A Trip to Spain
A map of the Camino de Santiago French Way with some highlighted parts covering Kevin’s walking since April 1.
In my first post I mentioned, way down at the bottom that I was going on a trip to Spain but provided no extra details. So, why not a super easy to write second blog post. YEAY! WRITING!
Kevin Brusett, of Christian song Big Red Bus writing fame, is currently on his second trip to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, specifically The French Way, an 800 km walking trip across Spain from the French border all the way to the west coast. I have been given the chance to walk a portion of it with him from Astorga into Santiago, a trail of 260km, about 150 miles. The Camino de Santiago is an ancient catholic pilgrimage that a ton of people from many different and no faiths walk every year. In 2024 almost 500,000 people walked one of the 17 routes, with 236,000 walking the French Way. So its not empty. They have their own police force, apps, maps, books and suggested guided tours. Here’s a link to a PDF of most of the walking stages I will be doing. https://stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Camino-Frances-walking-stages_Part-2.-Leon-to-Santiago.pdf
And this same website has a decent, if rambling description of the Camino and all its “luxuries”
https://stingynomads.com/french-way-camino-de-santiago-guide/
I leave Portland Wednesday April 30 and land in Madrid Spain Tuesday May 1. Then I’ll be grabbing a train up to Leon Spain to have a look around at the beautiful cathedral there before heading down the road to meet Kevin and company a few miles to the west near Astorga. Then its off towards Santiago, by foot. My pack weighs about 41lbs right now. Lighter than I had estimated, but far heavier than what I have been hearing from others, Kevin’s pack is 27lbs. I get to take my camera gear and that makes up over half the weight of the pack by itself. I’m probably taking more than I need, but I know I’m leaving behind at least 1 lens that I’ll wish I had with me at some point on the trip. The one “luxury” lens that I’m taking is my 70-200 f2.8, I just know there is going to be something that I will wish I had the reach for. Other than that, its the Nikon kit 24-70 f4 and my trusty 50mm f1.8 just so I have a fast prime.
The trail itself isn’t as isolating as something like the Pacific Crest Trail. You end each night in a town and are within a mile or so of real road, if not walking directly beside a road. I’m definitely looking to get off path at least a few times to find some of the amazing landscapes, waterfalls, trees, fields, and old buildings that may be hiding just off the path from me. Each day we will be looking to do 10-12 miles. I know I keep jumping between km and miles, my brain thinks in miles, but Spain is a metric country so it’s taking some getting used to. The part I am joining for, looking on maps with elevation on them, looks like it will be a bit like walking from Portland to Seaside. There’s a bit of a mountain range between me and Santiago. It’ll be great! My partner even convinced me to try these new fancy Hoka shoes. Some sort of Trail Runner. They seem to fit well and are pretty comfy, even though when I stand still I feel like I’m falling over backwards. That will only get better when there’s 41lbs back there right?
I’ll be staying in albergues (hostels) for the duration of the trip. Packing for staying in a new communal place every night has its challenges. Sleeping bag or travel blanket, haul around a pillow or use the one provided, where do I safely charge devices? There are many cafe’s and food trucks scattered across the trails every day, just waiting for pilgrims (I guess thats what you are referred to while walking the Camino) to drag their hungry selves in to sit and eat. Since you’re in a town at the start and end of the day there is no shortage of supplies or places to eat, and in the right larger town there’s even fast food. Now some of you may know me, and know my general response when asked if I want to go hike up some mountain over yonder. I tend to like my chair, or comfy couch and why would I leave it right now. Maybe I’m 41 and sports cars are too expensive right now. Maybe I need to get out more. All I know is, everything is great adventure, and its going to be some amazing photography, I get to walk with some good friends, I get to eat some great food, see some amazing sights, and hopefully bring back a few keepers for my photography portfolio. So yea, I haven’t walked this much since Hope Campmeeting and that’s without a 40lb bag, But what’s the worst that happens, I have to take a bus to each town? I’m not worried.
So, the next post should be some time during my travels over there. I’m planning to post daily with photo albums being added to the Spain Trip Photos page for each day. Likely candid shots from my phone with camera edits coming after I have a few days to get into the swing of things.
