Sauntering, not hiking

Juspassinthru · Oct 10, 2017

Reflecting on my Camino, I started reading John Muir. Many Americans know who Muir was, for those who may not, he was an American Naturalist who founded the Sierra Club. He walked the mountains of the American West, especially around Yosemite in the late 1800's.

I have on many occasions said that I hiked the Camino, I like his view on the word "hiking" much better:

“I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”

I'm privileged to have sauntered the Camino.

NikkiTate · Oct 10, 2017

Juspassinthrough said:
Reflecting on my Camino, I started reading John Muir. Many Americans know who Muir was, for those who may not, he was an American Naturalist who founded the Sierra Club. He walked the mountains of the American West, especially around Yosemite in the late 1800's.

I have on many occasions said that I hiked the Camino, I like his view on the word "hiking" much better:

“I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”

I'm privileged to have sauntered the Camino.

I love this quote! It sums up exactly what we (my almost 82 year-old Dad, my daughter and I) are doing on our very slow way to Santiago!

Theatregal · Oct 10, 2017

NikkiTate said:
I love this quote! It sums up exactly what we (my almost 82 year-old Dad, my daughter and I) are doing on our very slow way to Santiago!

Beautiful photo!

Theatregal · Oct 10, 2017

Juspassinthrough said:
Reflecting on my Camino, I started reading John Muir. Many Americans know who Muir was, for those who may not, he was an American Naturalist who founded the Sierra Club. He walked the mountains of the American West, especially around Yosemite in the late 1800's.

I have on many occasions said that I hiked the Camino, I like his view on the word "hiking" much better:

“I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”

I'm privileged to have sauntered the Camino.

Wonderful!

Juspassinthru · Oct 10, 2017

NikkiTate, I don’t know your father but I think I’d like him if I did. On my Camino earlier this year I had the opportunity to walk with an 82 year old German man doing his 3rd Camino. He was an inspiration.

Icacos · Oct 10, 2017

Juspassinthrough said:
".........Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”.

I love that! That's what I was doing yesterday.....'sauntering' in the mountains.

amorfati1 · Oct 11, 2017

Juspassinthrough said:
Reflecting on my Camino, I started reading John Muir. Many Americans know who Muir was, for those who may not, he was an American Naturalist who founded the Sierra Club. He walked the mountains of the American West, especially around Yosemite in the late 1800's.

I have on many occasions said that I hiked the Camino, I like his view on the word "hiking" much better:

“I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”

I'm privileged to have sauntered the Camino.

thank you for the reminder and the 'a la sainte terre' - did not know that one. very well described/expressed.
now if we'd only realise that wherever we set foot on is holy land.
(and treat the land accordingly....)
last year in the fall, i had the pleasure to be saundering on the John Muir trail, west of Glasgow (the trail starts on the eastern coast of scotland, in dunbar, JM's birthplace)

view of loch lomond

saundering along lovely beeches ... onwards to loch lomand

and down again ... through a forest that reminded me of Fangorn (LOTR)

after the climb up from Craigendoran ... huff and puff... but I made it

See You Soon · Oct 11, 2017

A journey of a thousand miles . . . .

David · Oct 11, 2017

What a lovely thought - such a shame that it is unlikely to be true! - French doesn't have the same format as English so it would have been "à la terre sainte" - but I do agree - to saunter is the way!!

hhmm .. unless medieval French was spoken a different way ... oh dear, I am most likely completely wrong - I so often am!!

Icacos · Oct 11, 2017

Perhaps John Muir was an adherent of, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."

Rick of Rick and Peg · Oct 11, 2017

Published etymologies of saunter seem to either ignore a la sainte terre as the source of saunter or dismiss it. Nonetheless, Henry David Thoreau used the etymology himself in his essay "Walking." Maybe Muir used Thoreau as his source. The Atlantic magazine originally published Thoreau's essay and they have a copy of it online at https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1862/06/walking/304674/

Juspassinthru · Oct 11, 2017

Like the chicken miracle in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, you kind of have to roll with it. Muir, Thoreau or ancient French, we're discussing intelligent subjects and it feels good. And whether or not Muir's words are totally accurate, his point is still worth serious contemplation I think. Buen Camino!

David · Oct 11, 2017

The chicken miracle in Santo Domingo de la Calzada? Of course that is true - very believable

But, ah, Henry David Thoreau ........ ?? https://newrepublic.com/article/123162/everybody-hates-henry-david-thoreau

Icacos · Oct 11, 2017

David said:
But, ah, Henry David Thoreau ........ ?? https://newrepublic.com/article/123162/everybody-hates-henry-david-thoreau

I'll be most interested in reading this, David, later when I have time. Regardless of what they say about Thoreau, I was fortunate enough to have been to Walden Pond a few years ago, at this time of the year too, when the leaves were in their autumn glory.

JennyH94 · Oct 11, 2017

Hi Juspassinthrough -
Great thread - thank you.
Sauntering is a beautiful word and a wonderful thing - taking the time to walk slowly, to appreciate and give thanks for all that is around you - no matter where you are.
Cheers -
Jenny

DavidJ1215 · Oct 11, 2017

David said:
such a shame that it isn't true!

