July 2012 - Preparations Continue

July 2012.  

 Flight Schedules

The airlines open services for flights approximately a year in advance.  In preparation, Jack's daughter, Meghan, who had seen the movie The Way returning home from a school trip to Africa, did the travel research for us. The best option seemed to be as follows:  From Logan, Boston, fly to JFK in New York.  Then (meet Jack and Ellen) fly to Charles DeGaul Airport (CDG) in Paris, take a train to Bayonne, France followed another train to St. Jean Pied du Port.  Returning home would be arranged from Santiago de Compostella by flying first to Madrid and then back home to Logan.

And so, the flights were booked.  Also essential for me was trip insurance!  No one wanted to encounter an evacuation or yet, the return of a body from Europe with no insurance!  Kathy, Sarah, and Mary Ellen insisted.  And so it was purchased. Tickets and insurance in hand ... "Game On!"

We are scheduled to depart the states on May 16, 2013 and return on June 26,2013.  That would give us 39 days in Europe ... however we decide to break it out for walking days, rest days, or even tourist days.

Free Advice

Now we have to get serious.  'Til now I have been doing lots of reading, including xxx, yyy, zzz, signed up in the Pilgrim's Forum, connected with American's on the Camino - Boston Chapter, and had numerous discussions with Jack about all sorts of things related to the trip.

I have found that veteran Camino walkers are always so excited and happy to answer questions and give advice.  One spoke to me on two separate occasions - John from Holliston, Massachusetts, in particular.  I met John on the Pilgrim's Forum (http://www.caminodesantiago.me) one night, but rather than sending emails back and forth, John gave me his phone number and said to call.

I did and what a conversation!  Having done his Camino last year, he was full of enthusiasm, stories, suggestions, and tips.  I have since called him again; it was more of the same.  He couldn't help himself he was so eager to help.  A great resource, right at my fingertips.  And John was not alone.  

Another person who offered help and was open to conversation was Emmett who with his wife Monica in September - October 2012 completed their Camino.  Emmett has his blog at his own personal site:  No Complaints:  Shutup and Walk(tm) (www.shutupandwalk.com).  As you read their story, it is clear that the real heroine is Monica.  Follow her on a difficult but very rewarding adventure.

Lately, I have become friends with Liz from New Hampshire, who will be walking on just about the same exact schedule as us.  This will also be her first Camino so she is as excited as us.  Her husband and their friends have done the Camino Frances in the past.

And so, lets talk about the gear.  You saw the Tilley Hat.  Now for a couple of other major purchases. 

It Rains in Spain!

One of the major concerns on the Camino is rain!  

 Now once again, where does it rain?
Eliza On the plain! On the plain! Henry
And where's that blasted plain?
Eliza In Spain! In Spain! The three
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!

 From My Fair Lady, The Rain in Spain, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner

Yes, it rains in Spain.  We have to be prepared even though the rainy season will slowly be coming to an end as summer arrives.  

We sought all opinions and discussions relative to the proper and the most effective rain gear.  Some people suggested rain pants and a rain jacket.  Other's would elect to leave the pants behind.  And other's, believe it or not, an umbrella!  What came out on top was the Altus Atmospheric Poncho.  It is made in Spain and can be purchased only via the internet or some other arrangement with them such as picking it up in Spain.  Aside from being waterproof, it has an extension on the back so that it goes over the backpack, thus keeping it completely dry. 

Moldeling the Altus at Home

Altus Packs in a compact bag

Obviously, it packs up very compactly as well.  Now, hopefully, we won't have to pull it from the bag and put it on very often.  For those foggy, drizzly, damp days, we will have waterproof windbreakers with a hood.  That will be just fine until large drops start to fall - especially if we are on the meseta - the plains!

The Backpack

Two things are to be considered in deciding which backpack to take along.  How much does it weigh? And What is its capacity?  Everything you take will have to go in the pack and you will have to carry it ... along with food and water for the day! 

Weight and Capacity

Along with everything else, one must add this in with everything else you carry when working to reach a 10% weight limit.  The lightest pack that I could find was for ultra-light hiking.  The LuxuryLite® StackPack designed and developed by Bruce Warren. See LuxuryLite web site. The Stack Pack weights between 2 and 3 lbs, depending on the size.  It would fit the bill most perfectly, except for the price - ~$500 with shipping and handling.!  A wee bit out of my range.  I did correspond with Bruce and he explained all about the Stack Pack, how it came to be and some design considerations.  

I offered to use the StackPack with their logo on the back, but he indicated that, while he has taken that offer in the past, he no longer does.  

But, I still have some LuxuryLite gear that I will bring along.  Our good friend Mark Spencer had, many years in the past, ordered a LuxuryLite Cot from Bruce.  As a free gift in the exchange, Bruce sent along a simple over-the shoulder "shopping bag" which converts easily to a backpack, albeit very light and nothing more than a bag.

As we checked over packing lists used by veterans, we noticed that one item seemed to appear on most lists - "take a lightweight cloth grocery shopping bag to use when making purchases in the market and carrying them back to the albergue.  This will fit the bill perfectly ... and the LuxuryLite brand gets some free advertising.

Shopping Bag Backpack by LuxuryLite(R)

 And now back to reality and my backpack of choice.  I tried the Deuter Futera at a local hiking supply store and the comfort and size seemed to be just perfect.  I checked around and confirmed that it has been used quite successfully on the Camino.  A few extra ounces, but not too big and not too small.  Something bigger, e.g. 50 L , might tempt me with packing more ... which means more weight.  

And as an aside, I rather like the bright red color ... easy for someone to recognize me on the road ahead! 

Deuter 40L Backpack

I think we are getting the basics, but there is still a ways to go.  Lots more to consider.  I laid out what I have and ... Oh My God .... under 15 lbs and all in that "little" red bag?

"Some" of the gear