Prologue

In 2010 a friend tipped me off to a new movie that was showing at The Flicks in Boise, Idaho. The title was simple and direct, The Way. (If you haven't seen the movie I suggest you track it down through whatever sources you have available). The setting for this movie was El Camino de Santiago, (roughly translated as The Way of St. James), a 500 mile trek across northern Spain.
I had never heard of "The Camino", as it is simply referred to. Neither had most other people in my circle of friends. Although originally a pilgrimage by the Catholic faithful it has taken on a new identity in recent years, with over 200,000 people a year joining in this incredible adventure.
In the intervening years I have read books, attended presentations, watched movies and met several people who have gone on this amazing "trail". Many have described it as life changing.
In November of 2014 I underwent a life changing event of my own. My wife of 39 years, Betty, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. Without going into too much detail here, let me simply state that the loss of a loved one will bring about huge changes in anyone, and I was no exception. In the intervening three and a half years I have taken a couple of amazing journeys* of my own, retired, and reconnected with an old classmate from 50 years ago at my high school reunion. We were recently married and my sun shines again daily.
This blog may prove to be different than my previous endeavors in a number of ways, its means of creation perhaps primary among them. Previously my entries were created and posted nightly. It is my understanding that internet access is spotty at best in many areas of Spain. The entries may still be created daily (or not), but posted whenever access presents itself.
My flight leaves the U.S. on May 8th. Prior to that I will blog in an effort to inform the reader regarding planning, expectations, training, sacrifices and, if I can find it, humor regarding my Camino. I hope you follow this as it develops. I also hope you pull for me as this will be physically and mentally challenging, perhaps beyond anything I have done to date. More about this in future posts.

* If you would like to read about my previous two adventures, the blogs are available at:

frogP48.blogspot.com  - The day by day description of my motorcycle trip around the perimeter of the lower 48 states, a 17,000 mile journey of heart and soul.

frogsAK49.blogspot.com - My retirement party! A motorcycle trip to Alaska, then back through parts of Canada on the iconic AlCan Highway, Cassiar Highway, Icefield Parkway, Going to the Sun Road and the Beartooth Parkway (the latter two in Montana).