure seems like it cost a lot more for less.  :=(

Buen Camino