The Camino Beckons—Again!

An iconic Camino vista outside
Pamplona, Spain taken in 2018

Four years ago, when we walked the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain, we met others who had walked the 500-mile journey more than once.  We had our challenging days when we thought “Why would somebody be crazy enough to do this again?”  

Well, guess what?  We’re crazy!  And just about everyone else we know who has walked the Frances route has either walked it again or wants to do so. We got the Camino Crazy bug in 2019 and walked 175 miles of the Portuguese Camino but that wasn’t enough. So here we are, four years older with more aches and pains taking our first steps April 14 from St. Jean Pied de Port France over the Pyrenees mountains into northern Spain.  And unlike last time, we haven't trained for this.

The Frances Route

Our 2018 adventure was one of the highlights of our 45-year marriage, and it is hard to describe the experience to those who haven’t done it.  But so far, our three best words are special, unique, and satisfying.   It was a special time and experience for us.  The Camino, with its 1200-year-old history and infrastructure, is unique in the world and unique from all our other travels.  We both found it immensely satisfying in so many ways.

We run the risk of high expectations and of and trying to compare this adventure with 2018.  The novelty of it all helped make it so magical.  This time, we know what were getting into, which is both good and bad.  If Ron’s shin splints don’t flare up any more than they already have and if Kathy’s lower back behaves, we know that we can do it. We also know how hard and enjoyable parts of it can be.   Get up early, eat, walk, eat, walk, eat again, walk, laundry, eat, sleep, and do it all over again the next day.  One step at a time, one day at a time.

Our first and most of the 2nd day.  The
weather forecast calls for rain and temps
in the low 60's.

So we’re trying to make this one special in its own way.  We plan shorter mileage each day, about 8-13 miles on average, vs 12-22 miles.   We’re taking a couple of route alternatives and staying most of the time in different villages.  We are going in the spring instead of autumn which means more green vistas, colder wet weather, and heavier packs.  We’re also throwing in a side train trip to Bilbao after our first 100 miles to see the Guggenheim.  No matter what, we’ll meet new people on the trail and during communal meals at the hostels, which is one of the best parts of any Camino experience. And oh yeah, we love Spanish food.

If all goes to plan, we will arrive in Santiago on May 27.  From there we’ll visit Shanti, Alan and Hazel in the UK for a couple of weeks, then another couple of weeks in the Berkshires of western MA with Skyler, Spencer, Feruza and Ron’s brother Neal.

Spraying our bags and silk sleeping liners 
for bedbugs.

This blog is very hard to do on a cell phone, so you can follow our journey on either Facebook or Instagram.  Facebook works better because we can caption each photo.

• facebook.com/ron.kelemen
• facebook.com/kathy.e.kelemen
• Instagram:  @kelemenron

Well marked along the way.

All packed.

What We Can, While We Can!

And what would our blog be like without a couple of gratuitous photos of London granddaughter Hazel, who just turned two?

With Mom's signature sun hat

Future blogger