Oregonian article about octogenarian pilgrim and his son

[trecile]

Posting this because I happen to know the father and son, and the author of the article!

Oregon father and son — 81 and 52 – find Camino family together on 500-mile walk

Taking six weeks off of work and walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago seemed impossible, but “anything is possible, it’s simply a choice," said Brad Wulf, who walked from France to northwestern Spain with his dad, Mark Wulf.

www.oregonlive.com

I've known Mark since before he walked his first Camino to celebrate his 75th birthday. I've only walked with Mark a few days on the Camino - one year I had extra time at the end of my Camino and I took a bus back to Gonzar to walk a few days with him. When I first saw him with his 21 liter backpack I asked if he was having a larger pack transported. Nope. Somehow this 6+ foot tall man manages to carry everything that he needs in 21 liters. He also can outwalk pilgrims less than half his age. He is definitely an inspiration to me, and proof of what older people are capable of.

This year I was walking the Primitivo while Mark was on the Francés. When I was getting close to Santiago I wrote to Mark and asked him where he was - it turned out that he would be on the same stage as me when I joined the Francés! We didn't connect that day, but the following day my little Primitivo group was staying at Albergue Astrar just outside of Santa Irene. We were the only four in the albergue. Then Mark called and asked where I was. I told him Santa Irene, then he asked if there was room at the albergue. Was there room? Yes, almost the entire albergue was free! So Mark and Brad joined us, we ordered pizza, which the hospitalero/owner picked up for us, and had a grand time in our practically private albergue.

Mark just absolutely loves the Camino Francés. I think that he tried the Portuguese route one year, but comes back to the Francés year after year. He loves staying in public albergues, doesn't make reservations, and always carries his own pack. He loves the "sounds of the Camino" including the sounds of sleeping pilgrims in the albergues. Before his first or second Camino he called me from the airport, and told me how he was thinking about all of the other pilgrims that he had yet to meet traveling from all parts of the world who would soon be his friends. His love for the Camino is contagious!

I've known Janet, the author of the article, since she joined our local American Pilgrims chapter about a year ago. She walked part of the Invierno with a friend this year. Neither Janet nor Mark knew that they had a connection through me until they did the interview.

 

[natefaith]

So cool! The photos of father and son together are touching. Fun that you know all of them!

 

[SantiagoCruzB]

“like a giant painting and we get to walk across the canvas.”

Love this quote. Thanks for sharing. God bless!

 

[grayland]

Pilgrims walking in their 80's is really not that unusual.
We have many here in the forum.

 

[jalluisi]

Great story! Thanks for sharing

 

[trecile]

Pilgrims walking in their 80's is really not that unusual.
We have many here in the forum.

I know, but it's still inspiring to read about them.

 

[jimmyc]

Hey I am 83 and six weeks ago walked the Inglis with my son and his family. Walked the CF from SJPP at 75, the Portuguese from Lisbon at 76, the Primitivo at 79 and the Sanabres when I was 80.
There are plenty of people in their 80s walking the Caminos. I hope to be one of the few who walk the Ways in their 90s.

 

[lt56ny]

Pilgrims walking in their 80's is really not that unusual.
We have many here in the forum.

Whether it is just a handful or hundreds and especially if it is hundreds, reading about pilgrims walking in their 80’s is really inspiring and should give all of us a light to guide us into the last chapter of life and inspiration that it can be fulfilling. I was in a cafe in Canfranc having a coffee when a woman with a backpack walked by. The waitress told me she met her the day before and she was 93!!! Whenever I huffed and puffed walking up a hill I thought I’d her and sucked it up and got to the top.

 

[janeteastman]

Posting this because I happen to know the father and son, and the author of the article!

Oregon father and son — 81 and 52 – find Camino family together on 500-mile walk

Taking six weeks off of work and walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago seemed impossible, but “anything is possible, it’s simply a choice," said Brad Wulf, who walked from France to northwestern Spain with his dad, Mark Wulf.

www.oregonlive.com

I've known Mark since before he walked his first Camino to celebrate his 75th birthday. I've only walked with Mark a few days on the Camino - one year I had extra time at the end of my Camino and I took a bus back to Gonzar to walk a few days with him. When I first saw him with his 21 liter backpack I asked if he was having a larger pack transported. Nope. Somehow this 6+ foot tall man manages to carry everything that he needs in 21 liters. He also can outwalk pilgrims less than half his age. He is definitely an inspiration to me, and proof of what older people are capable of.

This year I was walking the Primitivo while Mark was on the Francés. When I was getting close to Santiago I wrote to Mark and asked him where he was - it turned out that he would be on the same stage as me when I joined the Francés! We didn't connect that day, but the following day my little Primitivo group was staying at Albergue Astrar just outside of Santa Irene. We were the only four in the albergue. Then Mark called and asked where I was. I told him Santa Irene, then he asked if there was room at the albergue. Was there room? Yes, almost the entire albergue was free! So Mark and Brad joined us, we ordered pizza, which the hospitalero/owner picked up for us, and had a grand time in our practically private albergue.

Mark just absolutely loves the Camino Francés. I think that he tried the Portuguese route one year, but comes back to the Francés year after year. He loves staying in public albergues, doesn't make reservations, and always carries his own pack. He loves the "sounds of the Camino" including the sounds of sleeping pilgrims in the albergues. Before his first or second Camino he called me from the airport, and told me how he was thinking about all of the other pilgrims that he had yet to meet traveling from all parts of the world who would soon be his friends. His love for the Camino is contagious!

I've known Janet, the author of the article, since she joined our local American Pilgrims chapter about a year ago. She walked part of the Invierno with a friend this year. Neither Janet nor Mark knew that they had a connection through me until they did the interview.

Thank you, Terri, for posting this along with your incredible insight.

 

[WGroleau]

Pilgrims walking in their 80's is really not that unusual.
We have many here in the forum.

As hospitalero, I checked in at least two. And a 79-yer-old blind woman. And several deaf Italians.

 

[Hiking starts at 75]

Celebrated my 80th birthday last year on the Portuguese Camino with my daughter Lizelle, age 50.
From Lisbon to Santiago. Hope to do another one next year.

 

[trecile]

Celebrated my 80th birthday last year on the Portuguese Camino with my daughter Lizelle, age 50.
From Lisbon to Santiago. Hope to do another one next year.

Great forum name!