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Vita’s World

“You can do anything, but not everything” · The Camino de Santiago & Beyond

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About This Pilgrimage & Travelogue

The Way of St. James (El Camino de Santiago)

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
— Joshua J. Marine (Featured on Vita’s About Page)

In May 2013, Vita and Charlie set out to walk the ancient 558-mile Camino Francés (The Way of St. James / Jakobsweg) across northern Spain—starting at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees, climbing over Roncesvalles, crossing Navarre, La Rioja, Burgos, and the vast Spanish Meseta, and celebrating Vita’s 60th birthday on the trail.

When runner’s knee forced a pause in León in June 2013 after 223 miles walked, Vita wrote: “We will be back to finish this… oh, yes! To be continued…” True to her word, they returned to León in October 2013 and walked 14 consecutive days without a rest day—climbing up to Cruz de Ferro and O’Cebreiro into Galicia, arriving triumphantly at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on Halloween (October 31, 2013), and continuing to Cape Finisterre on the Atlantic coast.

In Spring 2014, they headed off to see the world again on a journey along the Adriatic coast through Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, and Slovenia.

Explore The Way of St. James on Wikivoyage →

💌 Family & Friends Trail Guestbook (All 45 Notes)

Every message left by family and friends cheering Vita and Charlie along the trail in 2013:

Tomas Cihak June 01, 2013 · on Still here…..

What a bad luck with the rain but you made some nice photos there. It’s been raining here like one week as well and it does not seem to stop. Hopefully you won’t have to diverge your pilgrimage from Santiago to Noah’s Ark!
Good luck tomorrow.
Tomas

Manny June 01, 2013 · on Still here…..

Happy Anniversary!

michael findeisen June 02, 2013 · on Still here…..

hi vita,
hi charly,

have fun and take care, rain should stop the next days.

greetings and good luck from mother, dad and me.

Larry June 03, 2013 · on Roncesvalles to Zubiri 22.1km/13.4 mi

We really enjoy your blog. Feels like we
Are there with you guys and we are if only in spirit. ( we were so inspired lot hat we watched The Way again)
Keep up the pace and enjoy!!!

Dear Vita and Charlie,
we are following your reports and wish you good weather for that grand voyage.
I feel with you as I made on the 10th May a trip through the forests with Linda in rain all the day. I was several weeks ill in April after some mapping in the chilly weather (urinary passages inflammation) and after that trip the same illness has returned in the worse way. I am still at home using antibiotic and waiting for the definitive recovery. It is better and better now. But I am surprised from that as I never had some obstacles of this kind before in spite of my favourite sleeping in the open air and marching in the rains.
That is why I wish you more and more sun and meeting of nice people on the way.
Thank you for facilitating of our spying of your progress.
Josef and Jana

Jan Larrow June 04, 2013 · on Roncesvalles to Zubiri 22.1km/13.4 mi

I’m really enjoying your blog. So interesting. Keep on trucking!

mike williams June 04, 2013 · on We are off….

Charlie’s pack is 4 pounds because he dose not need make up, curlers, and jewelry

mike w

mike williams June 04, 2013 · on Camino de Santiago…..getting ready to walk

I know what you are going through , I walk 4 miles on the tread mill this morning.
mike w

The pictures look great.

Ute June 04, 2013 · on Zubiri to Pamplona 26.2km/16.5mi

absolutely enjoy reading your blog and seeing the pictures.

jimmy lawler June 05, 2013 · on Zubiri to Pamplona 26.2km/16.5mi

Have fun kids I will take care of Mike and Gurney until you folks get home!
Jimmy

Pam Shockey June 06, 2013 · on Pamplona to Puente la Reina 23.5km/14.2mi

I look forward to seeing your posts daily. It is inspiring to me. I would love to be so adventuresome. Have fun and stay safe on your journey.

Kathrine Adams June 06, 2013 · on Pamplona to Puente la Reina 23.5km/14.2mi

You two look like you’re having so much fun. I wish I was there too. The pictures are great. Mom, you need to get in some!!!! Bobsy and I are great! Job search is going wonderful!!! I have made some more good contacts for Florida!!! Can’t wait to hear and see more from your trip!!

Luv u,
Kathrine

Enjoy your blog and love the pic’s. agree with your daughter and having you in the pic’s also

Larry June 07, 2013 · on Roncesvalles to Zubiri 22.1km/13.4 mi

We are hooked. We race to the iPad to read of your daily reports. Thank you thank you. The next walk you guys should do it the Great Wall of China!!

Love to see your pictures of the area. Makes us feel like we are there. So glad that Vita thought of the blog and the walk. Keep it going. God Bless.

Kathrine Adams June 07, 2013 · on Puente la Reina to Estella 24.8km/15.8mi

You two are doing great!!! Keep up the adventure!!!
Bobsy says “meow meow meow.”
Haha!
I have a phone interview for a hospital outpatient program in Puenta Gorda today! I’m excited!

Larry June 08, 2013 · on Estella to Los Arcos 20.5km/13.1mi

My question is Did you have the wine before you met your bunk mate or after?
There would have been a big difference….

Wish we were there for the free wine, it would be where I finished my walk for sure. Vita…take the lead from Charlie and make him sweat.
Larry

Manny Adams June 09, 2013 · on Los Arcos to Logrono 30km/18.2mi

Looks like a great time, I may have to schedule a trip! I think the walk through Rioja may have pushed me over the edge. If you happen to walk through a town called “Eltziego” stop into the Marquis de Riscal winery, they make an awesome Rioja Reserve!

