Holy BLeeeeep! Not only are we done now...this morning at 7:45, the taxi will take us to the airport in Santiago! Sorry for not posting in the last two days!
We arrived in Santiago proper on Friday as anticipated. We knew from maps and blogs and elevation maps that there were several good climbs the last day....with one directly as we came into the city. Well they did not disapoint, at all! The last climb was the best, worst, funniest, as there was a hospital a little more than halfway up! Hmmmm think someone was trying to give as a hint that as the road went around the bend...it was still going up! A friend from the road, Veronica, traveling with her husband and two friends, actually lost her lunch on the climb! But she made it all under her own steam in the end! She put it down to a bad Cafe con Leche.
The city itself is a tad difficult to describe too. It sits atop a series of ridges and hills. Very little is flat.
We stumbled into a very sweet young lady, another of our many many Camino Angels. Rather than just describe how to get to the Cathedral, she actually walked us to the old city and turned us towards the Cathedral, when there was no chance to make a mistake, and then she left us with a smile!
Once you find the Cathedral, you, as a pilgrim still have a few things to do...you journey isn´t quite over yet. First you need to get a last sello/stamp on your Camino Passport, then you need to find the Office of Pilgrims, and get certified/stamped again! They keep all sorts of statistics on who and from where and how old etc etc. After all that you are given at long last a Compostella, declaring that you have in fact completed the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, via which ever route! Your name is done very nicely in Latin to boot!
Standing in line, you are actually standing on a staircase in a lovely medievil building, that wraps around the tower, twice. You are standing with people from all over the world, who have traveled any one of at least 10 different roads to Santiago! We reconnected with many of the folks we met along the way, standing in line there.
Compostellas in hand we hurried to find a taxi and make our way to warm rooms, dry beds with sheets and all that stuff. Adrianne thought she wanted to go shopping for something new to wear, something clean and not hand washed in cold water in a laundry sink! But in the end even she simply showered and went to bed!
Yesterday, Saturday we all got up early and hurried back into downtown Santiago to try and pick up a few trinkets and such and just get a feel for the town proper. There is a Pilgrim Mass at noon each day, where they read out the different countries from which we´ve all traveled. The seating can get a bit dicey so you want to make sure that you are there early.
There were still two more Pilgrim tasks to be accomplished. One is to visit the tomb, containing the bones of Sant Iago himself, which is under the altar, and then to "greet" St. James himself. Behind the altar (hopefuly I will be able to show this later when I download pictures) there is a LARGE, actually slightly larger than life, figure of St. James/Iago, directly behind and above the altar. There is then a small, very narrow passage behind there that you climb (again with the climbing) and then you approach this gold and literally jewel ecrusted figure and you hug him from behind! There is a gentleman of the cathedral there to make sure that the jewels stay right where they shoudl!
We did all of this and much much more yesterday and wandered back to our TC Santiago hotel at around 9 or so...with the sun having just gone behind the horizon. It was a perfect day to end our trip...today we go home and digest everything we´ve seen and one, to say nothing of eaten...after all....that is something the four of us do very, very well. (esp. those whose initials are R. and A.!)
Can´t wait to see you all !
Do it again.....oh God yes!
Here comes the Rain
Apparently the Beatles never spent much time in Galicia
My Personal Favorite!
Even the scarecrows wear raingear in Galicia!
Three Pilgrims hit the road again
One of many bridges leaving Caldas da Reis
Santiago Stigmata
It's beginning to fade...but there is an arrow below the bruise...a perfect replica of the arrows we followed for 120k
SINGLE DIGIT DANCE
This is what happens when pilgrims finally see single digits on the markers...spontaneous dancing!
Our Monto de Gozo, Mountain of Joy
This was our first view of the Cathedral and the city of Santiago
How many men to perfume a church?
This is the moment before the botofumeiro flys! Originally used to "freshen" the air from all the newly arrived pilgrims!
I'm watching you
The dome of the cathedral, and what it takes to make it fly!
Wow
It's just beginning it's trip! and yes it's that big!
More Botafumeria
Take a good look at the ropes, when I saw them tied off later, the white ones were as thick as my forearm.
