Heading to Seattle in six days then on to Saint Jean Pied de Port

DAVE:  We begin our Camino in less than two weeks.  I can't believe the time has arrived to begin this journey. Since the decision to walk the Camino was made with Jim, the actual date for the beginning always seemed far enough in the future for it to be just an idea, a concept, and certainly not a real thing.  However, at this stage, it is real and it is going to happen very soon.  We will be walking within two weeks.  In fact, in two weeks, we will have crossed the Pyrenees, slept in Roncesvalles, and will be staying in Zubiri for the night.

The pack is packed (and has been re-packed several times as well).  Each time, I try to reduce the weight of my pack.  I had planned on bringing flip-flops for the shower but nixed that to save weight.  Three shorts?  Nope.  Dropping down to two. That 14 ounce guide book I used last year?  Staying home and replaced with an App on my iPad Mini. Total weight so far: about 18.4 pounds.  I remember my pack last year weighed near that as well. I had hoped for under 18 pounds but this will have to do.  Who knows, I may be able to shave off another half a pound before Friday, we'll see.

The anticipation, excitement, (and yes, a little anxiousness) builds as our "launch date" gets closer. On Friday, we travel to Seattle to link up with Jim.  I say "we" because it's not just Jim and me traveling on the Camino, but will include newly made friends from Molokai and Oahu.  A few months ago, a friend mentioned to us about another party from Molokai planning to walk the Camino in the fall of 2015.  Rosie, Wendy, and Robin had learned about the Camino in 2014 and had committed to walk this year.  Jim and I met Rosie earlier in the year and we all decided to make the trek together. Our little island of Molokai, with a population of 7,000 will be well represented on the Camino this year.  I find that amazing.

Over the weekend, we will visit REI for some last minute supplies (who can resist?) before we catch our flight to Madrid on Monday evening.  We finally reach Saint Jean Pied de Port around noon on thursday, September 10th.  We head straight to the Pilgrim Office to get our credencial, check on the weather in the mountains for the next day,  visit the village and meet fellow pilgrims, eat (hmmmm....how do I order in French????.....), get some rest, then wake up the following morning with a 24 kilometer hike over the Pyrenees waiting for all of us.

The first day's walk from Saint Jean Pied de Port in France, over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles in Spain  is your Camino baptism; the first day where your body is put to a severe test.  And on this day, you appreciate the fact you did so many training walks in preparation of this first day. I remember this first day last year.  I remember leaving Saint Jean around 7:30 am and finally arriving in Roncesvalles around 5:00 that afternoon.  I was bone tired.  I remember the amazing vistas with blue skies overhead as I ascended the countryside, the cattle roaming the hills, my severe leg cramps (ugh) near the top of the summit, my first glimpse of Roncesvalles during my late-afternoon descent. I found my bunk and crashed for the entire evening.  This year, will be different.  Jim, Rosie, Wendy, Robin, and I will enjoy it all together.  it was such an amazing first day and one I will never forget.  I cannot wait to do it again this year.

Our journey awaits us just around the corner. Stay tuned.

Buen Camino.

Final preparations for our September journey

DAVE: We are five weeks from the journey. I'm getting my training walks on Molokai while Jim is hiking in Seattle.  Molokai is a great place for training.  The old volcano of Molokai's eastern interior reminds me of the Pyrenees from Saint Jean. The elevation change on Molokai from sea level to the top of the mountain is about 3,500 feet, which is similar to the elevation change we'll endure on the first day out from Saint Jean. Walking from end to end of Molokai is a distance of about 60 miles so I can get all the distance and elevation training I want.  And yes, the scenery is fantastic.  You also can't get lost on our tiny island! For my training walks, I try to get some distance walks in (8 miles or so) as well as some with elevation each time I go out. I try to walk about two to three times a week.  My new Merrell shoes are fully broken in and they feel good.  No issues there.  At this time, I have my backpack packed (with the exception of my sleeping bag, toiletries, and iPad). My pack weighs 14.5 pounds.  With luck, it'll weigh under 18 pounds when the journey starts.  We'll see. 

I've begun training with my pack to get used to the weight. The last time I had my pack on was during my Camino experience in 2014.  Putting it on this year was like being re-acquainted with an old friend and walking with him (one friend, however, that is hanging from your back and shoulders!).  I prefer to do my training walks in the afternoons from 4:00 to 7:15) when it's still a bit hot on Molokai.  I remember some very hot days on the Camino last year so getting used to walking with a full pack in the sun is good.

From my talks with Jim, he's is hiking away in Seattle.  Jim is a hiking machine and is ready to go.  I'm looking forward to linking up with him on September 4th.  Our flight from Seattle to Madrid is scheduled for September 7th.  We arrive at Saint Jean Pied de Port on September 10th, after train and bus rides from Madrid.  We start our Camino on the morning of September 11th and with luck will walk into Santiago on the morning of October 15th.  I have my fingers crossed that the weather will be clear on that first day to allow us to walk the mountain route out of Saint Jean.  I was fortunate to walk that mountain route last year and the route was breathtaking.  Exhausting but breathtaking! 

As we progress along the Camino, Jim and I will post updates so you can follow along with us.  I'll post again before we leave with more details of our trip.  Until then, Buen Camino!

Dave and Jim (2014)