Camino Real de California. Muchas gracias James.

[Mikel Olivares]

Hello everyone.
My name is Mikel, I'm Spaniard, I really like the Historia I've done 4 times the Camino. My next goal was to make Appalachian Trail next year, now that I have time. I am recently retired.
In my last Camino a pilgrim from Washington State talked me of El Camino Real.
I had forgotten until I've seen the pictures of James. I saw in them the landscape and the light of Spain. In addition to our language.
I doubt has arisen. What to do? Appalachian Trail or El Camino Real.
I know they are two different things, but I draw the two adventures alike.
Time to think.
Thank you very much James for the problem you have create me.LOL
Mikel.

 

[jpflavin1]

Hello everyone.
My name is Mikel, I'm Spaniard, I really like the Historia I've done 4 times the Camino. My next goal was to make Appalachian Trail next year, now that I have time. I am recently retired.
In my last Camino a pilgrim from Washington State talked me of El Camino Real.
I had forgotten until I've seen the pictures of James. I saw in them the landscape and the light of Spain. In addition to our language.
I doubt has arisen. What to do? Appalachian Trail or El Camino Real.
I know they are two different things, but I draw the two adventures alike.
Time to think.
Thank you very much James for the problem you have create me.LOL
Mikel.

Mikel:

The Camino Real is a mostly urban 800 mile walk but more like the Camino since it is built around Missions. It will also be more expensive.

The Appalachian trail is 2200 miles and you will have to carry everything. It is a lot more remote and you will be mostly on your own.

There is quite a bit written on both trails.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Deleted member 3000]

El Camino Real

American Indians consider Father Junipero Serra a genocidal invader, if that matters to you. He is beloved only among white people:
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_27855476/junipero-serra-sainthood-native-americans-protest-at-carmel
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-serras-canonization-website-20150420-story.html

 

[whariwharangi]

Hello everyone.
My name is Mikel, I'm Spaniard, I really like the Historia I've done 4 times the Camino. My next goal was to make Appalachian Trail next year, now that I have time. I am recently retired.
In my last Camino a pilgrim from Washington State talked me of El Camino Real.
I had forgotten until I've seen the pictures of James. I saw in them the landscape and the light of Spain. In addition to our language.
I doubt has arisen. What to do? Appalachian Trail or El Camino Real.
I know they are two different things, but I draw the two adventures alike.
Time to think.
Thank you very much James for the problem you have create me.LOL
Mikel.

I recently found out about the Camino Real Misioneros de las Californias in Baja California Sur Mexico. I think you would have a difficult time following the route as there are sections consisting of hundreds of km on desert roads separating the remains of the missions; some of which are still in use as local parishes. The biggest problems would be carrying enough water.

Your pal from Washington State was probably referring to the section in California USA.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Hi falcon.
Not for me to defend the conquest of America by the Spaniards first and then the rest of Europe.
But this thread is inconvenient in this Forum.
I just want to make an observation.
Only in countries colonized by Spain, today there are large indigenous populations.
We can say the same for the countries colonized by other European countries?
I love American lifestyle (USA)
Un saludo desde España y Buen Camino.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Hi Whariwharangi.
Really, she was referring to California USA.
I will begin to study the route.
Gracias y Buen Camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Only in countries colonized by Spain, today there are large indigenous populations.

I apologize for being argumentative, but de Soto and de Leon likely destroyed 90% of the population of the southeastern United States with only minimal contact with the indigenous people. They, and the wild pigs that escaped from them, spread smallpox so that entire villages were gone before there was substantial contact with northern Europeans. Cortes, Pizzaro, and other conquistadors completely destroyed centuries-old civilizations in Mexico, central America, and South America. Ponce de Leon pretty much wiped out the Taino Indians of the Caribbean. In comparison, Junipero Serra was a piker.

There are 566 Federally recognized Indian tribes in the USA, and most of their members will agree with you that Europeans left very little behind for them. That is one reason that they resent the canonization of Serra; it minimizes his crimes against the Indians of California, and trivializes their suffering. I am a member of the Cherokee Nations of Oklahoma, and we get to nurse our anger over the Trail of Tears. I have removal records showing how half the members of some of my ancestor died on the forced march from Tennessee to the Indian Territories. Family histories can be powerful things! I would suggest that El Camino Real is more like a pilgrimage between atrocity sites of Francisco Franco than a walk along the Camino Frances. There is now a Trail of Tears hiking path, and it recognizes the sad history of that event. It does not celebrate the oppression as El Camino Real does.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

I'm sorry to have brought this thread that has upset some of my friends in the Forum.
That was not my intention.
As I said earlier, it is not an issue to be addressed in this Forum.
Falcon, do not consider me an enemy. I also acknowledge the damage they did Europeans in America.
I would like to meet you when you come to make the Camino. And when I go to USA to meet you in person,
I am convinced that we are two good people and we can talk about everything.
Again sorry.
A big hug from Spain and Buen Camino.
Mikel.

