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You may find a new "family" of sorts on the Camino. They won't replace your real family, but may well find joy in small things like new socks. Many people develop friendships that last during and beyond the Camino.
I fully expect to. Just now it would be fun to have someone in the real world to talk about. I have inspired some co-workers to do it in the future though!
it does!
That's what we are here for!
I gotta admit. these Wrightsocks double line babies are nice
Interesting, because I don't like the double liner socks. Maybe they would prevent blisters, but I don't like the feel. I prefer a single light weight, firm fiber sock.
)
Those socks helped me survive 7 days walking the asphalts of Walt Disney World so they are doing something right for my old feet lol! And yes socks are a definitely personal choice!Interesting, because I don't like the double liner socks. Maybe they would prevent blisters, but I don't like the feel. I prefer a single light weight, firm fiber sock.
(See - we can be friends and fellow pilgrims, even if we disagree!
americanpilgrims.org
the closest chapter is about 90 minutes away. Unfortunately (in this case), I live in a small, rural area.Is there a local chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino near you?
I had to co-found a chapter so that I could have new people to share the Camino with.Local Chapters - American Pilgrims on the Camino
If you are seeking information about COVID-19 or the situation in Spain, please see the COVID-19: What You Should Know page. Our local chapter coordinators continue to consult state and local public health authorities for current guidance and recommended COVID-19 precautions in their area...
yep totally get it. I have no option but to travel solo, but your right, there are times you just wanna say to someone, "hey look at that." The upside is of coarse, we can go where we please, when we please & we do 
Just because you start the Camino solo doesn't mean that you will be walking alone. You will likely have plenty of opportunities to say "hey, look at that." The difference is that you will have the choice to walk alone or with a variety of other people.
Oh, you are speaking my language! I bought a couple pairs at REI and used them while training on both city streets and mountain hikes. Then I bought more and wore them every day of my 31 day SJPDP to SdC trek in May-June. Only one tiny hot spot/pre-blister that I treated immediately (compeed). I changed socks midday, too. Super comfy.
I was about to suggest the same thing. My nearest chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims is 600 km away in Edmonton, Alberta. I am fortunate that it is an easy journey and I have planned a trip to coincide with the fall meeting next week. I always say I had to join this group because I was wearing out my non-pilgrim friends with talk about the camino!Is there a local chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino near you?
I had to co-found a chapter so that I could have new people to share the Camino with.Local Chapters - American Pilgrims on the Camino
If you are seeking information about COVID-19 or the situation in Spain, please see the COVID-19: What You Should Know page. Our local chapter coordinators continue to consult state and local public health authorities for current guidance and recommended COVID-19 precautions in their area...
@jblaskovits ,
Totally get it. I was fortunate in that I was planning all of this alongside Mrs C albeit she didn’t get as excited as me when I discovered a set of digital kitchen scales in one of our cupboards. Divine intervention possibly? She had an alternative theory. Anyway, I weighed everything I was taking to within an inch of its life. Sad but true.
You might check out some of the Camino groups on Facebook, such as Camigas, or Camino De Santiago 2022/2023, or Camino de Santiago All Routes. There are more. Camigas especially has lots of people asking for/getting advice, posting photos of their pack contents, photos of their Camino moments, comments about plans, mistakes, joys, fears, etc. I think you'd enjoy it - it was very helpful for me. I did 3 weeks solo in October on the Frances.
Isn't that what everyone does?
I know the feeling! Though my husband says he 'll go, he's not choosing to be involved much in the planning. Who knows. I just ordered 3 pairs of merino wool socks. Not trivial! I'm soooo excited.
That's what the forum is for.
I completely understand where you’re coming from as I went alone, but missed company along the way, especially during those special moments where you want to share your excitement. My husband enjoys walking but he would want to get from A to B as quickly as possible, where as I enjoy stopping to smell the flowers.
That's why WE'RE here for you!
For me, I'm kind of the opposite. I have the opportunity to "do the camino" with a small group 2023. I may start out with them but I am sure that by day 2 we will all be separating for a variety of reasons such as pace, fitness, interests, etc. I find I lose myself when I travel with other, they become a distraction and sometime even a stress. Also, when traveling with others, I find I am less likely to open up to meeting new people. It is not that I don't want to, but since you are already paying attention to you travel mate, your horizons for meeting and developing friendships with new people is diminished. I can remember many awesome trips I have taken alone and these have the best memories and I've made long time friends.
