Packed and Ready to Go

Here are our packs! This will be our "home" for the next 6 weeks. Just trying pictures and blogging on my phone. Not sure how much they weigh too scared right now because I am not sure what we would take out. Faet is supervising the whole packing process.

Our Camino Packing List

Well, today was spent packing and repacking our backpacks.  Doug’s is down to under 16lbs & mine under 15lbs.  We really were trying to get to 14lbs or less, but I just don’t know if that will be possible.  Doug is carrying things that we share.  As it is my hair is going to look horrible for 42 days, no gel, hairspray, curling iron or hairdryer.  What was I thinking???

Here is what is filling up our backpacks.  The 4 letters that we kept saying was something that we learned from our nephew Tony S. ~ABC~ anything-but-cotton!  Everything that we have is fast drying, wicking and non-cotton.   

• Backpacks, Gregory, Z40 & Jade38
• Rain covers
• Sleeping bag – Rei Travel Sac
• Towels – fast drying
• Face cloth – Jamie
• Water bottles – 2
• Pillows – inflatable 

• Ball Cap & Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Short sleeve shirts -  3
• Long sleeve shirt – Doug only
• Rain jacket – Jamie only
• Light weight fleece- Jamie only
• Underwear – 3
• Bras – 2 Jamie ;-)
• Shorts – 2
• Long Pants -1
• Swim trunks – Doug
• Pajama top & shorts – Jamie
• Socks – 3
• Compression socks for airplane – Jamie
• Boots – Keen
• Sandals – Keen

• Soap
• Shampoo bar
• Laundry soap
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Lotion
• Sunscreen
• Shaving Cream – Doug
• Razors
• Small hairbrush
• Contacts, solution, glasses
• Makeup-Powder, mascara (Oh my)
• Bug Spray

• Earplugs
• Clothes clips
• 2 pair shoe laces – (clothes line)
• Sink stopper
• Spork
• Tissue/Toilet Paper
• Duct Tape
• Needle & Thread – Bister repair
• Reusable nylon shopping bag
• First Aid stuff – Blister & Aches
• Meds – Prescription & OTC

• Passport
• Pilgrim Passport St. Jean Pied de Port
• Wallet, small travel purse
• Id, credit cards, cash, travel papers
• Very tiny LED light
• Phone
• Camera
• Compass
• Monocular
• Journal/Pen
• Small Bible
• Guide Book by John Brierley
• 2 pebbles – will place at the Iron Cross  on Mt. Irago

June 17, 2012, Doug shares with our Family & Friends

Good Evening Friends and Family,

I wanted to share with you an exciting event in our lives – although I can picture a number of you rolling your eyes and thinking “I always knew those two were a stick shy of a cord”.

Jamie and I have decided (with some prayerful soul searching) to go forward with our on-again, off-again, trip to Santiago de Compostela, Spain – Camino de Santiago Frances.  God willing, we will be leaving Coupeville on June 27 and return on August 8.  And again, God willing, we will begin our walk from St. Jean Pied de Port, France and some 36 days and 500 miles later arrive at Santiago de Compostela.  Here is a link with some background on the pilgrimage if you’re interested:

http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James

Both Jamie and I have been intrigued by the “Camino” (the way) for some time now.  And we just recently came to the conclusion that it’s now or never.  Our bodies daily remind us that we’re not getting any younger.  We think there will be many fascinating aspects to the journey – history, physical challenge, art, culture, architecture, language, and of course, a subject most near and dear to me, food.  And it’s an adventure – for 42 days we will really have no idea where we’ll rest our heads that night.  That is way outside my comfort zone.  But as the time approaches, I find that most importantly I’m hoping that this experience will draw me closer to God and to Jamie.  It will certainly stretch my faith and should provide plenty of opportunity for prayer and meditation.  

As I said, part of this is the physical challenge.  In fact, I have qualms as to the wisdom of self-induced torture.  And we’re paying for the privilege.  How crazy is that?  Nonetheless, in the past, when jogging or otherwise exercising my intrepid athletic skills, I’ve found a certain closeness to God when I sense that I’m on the verge of coronary arrhythmia.  So, hopefully, the bodily fatigue will serve a purpose as well.  I just hope that I won’t have to come home, tail between my legs, in utter defeat.  Your prayers are appreciated.

So, we’ll soon be going off-line.  Computers are not making it into our backpacks.  We hope to see each of you again soon and we can swap hugs and stories.

Our little pilgrimage begins.

With great love,

Doug and Jamie

June 12, 2012 - Pulled the Trigger

Well we did it!  As you can see from my last post in September 2011 we have been thinking about it, but I really didn't think we would be going this year.  After a lot of praying and looking at finances and how we felt about walking for 500 miles we decided that now was the time.  As Doug says we are not getting any younger ;-)

We are flying into Madrid on June 27th, train to Pamplona, bus to Roncevalles (Orreaga), then taxi or shuttle van to Saint Jean Pied de Port.  We have no idea where we are staying at night we will find a hostel (albergue) each night in the towns that we stop in.