Why I'm Not Blogging

I fully intended to blog whenever I had a connection, but it's not going to happen. The connections are spotty (although today's is good) and only about one out of three locations is good enough. But mostly I won't be blogging because of time.

We walk all day, get a place to sleep, arrange for or buy food, wash clothes (by hand) socialize with fellow walkers and the day is largely over. Writing this blog takes time and I spend most of my writing time writing up my notes for the day. Alas, for those who are interested, there will be no extensive Camino blog until October.

One note of interest mostly to my friend Bob D.

Many years ago Bob and I traveled to South America to climb a mountain. I forgot to get a paperback to read, and at the very last second grabbed "The Letters of Flaubert". It was a very bad choice. This time I had a bit more time and decided I wanted something by Dumas who I haven't read in 30 years or more. No Dumas in the store I went to, but they did have "Scaramouche" (sp?) Certainly in the Dumas genre but alas, not of Dumas quality. I read the set-up, found the climax and read that. Gagged at the sappy ending and called it good. dw declined to try it.  And so it goes. DJA


 

Cri De Guerre

---- ?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.

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

About Dan

I don't know that I will ever write about Dan, my younger son. He died in a traffic accident (he was the passenger) a few days ago. Certainly, right now, I'm too upset to write about him. It's just wrong for a son to die before his father. And I don't know that I will ever be dispassionate enough to write about him. But I want, and need, him to be recorded. So I'm going to repeat a few things his son, his brother, and an honorary daughter wrote about him:

From Josh, Dan's son:

"Words can't express what I feel right now. Never have I lost someone so near and so dear to me. You were and are my best friend. I wouldn't be the man I am today if it weren't for you. I love you with all my heart and you are always going to be in my thoughts. You only get one dad, and I had the best. R.I.P. father, and always remember --- I love you."   Josh

"I'm lost." --- Josh

From Sean, Dan's brother

"Hello, everyone. I've been silent up until now on Facebook, because I really can't find the words to express how I feel about my brother and how I feel about his death ---- I loved him very much and although we didn't say it to each other (we aren't touchy feely kinda guys) we didn't have to --- I knew he loved me, and he knew I loved him. Dan was a good man and you only need look as far as my nephew Josh as proof of that --- for he too is a good man and Dan raised him. Dan would have been quietly proud and humbled by all of the outpourings of love, kind words and condolences for him --- and so am I. I don't think he truly knew how many lives he touched and how loved he was, because to know Dan was to know -- he wasn't keeping count.  --- R.I.P. BROTHER --- "                  Love Sean

From Sage, honorary daughter
   For several years Dan was in a relationship Sage's mother. After that relationship ended Dan continued to consider, and treat, Sage as his daughter.

"If I could go back into time, I would convince God it wasn't his time to go. You weren't my biological father but you were the only father figure I had in life, and for that I couldn't be more thankful. I would tell you how deeply sorry I am for my selfish and stubborn actions and remind you that my greatest and happiest times in life were because of you. You taught me how much of a beautiful young girl I am, you promised to always protect me and that if a boy were to ever break my heart you'd do the same to him. I would tell you how much I cherished those special nights when it was just me, you and Josh and we'd do nothing but watch movies and eat popcorn. Or all the times you'd come up with those silly random jokes and you had me and Josh laughing so hard (we thought you were so cool). You really were the coolest dad EVER.  You were a natural. The world has lost a wonderful man, and not a day went by that I didn't think of you. I miss you dearly. Until I see you again, may you rest easy. I LOVE you dad."    --- Sage ---

And I wish I could write and do more justice to the man Dan was. These are just some of the comments about him. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful son. I am unable to say more. DJA