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 !
My reposts from Dr Bill Klein have had a profound affect on me. It started out that we had common interests ie: The Camino de Santiago. I so much wanted to follow his progress along the ‘Way’. In 88 days my journey begins. I have fallen behind on my postings because this past weekend, I did some research on Bill’s journey. Early on I sensed there was more going on than a ‘long walk’.
The courage of this family is a testament to Christians everywhere. It is all about Faith and the Blessed Assurance……… Their story follows the Movie in a way that is FAR to close. I am not sure I could carry their burdens………… God Bless you my friends.
http://caminowithcullen.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/ribidiso-14-may-2013/
http://caminowithcullen.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/santa-irene-day-29-15-may-2013/
http://caminowithcullen.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/day-30-santiago-de-compostela-16-may-2013/
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
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
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
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
Some have asked why September/October. Three reasons. Weather, Weather, and fewer Pilgrims. Below is a video of the first segment of the “Way”, St Jean Pied de Porte, fr to Roncesvalles, Sp. Pretty much all uphill. A serious test, the first day. Breath-taking beauty, but the wrong time of year can make it miserable…………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BsyrniCroI
This would be much better……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSBm9ELu6ck
a favorite……………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0PJRMHbBNg
Just one more……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDoD8BxAcgU
Come On , get packing and don’t forget to get conditioned. I’m too old to carry you ! Ha
Buen Camino
Uh Oh! first test packing of the backpack with one water container (Filled) came in at 32 pounds. Too heavy for me to carry up and down the mountains of France and Spain. Making the first cut tomorrow. I am thinking I will be washing clothes more often than I calculated. I want to get closer to 20 pounds. That will be hard enough for 500 miles of trekking.
My heaviest piece of gear is my Mini-tablet. A great concern because that is to be my primary communication device. Not to mention the Apps for GPS, weather etc. Pretty sure the HD Cam corder is outta here. My Nikon Coolpix does video also so that will suffice. 6 T shirts being cut to 3 etc.
My new lightweight boots will help. The pack was weighed with my current boots inside.
we’ll see.
Gonna have to cut cut cut. Or get training wheels for the pack. HaHa.
Buen Camino
What to take? What to take? making lists……. looks like 250 pounds of gear. Never fit in my pack!
It’s a start. Still needs Hiking boots, walking shoes, flip flops, bathroom items, TP, clothing and blister pads.
I received a hiking tip I had not heard before. Wear a pair of Nylon Crew socks then over top of the Nylons, a pair of Cotton Crew socks. What? never heard of this. The point is that it is supposed to reduce your foot friction by 80-90%. So I tried it. Went for a 6 mile training hike and it was amazing. Give it a try. Also, they say NEVER use “Tube” socks, the toe seams can drive you crazy or worse on a long hike. Hmmmmm, Looks like Goodwill can expect a lot of “Tube” socks from me.
Buen Camino
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