Barcelinhos to Tamel S. Pedro Fin, Portugal Our first few minutes of hiking took us across the medieval bridge, past the old mill, up the hill, and into the city of Barcelos, Portugal which is a combination of ancient-touristy and modern-real…. Read More ›
Tomar, Portugal was founded by a Templar Knight and the castle he built in 1160 dominates the view from the main square today. As a kid I had little interest in knights and castles. I preferred stories about Daniel Boone,… Read More ›
Imagine flying, taking a train or driving your car to an unfamiliar city for a long weekend, then on that last morning after your final bite of toast and sip of coffee you grab your pack, head through the lobby… Read More ›
Three days tromping around Lisbon seeing the sights and eating rich Portuguese pastries was the first phase of my Camino training program. It may have been a little late in the process and unorthodox but three days of climbing… Read More ›
The train had been stopped too long to just be picking up passengers plus we were not at a station. We were sitting on a sunny stretch of track with a view of nowhere when the diesel engines fell silent… Read More ›
I have always been a sucker for inspirational films that include travel across foreign lands. Especially those films where the protagonist hikes, sails, or bicycles the globe and along the way finds the insight, strength and courage to complete their… Read More ›
With my Camino just completed I thought it would be a good time to share my thoughts on gear selection with future pilgrims. The most important advice I have is pack light. The less you carry the more enjoyable the… Read More ›
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, under the gray, rain threatening Galician skies appeared more medieval than I could have ever imagined. Although the structure was dark and heavy the mood of the entering pilgrims was light, lifted by a… Read More ›
Just minutes after starting today’s hike it began to rain so I pulled out my blue raincoat and draped it over me and my pack. The coat is not made to be worn over me and my pack so… Read More ›
Many alburgues will only allow you to spend one night in their facility and by 8AM they expect you to be back on the trail. By 8AM Sue and an ill German pilgrim had managed to hike no further… Read More ›
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