August 26, 2022
St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France
Dear Family & Friends:
Tomorrow, I start my 600 mile pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago.
I had some bumps in the road getting here, but I am now resting comfortably at the Hotel des Pyrenees in the picturesque village of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France. This is the only stopping point in France on the Camino Frances. Last night, I stayed in a bed & breakfast six miles out of SJPP. The bed & breakfast was fantastic and the views were stunningly beautiful. On the way to the bed & breakfast, I met Mike & Amy Eilers from Iowa. They are my first pilgrim friends and I expect to see more of them on the Camin
SJPP is a walled, medieval village which sits directly below La Citadel, a fortress built before the village to protect the French against marauding invaders. SJPP has lots of great hotels and restaurants. The food is spectacular. Like everyone else who is on this pilgrimage, I visited the Pilgrim Office in SJPP to get my bearings and my Credentials stamped. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
Tomorrow will be a tough day since I cross the Pyrenees mountains as I enter Spain. There is a lot of elevation gain and lots of ups and downs, accompanied by some route finding issues. But, I will have lots of company, and I feel like I am ready for the challenge. The distance travelled is 15 miles.
Yes, the Hotel des Pyrenees is a luxury hotel. But, I recon if I treat my tired, 80-year old body well at the beginning of the trip, it will serve me well when times get more tough and primitive.
I have an admission. I brought my DJI Mini 3 Pro drone on the trip to film the adventure. Camino de
Santiago purists will decry this transgression. But, the overhead video footage will be stunning, and I will never use my drone to film other pilgrims.
I am posting photos and videos every day on Facebook. The Facebook link is in my last blog post.
My next stop is the village of Roncesvalles on the other side of the Pyrenees.
Bed & Breakfast
Stamping my credentials in SJP
The stamp
The Fortress
SJPP
The Wall around SJPP
The cobblestone streets
My hotel
A nice dinner
My drone
Good luck on your newest adventure. You’re the most amazing example of what a human being is capable of doing when everything is perfectly aligned. As an 87 year old, you’re my younger hero!
Bill
Admit it…I CAN SEE IT ON YOUR PLATE AND IN YOUR GRIN … YOU’RE THERE STRICTLY FOR THE FOOD.
UNLIKE EVEREST…YOUR WILL RETURM 10 LBS HEAVIER.
Best of luck on this fantastic adventure
Great pictures. I can’t believe you have a drone with you. We will should be seeing spectacular pictures. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts about the end of your first day of the trek.
Beautiful countryside and, as Jim noted, the food looks great~~ and you’ve already met new friends before you even started ~~~ this is goi g to be a wonderful adventure!!! Will enjoy sharing it through you ~~keep your feet comfy and have safe travels.
I love seeing the world through your eyes and words. Take care of your feet and they will get you to the end. Stay safe. 🙏🏼
I heard a saying “start old finish young. Start young finish old!” Your wise to be the tortoise rather than the hare! Really beautiful pictures.
Glad to see you are on your way for another adventure. We at home, can imagine doing it with you in spirit.
Poley Poley…one step at a time!!!!
How fun!
You will never tire of the regional food delicacies and superb wine which you will be sharing with other Camino pilgrims. “Drone on”!
Rick
How spectacular to be stepping foot onto the Camino trail, Bill! Those you meet along the way will be enriched by the meeting. Buen Camino!
God Speed Bill Burke from Burbank👍👍
You are truly inspiring…………
All my best.
It is Alana here again. I am so darned excited for you as well as just a wee bit jealous, up here in CANADA. I tore my right knee meniscus last November while my husband was being treated for Throat Cancer and have been rehabbing this horrible knee pain since then with minimal progress.
Thankfully through your videos and notes, I will be able to journey the route with you to some degree, which I hope helps me stop feeling sorry for myself. Ha! Ha!
BTW, A good friend of ours, has returned to complete his own Camino de Santiago right now as well. His name is Charlie Goh, just in case you meet up. I will FB him to find out exactly where he is at .. he started several days ago. He is a Cancer survivor from 2 previous Cancers, so I am so excited for him as well. After his last diagnosis and surgery, he did the Mount Everest BaseCamp trek, so he has worked very hard as well to live and stay well.
Stay well, take good care of your feet. I will be praying for your safe travels there.
Safe travels Bill! Melissa and I enjoy your adventures!
Jim Bright and I walked that same 500 mile route in May-June of this year. Good luck, take care of the feet. Rest days in Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon were very helpful.