Are we there yet!
Lovely friends from the road, although Rose and I had "met" online months earlier! Does her hubby look happy or what!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Serious Pilgrim Time!
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times! Sitting in an internet cafe with my Estrella Galicia at hand and my warm dry sandals on my feet, hearing Joe typing away to my right, Ray and Adrianne, Angela and our young Portugues friend to my left...it is the very best of times!
Out on the road today, trying hard to run across the street with an 18lb pack on my bakc, and the wind out of the north driving the rain into our faces, it was the worst of times. To try and really show ya´ll how bad it got at moments...JOE DRANK CAFE con LECHE....Joe doesn´t touch the stuff back home. His hands were so cold that he couldn´t even open the packet of cookies we got with our coffee. The sweet man behind the counter gave Ray a plate of chips when he tried to ask for patates (potatoes).
People on the whole have been amazingly kind to us and always redirect us when we miss a marker along the road. People along the road, old ladies hanging out the window to point us the right way, its really delightful!
Tonight we sleep in Padron, in a renovated Convent, The vaulted wood ceiling is incredible, the sink in the kitchen is stone, carved lord knows when with a fireplace directly to the right of it. When I get home I guess that is when we´ll get the pictures downloaded.
Our feet are really feeling it today and it is mostly the wet. Ray and I hid in the corner by a garage to put moleskin on his feet. It was the only shelter we could find at that time from the drinving northwind and rain. We both have some blisters, but a product called Compeed helps amazingly to keep the covered and protected and allows them to heal. That and ibuprofen are the wonder drugs of the Camino!
Tomorrow we make it to Santiago and greet the saint! We actually are supposed to hug him from behind! We also, please God, get our Compostella, proof that we have completed a minimum of walking 100km to Santiago. Actually out distance is probably closer to 120km. My knees can attest to that! Thank God for both ibuprofen and glucosamine chondroiten. (sic)
Hey the Perigrino Menu del dei is calling my name....at 6.5 € a bargin!
PRAY FOR US!! Missing all of you very much! Karin
Out on the road today, trying hard to run across the street with an 18lb pack on my bakc, and the wind out of the north driving the rain into our faces, it was the worst of times. To try and really show ya´ll how bad it got at moments...JOE DRANK CAFE con LECHE....Joe doesn´t touch the stuff back home. His hands were so cold that he couldn´t even open the packet of cookies we got with our coffee. The sweet man behind the counter gave Ray a plate of chips when he tried to ask for patates (potatoes).
People on the whole have been amazingly kind to us and always redirect us when we miss a marker along the road. People along the road, old ladies hanging out the window to point us the right way, its really delightful!
Tonight we sleep in Padron, in a renovated Convent, The vaulted wood ceiling is incredible, the sink in the kitchen is stone, carved lord knows when with a fireplace directly to the right of it. When I get home I guess that is when we´ll get the pictures downloaded.
Our feet are really feeling it today and it is mostly the wet. Ray and I hid in the corner by a garage to put moleskin on his feet. It was the only shelter we could find at that time from the drinving northwind and rain. We both have some blisters, but a product called Compeed helps amazingly to keep the covered and protected and allows them to heal. That and ibuprofen are the wonder drugs of the Camino!
Tomorrow we make it to Santiago and greet the saint! We actually are supposed to hug him from behind! We also, please God, get our Compostella, proof that we have completed a minimum of walking 100km to Santiago. Actually out distance is probably closer to 120km. My knees can attest to that! Thank God for both ibuprofen and glucosamine chondroiten. (sic)
Hey the Perigrino Menu del dei is calling my name....at 6.5 € a bargin!
PRAY FOR US!! Missing all of you very much! Karin
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Ummm Serious Hills!
Last night we had a lovely dinner of a sort, with spaghetti sauce with meat, after Joe and I figured out how to get hamburger meat...not an easy feat...but the girls in the store were awesome! We dined with a lovely lady from France who is doing her umpteenth camino and goes it alone...always! She has done some of the seriously obscure routes to Santiago..where they only get one pilgrim thru each week. She does it while her husband stays home as the kids. Inspiring! Well at least to some of us.
