El Camino de Thomas: Reality sets in.

El Camino de Thomas

This blog is about my planning, preparation, and completion of El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, is a major Catholic pilgrimage. In September of 2009, I plan on taking Camino Frances which will take me about 800km on foot from St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

In the last few years, three of my friends have lost their battles with depression. My Camino is in fond remembrance of them. Not only is this journey for personal reasons, but it's also to raise awareness and money for suicide prevention. Please visit First Giving to make a secure and tax-deductible donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Each dollar given will not only go towards research and prevention, but will serve to encourage me upon what will certainly prove to be a trying journey.

It doesn't matter how much or how little you give, just that you do. By giving anything, even $1.00, you're not only showing support for me on my trip, but helping a very worthwhile cause.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Reality sets in.

I bought my plane ticket. That makes it as real as it's going to get short of actually leaving. With this reality comes excitement and trepidation. I walked 15 miles yesterday. It went well, but I'm really tired today. How I'm going to average 15 miles day after day has yet to be seen. I guess once I get out there, I won't really have any choice.

Here's a neat map of nearly my exact route. Click on the "Roncesvalles" link on the right to display that city on the map. This map starts in Roncesvalles, Spain which is actually one day into my actual route. I'll be starting in St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, 15 miles and 4,000 vertical feet of climbing away to the northeast.

3 Comments:

At July 14, 2009 at 3:10 PM , Rita said...: Hi Thomas
Couldn't leave a comment on the latest post....no comment icon.
From what I understand there should be no problem in September and October, except that some albergues close at the end of September and the guide books do not note which ones.
Rita
At July 14, 2009 at 3:15 PM , Tohams said...: Fixed the comments...again.

I noticed that in the CSJ Guidebook. I'm concerned that book is going to get me lost as I try to read it. I'm hoping that when the way (no pun intended) is actually in front of me that it'll make more sense.

Thanks, Rita!
At July 27, 2009 at 12:06 PM , Anonymous said...: Another neat map:

http://www.caminomap.com/

El Camino de Thomas

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Reality sets in.

3 Comments:

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