16 Weeks to Go!

Ok, ok...so 16 weeks still sounds like a long time, but when put into perspective, we started this process some 36 weeks ago. This means that we are about 70% of the way through the preparation process, and its beginning to feel like it and also to look like it.

Tomorrow its supposed to rain, so of course its the perfect opportunity to take our packs together with our wet gear and see how all this works on a planned 20km hike. There are some things about this prep thing that one just doesn't want to do, and this is one of them...sigh. However, we need to know how our gear will function, and standing in the shower doesn't really seem to work very well...ask me how I know.  So the lime green poncho may get its first out-door trial...scary! This will help to determine if we get short gaiters or not for the rain and mud.

The new Keen sandals that I ordered on-line through MEC arrived. Comfortable and very light at under 500gms. Designed for hiking with closed toes for protection, I'm hoping that they will be just the thing for tired feet at the end of the day, or to change things up should I be unlucky enough to get a few boot blisters.

Hiked up Mt. Doug last evening and I have to admit that the new shoe knots are better...don't let this go to your head Dad.

16 weeks to go...16 weeks to go...16 weeks to go......

Addendum:  We walked 20kms in the rain today with full packs and we took turns wearing the lime green poncho which we nicknamed 'margarita'...some how it just seemed appropriate:) Annemarie has decided that this solution will work for her, so I will order a poncho from Spain this week...it will likely be orange...the nickname possibilities are endless!

Dad is Still Showing Me Stuff!

While breaking in a new pair of boots last weekend I happened to stop off to wish my Mother a happy Mother's Day. While there, my father had a look at my second pair of boots (Merrill Moabs) and proceeded to show me how to tie them! This involves a 'new' knot that Mom has apparently used for over 30 years. Now you have to understand that just like most everyone else I have tied my shoes and boots in the same manner for about half a century and now someone is telling me that I've been doing this all wrong! I don't wish to sound ungrateful, but this goes all the way back to before kindergarten with many hikes up and down various mountains, numerous sporting activities plus every day shoe based activities.I mean...if this new knot is so superior, then why didn't they originally teach this to me? I'd have been so much further ahead today.

In any event I'm prepared to consider a change...after all one doesn't wish to be seen to be too set in their ways. That said, I believe that a potential adjustment of this magnitude requires careful consideration and assessment, so...I've started to use the new knot on my left boot and my tried and true double knot on the right boot.

I've walked ~40kms since the new knot with mixed results. When I want to take my boots off the left one comes undone faster and easier than the right boot, BUT the new knot is taking me longer to tie. In fairness, my novice standing probably weighs heavily here. When starting long walks, its not unusual for me to stop 2 or even 3 times to re-set and re-tie my boots. This of course has the potential to cause a cumulative time delay as we cross Spain...Annemarie may be unimpressed! However, one could argue that the quick release feature of the new knot will more than off-set these delays.

Dad will probably prove correct (as usual) about Mom's knot, but I don't want to be too quick to agree...after all, I'm not a kid any more. I'll continue to assess, and if there seems any point I'll report further. In the mean time I'll work on my knot tying technique:)

Thoughts on Inner - and Outer - Journeys

When Geoff set up this blog, he clearly stated that he expected it would be a joint undertaking; unlike High Endeavors where I have only posted once or twice as a guest. So I guess suggesting I have “more expertise” in relation to the inner journey is his way of getting me to participate. I don’t think I can claim any knowledge at all...we haven’t walked our Camino yet. Despite that, and true to character, I’m willing to give it a shot.

These are some of the things I’ve heard or read...

•  You don’t walk the Camino, it walks you
•  The Camino provides you with what you need
•  You can’t really prepare for the Camino
•  people are “called” to the Camino

...and on it goes.

A journey of this nature does require a lot of preparation - and the preparation in terms of clothing, gear, understanding the terrain, learning the language, etc. is all essential to increase our chances of successfully making it through the 800 kilometers. Any significant life experience (SLE) - and I think this qualifies as an SLE - will also bring with it an emotional and/or spiritual connection. We find this when we travel, push our boundaries, etc. What makes the Camino different, I think - and have heard from those who have completed this journey - is that many people take this walk in the hopes of gaining some insight that they can’t otherwise find, but many are still unprepared for what they gain on a spiritual level. I think it’s fair to expect that we will in some way be changed when you layer...

•  an experience that will push most people’s physical boundaries,
•  a minimalist lifestyle
•  an opportunity to have long discussions with others who are on a quest of some sort
•  a path that has historical and religious significance
•  possible monotony bringing time for reflection

... Hopefully our physical appearance will change for the better and most of us also hope that the Camino will have an internal impact as well. To enable this to happen requires some preparation as well. It requires building an openness to the experiences as they happen, it requires some recognition of when our ego interferes or imposes some form of judgement, and it requires some level of self awareness. One thing we hear repeatedly is that each person’s Camino experience is their own, and that this is sometimes difficult when undertaking this journey as a couple. This, I think, also requires some significant preparation for both of us. We will, I’m sure, learn a lot more about this side of the experience as we go - and it really is this part of it that draws me the most.