Well this morning we awoke easily in our lovely medievil manor house (now in the middle of downtown Redondela) and got our selves ready to go. We had a little misunderstanding about pace and got split up for the day but it worked out very well for all. Joe and I forged ahead at a good clip, which made us happy , and Ray and Adrianne came behind at a speed that suited them. We all wind up in the same place to sleep....so it really didn´t matter that we walk some days seperately. Kind of like some of our bike rides!
When we get the chance to try and figure out how to post photos we will, we´ve all taken scads! Today we saw the ocean again and scaled some serious hills, with streams running straight down the path. The path itself seemed to be in areas largely Roman road, gone to rack and ruin which was amazing. Even more amazing the weather today was completely dry! In fact it was one of those days I was glad I always wear suncscreen, no matter the weather.
The alburge here is lovely, newly built and staffed by the funnies bunch of older gentlemen, who delight in showing us around and flirting a little with the peregrinas. We got to taste, essentially the hootch they had with them and it was out of this world. Sort of a sherry type port.....very very nice at the end of 26k that Joe and I did. (that included a sucsseful trip to the correo - post office to ditch stuff)
The Correo trip is another story for another day, but included more German language to the rescue! We are heading for dinner in amoment. We are going to attempt a Chinese Restaurant in Pontevedre.
Tomorrow is an easy day, only 15k, as the intended destination is closed.
Later, Miss ya´ll, the Pilrgrim runaways!
Well this morning we awoke easily in our lovely medievil manor house (now in the middle of downtown Redondela) and got our selves ready to go. We had a little misunderstanding about pace and got split up for the day but it worked out very well for all. Joe and I forged ahead at a good clip, which made us happy , and Ray and Adrianne came behind at a speed that suited them. We all wind up in the same place to sleep....so it really didn´t matter that we walk some days seperately. Kind of like some of our bike rides!
When we get the chance to try and figure out how to post photos we will, we´ve all taken scads! Today we saw the ocean again and scaled some serious hills, with streams running straight down the path. The path itself seemed to be in areas largely Roman road, gone to rack and ruin which was amazing. Even more amazing the weather today was completely dry! In fact it was one of those days I was glad I always wear suncscreen, no matter the weather.
The alburge here is lovely, newly built and staffed by the funnies bunch of older gentlemen, who delight in showing us around and flirting a little with the peregrinas. We got to taste, essentially the hootch they had with them and it was out of this world. Sort of a sherry type port.....very very nice at the end of 26k that Joe and I did. (that included a sucsseful trip to the correo - post office to ditch stuff)
The Correo trip is another story for another day, but included more German language to the rescue! We are heading for dinner in amoment. We are going to attempt a Chinese Restaurant in Pontevedre.
Tomorrow is an easy day, only 15k, as the intended destination is closed.
Later, Miss ya´ll, the Pilrgrim runaways!
Monday, May 26, 2008
We're still alive and talking
Well just wanted to take a moment to say hello! We are all well, finally dry, for the moment! This is our second FULL day of hiking.
Our first day was from Valenca in Portugal, to Tui in Spain all of about 5k...talk about your easy beginnings! We did spend the entire afternoon looking around the fort in Valenca and exploring it. And getting an introduction to local cuisne (as anyone who has traveled with Ramondo the Reluctant Pilgrim can relate to)
Our 1st full day of hiking was still relatively easy, from Tui to O'Porrino which was 16.8k. All though the weather was supposed to be really bad, it was infact absolutely lovely! To the point where I had to strip off my jacket and light shirt and wear only my tank top shirt! Then I actually had to worry about sun burn! Our feet held up well, and although it was Sunday, when nearly everything is shut we were able to find things to eat along the way! For dinner our alburge (hostel) hostess, steared us to a very small local restaurant, and we had a perfect sampling of local cuisine, and beers and wine. The wine was an amazingly dark red, served in small white ceramic bowls. Very interesting. Our hostess in the cafe didn´t really speak much english...but as it turned out not a big problem, as she lived in Germany for a number of years. So here we Americanos are in a Spanish restaurant, ordering and chatting in German! Then to cap it off, The other full table, was filled with pilgrims too, and strangest of all, someone I have chatted with on line for the last 3-4 months! Rose Louise and her group are from down under.
