Jerry's Journey: El Camino De Santiago

To my family and friends, In the fall of 2015, my friend Helen and I decided we would walk  El Camino De Santiago (The Way of St James) "next year". Well next year is here and we, along with another friend, Karen, will soon be walking El Camino!  I can hardly believe it.  I am very excited and, a little fearful, The task of walking 500 miles at age 71 is a little crazy for someone who is not a hiker, and has done more sitting than exercising in the past few years.  But, since February, I have been gathering my supplies, working out at the gym, and walking. I have walked around Carlisle,   hiked a little in Vail, Colorado and on many parts of the PA Appalachian Trail.  In the beginning I walked without a backpack, and in the last couple of months I have been on the AT with both backpack and trekking poles.  Yesterday I walked 10.5 miles, and at the end wondered if I could really walk this far and farther for up to 45 days in a row!  What was I ever thinking???

During these past months, I have struggled with getting the proper shoes for my arthritic feet.  While most are walking in Solomons or Keens or some other popular hiking shoe, I am walking in Xelero orthopedic hiking boots, with orthotics!  Besides my feet, I have also discovered I have arthritis in my neck and shoulders.  So far, my knees are holding up!  I have vowed to not carry more than 14 lbs in my pack, which seems heavy enough on most days!  A week ago Helen was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her foot and is now in a boot.  She is having laser treatments and WILL be on the trail. Her podiatrist has suggested she take her boot!  Yes, this has already proven to be an interesting adventure.  It is a good thing Karen is quite a bit younger and in a whole lot better shape.  She will keep us going!

The first two days on the Camino are very strenuous. It was highly recommended that we make reservations at a hostel (albergue or refugio) in Orisson . So on 1 September, after hiking 6 miles straight up the Pyrenees, we know we will have a place to stay.  After that we will just walk and hope to find a place at the end of our hike. The goal is to walk from 6 AM to 1 PM daily. I know some days will be longer and some shorter. 

Many men and women have been supporting me in many different ways.  I took an ultralight backpacking class at Carlisle Barracks and met Bruce.  Bruce heads the recreation center and he and Sue, his parttime worker, have been so very encouraging.  They have taken us on the trails and have been so, so patient as we struggled with the hills.  In early May, I went with them on a three day hike. It was the most difficult physical thing I have ever done and Bruce stayed back with me the entire time.  He and Sue believed in me before I believed in me!  My friend, Kathy, showed me all her supplies and took me shopping at the outlets for my gear.  She has hiked with me and cheered me on when I wondered if I could do it.  Kathy walked the Camino 18 months ago.  Camille gives me all kinds of tips whenever I see her.  She walked the Camino a couple of years ago. Father Forrey, the pastor at St Patricks where Karen and I attend, gave us a blessing when Helen came up to visit.   And there are others who have been cheering us on.  My daughter, Mai Lara, sent me a solar battery charger and a bottle container to add to my pack!  Others have offered love, words of encouragement and support.  Thank you!

We have allowed 45 days which is about ten days longer than suggested, but we are taking into consideration our age!!!  For the past two weeks I was not sure I could even go on the Camino.  My daughter, Mai Lara had a colonoscopy and she has a tumor in her colon.  After a very frightening two weeks, we learned that it has not spread.  At 43, she is very young to have colon cancer.  That it has not spread is a blessing and I am so very thankful.  The samples they biopsied showed the tumor to be benign, but the doctors are quite sure it is malignant so they are doing another colonoscopy.  Either way it has to come out and I am waiting to find out the timing of treatment so I can make final plans.  I will either leave early and stay with them a week, fly to Madrid and meet Helen and Karen, walk the Camino and then return to England, or, just go at the end.  Of course if I need to, I will cancel, or leave in the middle for awhile.  I do feel confident I will be able to walk it, which I did not for awhile.  I continue to hike! And, I continue to pray for Mai Lara.  I ask you to do the same.  Thanks!

I am starting this blog to see if I can figure out how to use it and how to introduce it to you all.  I am not sure how usable it will be on the Camino, but Camille had a blog and I will check with her for more assistance.  We shall see over the next couple of weeks!  Buen Camino!!