New Visions of Marin

One unexpected benefit of training for the Camino has been walking new trails and finding new perspectives on Mill Valley and Marin. For the first time, we summited Ring Mountain and looked down on the Tiburon peninsula.

We also learned why Turtle Rock is called Turtle Rock.

And saw wildflowers that turn your head and help you understand the significance of spring.

Of all the hikes we have done over the past six weeks, I think the 13 mile walk up (and down) the Railroad Grade to the East Peak of Mt. Tam was my favorite. The slow reveal of breathtaking views as we rounded the hairpins, and looked out to the south and to the west brought me back to a 1920s gravity car slipping down the grade with squealing brakes.

I expect the outlines of their views were similar to ours -- without today's built environment.

It's an amazing place to live. And you can get there from the Marlin fire road.

JRM

Two days to go

In Marin, everyone knows someone who has done the Camino. People tell us the Camino is life changing. I have my doubts. And yet yesterday, I felt some of the Camino magic.

We were in REI (for the 4th time). They were out of blister pads. We browsed sale items in different locations. I looked for down vests; Jessica looked for hiking pants.

A salesperson came over and asked Jessica if she had any questions. Conversation ensued. Then the salesperson wandered over to me. She answered one of my questions, and then realized my partner (her words) was over in the woman's section. Turns out, she had done the Camino last year.

With both of us she strongly urged that we have a substantial "base layer," something we had thought about and left behind while worrying about mail holds and Picasso Museum tickets. She said we should beware Galicia: "They don't even heat the hotels there." With a smile and "Buon Camino" she headed toward the shoe department.

So we bought wonderfully soft marino wool long underwear (bottoms and tops), and are now ready for the worst Galicia can throw at us.

Here's a Google Map view of our walk.

If interested, you can find a more detailed itinerary here and here.

Tomorrow we pack. And then off to Barcelona, and a Gaudi orgy, punctuated with pixtos.

JRM

Getting Ready

March 6, 2016

I'm sitting in our living room, with a fire alternately roaring and embering, and wind gusting outside. It's already knocked over the chairs on the deck. I expect the bird feeders to go flying next. I've just been learning the mechanics of Blogger -- how to get pictures from the iPhone to the website, how to format. Now I want to take it for a test drive.

Our trip is 5 1/2 weeks away. I am excited and apprehensive. We'll be walking the last 130 miles of the Camino in 11 days. I am worried about some of the daily distances. Jessica is worried also. The first day (Pontferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo) is 16 miles. Thankfully, it's also relatively flat -- unlike Marin. We've been walking to get ready. Physically demanding but beautiful walks on Mt Tam and Marin open space. Here's what we've seen.

View from High Marsh Trail, Mt Tam

Blithedale Ridge

Pileated Woodpecker

Unknown Lily

Cataract Trail, Mt. Tam

Kent Lake from San Geronimo Ridge

Trillium

We've also been frequenting REI. Discovered a new sock manufacturer -- "Darn Tough" located in Vermont. Jessica got some spiffy new poles, and I am hankering for a new day pack, once the new and improved 2016 models appear later in March.

I'm also thinking about what it means to walk the Camino -- the path so many pilgrims have followed for hundreds of years. I'm certainly not a Catholic, and at this time of my life, not so much a seeker either. And yet, this doesn't seem like just another multi-day hike.

There are two movies about walking the Camino that are interesting. One with Marin Sheen called The Way, and one a documentary that follows six pilgrims throughout their journey. Of the two, I enjoyed The Way the most. Documentaries are only as compelling as their subjects, and I didn't click with the walkers they portrayed.

The rain is raging in Mill Valley, and it's time to quit for now. More to come.  JRM