Our 2nd full day of hiking wasn´t quite as easy. The weather, as our hostess form the night before warned us, was predicted to be bad. Well this time the weather folks got it right. It was raining when we woke up, it was raining when we left, it was raining when we bumped into Rose Louise and her group. It was raining essentially off and on all day long, up hill and down hill, thru trail and thru roads! We´ve made the most amazing discoveries about our gear! Gee there´s a surprise! We are in the process of looking for a box to ship odds and ends home. These things seemed light, and essential when we were leaving home, and now, if we hadn´t spent good money on them, they´d go by the wayside altogether! Adrianne and I hate our rain jackets, they keep the rain out...but lord they keep the heat in! She still toughs it out, I on the otherhand have found an intriguing way of putting the hoodover my head and down my back, with out my arms being in the sleeves. This keeps the rain from running down my back and off my head in the worst of it. But it keeps my front and arms in the open, which keeps my body temp better. Joe and Ray have ponchos and are less than thrilled too!
Tonight we sleep in Rendondela, in a converted Manor house in the middle of a medieval city. We are heading out in a moment to find a Super Mercado and procure some things for dinner. We´re thinking pasta, and we´ve invited our alburge compatriot, an older lady from France, to join us. So I guess that means I´d better get a move on. We will also be buying our breakfast and lunch items.
Tomorrow we hike something like 18.2 in, once again questionable weather conditions! Guess their drought is over, lucky us!
Till tomorrow or the next open internet cafe´
Karin, Adrianne, Joe and Raymondo
Our first day was from Valenca in Portugal, to Tui in Spain all of about 5k...talk about your easy beginnings! We did spend the entire afternoon looking around the fort in Valenca and exploring it. And getting an introduction to local cuisne (as anyone who has traveled with Ramondo the Reluctant Pilgrim can relate to)
Our 1st full day of hiking was still relatively easy, from Tui to O'Porrino which was 16.8k. All though the weather was supposed to be really bad, it was infact absolutely lovely! To the point where I had to strip off my jacket and light shirt and wear only my tank top shirt! Then I actually had to worry about sun burn! Our feet held up well, and although it was Sunday, when nearly everything is shut we were able to find things to eat along the way! For dinner our alburge (hostel) hostess, steared us to a very small local restaurant, and we had a perfect sampling of local cuisine, and beers and wine. The wine was an amazingly dark red, served in small white ceramic bowls. Very interesting. Our hostess in the cafe didn´t really speak much english...but as it turned out not a big problem, as she lived in Germany for a number of years. So here we Americanos are in a Spanish restaurant, ordering and chatting in German! Then to cap it off, The other full table, was filled with pilgrims too, and strangest of all, someone I have chatted with on line for the last 3-4 months! Rose Louise and her group are from down under.
Our 2nd full day of hiking wasn´t quite as easy. The weather, as our hostess form the night before warned us, was predicted to be bad. Well this time the weather folks got it right. It was raining when we woke up, it was raining when we left, it was raining when we bumped into Rose Louise and her group. It was raining essentially off and on all day long, up hill and down hill, thru trail and thru roads! We´ve made the most amazing discoveries about our gear! Gee there´s a surprise! We are in the process of looking for a box to ship odds and ends home. These things seemed light, and essential when we were leaving home, and now, if we hadn´t spent good money on them, they´d go by the wayside altogether! Adrianne and I hate our rain jackets, they keep the rain out...but lord they keep the heat in! She still toughs it out, I on the otherhand have found an intriguing way of putting the hoodover my head and down my back, with out my arms being in the sleeves. This keeps the rain from running down my back and off my head in the worst of it. But it keeps my front and arms in the open, which keeps my body temp better. Joe and Ray have ponchos and are less than thrilled too!
Tonight we sleep in Rendondela, in a converted Manor house in the middle of a medieval city. We are heading out in a moment to find a Super Mercado and procure some things for dinner. We´re thinking pasta, and we´ve invited our alburge compatriot, an older lady from France, to join us. So I guess that means I´d better get a move on. We will also be buying our breakfast and lunch items.
