Author of guidebooks "Southern California Coast Walk" Malibu to the Tijuana River, 188 miles. "Seattle Townscape Walks", "Eugene, Oregon Walks", "Oregon Townscape Walks", "Siena, Italy Walks", "Quito, Ecuador Walks".
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
My Pilgrimage in Portugal to Santiago de Compestello
I am way too tired, so tomorrow will be a shorter day and I plan to eat more meat and potatoes for energy!
Ten miles was my short day! Surely tomorrow I will feel better!
It is really lovely along the coast, it is cooler and I feel energetic and cheerful.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Bom Día is Good morning in Portugese!
It seems a bit strange how normal it feels to get up about 6 a.m., put on the same clothes I wore yesterday that I hand-washed and hung to dry. In Portugal they nearly flash dry, the warmth, a little breeze and the quick-dry material are the perfect combination.
My sketchbook diary, note the heat!
Got lucky to stay with Nuno!
Beautiful village where we watched boys showing off on their bicycles in the main intersection.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Walking from Alhandra to Valada, Portugal.
First light along the Rio Tejo. On the pedestrian path.
Ponds and water flowers of some sort.
Mural of a pilgrim along the path.
Nuno, my gracious host in Casal des Areias in Valada.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Walking to Alhandra, Portugal.
Watch carefully for the pilgrim signs, as I do not have a guidebook, but an online app that needs internet. Thankfully, I find a Vodafone store en route and buy a SIM card for internet.
I spent the night at a fire station offering a mattress on the floor of a large room, clean and I had it all to myself. It was on a donation basis. There was really no place else to stay, so I was grateful.
The town square was lovely. In Alhandra.
Lisbon, Portugal
Castle keep in Lisbon.
View from the balcony of the hostel where I stayed.
Random graffiti in Lisbon.
Bordeaux, France
In front of their apartment.
Dinner in the garden at Baptiste ‘s parents, with his sister. Great food and company.
Paris!
Finished our glorious trip in Paris. To see the Louvre museum I pre-booked tickets for the first entry at 9 am. Upon entry we walked directly to the Mona Lisa by Leonardo di Vinci. My son Damon stood front and center directly in front of the painting for as long as he wanted to, with no one in front of him, for ten minutes, Later he said I never dreamed I would do that! When we left the museum 5 hours later, he told me, that was the best experience of my life! I am so pleased! They flew back to Ecuador this morning, but my travels continue!
Damon and Susana with the Louvre in the background.