Well, only a few days left until I fly out of here.  I am wondering if I am really ready?  But I guess I will just have to go and put one foot in front of the other.  I've been reading lots of posts on the Camino forum and probably that isn't helping my last minute jitters.  I will get one last long backpack walk in sometime over this weekend and that will be it, I guess.  The poor dogs haven't been out much lately because I've been hiking or walking elsewhere with friends.  I guess they deserve a break.  :)  Yesterday, I walked the bird sanctuary trail in Salmon Arm.  What a gorgeous spot to go if you are looking for a place to go.  I saw lots of great blue herons and two families of brand new baby geese, all yellow and fluffy.
This weekend will be last minute finishing touches on the pack and on me.  I have lots of stuff to do in the yard and garden and then I just have to "let go" and leave the guys to it.
Well, I probably won't post again til Bordeaux or St. Jean so,  See you later!  Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and support to do this crazy thing.

count down

Just a month  to go and I will be heading out. I'm still doing lots of walking and hiking, now with a full backpack.  I feel stronger now too.  Still lots of work to do but I am enjoying it.

more preparation

I went hiking in Kal Park today and discovered a trail I haven't been on before.  It had some tricky spots and lots of loose rocks so it was good practice.  I'm doing longer daily walks now.  Up to 18 kms with a full backpack. Feeling good.

I got a new hose water bottle converter today.   It works great and doesn't have that bad taste the water bladder does.   I'm trying it out tomorrow on my walk.

I'm continuing to walk 13 to 15 kms with a full backpack.  So far so good.  My knees protest a bit but they are OK.   That's good news
Also, I figured out how to get a flashlight on my phone so I don't have to take a flashlight in my pack. 1 less item!

Finally figuring out how to post from my mobile device!

The trail at Sovereign Lake today

February 15, 2015.

Update:  Well, I have the gear I need and have ordered my new smart phone which, I hope will serve as the blogging, posting, web and map searching device I need as well as my reader for the trek.  I should have it in my hands within a week to get lots of practice before I go.  I've been "training" lots and have started carrying my pack, first at about 1/2 weight and up to 3/4 weight with no problems.  Today, it looks like a beautiful sunny day out so I will go for a long walk with my pack close to full weight and see how it goes.  So far so good. Oh, and I'm doing weekly visits to the chiropractor to get my knees and lower back all sorted and in proper shape for trekking and carrying packs and all.
Here is a neat tool, a listing of distances between villages that you can customize to figure out each day's journey.  It starts in Roncevalles so doesn't cover the portion from St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncevalles but otherwise is pretty cool.  Fun to play around with.

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

And, I went to see the movie "Wild" yesterday...very grateful for the small pack I'll need and for the albergues, hostels and b&b's I'll be able to access along the way.  It's all a matter of perspective.

12:00 pm.  So, I walked 13 kms today with a full pack and although I'm tired, my knees seem all right.  A bit sore but not terrible.  I'll see how they are in the morning.  :)

Feb 16, morning....I'm happy to report that my knees are fine today.  A bit sore and achy in the hip last night but definitely ok!  Yeah!

Another guide to peruse.
http://santiago.forwalk.org/en/trail/31-days-to-santiago/