Sign of Things to Come

So, this is just about the conclusion of Part I - Camino Preparation.  At this point, the planning and preparation are all complete.  The training walks complete; the gear purchases and organization are complete; I have read more blogs, emails, posts, and books than I can possibly digest.  "No más, no más"  - to quote the famous prizefighter Roberto Durán as he was outmatched in the Ring by his nemesis Sugar Ray Leonard.  Nor can I take any more.  As veterans of the Camino say, "you don't do the Camino, it does you!."

And so today, I am packing my gear in anticipation of the early Thursday morning get-away.  I mowed the lawn one more time and took a call from my brother.

At this point, he seems to be having second thoughts about checking his backpack or carrying it onboard.  The question revolves about whether or not hiking poles are considered "dangerous weapons" or not - as defined by the FAA or some similar Homeland Security Agency.  

Last Training Walk - easy saunter to Sholan without pack.

I actually have two options.  I am pretty well set on putting everything into one big bag, including the poles, and checking that through from Boston to Paris, with an intermediate stop and plane change at JFK in NY.  The other option, which I really do prefer is to carry on the backpack, containing everything except the poles, which I will put in a box or tube and check through.  In this manner, I will be sure to have everything "I own" when I reach Paris - even if the airlines (American Airlines) looses the poles!

As I was checking the containers which I might use for the box or tube option, I noticed that the rubber tips of my poles are wearing.  I haven't gone but about 125 miles.  Oh Dear!  These tips will never leat another 500 miles.  And so a quick call to New England Backpacker in West Boyleston confirmed that they have them in stock.  Thirty minutes down the road and they were sitting on the counter awaiting my arrival!  Great.

My "to-do" list is shrinking.  Today I passed on account numbers to my good friend Mark - just in case; we went food shopping for Kathy, checked over bills to be paid, called my father, charged up my extra camera battery (I have a charger, but I wanted them both charged), and made some snacks for the trip.  The list now includes moving some money around for the debit cards, showing the neighbor's son David how to mow the lawn, dusting and vacuuming the "Camino" room where I have had my gear spread out for several days now, making a final decision on the poles, checking into the flight via the internet, printing the boarding pass, and checking with my ride to the airport ... just to confirm.

But, what about this "sign of things to come" the title of this posting?  

As a retirement gift, I received a Garmin GPS handheld unit.  It does the usual hike tracking (which I have used to measure distance walked on my hikes), automobile GPS, Geocaching, and a number of other things.  I have not yet begun to use the full capability of this device.  

Hiking yesterday for my final walk, a 6.5 miler to Sholan Farms and back home, I was looking for a rock upon which to sit while I was at the Fall Brook Reservoir.  Looking about to the sides of the trail, I noticed a plastic container stuffed into the hollow of a log, an old rotted tree fallen many years ago.

Plastic Container in Hollow of Trunk

 And so, I pulled it out, thinking that someone might have placed it there hoping to return and retrieve it later.  Hummmmmmmmm... interesting find.  In this picture, I pulled it out from inside the log; it was actually pushed in quite far so that it would not just stick out in plain view. 

The Hidden Container

 Whatever this is, I figured it was well documented based on its appearance.  As I looked closer, I thought, based on the label, that perhaps it was part of a school project for nearby Fall Brook school.

Label on the Cover

 It was also very clear that this container was meant to withstand severe weather conditions.  It was no cheap plastic container with lid. This cover locked down on all four sides.  It was very secure. 

And the name "Log Inn at Fall Brook?"  Not a reference to the nearby school, but a clue to the whereabouts of this cache.  NOTE:  I found it in a hollowed out LOG at the Fall Brook Reservoir!

Contents Spread on the Rock

 As I looked closer, I realized that I had just found a hidden Geo Cache!!  There was also a log book inside of a zip lock bag.  Inside the log, I found the earliest date to be 2009, and the most recent recorded date to be last Fall - 2012.  But alas, while I usually have a pen in my backpack, I had only a small water pack today ... no pen.  I wanted to remember the numbers so that I could check this out on the internet.

But then I thought, why not photograph this and then I will not have to remember the numbers.

Instructions

One of the Contents

 Clearly one of the "rules" of geocaching is that when you find a Geo Cache, you should leave something identifying you and the fact that you found the cache.  That's what this card was and also the one which has another man's picture on the card.

I returned home, read the insturctions and went on the internet to "record my find." If you want to know more about this Geo Cache hobby, just check on the internet; there seems to be quite a bit to it.  I am sure our grand sons will like it.