Funny, I just had an amazing conversation at MEC about Injini toe socks. A fellow was looking at them too and was wondering if the were worth it. I shared my Camino experience with him, the clerk was very interested too. You never know where support conversations will happen or when
I planned my first one alone and over a long period of time and believe me, my coworkers were absolutely sick to death of hearing about my weekend research and show choice. Bless them for pretending to be interested. I spent a ton of time on this forum and reading blogs to sort of feel connected ahead of the trip.
I had the same feeling when I was planning it , in the end I met some lovely ppl en route from all walks of life and from all countries , whether it was the beer flowing or even the wine , the Pilgrims dinner in the evening at a local cafe it was a great time .. before I went however I never trained for it , I went in the deep end , not even one blister but I did have a swollen calf muscle so at Leon I came back home for a week rested up and then returned ..the time on the cdmino went far too quick but I am returning to do it again sometime next year .
Hi Sirron - I finished the Camino Frances Oct 12 and I really loved going solo - yiu will meet wonderful people you bond with, but you can go at your own pace - for me it was a chance to really care for myself and some wonderful things happened that wouldn’t have if I had come with someone. I had a married couple say the next time they would each do it alone because it is such a different experience emotionally and spiritually. I did set up two What’s App groups that I posted to daily so people could “walk” with me and support me and that worked out fabulously.
You just described Mr. Sarahchicago and me. We talked in advance about how to blend our walking styles and it worked pretty well! I’m looking forward to my solo Camino next spring to see how I walk long distance alone (I’ve hiked alone many times but just day trips).
Ohhhh! That IS exciting. Have you considered the weight of those double socks, as opposed to separate sock and liner combinations? Tall socks or short?
I've got 3 darn tough mid cushion socks w/ cuffs coming. Need to test ponchos I have or spring for gortex. But will probably wait to see weather trends May '23.Planning is such a fun part of our caminos so now that you've shared your decision about which socks you're going to use tell us what you've decided on for rain gear
I will be mostly walking in June and early July so at the moment I am banking on minimal rain but I am sure I will grab one that covers my bag as well lolPlanning is such a fun part of our caminos so now that you've shared your decision about which socks you're going to use tell us what you've decided on for rain gear
I remember some telling me I must be mad wanting to walk 469 miles
I recall telling some that I was embarking on a
I recall telling some of those I knew I was embarking on a 779km hike and before I could explain the camino to them they thought I was completely mad .. so I got no support for that in a way I could understand as I never trained for it but I knew if I had the right footwear and travelled light my legs would see me through along with my faith ..yes it is cold first thing in the mornings when you set off for another 15 miles or so but it was the beauty of the whole landscape and stopping for a coffee and a chat with others .. even walking in the snow in April had its moments and struggling up some creek but I am sure many of you wished it never came to an end like myself .. I know it is calling me back ..its a different world ..don't bring too many socks though I just brought 4 pairs and always did a bit of washing every day ...one thing I don't miss is the snoring lol lol
That really is funny.
Indeed, I’m attending the Toronto meeting this Saturday, only 6,000 km southwest of my home in Dawson City. Looking forward to walking one of the Portuguese Caminos again this winter with a Smartwool, a Darn Tough, and 2 Wrights (because they aren’t darn tough, but they’re comfortable) in my backpack.@jblaskovits ,
aah,.. buddy.. the Edmonton chapter is only 600kms away from you, maybe you should try to make it something like the Camino walk.
There is Toronto Chapter having meet in a church this Saturday, (Nov.5th) just to talk someone and stay in touch about the Camino, I will go and see how it goes.
After almost 5 months of completing from SJPP the Camino walk ,I still feel out of sync, to get back to realties in the real world.
Cheers and Buen Camino to all !
That would be 6,000 km southeast: otherwise Toronto would be way out in the Pacific Ocean.
Hello. I fully understand your feelings, this is exactly why I would prefer to walk with a partner. Problem is, none of my friends or family are interested in walking.
Now to be fair, I will probably prefer that I'm all alone when I do leave. I feel like my entire life I have graciously taken the co-pilot seat as a husband and father. I don't say this begrudgingly just that I chose to put others always before me. So in that regard, I'm glad I can make all decisions along the way and not adjust to what others want haha.
haha I'm not sure they will excite as much rolled up in my pack but here's a picture from their website
Good idea about the What's App groups!
To double down on the sock talk haha. I have the quarter length socks . I'm not sure when I walk if I need higher length socks or not. I will be walking mostly in June or July though so I think these will be fine!Oh, you are speaking my language! I bought a couple pairs at REI and used them while training on both city streets and mountain hikes. Then I bought more and wore them every day of my 31 day SJPDP to SdC trek in May-June. Only one tiny hot spot/pre-blister that I treated immediately (compeed). I changed socks midday, too. Super comfy.
