---- ?Como estas, mis amigos? --- I'm not going to embarrass myself or annoy readers by trying to write any more Spanish. And this entry isn't a War Cry so much as a statement of intent: dw and I have committed ourselves to walk the Camino de Santiago. It's a 1000 year old pilgrimage, with several different routes, all converging on Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (northwestern Spain). We're going to walk the French route (the most traveled way), a path that starts just inside France, crosses the Pyrenees, and 477 miles later ends in Santiago. In part, we're inspired by niece Hilary who did the walk a couple of years ago.
Saint James is the patron saint of Spain. Called James the Greater (he was bigger, or at least louder, than James the Lesser), he was martyred in the Holy Land by Herod Agrippa then his remains were taken in a stone boat (manned by angels) to NW Spain. Over the years he appeared a few times to help with ousting the Moors and was occasionally otherwise useful. After a few appearances by angels and the Virgin Mary the locals figured out where his uncorrupted body (albeit with severed head) and stone boat were buried. A great cathedral was raised, the Pilgrimage started, and now dw and I are going to walk the walk.
The very large majority of pilgrims walk the French route, but there are other routes -- The present French route is the last part of an older way that started in Canterbury England and passed through Paris. Other routes started in Rome (not Rome, Oregon), Poland, Seville, Barcelona, Lisbon, Toledo (not Toledo, Ohio) and a few other places. Unfortunately we won't have the time to do much other than the walk. We hope to eke out enough time to visit Bilbao or northern Portugal but that seems pretty iffy. Being able to visit niece Hilary and family (presently in Sweden) is even more unlikely. Like most people we have more wants than means or time.
In the event, we haven't been doing much besides living and training for the walk. Gathering what we're going to take (as little as possible). Figuring out the boot arrangements: My training boots have given me a huge selection of blisters. I wore them in the Arctic but thanks to arthritis, gout, bunion and a new knee I walk differently and those boots simply won't do. (I considered just encasing my foot in moleskin -- instead decided to toss the boots -- they were pretty worn anyway). Now I'm trying my Grand Canyon boots. dw is having trouble finding something comfortable. Her old pair would probably last the hike, but something new would be preferable. She's tried several pairs (bring them home, wear them around the house) and returned them as unsatisfactory.
So the training proceeds. I haven't bicycled very much, although I did a 40 mile ride two days ago (giving my blistered feet a rest). Mostly we're trying to walk everywhere. We wear boots and carry a pack and frequently use walking sticks. I don't know how much weight dw is carrying (n.b. -- dw: at least 50 lbs. ). I have some assorted stuff and a 20 pound sandbag which absorbs moisture from the air, getting heavier and heavier until after 15 miles that sandbag weighs 30 or 40 pounds or more. It's amazing.
I have come across a few interesting things: The Worlds Largest horn tweeter. It is well placed and suited to give Overlook residents a thrill.
Unfortunately, it's merely a wind tunnel for the Freightliner Truck factory. It would be much better were it part of a sound system that I could use to talk to bad drivers and other assorted miscreants.
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Portland, sited between and around two rivers is well suited for houseboats and floating homes. Some are grand, others not so much. Although this particular floating home is modest it has ship to shore transportation (largely hidden behind the bridge pier) garbage service and heat. What more could you want?
NATURAL HISTORY: Some types of rhododendron in the Himalayan area will grow as tall as 80 to 100 feet.
WORDS OF THE DAY: Philosophunculist --- a petty or insignificant philosopher --- I know one of those. (That is unfounded, unkind and unfair -- but sort of funny and he'll never read this anyway.) And: Cravateer --- a person employed to tie cravats or neckties. Along with his hair stylist, I think Donald Trump is pretentious enough to have a cravateer.
And so it goes. DJA
Saint James is the patron saint of Spain. Called James the Greater (he was bigger, or at least louder, than James the Lesser), he was martyred in the Holy Land by Herod Agrippa then his remains were taken in a stone boat (manned by angels) to NW Spain. Over the years he appeared a few times to help with ousting the Moors and was occasionally otherwise useful. After a few appearances by angels and the Virgin Mary the locals figured out where his uncorrupted body (albeit with severed head) and stone boat were buried. A great cathedral was raised, the Pilgrimage started, and now dw and I are going to walk the walk.
The very large majority of pilgrims walk the French route, but there are other routes -- The present French route is the last part of an older way that started in Canterbury England and passed through Paris. Other routes started in Rome (not Rome, Oregon), Poland, Seville, Barcelona, Lisbon, Toledo (not Toledo, Ohio) and a few other places. Unfortunately we won't have the time to do much other than the walk. We hope to eke out enough time to visit Bilbao or northern Portugal but that seems pretty iffy. Being able to visit niece Hilary and family (presently in Sweden) is even more unlikely. Like most people we have more wants than means or time.
In the event, we haven't been doing much besides living and training for the walk. Gathering what we're going to take (as little as possible). Figuring out the boot arrangements: My training boots have given me a huge selection of blisters. I wore them in the Arctic but thanks to arthritis, gout, bunion and a new knee I walk differently and those boots simply won't do. (I considered just encasing my foot in moleskin -- instead decided to toss the boots -- they were pretty worn anyway). Now I'm trying my Grand Canyon boots. dw is having trouble finding something comfortable. Her old pair would probably last the hike, but something new would be preferable. She's tried several pairs (bring them home, wear them around the house) and returned them as unsatisfactory.
So the training proceeds. I haven't bicycled very much, although I did a 40 mile ride two days ago (giving my blistered feet a rest). Mostly we're trying to walk everywhere. We wear boots and carry a pack and frequently use walking sticks. I don't know how much weight dw is carrying (n.b. -- dw: at least 50 lbs. ). I have some assorted stuff and a 20 pound sandbag which absorbs moisture from the air, getting heavier and heavier until after 15 miles that sandbag weighs 30 or 40 pounds or more. It's amazing.
I have come across a few interesting things: The Worlds Largest horn tweeter. It is well placed and suited to give Overlook residents a thrill.
Unfortunately, it's merely a wind tunnel for the Freightliner Truck factory. It would be much better were it part of a sound system that I could use to talk to bad drivers and other assorted miscreants.
Portland, sited between and around two rivers is well suited for houseboats and floating homes. Some are grand, others not so much. Although this particular floating home is modest it has ship to shore transportation (largely hidden behind the bridge pier) garbage service and heat. What more could you want?NATURAL HISTORY: Some types of rhododendron in the Himalayan area will grow as tall as 80 to 100 feet.
WORDS OF THE DAY: Philosophunculist --- a petty or insignificant philosopher --- I know one of those. (That is unfounded, unkind and unfair -- but sort of funny and he'll never read this anyway.) And: Cravateer --- a person employed to tie cravats or neckties. Along with his hair stylist, I think Donald Trump is pretentious enough to have a cravateer.
And so it goes. DJA