Well David I am not sure for certain if any one knows whether it is true or not - but of all the numerous derivations I have seen - I much prefer this one !

David · Oct 11, 2017

Me too!!!!

Juspassinthru · Oct 11, 2017

Thanks JennyH94, as I was reading it, I was just sort of struck and I wanted to share it. I'm glad so many people enjoyed it as much as I did. David and Rick elevated the discussion by interjecting Thoreau and by examining Old vs New French and I mean that sincerely.

Rick of Rick and Peg · Oct 12, 2017

After reading some of these posts mentioning Muir and Thoreau (and a recalculation of my BMI this morning) I decided to head out and do some sauntering in Thoreau's haunts for a few hours. By the way, 2017 is the 200th anniversary of Thoreau's birth (July 12th.)

David said:
But, ah, Henry David Thoreau ........ ?? https://newrepublic.com/article/123162/everybody-hates-henry-david-thoreau

Thank you David for the link to the essay in the New Republic that discusses both the good and bad points about Thoreau the man. A few years ago I did read the "Pond Scum" essay in the New Yorker used by the New Republic author.

Icacos said:
Regardless of what they say about Thoreau, I was fortunate enough to have been to Walden Pond a few years ago, at this time of the year too, when the leaves were in their autumn glory.

I have some pictures of a walk to Walden Pond I did this July on the forum. They are at:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...walk-locally-in-2017.44869/page-3#post-533716

Thoreau and his brother took a row boat trip down the Concord River and up the Merrimac River so they passed this spot on the Concord near my home:

David · Oct 12, 2017

Regardless of whether it is "true" or not I will always remember it now, as I saunter the Camino doing my first aid.

Colette Z · Oct 14, 2017

NikkiTate said:
I love this quote! It sums up exactly what we (my almost 82 year-old Dad, my daughter and I) are doing on our very slow way to Santiago!

Wow that is an amazing experience. Buen camino to you all

Tio Huero · Oct 14, 2017

Juspassinthrough said:
Reflecting on my Camino, I started reading John Muir. Many Americans know who Muir was, for those who may not, he was an American Naturalist who founded the Sierra Club. He walked the mountains of the American West, especially around Yosemite in the late 1800's.

I have on many occasions said that I hiked the Camino, I like his view on the word "hiking" much better:

“I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”

I'm privileged to have sauntered the Camino.

Personally, I prefer to sashay.

tpmchugh · Oct 14, 2017

Juspassinthrough said:
Reflecting on my Camino, I started reading John Muir. Many Americans know who Muir was, for those who may not, he was an American Naturalist who founded the Sierra Club. He walked the mountains of the American West, especially around Yosemite in the late 1800's.

I have on many occasions said that I hiked the Camino, I like his view on the word "hiking" much better:

“I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”

I'm privileged to have sauntered the Camino.

Have come across many quotes by John Muir and find them very inspiring. One thing though, he was Scottish. Born in Dunbar, East Lothian, his family emigrated when he was 11. Also known as John of the Mountains. "I would rather be on a mountain thinking of God, than in a church thinking of the mountain" Maybe not word perfect but that is my favourite Muir quote. I too have 'sauntered' the Camino and I love that interpretation of the word. There is another interpretation, which of course, I reject out of hand Saunterers were people who pretended they had been to the Holy Land to gain favours. Dont like that interpretation one little bit

Richmond Gardner · Oct 15, 2017

NikkiTate said:
I love this quote! It sums up exactly what we (my almost 82 year-old Dad, my daughter and I) are doing on our very slow way to Santiago!

Congratulations to you, your daughter and especially your almost 82 year old dad, for sauntering to Santiago! He must be quite an adventurous person

wildrover · Oct 18, 2017

amorfati1 said:
thank you for the reminder and the 'a la sainte terre' - did not know that one. very well described/expressed.
now if we'd only realise that wherever we set foot on is holy land.
(and treat the land accordingly....)
last year in the fall, i had the pleasure to be saundering on the John Muir trail, west of Glasgow (the trail starts on the eastern coast of scotland, in dunbar, JM's birthplace)

view of loch lomond
View attachment 36808

saundering along lovely beeches ... onwards to loch lomand
View attachment 36810
and down again ... through a forest that reminded me of Fangorn (LOTR)
View attachment 36809

after the climb up from Craigendoran ... huff and puff... but I made it
View attachment 36807

Aye, glad, someone was aware he was Scottish. Likesayken?

Lori D. · Oct 25, 2017

I found this quote while sauntering on the Camino this past month! It's exactly what my brother did- saunter! I tried to emulate him- succeeded to some degree!

Juspassinthru · Oct 25, 2017

I found that some are better than others naturally. I learned to saunter but it came towards the end of my Camino. I'll be much better prep

Juspassinthru · Oct 26, 2017

Seems the end of my post was cut off: I’ll be much better prepared next year.
There’s a movement in the culinarily world called slow food, meaning better products, better preparation, a better dining experience takes time to appreciate and savor. How about slow Camino for the same reasons?

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