Month: September 2025

Dana gathered a bundle of nerves formerly known as Mary and shuttled her lovingly to the airport. Thanks to John Martinson for this great picture.

To my friends and family who are concerned about me and this camino – if I get too tired, I’ll call a taxi at the next village! There are taxi signs every time we near a village. (Countdown: 9 days and a wake-up.)

My pack is sorted: 35L Osprey Kyte. 7.5 lbs / 3.4 kg. New rubber tips on my poles. New insoles and laces on the trusty boots. Medical supplies pack for air travel prepared. Air tags for anything that will be out of my sight.

I’ll wear the Osprey with minimal items: Tiny first aid packages, rain gear, sun hat, puffy vest, cheap gloves, socks, 4 days of medical supplies. The remaining items will be transported each day in my 22 Liter rolling duffel.

Advancing technology streamlined some tedious tasks:
Chat GBT: Prepared stages for the Inglés and the Francés. A few minor tweaks, and that was finished.
Online reservation for bag transfers: Pilbeo transport – $181.00 / €155.00 prox €7 /stage.
eSIM: Holafly – Unlimited data for 28 days. $70.90
Allianz Travel Insurance: Allianz: Primarily emergency medical. $104.00 for 30 days
Lodging reservations: Booking.com isn’t new; I used this for most of my bookings in 2019 and 2021. However, more of the smaller lodgings had websites with the ability to book via the website. Several of the bookings were direct via website. I booked 26 nights; all but 3 nights in different towns. $1,727.00 / €1,550.00

13 Days of Training Remaining

I don’t walk the last few days before departure. Give the body a rest. Tie up loose ends for travel. Clean house. Do Laundry. And make sure I don’t twist an ankle or do some bodily damage right before I leave.

Walking with my pack most days. The pack feels comfortable while I’m walking, but my shoulder/neck muscles are feeling the new weight. Hopefully, that muscle soreness will be worked out by the time I start walking on September 27.