Manny

Jan Larrow June 11, 2013 · on Puente la Reina to Estella 24.8km/15.8mi

Vita, you aren’t in one place long enough to have roses like that! You both look contented, blisters and all! Hoping for continued good weather for you.

Jan Larrow June 11, 2013 · on Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada 22km/13.2mi

Forgot to ask… Are you going all the way to the sea? And once you get there, how do you return? I’ll be looking for future posts for you answers. 🙂

Maggie Cameron June 12, 2013 · on Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada 22km/13.2mi

Breath-taking scenery! And the flowers! You must feel like you’re on another planet. Enjoy every minute and every glass of vino!

Ute June 14, 2013 · on Burgos – we love you!

Love the pictures. Amazing architecture. Will be thinking of you over the next few days, hoping it will be the right climate and that your knees and feet hold up.

Manny June 16, 2013 · on Burgos – we love you!

Happy Birthday!!! Looks like you are spending it in a pretty cool place! -The DC Clan

Happy belated birthday. What a great way to celebrate. Walking the famed el Camino….seeing and meeting people from around the world…taking some of the most beautiful pictures I’ve seen…..experiencing what most people overlook ( God’s handiwork )…. And all this with your best friend…PRICELESS. Keep it up I’m sure there’s more to see over the next hill and valley.

Happy belated Geburtstag. The big 60 and going strong. Congratulations and hopefully your knee will get better and make the walking easier. I will now look at Poppies differently, did not know that they all had a cross inside.

Happy birthday! What beautiful pics! Take care of that knee!

Jan Larrow June 20, 2013 · on Leon…..

Ohhh, what a bummer! But you must let yourself heal. Going back will be something to look forward to!

Ute June 20, 2013 · on Leon…..

you did better than most people half your age. every reason to feel a sense of accomplishment. now come home, take care of your knee and come and tell us about all the “details” 🙂 of your walk and all the characters you encountered along the way.

Ute October 17, 2013 · on Leon

You two look great 🙂
Can’t wait for your next posting. Wishing you smooth roads and good weather.

VitaPilgrim Author October 17, 2013 · on Leon

Thanks!!!

Ben October 18, 2013 · on Leon

Have a good time on the second half. Leon looks nice with not to many people.

Jan Larrow October 21, 2013 · on Astorga to Rabanal de Camino – 23.4 km/14.9 miles

These villages are amazing! They look like movie sets.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures. Had to giggle a little bit when I read the caption on the Storch (Stork) familie. No matter what, sometimes that German in us just bricht durch :):)

the scenery is just amazing. looks like the weather is still cooperating with you all. from what your write you got quite the walk ahead of you on the next stretch. can’t wait to read your next post and see the pictures. Truly, THANK YOU for sharing. Amazing

the pictures give a feeling of having stepped back in time. I hope you both feel better now having left your burdens behind and that it put another spring in your step. hope the weather stays decent for you all. How many more miles/km are ahead of you?

the pictures are absolutely stunning. here is hoping you won’t encounter any bedbugs along the way 🙂 and NO RAIN

sad to read that someone passed away along the “Walk”, but it does go to show that it is not a “walk in the park”. Hats off to you two for doing this.

choice between bed bugs and rain…..I’ll take the RAIN. sure hope that this will be the worst of your penance. The terrain, buildings make it appear as if you stepped back in time.

did you notice that the one picture of the trail lined with trees (second to last pic) the tree on the left side looks like a person?….at least with my imagination 🙂
good to read that the bugs are no longer biting Charlie 🙂

VitaPilgrim Author October 26, 2013 · on O’Cebreiro to Triacastela 22.3 km/14.1 miles

I had not noticed, you are right. I can see it now. They are chestnuts, I wish I could share the smell of these woods also. I’m just so happy we came back to finish this now. Thanks for your comments, I love getting them 🙂

looks like mother nature is trying to be nice and sending you some sunshine. hope the weather stays nice the rest of “The Walk”. truly enjoy the pictures. looks absolutely stunning.

Jan Larrow October 28, 2013 · on Sarria to Portomarin – 23.9 km/14.2 miles

I am simply awestruck daily!

Jan Larrow October 29, 2013 · on Portomarin to Palas de Rei – 27 km/16.3 miles

Are you going all the way to the sea?

VitaPilgrim Author October 29, 2013 · on Portomarin to Palas de Rei – 27 km/16.3 miles

Not enough time, takes 3 more days of walking. Once in Santiago we’ll take the bus to Finesterre…have to be in Madrid on the 4th…flying out early on the 5th. I can live with just walking to Santiago 🙂

Ute October 30, 2013 · on Palas de Rei to Arzua – 30 km/18.5 miles

ALMOST 🙂 so glad your knee held up. Walking that “final mile” must be a great feeling. good for you guys.

VitaPilgrim Author October 30, 2013 · on Palas de Rei to Arzua – 30 km/18.5 miles

You bet 🙂

BRAVO. A Halloween you will definitely never forget. Thank you for all the pictures and reports along the way. It was quite exciting to follow you two along your “Walk”.

VitaPilgrim Author October 31, 2013 · on O Pedrouzo to Santiago – 20.1 km/12.5 miles

Thank you for fallowing and I hope I’ll see you at the next meeting.