Tomorrow we hike something like 18.2 in, once again questionable weather conditions! Guess their drought is over, lucky us!
Till tomorrow or the next open internet cafe´
Karin, Adrianne, Joe and Raymondo
Friday, May 23, 2008
PORTUGAL
We are here! Flight was on time, the flight was actually very easy, except for one crying child. Adrianne and I headed for Caffe con Leche...and the guys found out how to get to the train station. When I get a chance to upload the pictures it is amazing. Patrick and Peter you will love the building...very very cool. The train ride was good, not too much rain and lovely views. Wish the same could be said of the toilets on the train, but as any of my family looking at this will know...that kinda goes without saying...sadly, because otherwise the train is beautiful and clean and bright and a real pleasure! Arrived in Porto and found a taxi driver who would be SO at home in NYC!! Quick ride to the hotel...nap for some and a quick walk about for others...gotta run the clock is ticking...but the place is really beautiful and quaint and EUROPE! The people are very friendly!
Tomorrow we begin the hike in Valenca instead of Rubieas....start easy and work up!
Later miss you all!
Tomorrow we begin the hike in Valenca instead of Rubieas....start easy and work up!
Later miss you all!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tomorrow, tomorrow I luv ya tomorrow!
And, if we are really lucky, perhaps a little sun! Apparently we and the Spanish Northwest, are both having cold and dreary May weather! So do you bestest ever Annie imitation...and say a prayer for some sunshine.
Our bags are packed. Or at least three of us are packed. Joe left work early and is packing ... or so I have been told. He likes to wait till the end. Ok. I finished re packing last night and took it to work with me...that was a sight, a suit, heels and what turned out to be an 18lb fully loaded pack! Then add the box I got from the shipping dept., or rather tube, to put our hiking sticks in, so we can check them at the airport. Adrianne's five foot long bourdon would not be looked on kindly by the folks at the safety checks!! My collapsible ones probably wouldn't make'm to happy either.
Before the night is over, I have this sneaking feeling, I may repack a few items! I already ditched my travel pillow when I got home! So now I'm ruminating about one of the three pairs of pants...turning them into shorts. Decisions decisions!
Have to hurry, the clock is ticking and time is running out! Patrick will be meeting us at the last stop on the Broad Street Subway in Philly and taking the car back from the airport! Time to run!
Our bags are packed. Or at least three of us are packed. Joe left work early and is packing ... or so I have been told. He likes to wait till the end. Ok. I finished re packing last night and took it to work with me...that was a sight, a suit, heels and what turned out to be an 18lb fully loaded pack! Then add the box I got from the shipping dept., or rather tube, to put our hiking sticks in, so we can check them at the airport. Adrianne's five foot long bourdon would not be looked on kindly by the folks at the safety checks!! My collapsible ones probably wouldn't make'm to happy either.
Before the night is over, I have this sneaking feeling, I may repack a few items! I already ditched my travel pillow when I got home! So now I'm ruminating about one of the three pairs of pants...turning them into shorts. Decisions decisions!
Have to hurry, the clock is ticking and time is running out! Patrick will be meeting us at the last stop on the Broad Street Subway in Philly and taking the car back from the airport! Time to run!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Heading to the Count Down!
In just a tad more than 48 hours, we will be heading to the airport...on our way! Tonight, at least 3 of us will be meeting for a final practice hike. This time too, all of us will be sporting fully loaded Camino backpacks! And better still, oh joy, we may get to practice in the rain (which is falling in Spain to, on the plain or Meseta!) Having read some other blogs this week, the weather has been much as it is here, very changeable! So, tonights practice is very real!
I am currently on my 3rd pair of shoes...and think I have the right fit and padding for the foot issues that have been plauging my right foot...only not too sure how they will be for the rain. Guess I'm about to find out.
I am currently on my 3rd pair of shoes...and think I have the right fit and padding for the foot issues that have been plauging my right foot...only not too sure how they will be for the rain. Guess I'm about to find out.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Tweaking!
