Here I go again… My family has been anticipating this day, my sojourn nature of getting antsy and needing to leave the confines of my warm abode. After many delays, it appears that the Continental Divide Trail is within reach. There were timing issues, the shuffling of life and all the responsibilities that it brings, and of course my dear hubby George and our faithful dog Zoey. These things and so much more are always on my mind when I dream up these schemes of wanderlust, of hitting the trail for my true peace and serenity. But now that I have the blessings of all parties concerned, I am gearing up.

No Hubby on Long Distant Hikes?

In the Baraga Household, we are doing a training regimen like no other. Italy, here we come. A little background to my madness. My hubby is not a backpacker. In our 30 years of marriage, he has graced me with his presence ONCE on trail. Yep, after that trip to Iceberg Lake, he was quick to state that never again was he going to sleep in a tent, affirming the fact that it was on the ground! So to remedy this fact, I introduced George to the Camino. He was absolutely hooked. Walking daily, eating and drinking along the way, and staying in very nice places with running water, flush toilets and comfortable beds. No, we do not stay in Albergues or Donativos, and I’ll leave that for another blog someday as to why we decided on private spaces. But I will mention it had something to do with wild things that happen when two or more unclothed people get together and share their inner most beings. Yep, in a hostel, right next to us for hours. We now stay in private rooms. 

Triple Crown of Camino’s

So for the month of May, George and I are walking our Triple Crown of the Camino. We completed the Portuguese Route in 2023, the Frances in 2024 and now embarking on the Via Francigena. This route originates in Canterbury, England and continues to Rome, a little over 2000 km or 1250 miles. We are walking the final section from Lucca to Rome, some 400 km which equates to about 250 miles. That is my unorthodox training program for the Continental Divide Trail. It checks off a few vital things off my list. First, it gives me time on my feet everyday for three weeks, in my trail runners. Secondly, it allows me to embrace the weight of my camino pack, which honestly is close to my base weight for CDT, about 15 pounds minus food and water. Thirdly, and most importantly, it allows me quality time with George, my partner in crime, before I leave him for months on end. 

Differing Camino’s

Each Camino we have walked are so uniquely different.  They have challenges of their own, including language barriers that make everyday conversations a bit difficult and finding a rhythm that fits two varying pilgrims styles. But this is what makes it so rewarding and exciting. Emerging yourself in the culture of the locals and living within their homes, if even for a night or two. And seriously, who can say no to daily gelato, Italian wine for the price of a soda, and overflowing bowls of pasta. I am all in and I can promise you that there will be nothing dehydrated that will touch my lips! This is a never-ending feast of culinary delight. Once I finish this so-called training program, my toughest battle will be wanting to still hike 3100 miles on a dusty dirty trail, in my single-walled tent with lions and bears nearby. I am not a gladiator, or maybe, just maybe I actually am. 

Spirituality Behind Camino’s

In a few days after a long flight ride over the big golden pond that separates United States from Europe, George and I will be walking towards the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. There is a saying that when you walk The Frances towards Santiago, that as a pilgrim, you are letting go of your burdens along the way. People bring rocks or tokens that remind them of their previous life, being weighed down by all that they have faced. When they reach the final destination of the Cathedral, your new life is clear without the angst of worry and anxiety. Much like a thru-hike. The Via Francigena is a bit different in a spiritual sense. It is more of walking or journeying towards the light of God. Being you are walking southbound, you wake up to the sunshine in your face and you are constantly walking with the sun shining upon you. There is a warmth, a sense of communing with Jesus, knowing that He is with you on this pilgrimage. So as I venture out, I will be in the light, searching for the utmost part of my being, and realizing that I am only footsteps away. This is truly my happy place. 

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