On the Camino de Santiago—or any other long-distance trek—bragging rights belong to the person who has the least. I understood this in principle before I left for my six-week, 500-mile pilgrimage on the Camino Frances in the spring of 2018; but after my very first day—24 kilometers (about 15 miles) climbing over the Pyrenees—I understood it … Continue reading How I packed for 500 miles–and what I learned along the Way
Writings
Camino Packing List
Wondering what to carry for a Camino? At the bottom of this post is a list of what I packed for my 500-mile trek on the Camino Frances. It was originally in a spreadsheet; I've used them for decades in my work, so it came naturally to weigh each item I was intending to carry … Continue reading Camino Packing List
Live life to the hilt
Backpacking with Greg, Great Smoky Mountains, 1976. The author is kneeling. A few days ago, was my brother-in law Greg Blaesing’s birthday. Were he still alive, he would be 66 and just a few months shy of full retirement age. Unfortunately, he died nearly a decade ago of non-smoker’s lung cancer. The time between his … Continue reading Live life to the hilt
How I used crowdsourcing to become a self-published author
I never thought I would write a book, even though I have published books for well over a hundred authors in recent decades. I have always loved writing and decided when I left my job as Publisher and Executive Director of MennoMedia in early 2018 that I would semi-vocationally write articles and shorter pieces on … Continue reading How I used crowdsourcing to become a self-published author
I’m not in a hurry
Having the freedom of six weeks to walk 500 miles the Camino de Santiago was a gift and a privilege, an opportunity to re-set the habits and priorities in my life. One of those priorities was to slow down, to not be in such a hurry. I had been aware for more than a decade … Continue reading I’m not in a hurry
What I learned from Walking the Camino de Santiago
In May of 2018 I finished walking the 500-mile Camino Frances. it took me five weeks to walk, but I was gone from home for a total of six weeks. It was the longest I had been away from my home and family since I had gotten married, nearly 38 years earlier. As the title … Continue reading What I learned from Walking the Camino de Santiago
Trekking in Sandals
Last year I walked the Camino Frances, 500 miles (800 kilometers) in a pair of hiking shoes. Or, I should say, in a couple of pairs, since my Keenes gave out halfway and were replaced by a pair of Columbias. I walked it in early spring (late March to early May) and it was occasionally … Continue reading Trekking in Sandals