Ten days and counting....furiously counting!! Now is the final push to get ready, in every way possible. Yesterday, on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon, Ray treated our fleece sleeping bags w/Permanone...to keep away the dreaded bedbugs, should they try to attack! As many of you know they are becoming a pest all over (in the US too!) from some of the finest hotels to the hostels such as we'll be staying in. So one option is to pre treat you sleeping bag, outside only, with a repellant. I'm not too worried about them, but an ounce of prevention never hurts. So half of us are done, Joe and Adrianne remain to be bug proofed!
On the topic of sleeping accomodations, I got to test sleep the LL Bean fleece sleeping bag (I also added the liner from REI) last night. Well, fell asleep no problem there, but as the night wore on a chill set in and woke me at around 3:00am. Found my thin thermal pants and pulled them on and fell right back to sleep. Guess that means I need to pack those too, as the weather there is close but just a tad cooler than here. Tonight, Ray will be on trial by sleeping bag!
Email from Joe regarding his current sleep status:
"Fleece too cold. Tonight will try fleece and base layer. Then will try other liner + fleece + base layer. If all weighs more than 2 1/2 lbs, then going with orig plan -- sleeping bag..."
Needless to say, Chilly Willy, aka Adrianne...is definitly thinking sleeping bag and warmer layers!! or as she emaile me earlier this morning:
"So unless the weather changes dramatically for the time we are there, I'm thinking I need a real sleeping bag and essentially winter clothes for the evening. As for jammies, I'll probably wind up looking for wool long johns. "
On the topic of sleeping accomodations, I got to test sleep the LL Bean fleece sleeping bag (I also added the liner from REI) last night. Well, fell asleep no problem there, but as the night wore on a chill set in and woke me at around 3:00am. Found my thin thermal pants and pulled them on and fell right back to sleep. Guess that means I need to pack those too, as the weather there is close but just a tad cooler than here. Tonight, Ray will be on trial by sleeping bag!
Email from Joe regarding his current sleep status:
"Fleece too cold. Tonight will try fleece and base layer. Then will try other liner + fleece + base layer. If all weighs more than 2 1/2 lbs, then going with orig plan -- sleeping bag..."
Needless to say, Chilly Willy, aka Adrianne...is definitly thinking sleeping bag and warmer layers!! or as she emaile me earlier this morning:
"So unless the weather changes dramatically for the time we are there, I'm thinking I need a real sleeping bag and essentially winter clothes for the evening. As for jammies, I'll probably wind up looking for wool long johns. "
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
15 days to go ... but whose counting!
As of this afternoon, there are 15 days and a wake-up to go! Time to finish gathering the goods! Time to test pack the bags! Photocopy all the essential documents, scan them and email copies to ourselves (a neat little trick I learned on-line!) Best/worst of all, time to try and adjust the body clock a little bit to make the trasition easier!! Considering how much I enjoy daylight savings time, this should be a barrel of fun! Still, considering that we're going to demand our bodies get up early and then hike of for hours on end for more than a week...seems like a fair trade.
Apparently, Joseph has spent the day in sporting goods stores, procuring clothes for the Camino...a size smaller than before! Joe has been working really hard to loose the winter weight, and doing really, really well! Vivian & Rich saw him on a practice Hike on Monday, out of Smithville Park, and both commented on how fit he looks! Must remember to bring a camera on one of our next forays, to show the new and svelte group! Guess I should add for those who know her, Miss Vivian looked terrific and did a great job keeping up the the rest of the gang for at least 4.5 miles!
Apparently, Joseph has spent the day in sporting goods stores, procuring clothes for the Camino...a size smaller than before! Joe has been working really hard to loose the winter weight, and doing really, really well! Vivian & Rich saw him on a practice Hike on Monday, out of Smithville Park, and both commented on how fit he looks! Must remember to bring a camera on one of our next forays, to show the new and svelte group! Guess I should add for those who know her, Miss Vivian looked terrific and did a great job keeping up the the rest of the gang for at least 4.5 miles!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Its MAY !!
