Lezama-Mont Avril-Bilbao.        Walk Day 6

13 miles(but I got lost in the rain/forest), 200 feet elevation I’m turning into a mushroom. Hiked 4 hours in pouring rain. Some old Basque farmer saved me today. He hiked me back to a trailhead that wasn’t correctly marked and showed me the way. He couldn’t believe I was alone. He kept saying: “Solo?Continue reading “Lezama-Mont Avril-Bilbao.        Walk Day 6”

Gernika-Meakaur-Goikolexea-Larrabetzu-Lezama           Walk Day 5

19.1 miles, 600 feet elevation Relatively flat with three fairly interesting churches one in each town:San Esteban, which contains some Roman remains, Santos Emeterio & Celedonio, which honors 2 Roman legionnaires who were martyred for their faith. (In 1991 upon restoration  several cool murals were revealed and they have significant artistic importance), and Santa MariaContinue reading “Gernika-Meakaur-Goikolexea-Larrabetzu-Lezama           Walk Day 5”

Markina-Iruzubieta-Bolibar-Monasteriode Zenarruza-Munitibar-Gernika   Walk Day 4

21 miles, 2,100 feet elevation “You are the wipers of other men’s bottoms!”   Vic will remember this from the trip we took to Poland. When one of our Aunts or Uncles or Cousins would rattle away at one of us in Polish, pinching our cheeks or what not, one of us would say this.Continue reading “Markina-Iruzubieta-Bolibar-Monasteriode Zenarruza-Munitibar-Gernika   Walk Day 4”

Deba -Ermita del Calvaro- Olatz- Collado de Arno- Markina/Xemein.     Walk Day 3

16? Miles , 5,300 feet elevation                   One crosses the Deba Rio and  climbs up out of Deba and joins the national forest. They cannot mark the national forest with the yellow conch shells or the yellow Camino arrows, the typical Camino markers, so I wandered aroundContinue reading “Deba -Ermita del Calvaro- Olatz- Collado de Arno- Markina/Xemein.     Walk Day 3”

Getaria-Akzizu-Zumaia-Elorriaga-Itziar- Deba         Walk Day 2

15 miles, 5,000 feet elevation – DEBA        By now The National BigTimeWrestling Association, also known as the NBA, will have decided if not who will win their honorable, illustrious championship, at least how to get it to seven games, and fill the 1%ers pockets as full as possible. With all the honor andContinue reading “Getaria-Akzizu-Zumaia-Elorriaga-Itziar- Deba         Walk Day 2”

    Donostia – Orio- Zarautz-Getaria               Walk Day 1

23 mile, 3,700 feet elevation.       Getaria Tomas & Jeanne, a French couple I met at the end of the San Sebastián promenade, helped me find the Camino del Norte trailhead.  Although awkward, we managed to converse; some Spanish, a little English and much gesticulating with hand and sign language. I refrained fromContinue reading ”    Donostia – Orio- Zarautz-Getaria               Walk Day 1″

“I’m leaving on a jet plane…”

2:35 June 8th at 33,000 feet above California headed for the Windy City: then Munich, then Bilboa. Due to land in Bilboa, Spain 5:55 pm, disembark and bus to Donostia. Fatigue, excitement, apprehension and really bad coffee breathe from the fat guy sitting next to me fill my world of the exit isle and seatContinue reading ““I’m leaving on a jet plane…””

“Bon Chans – Adye – Orevwa – Baday… A Demen…Gris Gris, N’ Awlins!”

St Bernard’s Parish – Ninth Ward, work sight 5514 Baccich Street. Americorps Volunteers: Paris, Chaz, Michele, & Ben. Mudding, taping, sanding scrapping, painting, sweating 7 – 1. Visiting Loyola N.O., Tulane, Cafe du Monde, Audubon Zoo, I Max ‘The Great White’, Aqurium, Gumbo, Red beans and rice,  Jumbalya, “The Joint”, (barbecue), Parkway Bakery and Tavern,Continue reading ““Bon Chans – Adye – Orevwa – Baday… A Demen…Gris Gris, N’ Awlins!””

  St. Bernard’s Parish, LA…”I’m getting too old for this —-!”

One week in “The Big Easy” with ten high school seniors to help restore a home destroyed ten years ago by Hurricane Katrina. Day two mudding and texturizing the walls and ceiling of a  moldy, refurbished Ninth Ward house. Definitely a young person’s game. My shoulders and forearms are screaming. (The picture below is offContinue reading ”  St. Bernard’s Parish, LA…”I’m getting too old for this —-!””

The Adventures of a Wayward Saint

I leave for San Sebastián, Spain June 8th, but not before I take 10 students for a week to rebuild housing lost in the Ninth Ward due to Hurricane Katrina. The trip before the pilgrimage/quest trip.  The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, or more commonly known as the American River Parkway. (A view from the OldContinue reading “The Adventures of a Wayward Saint”