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Faye Hanson's avatar

I planned to walk the camino this spring, however my feet have not been cooperative. First, a flare of Plantar fasciitis and Friday, I broke my pinky toe. Those will both heal, but they complicate my training. As an old woman, I don't plan to carry a backpack the weight of my giant, smelly dog- who was party to my broken toe. I will pay someone to porter my possessions from pensión to hostel and only carry a pack the weight of a 3rd grader's backpack containing lunch, snacks, water and old papers.

I hope you and the Math teacher have a pleasant journey. I know you will meet many fascinating characters along the way- though you don't need to cross the ocean to do that. You seem pretty good at that already! I look forward to your tales of the journey.

The best advice I have heard was from some book about walking the Camino that was something like-

Every day starts a new Camino (which is true wherever you find yourself)

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Arn Manella's avatar

I am a Marine. I have walked the Camino seven times (different starting points), and if all goes well, I will arrive at the Cathedral on or near May 21 to celebrate my 80th birthday. For several years, I was a moderator with the Forum, the largest English language source for information. Unless you are planning to camp out along the Way, your pack should weigh less than 20 lbs (ideally 14lbs). Along the Camino Frances, you can find everything you may currently have in your pack, which is a “just in case” item. Your feet are your friend; take care of them. Less weight in your pack means less damage to your feet and joints. Buen Camino PS, I thru-hiked the AT in 1996.

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Donna Buchanan's avatar

Once a Marine, always a Marine!

Thank you for your service!

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BEL's avatar

Arn, I love your spunk & attitude, sage advice and in particular, using the proper tense in “I am a Marine”. Bless your almost 80 year young heart and thanks for your service.

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Anne Arthur's avatar

Arn, kudos to you for being such a faithful Camino walker. And your backpack advice is certainly important to remember. Enjoy the rest of your camino.

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Nancy Lindner Sterling's avatar

We share the same birth day date but you are a couple years ahead of me😊 I’ve dreamed of walking the Camino for years. Hopefully some day!! Bien Camino.

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Julie RN's avatar

What Donna B said so perfectly 💙❣️🤍

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Cori Bren's avatar

Happy birthday Wednesday from one Gemini to another. I turn 60 May 21st. I’m a baby amateur at hiking but I’m working on it. ✌️🎉🙏cheers

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Becky Moon's avatar

I have longed to do the Camino and maybe I haven’t aged out but my body seems to think my neighborhood walks are fine. I have read books, I have seriously considered it then had 2 total hip replacements and later as I contemplated I knew I could not leave my husband and his care for that long. Well, I still have the hip replacements, my husband died and I find I’m happy walking the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. And I have my dog with me.

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Kathryn's avatar

A dog makes all the difference.

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Nancy Swider's avatar

Wow! This trek will be life changing. If you plan to end at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela it alone is amazing. I was lucky to arrive when the organist was practicing (although I think he was good at it beforehand). Look up to see the gigantic incense cauldron swinging...and you'll be able to recognize fellow Camino walkers by their backpacks, exhausted bodies, and absolute reverence on their faces. BTW: the Irish invaded this part of Spain back some time in history and you too may be fortunate to hear a bagpiper playing in an alleyway where his music resonates from wall to wall to wall. Have a wonderful time! We'll all look forward to updates.

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Donna Buchanan's avatar

And perhaps fine some more redheads!

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ELAINE BARROW's avatar

How wonderful! This has been my impossible dream for the last 10 years, and now I’m 77!! Please remember all your readers who wish they were riding in your backpack every minute and tell us your inside feelings, as well as what you see and learn!!

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Paul McCutchen's avatar

My bucket list was to ride to Sturgis on a Norton but alas at 73 that won't happen.

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Julie RN's avatar

Maybe in a Side Car, Paul?

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Bruce Hartnett's avatar

Or, with an old "Wichita" sidecar! Not a stiff connection, just have to remember to adjust your Hydrolic tilt on the opposite curves.

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Becky Condon's avatar

Courage, Sean. It’ll be cool, and I look forward to the trip reports.

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Te Burt's avatar

Who was it said humans are gluttons for self-induced punishment? I'd look into who your wife has been listening to because somebody is out to KILL you! Well, at least maim. Where did she get this idea that struggling over the Pyrenees was a good idea? I mean, even Napoleon had problems with that! I don't see that the effort has improved in 200 yrs. I mean, you gotta WALK it! (Crawl? Stagger? Beg to die? Learn to sleep while walking?) And knowing Jamie, she's not gonna give up. Sean: have you EVER told this woman "NO!"? Maybe you should start practicing THAT..

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James Napp's avatar

My great grandson walked the El Camino many years ago but he was a teenager and full of energy. Today he is a father to two children and in the army.

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Melody Wright's avatar

Thank your great grandson for his service to our country for me. I appreciate what he is doing for me, my freedom and way of life.

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Donna Workman Meehan's avatar

James, that makes YOU a great-great grandfather! Pleased to meet you!

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Liz Flaherty's avatar

As an old person, I would probably sponsor the math teacher's walk and wait eagerly in my recliner for their return. I hope it's a wonderful trip for you both!

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Jim LaJeunesse's avatar

Good for you Sean. My wife and I are starting in Burgos on May 15th and will arrive in Santiago on June. We’re in great shape, except for the surgery scheduled on 2/19 to address a torn meniscus. Buon Camino!

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Lou Butchie's avatar

You will love Spain and the people you meet. The night before you leave take half of your stuff out and leave it at home.

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Tawanah Fagan Bagwell's avatar

How in the world did she come up with hiking across Spain!? I think I would just say no to that one. But, knowing you, we will get some good stories out of that trip!

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Julie RN's avatar

The extent of what I know about the El Camino is…the Chevrolet coupe utility vehicle that combined the style of a car with the functionality of a pick up truck. We were blessed to have a 1969 model, and besides our number one red and white 1976 VW Bus, our emerald green Chevy El Camino was a very close second.

With all of that said, I wish Sean and Jamie “Happy Trails” on the El Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James in Spain, France, and Portugal. May God watch over you closely ✝️

And thank you, Google, for the history lesson!

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Billie's avatar

I plan to enjoy your trip to Spain…asI did your trip to Italy🫢😎

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Della Barbee's avatar

I am sorry for your aches and pains (and having your identity mistaken by the woman). Thank you, though, for giving me a much needed early morning laugh. BTW, I am glad to see your wife, who has a beautiful smile.

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Paul McCutchen's avatar

I admire you and the math teacher but then again, I admire a lot of crazy people. Regardless of what you say I think this is a great idea, for you. Me? I got winded when I went to the Braves game last year and had to walk "an easy 20-minute walk" to the stadium. My idea and the computer's idea of an easy 20-minute walk is completely different.

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Donna Buchanan's avatar

Been there done that! Yep!

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