So, as one never knows what he might find in the woods or on any sojourn, I am sure that the Camino will hold many such discoveries in hand for us over the next several weeks.  Perhaps this is a "sign of things to come!"

Below is a trial of a video that I took with the camera just to try it out as it will make the trip to Spain.  I wanted to see and hear what it could do.

 

A subsequent call to my brother and we are back to checking everything except a small carry on.  The reason is not just the poles, it is also the vaseline, the sunscreen - liquids and gels are problematic at the carry on booth!

Buen Camino!

Taking It Easy Today - 5/9/13

 "I have met with but one or two persons in the course of my life who understood the art of Walking, that is, of taking walks, who had a genius, so to speak, for sauntering; which word is beautifully derived "from idle people who roved about the country, in the middle ages, and asked charity, under pretence of going à la sainte terre" — to the holy land, till the children exclaimed, "There goes a sainte-terrer", a saunterer — a holy-lander. They who never go to the holy land in their walks, as they pretend, are indeed mere idlers and vagabonds, but they who do go there are saunterers in the good sense, such as I mean. Some, however, would derive the word from sans terre, without land or a home, which, therefore, in the good sense, will mean, having no particular home, but equally at home everywhere. For this is the secret of successful sauntering. He who sits still in a house all the time may be the greatest vagrant of all, but the Saunterer, in the good sense, is no more vagrant than the meandering river, which is all the while sedulously seeking the shortest course to the sea. But I prefer the first, which indeed is the most probable derivation. For every walk is a sort of crusade, preached by some Peter the Hermit in us, to go forth and reconquer this holy land from the hands of the Infidels."                                                                                   Henry David Thoreau, from the essay "Walking."

Actually today would be a good sauntering day, but as it was cool and rainy, I thought I would just relax in the confines of home.  In fact, that's pretty much what I will be doing until we leave.  My ankle was a little sore as well so I must give that some time to regain strength.  I think that came about walking in the pastures yesterday.  The grass, to be mowed later in the month, is getting well up over my calfs and so ... full of dew.  Consequently I was soaked below the knee, which isn't all that bad.  But my socks and shoes were also wet.

The good side of that walk was that one farmer had just spread manure.  So, the combination of the aroma of the manure, the wet hayfield, the bright sunshine and a cloudless sky made for a beautiful start to the day.  For some, that manure might turn noses, but for me, having grown up on a farm, it was a joy.  Brought me back to the good ol'days!

These pictures are from the town orchard, Sholan Farms.  So peaceful and quiet early in the morning.  This past weekend was the Apple Blossom Festival for which we can still see the apple blossoms.

In addition to resting, I opened my pack and checked the contents, making sure all items were accounted for.  A couple things I couldn't find at first.  Wouldn't it be unfortunate to have packed something, need it, not be able to find it in the bag, and then to go purchase it on the Camino?  Not funny!  Now you carry twice the weight, however large or small the missing item may have weighed!

Countdown Begins - 5/7/13

Ten more days and we are on the move. 

Boston to NY and on to Paris.  Then a couple of train rides southwest and we will end up in St. Jean Pied du Port, ready to begin the heavy stuff.

Here in Leominster, Camino training continues.  

An easy hike for me in the morning is the 8 miler that begins on the back porch.  Basically a big loop through Sholan Farms Orchards, reservoir trails, and farmer's fields concluding with a mile stretch back up Route 12 to the back porch.  Couple of good hills and some roadway as well.

Greening of Fields in Sterling

And then one of my favorites is taking to the trails and roadways of Wachusett.  Excellent uphill training.  Yesterday was the second time I have been up here - 12 miles for about 5 1/2 hours.  We will, on occasion, go 2x that, but this involved several steep continuous climbs.  Right now, I feel very good.  Ready to go.

Wachusett Bridle Path

One of the keys to success when walking so many miles for so many hours is to take frequent rest stops whether you feel like it or not.  Your body, and especially your feet, will thank you.  Depending on the situation, a change of socks might even be required.  In addition, of course, this effort requires considerable caloric intake - always time for a snack and some water.

Cooling the Piggies on the Observation Deck

Return down the ski slopes of Wachusett

As the days wind down, I keep going over my pack and what's in it.  What can I remove to make it lighter, even a few ounces can make a difference.  But, as it is now, I am just under 20 lbs so I think as long as I don't increase the weight any more, I am good to go.