 

[whariwharangi]

I'm sorry to have brought this thread that has upset some of my friends in the Forum.
That was not my intention.
As I said earlier, it is not an issue to be addressed in this Forum.
Falcon, do not consider me an enemy. I also acknowledge the damage they did Europeans in America.
I would like to meet you when you come to make the Camino. And when I go to USA to meet you in person,
I am convinced that we are two good people and we can talk about everything.
Again sorry.
A big hug from Spain and Buen Camino.
Mikel.

It is not your fault. So no need to say sorry.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Thanks, whariwharangi.
Hug from España.

 

[Andrea Mayfield]

Wow -- this discussion took a right turn (U turn) from the topic..... As a Californian, I have learned both sides of the settler/occupier v. native american. The missions are an integral part of California history -- good and bad. Hopefully we have learned something since then... maybe, maybe not. But this is about walking. Peace.

 

[CA_Pilgrim]

Hello everyone.
My name is Mikel, I'm Spaniard, I really like the Historia I've done 4 times the Camino. My next goal was to make Appalachian Trail next year, now that I have time. I am recently retired.
In my last Camino a pilgrim from Washington State talked me of El Camino Real.
I had forgotten until I've seen the pictures of James. I saw in them the landscape and the light of Spain. In addition to our language.
I doubt has arisen. What to do? Appalachian Trail or El Camino Real.
I know they are two different things, but I draw the two adventures alike.
Time to think.
Thank you very much James for the problem you have create me.LOL
Mikel.

Hi Mikel,

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have regarding a pilgrimage along California's El Camino Real Trail (ECRT). I did the entire 850 mile (1368 km) pilgrimage in stages and finished it earlier this year. It was a life changing event for me and a chance to see California at it's very best at a pilgrim's pace.

There is an ever growing group of people who are hiking the Mission Trail (as we like to call it). For me it began as training hikes for the Camino de Santiago but quickly grew to a personal challenge to hike the entire trai. Most like me do it in stages and using the Amtrak train service to get us to and from start and end points. The Amtrak Surfliner and Cost Starlight train routes run roughly parallel to the El Camino Real which makes it relatively easy to do the pilgrimage in stages.

I'll try to address some of the points and questions brought up in this thread, but first here's a list of some free resources you can look at to get a better understanding of this pilgrimage.

Free Resources for hiking the El Camino Real de California

• On a mission: Hiker gains ample aches and insights along 800-mile trek on California’s El Camino Real (http://goo.gl/hlPHm1): An article by Maggie Espinosa published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on January 3, 2015. A wonderful article in which she describes her personal journey of discovery in completing the ECRT. Maggie is a personal friend and we shared hundreds of miles of conversation and friendship along the El Camino Real.
• Walking El Camino Real de California (http://goo.gl/KGqNpf): An open Facebook group for mission hikers with general information on the missions and the El Camino Real.
• Walk California's El Camino Real (http://goo.gl/AJfmk1): A website by Stephanie Dodaro with useful background, route suggestions, and resources for hiking the El Camino Real. Stephanie is one of the early hikers completing the ECRT.
• Edie’s Mission Walk (http://goo.gl/iO5WrX): A Facebook page chronicling one women’s celebration of life. Having survived six years with late-stage cancer, she decided to celebrate her victory by walking the 850 mile El Camino Real. A very touching story.
• California Mission Walkers (http://goo.gl/G5kf8j): A very active Facebook group for people hiking the California missions. It is a closed group which means you need permission to join the group but they let most anyone in. It is a great forum for those seeking advice on routes and planning. You can contact the group leaders by email: californiamissionwalkers@gmail.com.
• My photo album on this web site for some of my favorite photos from pilgrimage along the El Camino Real: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/users/ca_pilgrim.12693/albums

Buen Camino, or as we say on the El Camino Real, Siempre Adelante! (Always Forward!)

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Hi James.
Thank you very much for all the information that you have given me.
As I said, I will study all to make a decision for next year.
Thanks again.
Mikel.