Hard to believe, at least for me, but it's finally the long awaited month of May! 20 more days and a wake up!! Hiking/training is slightly on hold this week. Adrianne is preparing to move into her new digs! The bike club is ramping up for the season, and with that the preparations for the MS 150 that we all participate in!
This weekend alone has three non hiking events...all good physical training, just not on foot! Saturday morning begins the first of hopefully many "Breakfast Rides" one of our Pine Barrens Peddlers signature events. We will be doing 20 miles with breakfast somewhere around 12 to 15 miles. Saturday afternoon on the other hand, will be the inaugural launch of the new kayaks Joe and I bought sometime ago. Sunday, the NY City "5 Boro's 5 Bridges". This is a 42 mile ride thru the heart of Manhattan and the best of NYC! The final bridge is none other than the Verrazano Narrows! Cyclists take over half of an entire deck! Truly an amazing ride. My single favorite spot is along the Avenue of the Americas, looking forward or back, seeing nothing but sea of cyclist.
Camino wise, its getting near time to finalize all the gear and get ready to pack the bags! As always...every ounce and gram is being counted! Spent several days trying to find a "nightie" for lack of a better word...although I think most guys would call it a summer football jersey! Found they weigh considerably less than the t-shirt I was thinking of. And being lovely "technical" fabric...will wash and wear oh so much better!
Speaking of washing and wearing...if the rest of the world could read the emails Adrianne and I have sent regarding washing and drying times of a various garments, and the weight of said items. Does it have embellishment...rip it off, does it come in a lighter fabric...Buy it! We're practically sitting w/stop watches checking the differences in drying time! It's so nice having someone else to obsess with about these things , really! The guys are just a tad too casual for our taste. We're sort of waiting for them to have some soggy wet cotton something....and trying to get it dry...HAH...we'll see who laughs last!
On the health front, the feet all seem to be getting happy, as Adrianne and I have both visited our respective podiatrist ! This is how you can tell we are a slightly more senior group going on Camino. We have podiatrists already! We know and use things like orthotics and corn pads! That said, if it keeps the feet happy, I can live with it. Even the half dozen injections between my metatarsal bones last Tuesday. The really bad part? Not really do any running or walking for two days. But that's all over with now! I am a free woman again!
This weekend alone has three non hiking events...all good physical training, just not on foot! Saturday morning begins the first of hopefully many "Breakfast Rides" one of our Pine Barrens Peddlers signature events. We will be doing 20 miles with breakfast somewhere around 12 to 15 miles. Saturday afternoon on the other hand, will be the inaugural launch of the new kayaks Joe and I bought sometime ago. Sunday, the NY City "5 Boro's 5 Bridges". This is a 42 mile ride thru the heart of Manhattan and the best of NYC! The final bridge is none other than the Verrazano Narrows! Cyclists take over half of an entire deck! Truly an amazing ride. My single favorite spot is along the Avenue of the Americas, looking forward or back, seeing nothing but sea of cyclist.
Camino wise, its getting near time to finalize all the gear and get ready to pack the bags! As always...every ounce and gram is being counted! Spent several days trying to find a "nightie" for lack of a better word...although I think most guys would call it a summer football jersey! Found they weigh considerably less than the t-shirt I was thinking of. And being lovely "technical" fabric...will wash and wear oh so much better!
Speaking of washing and wearing...if the rest of the world could read the emails Adrianne and I have sent regarding washing and drying times of a various garments, and the weight of said items. Does it have embellishment...rip it off, does it come in a lighter fabric...Buy it! We're practically sitting w/stop watches checking the differences in drying time! It's so nice having someone else to obsess with about these things , really! The guys are just a tad too casual for our taste. We're sort of waiting for them to have some soggy wet cotton something....and trying to get it dry...HAH...we'll see who laughs last!
On the health front, the feet all seem to be getting happy, as Adrianne and I have both visited our respective podiatrist ! This is how you can tell we are a slightly more senior group going on Camino. We have podiatrists already! We know and use things like orthotics and corn pads! That said, if it keeps the feet happy, I can live with it. Even the half dozen injections between my metatarsal bones last Tuesday. The really bad part? Not really do any running or walking for two days. But that's all over with now! I am a free woman again!
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