The Via Francigena Day 13: A Contemplation Bench
Sometimes we all need a spot to rest, to think, to regroup, to pause, and of course, to contemplate. When we did our practice Camino on the Little Miami Scenic trail in March, see blogs here, I needed more benches then I ever saw along the trail. The trail is more designed for cyclists so […]
The VF Day 11 & 12: Slow Down, Happiness is Trying to Catch You
This photo came up on my Facebook memories today. It’s ironic and funny because without seeing that picture I asked Brian to take the picture below. I’m always exhausted after a day of hiking in the heat and sun. Despite the exhaustion, I am called back to the trail all the time. I don’t know […]
Gluten is Not My Friend
Oh how I wish we were the best of friends. The pastries, the pizza, the pasta, the bread, Lord have mercy, the bread. I want to have a relationship with these foods like no other relationship I have had before. Sorry, Brian but you get me. I don’t want to linger on this discussion because […]
VF 9 & 10: Road Walking vs. Trail Walking
Sometimes the two are one in the same when you are walking the Via Francigena. Other times we assess what route looks the best and go for that one! Yesterday we walked from Saint Vincent to Arnad. We decided to just take the road. It meant a flat walk and just under 10 miles of […]
VF Day 7 & 8: Our First City in Italy – Aosta
After four challenging days of hiking going up and over the Swiss Alps, meandering through lots of Swiss and Italian villages, we have arrived in our first big city in Italy, the quant town of Aosta with a population of over 125,000 people. The big attractions are a Roman bridge, Roman theater, Roman wall, Roman […]
VF Day 6: I’m Hungry and I Don’t Want to Talk About It
Right now my biggest struggle is food. There never seems to be enough of it. The Hospice we stayed at last night included breakfast. Unfortunately that breakfast was a few day old piece of bread with butter/jelly and tea. Neither one of us could finish our bread because it wasn’t sitting right. We planned to […]
Hiking the Via Francigena Day 4 & 5: Our Highest Pass
If I complain about any other climb, let me please remember this day. Oh, the climbing, all day long. I kept repeating all day, “if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” I’m searching for change on this pilgrimage. I don’t know completely what change, but I’m sure it will reveal itself when it’s […]
VF Day 3 & 4: Hiking the Swiss Alps
Somebody suggested I should let that thought sink in. I guess I hadn’t thought about until we were surrounded by mountains and the only way out is up and over. Wow, it’s sinking in. I didn’t have a blog yesterday, I was having a rough day. It was raining, my shins were hurting, the terrain […]
The Via Francigena Day 2: A Typical Day
The day started with breakfast with the abbot at the Abbey of Saint Maurice. I mean, a private breakfast, how cool is that? We shared stories, asked each other a lot of questions with a few language limitations. He tried to talk politics, we steered the conversation away and he left it alone. We received […]
VF Day 1: Jet Lag, Eminent Rain, and Walking
I should be asleep right now. It’s 1:30 a.m. There’s rain coming in at 11:00 a.m. so we have to start walking early. I definitely should be asleep. Unfortunately my body is still adjusting to the 6 hour time zone change and I’m restless with anticipation of the pilgrimage we’re embarking on. I try to […]