Ready, Set...

Tomorrow is the day! Gracie and I take off around noon for Spain, where we will walk the Camino de Santiago. This ancient pilgrimage route is also known as the Way of St. James. There are actually several hiking routes that all lead to the town of Santiago de Compestela in northwestern Spain. We have chosen to walk the most popular route, the Camino Frances, starting at the French border and traveling almost 500 miles through the Navarre, Leon-Castile, and Galician regions of Spain. If we are still standing when we get to Santiago, we will continue another sixty miles to Finisterre, the ancient end-of-the-earth.

It is thought that the remains of the apostle St. James are buried in Santiago. For over 1200 years, pilgrims have been traveling the Camino, seeking the forgiveness or petitioning St. James. Among those who have traveled it are Charlemagne, St. Frances, Shirley Maclaine, and Chaucer's fictional Wife of Bath. While traditionally a religious pilgrimage, most modern pilgrims such as me are looking for an adventurous mix of spiritual and cultural experience.

Packing for the journey was quite an adventure in itself. Trying to plan for everything you might need for five or more weeks isn't easy and my pack is probably way too heavy. I'll  describe its contents in a later post--when I decide to start pitching stuff?

23 pounds and counting. Thanks to Ray for the shell, a traditional symbol on the Camino.

If you are interested in learning more, check out this website: http://www.americanpilgrims.com or watch this brief, cool video: http://vimeo.com/65678090

I hope to post a few pictures every day or two (depending on where there is wifi) and write a bit (not too much, because after this I will be posting from my cell phone). I hope you will follow along. I'll enjoy your comments!  Chris