Reading, References and Other Thoughts Prior to Departure

Some books that I've read prior to this trip have included 

• "Walk in a Relaxed Manner" by Joyce Rupp
• "A Million Steps" by Kurt Koontz (a Boise writer!)
• "The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit" by Shirely MacLaine

These three were quick fast reads and I've ranked them in order of my preference. For a great reference book that many say is just the 'bible' on the camino, I recommend the following:

From St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela by John Brierley

288 pages paperback in full colour including *Overview route planner *33 daily stage maps showing optional routes *33 Contour guides *List of pilgrim hostels and alternative accommodation *14 Town plans *Practical notes on preparation including*Equipment and clothing checklist *Dictionary with basic pilgrim phrases *Historical notes and places of special interest. In addition to the physical route there are pointers to the *Mystical path with *Inspirational quotations space for *Personal reflectionsand a *Self-assessment questionnaire to help prepare for the inner journey. All this designed to fit easily into your pocket.

If you are planning your own stages and want to compute miles/kilometers for each leg, try this handy website.  It gives distances between towns, etc. and you can customize to your own time table. http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

With just four days before I depart, my bag (knapsack) is packed.  We will be on the road for a little over a month and I got everything into a 32 Liter Deuter pack.  It weighs 18.5 pounds, a little over 10% of my body weight and that's because I'm bringing a 3-pound laptop so that I can write along the way.  What's in it? 

• 1 l/s button front shirt
• 1 s/s shirt 
• 2 s/s t-shirts
• 1 ls t-shirt
• 5 pair of socks
• 5 undershorts
• 1 pair of Teva sandals
• 1 pair of low top Merrill hiking shoes
• 2 trekking poles
• 1 collapsible cane
• 1 rain poncho
• 1 baseball styled cap
• 1 insect repellent treated bandana
• 1 down sweater
• first aid supplies
• toiletries (minimal)
• 1 laptop

In addition, I will be wearing

• 1 s/s shirt
• 1 pair convertible pants
• 1 brimmed straw hat
• 1 windbreaker
• 1 pair of hiking boots

Note that all clothing items are quick dry, Travex type materials that can wash/dry overnight.  Because we are staying in inns along the way, a sleeping bag is not needed. 

Other little things that I've done include contacting my credit card companies to advise them of my upcoming travel to Europe (I'll be carrying two different one).  I don't want to risk a Stop initiated by "unusual charges" while I'm on the road.  I've followed a couple of folks on Twitter that have just recently completed their Caminos and they were very helpful about answering questions.  We've also purchased temporary data and access for our cell phones.  I have a photo copy of my passport with me and kept separately from my original and another copy left at home with a friend, just in case.  Also, I got a flu shot. 

I walked 3 miles today with my crutches.  This took around 2.5 hours, my 'fastest' time and longest walk since the accident.  I walked 2 miles for each of the past two days.  And while this is not earth-shattering, it is at least encouraging that I will still be able to do some of the trek.  Years ago when I was training for a marathon, I spoke with 2.5 hour 26-miler (yep, that's fast) and told him that I was in awe of how he could keep his pace for so long.  He replied that he was really more in awe of guys like me (4-hour runners) because when it came down to it, we were both asking for a similar demand/effort on our bodies, but that I was doing it for almost twice the amount of time that he was, and he found that inspiring.

I will keep that in mind as I walk.