Tag Camino de Santiago

Ten Years Later, a New Camino Calls

Reg Spittle 13 Comments

Ten years ago, Sue and I stood at O’Cebreiro, in the final phase of our journey on the Camino de Santiago.

Our arrival in Santiago was bittersweet. We welcomed the chance to rest our feet after a month on the trail, but didn’t want our greatest adventure to end.

For me, the journey was as much internal as it was a walk through Spain. My Merrill shoes protected my feet, but the Camino exposed battles my heart had fought my entire life.

When we returned home, my heart led me to the keyboard, where I told my story, which has found readers in ten countries. Many have written to me to say my book (Camino Sunrise: Walking With My Shadows) resonated, even helped them feel the hope I found on the Camino. I am so grateful that they shared their stories.

Sue and I have continued to walk, traveling on distance trails throughout Europe and on the John Muir Trail in the tallest mountains of California. I described our adventures during four treks in five countries in Trippin’ Through My 60s: When Adventure Calls, the Trails of Europe Answer.

Next week, Sue and I will put on the same red backpacks we wore in 2013 and walk another Camino that traverses a country. Another historic trail that pilgrims have walked for centuries. This time, we will walk in France. The path is known as the Way of St. James, the GR65, the Le Puy Route, or the Via Podiensis.

I will post occasional photos here and Sue will do much more on our website (carryoncouple.com) that has documented our adventures.

I have done what I can to prepare my body for its new challenge of walking nearly 500 miles. As usual, I am nervous about where my feet will take me. But I know one thing. My heart yearns to return to the trail.

Seven Novels That I Still Can’t Put Down

Reg Spittle Leave a comment

Looking for a novel with a compelling human angle? Here are seven I enjoyed very much; click on the links to read my brief reviews. I would love to hear your thoughts about any or all of them.

Boy at the Crossroads, by Mary Ford. Conley Ford, 13 years old, can no longer cope with his impoverished life that includes an abusive father. Bad choices on the road are offset by his appearance that makes him look 17. His final crossroad may surprise you.

Camino Club, by Kevin Craig. Six wayward teenagers are sentenced for their crimes. Their punishment–to walk Spain’s Camino de Santiago–delivers them to places they never imagined. I almost finished this in one day, it was such a gripping story.

Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse. Siddhartha is a handsome young Brahman who is wealthy, exceptionally intelligent, and loved. He seems to have it all, but he feels unfulfilled. In this classic, he sets out to find fulfillment.

13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher. Whether or not you watched the popular Netflix series, this book weaves depression and teen angst with scenes of bullying, rumor-mongering, stalking, lying, and a horrific crime. A teen suicide sets off the intriguing story.

The Humans, by Matt Haig. A sci-fi story by one of the most-read British authors. An alien comes to Earth with a mission to kill, but human nature intercedes–in most cases. A moving story with playful scenes. One of the best books I have read in 2023.

Okay for Now, by Gary D. Schmidt. I loved this book so much that I sent a copy to each of my three adult sons. To be honest, I wished they were kids again and I could read it aloud with them, like I did with countless stories when they were growing up. A coming-of-age story that will tickle your funny bone and touch your heart. Truly an exceptional book.

The Only Way Home, by Jeanette Minniti. It is 1933, the depth of the Great Depression and the low point of 15-year-old Robert’s life. His father has died and his mother seeks ways to feed her five children. They lose their home and move into a tiny house. Robert, like many other older children of the times, makes decisions adults would find daunting.