So, today was a day of slight walk-induced discomfort and a
lot of gastric revolution. In other
words, I stayed home with the Starlord.
The upside is that I have a bit of time on my hands to actually type
this blog entry (may video as well later on tonight). I’ve been promising that I would talk
about the stuff I’m taking with me on the trip, so here we go.
Some of these things may not actually make it, but (hopefully) nothing
more will be added, and for those interested, I have put links to where to find these items in case you are interested:
Osprey Kestrel 38L backpack with 3L water bladder. I really like this pack (and I better, since
I already asked mom to sew patches on it).
It’s a good size for carrying and carryon (I am NOT planning on checking
luggage unless it’s on the return trip), carries a water bladder and has its
own rain cover. Lifetime no matter what
warranty makes it even better. I can see
why so many pilgrims recommended it when I was doing my research. If you are in the market, make sure you go to a store to get fitted. As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, my go-to for this was and is Trail and Ski in Tallahassee. Highly recommended!
Merrill Moab Waterproof shoes. Still going to try out some Columbia hiking boots as well, but these have been great for the most part. I got them in my size (15) which is not
leaving much room for swelling by the end of the day, so the boots I’m trying
will be a size larger. Still highly
recommended.
Second pair of shoes/slippers/not-crocs for after hiking. There are some nice slip on Merrills out there, but
I’m about done with the money spending so we’ll see. Crocs really aren’t comfortable enough for what
I need.
Scottevest Fleece (detachable sleeves). Lots of pockets and good warmth with layers,
this has been my go to travel item since the first UK trip. I use it as a carryon and I have ipad, phone,
books, wallet, etc all handy. If you
aren’t familiar with Scottevest, you need to be.
Scottevest walking shorts.
Deep hidden pockets and comfortable.
Love these too. Just wish I had
bought them a little smaller, since I got them before the weight loss…
Columbia zip off convertible pants. “Zip off” does not mean “Chippendales”
here. I asked. These are really lightweight and convert from
pants to shorts. They are also not to be worn around people you know.
Outdoor Research large sun/rain hat. I have been wearing this on all of my
walks. It looks silly, but keeps rain
and sun off of me, therefore it is awesome.
Three pairs of Smartwool PhD socks.
Very thin, not a blister or any issues with them. Expensive but SO worth it.
Two pair of Under Armor Compression shorts. Other than the fact that my legs look like I
am squeezing raw chicken through a straw whenever I put these on, they are
great. No link here - I'm trying to keep this a family website and no one out there needs to know what color I'm wearing. No one.
Lightweight sleeping bag liner. The early pilgrims may have put up with bedbugs, but I see no reason to follow COMPLETELY in their footsteps.
Collapsable drinking cup.
This may not make the trip, but there are places where I may want to
drink without filling up the bladder.
Dunno. It’s light. We’ll see.
Three dry sacks and two ziplock bags. Even with the bag cover, I am expecting
things to get wet. These bags will keep
things (like socks and electronics) dry even if the pack isn’t.
Cobra weave bracelet.
One of our science teachers gave me a woven bracelet made of 15 feet of
paracord, just because you never know. I
like the idea of preparing for the “you never know”, it looks good, and it
meant a lot that he would make one for me.
It’s a keeper.
Hairbrush, toothbrush.
Will get toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo in Spain.
Prescription sunglasses and pair of glasses. I have gone back and forth on whether to
bring glasses or my contacts. I think
rather than mess with contacts and possibly losing them, I’m going with the
glasses. Also, the sunglasses are a pair
of FSU Oakleys that I bought for Joel years ago. Honestly, he never liked them, but I like the
idea of taking something of his with me…even if they were his in name only. I mean he HATED them….:)
Ipad mini. Also a go
to for my travels. Great for getting
online with a sim card, and I will be using this for blogging, taking video,
storing maps, etc. Highly
recommended. Will be using a watertight
bag for it as well in case of rain.
Ipod Nano with headphones.
I carry one of these on every trip.
I have them all inscribed with a quote that my grandfather (on mom’s
side) used to say: “Everyone is a hero to someone”. I think of it as my Joel quote now, so I try
to always have it with me. Besides,
cannot imagine taking on this trip without Rush, Journey, Billy Joel, AC/DC, or
ABBA. You read that right – Rush.
Delorme InTouch GPS.
I have already talked about this, but the “Emotional LowJack” as I call
it is a pretty cool piece of kit. It
started out as something for my aunt and mom so that they would worry less, but
as I blog, I think that it might be neat for anyone interested to see where I
am. Also, I send and receive texts through
it. Ridiculous for a five day walk, yet
I’m childishly excited about using it.
It also means that I don’t need to bring my iphone with me.
Samsung flip phone. I
got this in England on our first Joel trip.
Plan is to get SIM for it when I get to Madrid and use in case of
emergencies.
Traveler power converter
Pilgrim’s passport, US passport, ID, 1 credit card, cash,
etc. I also scan my itinerary, passport
and Driver’s license and upload them to dropbox. That way, if I DO get pickpocketed, I have
documentation available to me if I go to a consulate or embassy to get new
credentials.
Printed copies of itinerary, reservations, airline tickets,
walking directions in ziplock bag.
Small leather bound journal and pencil.
Camino shells with St. James Cross painted on them. Mom not only sewed the patches for me
(because when I tried I nearly impaled my thumb with the needle), but she is
also painting some scallop shells for me to take with me and wear. Why am I bringing them with me instead of
getting some there? Simple. First of all, this way I can say they
traveled with me the whole way, second of all, they were picked up by Joel and
my parents over the years, and therefore they will (hopefully) mean more to the
people that I bring them back and give to upon my return.
My plan is to buy a walking stick and pocket knife in Spain
(I’m afraid I’d have to check them if I brought them from here). If I go into town in Santiago before getting
on the bus to Ferrol, I know that they have walking sticks at the pilgrim
office that pilgrims leave after they are done.
Otherwise, I’ll have to hope to find one in Ferrol. As for the pocket knife? Yeah, you just never know.
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