I have finally decided to check my backpack, and carry some light stuff like a book, magazine, snacks, etc. for the plane and train rides before we start in St Jean.  Once we get there, I can jettison excess weight.  In fact, what I will also do is to wear some old socks and underwear.  I will "can" those in Bayonne, just before St. Jean, changing to Camino-wear clothing.  In this way, I can  start out with a clean set!!  As Ma used to say, "make sure you wear clean underwear!"  Bless her soul.

Here's the back-story on the question of checking baggage or carrying on the back pack.  In our gear, we will have walking poles.  However, the FAA security people have been wavering on the question as to whether they might be considered as dangerous cargo to have in the passenger compartment.  This decision has changed a couple of times over the past 6 months.  So, to preclude having the poles taken away from us, we will just check them on-board.  In this way, we can also comfortably take a jackknife as well.  As long as it's in the cargo hold, no problem.

I really didn't have a good pack into which I could place my backpack and poles until last weekend.  I even considered using the backpack as carry-on luggage and "checking" the poles in a 4' cardboard tube!  But, at the church Thrift Store, I found a large athletic bag which will accommodate the backpack and poles all for $5.00.  Perfect!  Here we go.

Catching up ... more gear talk

I have been remiss in my postings of late ... training walks and just no time.  But lets see if we can talk more about gear.  I recently weighed everything - well most of it - and for a first cut, I am looking at 326.25 oz or 19.76 lbs which includes water and food.  Since the suggested weight one carries is 10% of your body weight, I am a bit over.  I weighed 155 lbs when I retired early in March; now with my training walks, I am down to 150 lbs.  So for all my training, my "allowance" also drops!  Since food and water get consumed by the end of each day, my "end of day" pack will weigh 17.5 lbs.

First of all ... nothing made of COTTON!

Basic Clothing

Let's start in the top left corner and work clockwise.  First - the green jacket.  This is NOT the USGA prized award for winning The Master's Golf tournement, it is a green shell which is water repellent.  Not much at all, but worn on top of layered shirts, it really retains warmth.  It's main purpose is not to keep me dry in the rain; for that we will have a poncho.

I will have two pair of pants ... this one and another which is called a convertible.  It zips off the bottom parts of the legs so that you have a pair of shorts.  Both are lightweight (12 - 14 oz) and quick drying. 

The little kit at the bottom is a sewing kit.  I have decided not to take the full kit as you see here, just the small scissors and tweezers - for emergency use.  I have needle and thread in another packet - for blister care.

Socks.  To go along with the all important footwear, I will have three pair of REI hiking socks, and four pair of silk liner socks.  After using bag balm or Vaseline to grease my feet each morning, I will don the liner socks and then the hiking socks, and then the Merrill hiking shoes.  That combination I have been using in training and so far ... no blisters.

Next, the obligatory items of recognition.  A scallop shell, the symbol worn by almost all pilgrims of the Way of St. James.  This was given to me by a dear friend when I retired two months ago from Boston Centerless, Inc. - Kathleen Howell.  And a patch provided by the Pilgrim's Forum, blue and yellow in color ... identical to the fleches amarillo (yellow markers) which will guide us along The Way.

Essentials - Shoes, Poles, Sleeping Bag

Here we have three items.  Walking poles are, in my mind, essential.  It's like having two extra legs to lean on when going uphill ... or even just when it's flat, but I'm tired.  Mine are adjustable, but I pretty much leave them at 125 cm long.  With removable snow-baskets, I can use them for snow shoeing in the winter as well.

Next, the all important shoes!  Some people use high tops, some use sandals and some, albeit very few, even go barefoot!  I have Merrill low cut walking shoes.  After approximately 150 training miles, they are most comfortable.  I think my feet like them!

Underneath poles and shoes in the picture is a 55 degree sleep sack by Kelty.  It's basically a sleeping bag with different weight material on each side.  One side is basically a sheet; the other is more insulated for cooler temperatures.  We won't be sleeping outside, so this will work fine in the albergues.  If it really gets cold, I hear that they do have blankets available.

Incidentals to Consider

 This picture has lots of incidentals to discuss.  Start with the duck tape and move clockwise.  Actually duck tape has a variety of uses, but a full roll can get heavy.  One primary use on Camino is for placement on ones feet when blisters arise.  It helps prevent blisters ... so I am told.  But since I have had good luck on training walks with vaseline and liner socks, I will simply roll a couple yards of duck tape around a pencil and carry that ... much lighter than a full roll.  Emergency use only.