I tried Injinji toe socks with thin wool socks but didn’t like the feel. I like smart wool socks, too, but haven’t tried them on long distances. I wear smart wool compression socks most work days as they help my chronic shin splints.
Socks are an excellent topic to discuss in the forum. Be prepared for debate!!
I will check again if they have one I can attend. Real world and children mean after school is hard to get to though!
I agree!
Like many others, I prefer going alone on the Camino. I can walk as far as I want. Eat where I want. Sleep where I want. Engage with other pilgrims as much or as little as I want.
I almost always wear WrightSocks, and I prefer the quarter length socks.
Haha... depends on the partner. My daughter was supposed to walk with me this summer. She was a total pain in the planning stages. Then she ended up postponing her Camino and I went when we had planned. So, I still had no one to talk to or get excited with before my Camino (well - a couple people at work, but not the same as someone who is going with you). She certainly didn't want me to help her plan HER Camino. And even when she started nearly a month after I started - I wanted to give her a few tips (especially since she was going on her first ever solo trip at barely 18 years old) and wanted NOTHING to do with any tips I might give her (but I laughed as she told me tips she got during her first couple of days that helped her and they were the same tips I was trying to give... but I am "just mom" haha.
Have done the frances twice once walking most of the way with people i had met in SJPdP, and once on my own, i preferred the later, because I could stop where I wanted, sleep where I wanted, and eat where I wanted, and also walk with who ever I wanted, i hope to return SAP and will go it again alone
I think it’s too bad your wife won’t consider going. We just got home and it was amazing to do this as a couple-life changing, really. We cheered each other, supported each other and made incredible memories together. I am not an experienced hiker and went with my husband anyway..500 miles of conversation and comfortable silences and cultural enjoyment. I’m so glad and feel so blessed we did this together.
Sorry I didn't mean to construe she didn't go. My wife couldn’t go if she wanted to. She’s in better shape than me and runs marathons lol so she would enjoy probably! We have two children with heart conditions. So we take mostly family vacations. In this case she is totally fine with me going on my journey just as I was fine with her spending two weeks this past summer doing something she wanted to do.
I feel the same without having gone on my Camino yet. I like being able to choose to be social when I want but also follow my own path!
I’m sorry I misconstrued your original message! Enjoy your trip and all the best to your whole family. You will have great stories to tell her when you get back!
You won’t be alone. Even on days you *want* to be alone, you won’t be. You will make fast friends, acquaintances, and a Camino Family — abd you will be seeing them all, repeatedly, every day until you reach Santiago. Then you will celebrate together. Buen Camino!
Hi Sirron! Drop in on our regular Ivar Forum Community Zoom Chat and we'll be very happy to share your excitement...and, yes, even talk about socks.
We're a widely diverse group, from all across North America and Europe.
I know what you mean. I use this site as well as belong to a Local American Pilgrims chapter that has local hikes and meetings for those who can relate
. A few days ago, in a social morning coffee group, I found myself talking at length about my wonderful new water shoes, and how fabulous they would be in the evenings as an alternative to my hiking sandals. Only to trail off as I realised that to most people this was a very boring topic...I found the members of our local Company of Pilgrims to be an invaluable resource in planning and also in sharing the excitement before I had actually walked my first Camino this past May-June. I picked everyone’s brains on what to pack and training, and they freely shared their experiences and were excited for me as they reminisced about their first Camino. Is there such a group near you?
Hello Sirron. Quite understand your thinking. For what it's worth I walked several pilgrimage routes with my wife and several on my own - to the extent I recently walked the route from Almeria to Granada and saw no other pilgrims for 8 days; it was wonderful! All have been memorable for me. Socks do not always become more meaningful when shared!
@Yukon,
I checked the calendar of the Atlanta Ga Camino group but I didn't see anything upcoming I will check. How was your May-June camino? I won't leave until the end of May but I'm very excited! I wish I could leave earlier in May though!
I was also there, doing one of the backpack demos. It was great to hear the songs and stories from Dan Mullins!@Yukon,
I was there at the Toronto meeting yesterday, ( Nov.5th) but I was a bit late , wish I could have met you,
I would like to do the CF again if not the whole nine years from SJPP then from some anther point for 3 plus weeks.
Will see.. I’m having hard time to get the Camino out of my head.
Wishing you well ,
Cheers and Buen Camino to all.
Darn…. David,.. lol ..
