Unlike many outdoor activities, in most places, you can camp all year round - as long as you have the right winter backpacking gear.If you don't want to read all my reviews or if you are just in a hurry, the best cold weather sleeping bag on this list is undoubtedly the Outdoor Vitals Summit … [Read more...]
Making Time for the Camino de Santiago
If all goes well, and God wills it, at the end of March I will begin to walk the Camino de Santiago. It’s about time.I have been thinking, dreaming, and planning for this for nearly 20 years. I first read about the pilgrimage to Santiago Compostela in a 14th century biography, The Book of Margery … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Aspects of the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage
The Camino SpiritThis is a transcript of a talk I was asked to give at an information session on walking the Camino, presented in September 2016 and sponsored by the Albuquerque, New Mexico Chapter of The American Friends of the Camino.My wife, Janet, and I walked the Camino Frances in the … [Read more...]
How to Prevent and Deal with Blisters on Your Feet
Blisters are every hiker’s worst nightmare, and not just because they can be very painful. If you roll your ankle or your back gives out, it feels like a proper injury, and you’re more than justified in packing up and going home. Blisters on the other hand always feel like something that you can … [Read more...]
Top Ten Things About Camino de Santiago
I was asked recently what would be my top ten things about the Camino de Santiago – so here it is. 1. The People, Other pilgrims. The other pilgrims I met is my number one on the Camino, all Camino routes. I feel I was blessed. I don't like crowds, however, I do in general like talking, and … [Read more...]
How to Remove a Tick Head after the Body is Gone
When you’re enjoying a great walk in the hills or countryside, it probably feels like nothing can bring down your mood. The sun is shining, your legs are feeling great, and those new hiking boots have certainly cured your blisters. But then you notice a sharp pain in your leg, you look down, and see … [Read more...]
Best Fleece Jackets
If you are looking for a fleece jacket, chances are you live in a cold part of the world, of you like to go hiking and camping. A fleece jacket is a versatile item of clothing that can be worn on numerous occasions. However, it can often be hard to find the right fleece jacket. This is because … [Read more...]
Lessons Learned on the Camino de Santiago
Toward the end of my post a couple of weeks back on how the Camino changed my life, I got thinking about the lessons I learned while walking the Camino Frances. The following are some thoughts on lessons I think I started to learn there.I Can Do More Than I Think or Believe This was a great … [Read more...]
Cruz de Ferro: A Spiritual Experience
People who’ve already walked the Camino de Santiago know that there’s one thing that should absolutely not be missed — the Cruz de Ferro. Also known as the Iron Cross, it is set on a gently sloping hill that also happens to be the highest point of the French Way.The views offered from up top are … [Read more...]
Inspiration to Walk the Camino de Santiago
The Camino forum was an amazing resource for me when researching the Camino de Santiago. I did the full Camino Frances as well as the Camino del Norte in 2013 with my guitar. In May of 2014, I did 4 days of the Camino de Madrid to Segovia and I'll be doing the Camino Primitivo route this … [Read more...]
Is It Safe Walking the Camino de Santiago Alone?
One of the most common questions I am asked - is it safe to walk the Camino de Santiago alone? This became a question being asked more again recently when someone went missing on the Camino. However my opinion remains unchanged - yes, it is safe to walk the Camino de Santiago alone. I would think … [Read more...]
How Walking the Camino de Santiago changed my Life
I first walked the Camino de Santiago in 2004 on the Camino Frances route. I found it quite difficult back then to find information before I went so I had little idea what lay ahead. In hindsight that was maybe good for me, if I had seen some of the images of where people sleep at night and the … [Read more...]
Hiking the Camino for Charity
Have you thought about it? I know there are many pilgrims or future pilgrims out there that have had this idea. Is it possible? Is it easy? I’ve done it and I want to share my experience with you. All the in’s and out’s. All the up’s and down’s. All the pro’s and con’s. And my strategy to … [Read more...]
Reasons to Walk the Camino de Santiago
You have to be fairly motivated to walk the Camino de Santiago from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in North West Spain – as it is 800km. Usually 800km with your rucksack on your back containing everything you need for a month. Sleeping in hostels with strangers, … [Read more...]
Finding Love on the Camino de Santiago
Love was the last thing I expected to find on the Camino de Santiago. But I did and twelve years later our son is nearly three years old. Therefore I thought this would be a good time for this post.I set out expecting a journey with few people, and I expected those few to be a bit odd, or … [Read more...]
