Ah camino we will go, ah camino we will go…..etc.  The nursery rhyme thing is strong in me now.   I’m a two-time Grandpa heading to Spain to recapture my old glory while trying to explain it to a 3 year old via Facetime.  They can watch Grandpa grow facial hair, lose 20 pounds, and forgo basic hygiene.   All that is left is the smile.   

Planning for this began long ago, sometime on the PCT.  I loved that trail and still hike parts of it in the Sierra.   However, that trail is an ass kicker.   I mean, if you are all-in and in decent shape, anyone can do most/all of it in a season.  But somewhere on that trail I realized that, while I’d like to have the experience again, carving 6 months out to be sore, cold, dirty, sleeping in the rain stuff is a lot to ask.   Plus, I have no interest in being away from Alice and family for so long ever again.   So a compromise.  Something to scratch the itch but in a more digestible package.  Where the PCT was the Steak Dinner, I’m looking for the cheeseburger value meal.   

Overtime, bother-in-law Joe, JD, and I kept up the conversation about the Camino.  Eventually, late April ’26 was settled on and here we are.  Bunch of folks expressed interest in joining.   I think the count was up to 8 or 9.  Then it was 4.  Cousin JD, formerly known as Soho, was planning an intercept in June but has a nasty ankle injury.   Same one that bothered him during PCT.  That took him and his wife out.    Now it is two.  John, formerly known as Salty J, and Joe, top bro.   Joe is in the midst of a successful career and taking some time out.  Just like I did in 2017.   It will be fun to watch the transformation.   

Since retiring, I’ve been putting a lot of time into fitness.  Mountain biking has been my biggest passion and, so far, I’ve stayed analog.  Still doing 6 to 8 mile hikes in the hills.  That kept the engine warm, I think.  Last couple months I’ve been cutting back on mountain bike and dialing up the foot work.  Last few weeks I’ve been carrying a 25 pound pack on long walks and hikes.   I get the “see that homeless guy” look from the tourist occasionally.  Getting back to my PCT roots.        

Started freaking out a little last week knowing the hike start was closing in.   Honestly have not given it much thought aside from getting the pack ready.  The best thing about this hike, so far, is that Joe is way more into planning it than me.   So, other than knowing when my plane takes off and loading the Buen Camino App on my phone, I pretty much am walking into this one as blind as possible.  My hope is to arrive and let the whole experience just wash over me.  

Plane leaves tomorrow morning.