Ninety Days
The number of days to our next Camino continues to drop precipitously. Less than three months to go! At this point, equipment and footgear is all acquired.
For shoes and socks, I have stuck with Keen. Their “garage” store is in downtown Portland, and it’s well worth a drop-by if you’re in the area.
The shoes are rugged and comfortable (and they look much less like clown shoes these days), and their socks are nigh indestructible.
Still on my list? I do need some new glasses, and perhaps a new pair of hiking pants.
And of course, the usual oddments – a new knife, some reflective tape for the pack, etc. Nothing huge.
Physically, our pre-Camino walking workouts begin in January, as does our Whole-30 diet.
Time is ticking away! Yikes!
Thom,
So are you getting as excited as when you left for your First Camino ??
I can’t believe that it has been a almost two years since my son and I did it.. I’d love to did it all over again, especially after “Lessons Learned” are still as fresh as the blister that we “earned”.
As for the Keen shoes.. Hmmm. I bought a pair from the Local REI and walked the Camino. They were very comfortable and they were broken in by my 15 mile day training walks. So I figured – “G2G” Wrong !! I happened to get caught in 2 .5 days of rain going through Burrgos and the soles of the shoes separated from the leather uppers. BUMMER – After repeated attempts to re glue the shoes back together I had to tape them up to reach Santiago. The tread on the soles were perfect and show no sign of wear, I figured that KEEN used water solvable GLUE ;-0
I sent a photo of the taped up shoes to REI and KEEN…as asking them if this had been a problem for other folks > CRICKETS
Another lesson learned , I figure.
As you known by now, when your feet and knees are refusing to carry you further, you can ALWAYS Send you backpack ahead to the next alburgue/pension for a few Euros and count on having a place to spend the night while walking unburden ! Makes the stroll a dream!!
Buen Camino !
Hello Cam!
We are super silly excited.
There’s a lot less trepidation and worry this time around – a result of all of those “lessons learned” no doubt.
I’ve never personally had any trouble with the Keens, or REI. I think the trick for REI is to physically bring in something you’re dissatisfied with. For me, they’ve always traded it in on the spot, no questions.