VF Day 25-26: Two Bees, a Swarm of Flies, and Relentless Gnats
I’m always excited for new scenery, entering the Apennine Mountains was no exception after the long, flat days of the Po Valley. I’m like a kid who is excited but forgets every time how much work the mountains can be to hike. I can’t talk more about a balanced life yet (see last blog post). […]
VF Day 21-24: What is Living a Balanced Life?
Since you heard from me last we have walked 47.6 km, took a train for 31.5 km, and enjoyed a bit of rejuvenation. See our stats at the end of the blog. Can you feel the zen of a balanced life? Brian and I have lived by the school calendar our entire lives. We don’t […]
VF Day 19-20: Need Camino Magic?
As we continue to meander through the Po Valley, I am constantly surprised by what the famous Camino magic brings our way. Camino magic is a term we learned on our first pilgrimage. I don’t remember where specifically but probably on Dan Mullins Camino podcast. If you’ve never heard of it, you are missing out! […]
VF Day 16-18: Finding Joy in the Long, Flat Road & Teaching
This long flat road from Santhia to Pavia reminds me first of the Meseta on the Camino Frances only longer. My photos are all same, I am tired of the views, and my inspiration isn’t coming like it was just a few days ago. It also reminds me of how a 15 week semester can […]
The VF Day 14 & 15: Toilet Paper, Food, & A Soft Bed
Ramblings from the Via Francigena… I don’t ask for much when we’re on pilgrimage. Having our most basic needs met is really all we desire which means availability of decent toilet paper, food, and a soft bed. 😆 Unfortunately, that is asking too much at times. 😏 The biggest difference between the pilgrimage we are […]
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 […]