I Have a New Adventure on the Horizon!

ARE YOU READY TO HEAR ABOUT THIS YEAR’S ADVENTURE?

This years’ expedition:

Hiking in Spain and Portugal plus Experiencing Some Cultural Enlightenment in 4 Cities in Spain.

I am combining 3 hiking routes in both Spain and Portugal, as well as visiting 4 cities in Spain that I have never been to before! I have chosen these cities based upon cultural and historical sites that are within each city.

Hiking Routes:

a) The Spanish Meseta (Plains) – Burgos to Leon = 180 KM

b) The Final Stage of the Camino – Lugo to Santiago = 110 KM

c) The Camino Portuguese (Coastal Route) = 280 KM

Cities to Visit:

a) Bilbao – A lovely city on the shore of The Bay of Biscay and home to the infamous Guggenheim Museum.

b) Salamanca – Home to the 4 th oldest university in the world and great architecture.

c) A’Coruna – This port city is home to the Tower of Hercules the oldest lighthouse in the world (built in 1 AD) .

d) Valencia – A magnificent coastal city with architecture, great beaches, and home to Paella.

WHY SPAIN AGAIN?

I get asked this all the time. Many people ask me why I don’t expand my horizons, go somewhere else, explore other lands, and see something different?

I always give the same answer….I guess they do not listen.

One can hike the same route everyday and the scenery is never the same! I have discovered that the times of day, weather patterns, light, seasonal changes, and the nature that is present can completely transform any landscape.

I never tire of scenery! All my previous hikes in Spain have been in late summer or Fall. I seem to always be there are after harvest and this time I am hiking some routes I have done before. The difference is that there will be plants, flowers, and crops in the fields.

I have never hiked Lugo to Santiago before. I hear that Lugo is a great old Roman City. I am ecstatic to also be hiking the Coast of Portugal!

Adding to my Portuguese Adventure are 3 of the Best People in the World… My Camino Family – Angela, Helen, and George from my 2015 Adventure. The four of us who come from Australia, Canada, and the USA will meet again!

I think you have to hike El Camino de Santiago before you can ever understand the affect it can have on you. It’s not a cult. It’s not crazy to want to go back. How can I explain this?

Consider this:

I truly believe that the world we live in today is just “TOO PLUGGED IN”. We never seem to have enough time for ourselves. The pressures of work, family, money, and life always prevail. There is never time to relax. I think the human race needs time alone to think, to heal, and to collect our thoughts. We need time to truly understand whats important and be thankful for what we have. The Camino provides that.
It’s a place where you can have quiet reflection time. I enjoy what I call- meditative hiking. It is good for my soul.

I believe that our current world can seem very depressing. Politics has proven to be nothing but disappointing. Mistrust, misinformation (fake news), lack of a will to help humankind, selfishness, greed, corruption, and hunger for power have made life for many seem hopeless. I’m tired of the daily news, as everything is a battle. Our world seems to have forgotten that basic human kindness is needed more than ever.

I really feel the need to go back to a place where I can truly see what human kindness is. It is really hard to describe The Camino. Everyone is a hiker. You are not identified by race, religion, Socio-Economic Status, or level of education. The Camino is about people helping people, just because they can. I always say that the hardest part of hiking the Camino is trying to bring human kindness home with you and put it into practice

I also need a to go to a place that allows me to photograph some really beautiful landscapes.

I love Spain! I thoroughly enjoy being out in nature and photographing it. I am looking very port forward to seeing Portugal this year as well .

I leave in three weeks and I’m frantically getting ready and preparing for my adventure.

I am thinking that maybe next year, I will organize a group and bring them to Spain to hike The Camino. They would be able to discover for themselves what it is so magical about The Camino.

My Training has begun!

Stay Tuned, and remember… KEEP WALKING!