The green spoon is a SPORK.  Obviously very light in weight.  The orange jar is a small jar of Tiger Balm.  My wife Kathy insists it works and is encouraging me to take it along.  Next we have an orange emergency whistle.  The purple rectangle is a bar of Dr. Bonner's all purpose soap for body, hair, and cloths washing.  The black strap holds an LCD headlamp - much more convenient in the dark than a flashlight.  Moving along, we have a few bandaids and a pouch of Ibuprofen - very expensive in Europe.  In the top left corner, some imodium for obvious reasons!  First aid tape and a roll of yellow plastic cord - for use as a cloths line when drying washed cloths each day.

In the middle we have the gold colored scallop shell which identifies one as a Pilgrim.

Very Important Items

First off, as I have mentioned previously, Vaseline and the white liner socks.  Actually, I had an empty container of Vaseline so I cleaned that container and filled it with a good supply of Bag Balm which was in their trade mark green tin - to big and bulky to carry.  Now, filled with Bag Balm, the Vaseline container will be perfect.  And the socks are "white" for now since they are new, but not for long after they are worn and washed.  These will be the inner foot covering, topped by a mid-weight Merino Wool hiking sock. 

The tan object with the red symbol on it is a money belt which I will wear constantly and keep my passport and credit cards in "close to the vest" as they say!  The grey cloth on the bottom left is a 36" x 48" micro-fiber towel.  The orange objects in the pack are ear plugs for use at night when all the strangers in the room are snoring!!

Not to be forgotten

On the bottom is one of two long sleeved t-shirts.  I will take a short sleeved t as well. There is a blue bandanna which has since been replaced with a 24" x 24" microfiber towel for the same purpose but not made of cotton.  the grey cloth in the middle is lightweight underwear by Patagonia.  Here's the deal - one to wear and one to wash and dry for the next day.  That's pretty much how it works for the socks as well.  Everything else - wear it til it stinks, change and continue!  The black cloth is a lightweight skullcap for use at night if ones head gets cold sleeping.  Not sure how much use that will get.

LuxuryLite Carry All

 For use in towns, instead of carrying around a "heavy" backpack, we will use a very light napsack.  It weighs just ounces and is generally used to carry purchased food from towns and villages back to the albergue before turning in for the night.  I lucked into this one as a friend let me borrow it; otherwise, the recommendation is to have a cloth shopping bag like we frequently use at the grocery store in place of plastic or paper bags.  Of course the shell and the Camino patch.

 

All Together

It looks like a lot ... probably is, but as I continue, I will cut down some, change some, tweek something else.  On May 16th, it's either in there or it stays home!  Keeping things down to under 20 lbs. including the back pack.

Putting it all together.

Nope, not a cell phone on the pack waste band.  That's my camera ... just so you all know I am taking picutres.  These pants are the convertible ... with the lower part zipped off.  Thanks to my friends at Boston Centerless!

More Training Walks

On average we will be walking 15 - 20 miles a day so I figured that it might be wise to get some time and distance in on the road.  At first (back in the winter with snow still on the ground) I was thinking that I needed to get into the woods to get dirt beneath my shoes, but as I look at various blogs on the internet, I have changed my mind.  Contrary to what the guide books report, it seems like there is a lot of road time to be had and very little "trail" walking - at least as I think of it.  e.g. Monoosnok Trail here in Leominster.

So as of this date (actually 4/26/13) with under a month to go, I have done a number of walks between 7 and 16.2 miles.  Probably in the range of a dozen so far, three over 12 miles.  I did the 8 mile one twice one morning which is probably pretty realistic.  From now on, if I go for long distances, I must take longer breaks to replicate the Camino.

I did a 15.6 miler in the woods (Monoosnock) last week, but realized after that that's not a realistic terrain on which to train ... some of it was, but much is not.  The hills are good. 

Speaking of hills, there are plenty around here.  Starting from home, I can go straight up Litchfield, pass Holy Family Church, the Little Red Schoolhouse (28 minutes), and continue on up past the reservoir, around several bends and up the hill to Grand View ... all uphill ... without stopping.  That's a nice push.  I even continue another mile before stopping.  I'll need that hill training when we set out from St. Jean Pied du Port to Ronscevalles ... almost all uphill for 15+ miles.

Sholan Farms

 Sholan Farms:  this was always good for 6 - 8 miles.

Monoosnock Trail

 Monoosnock Trail - a long one - 7.5 out and no way to get home except to turn and return for the final 7.5 mi.

Monoosnock Trail - Rocky Climb

Monoosnock Trail - North End

Monoosnock Trail - North End Overlook

Heywood Reservoir - Monoosnock Trail

Wachusestt Mountain - Up-Summit

Wachusestt Mountain - Up-Summit

Approach to Picnic area

Retired @ 8:00 AM - Wachusett Mountain

Summit Approach

Down-summit Road

Balance Rock Road

 

Up-summit - Still Snow on the Mt.

3/26/13 - More Gear - REI Purchases and Training Walk

REI Standby ...

Using up the Gift Card

Late Posting ... Today (3/26/13) I had scheduled to visit REI - Framingham (the nearest one) to make purchases of more gear and to use up the gift card money from Boston Centerless employees.  So, shopping list in hand, I headed to Rt. 9 and Framingham.

The list had Poles, Socks, Sock Liners, Stuff Sacks, and Convertible Pants.  Two hours later ... mission complete.  All the above plus some rubber tips for the poles, and a micro-fiber wash cloth.  They do a good job at REI.  And, as the name implies, and as folks will tell you, REI stands for Return Every Item... and they honor that if you have a problem.  Keep your receipts.

UPDATE:  Late April - early May.  Training walks have begun in earnest.  I have routes of 8 miles all the way to a little over 15 miles, all starting at the back door.  Another route, to get in some hill training for the mountains, is to walk up the road way from the Base of Mt. Wachusett, below the ski lodge facility and walking up the road to the Visitor's Center and then following the Up-Summit Road to the top for 4.5 miles...returning for another 4.5 miles and then doing it all over again!  That's a gut-buster.

The thing about training walks is how they help you prepare, not just for the distance; that might be the least important.  Other than that, one gets used to his pack weight, where the various zippers are, what to do when something doesn't feel right.  Essentially training gets one accustomed to everything automatically.  If something doesn't seem to fit right, a discovery might be made on the road ... at home!  For example, I had my camera in its case but really no place to carry it where I could have quick access to it.  Hanging it from my neck was a problem and that seemed to be the only solution.  Then, I realized that the case has a velcro lock belt loop!  Problem solved ... it fits perfectly on the backpack waist belt.  I tether it to my pants, position it to the left side of the backpack and I have the quick access to retrieve it, shoot, and return to the case, all without missing a stride! 

Training also breaks in the feet and the shoes.  One learns what works and what might not for blisters or other problems.  I am now comfortable with snacks in the backflap which I can unzip over my head, retrieve a snack, rezip, and continue.  Of course, water management is also learned with daily use of the sipping tube and the water bottles.

Aside from that, my daily routine (not all days, but many) becomes automatic and much like it will be on the Camino.  Early rise, grease up the feet, get dressed, put on the shoes, leave the house, strap on the backpack, and start walking - all in about 30 minutes ... in the semi-dark hours of early morning.  

Sholan Farms

Up Summit Road

Wachusett - Balance Rock Road

 

3/22/13 - Gear Talk - 2

Let's see what we have here. 

Take it from the top left working clockwise around the horn...

Earplugs

Highly recommended for sound sleeping in the Algergues.  Take a large group of 40 - 50 or even a hundred pilgrims and put them in a dormitory room with as many as 75 or 100 bunk beds, cots, mattresses or what have you, turn out the lights, and expect them to be as quiet as church mice?  Probably not going to happen.  So, it is good to have a little help when you put you head down at night.  Hence ... EARPLUGS.  Some also recommend a mask for your eyes so that the inevitable flash light does not disturb you.  Should that happen, I will just use a bandanna over my eyes.   

Vaseline and Silk Liner Socks

One of the highly recommended methods to avoid blisters on the Camino is the use of Liners under a Merino Wool sock.  In addition, to avoid friction, which is the main cause of blisters, they suggest ample coverage of the suspect areas of the foot with Vaseline.  So, I have been doing that, substituting Bag Balm for Vaseline, because I have a big container that I want to get rid of.  It works ... perhaps I will take some on the trip.

Money and Valuables Belt

Next in the picture is a tan object with a red dot on it.  That's a money belt.  Used under all clothing and to be retained on the body or in your hands at all times.   Yes, there are pickpockets in Europe.  In this, carry excess money (Euros), passport, tickets, and debit card.  It is protected from water and a special liner that will protect the magnetic strip on the debit card.

Quick Dry Microfiber Towel

The brownish object is a towel.  Big enough to wrap around one self and also to be quick drying.  Not very good to have a large cotton based fluffy towel all wet and in the rain.  It just won't dry.  This one will dry in minutes and it is wide enough and long enough to cover when necessary.