To More Slow Roads

I look forward to more long empty streets in small towns, whenever that happens.

CaminoLeslie H ColeFebruary 19, 2021Camino frances, Slow Travel, PilgrimageComment

In anticipation of another long walk, I’m beginning to explore what the Via Francigena has in store for me. I don’t think there are backpack services, but is it a thru-hike?

CaminoLeslie H ColeJanuary 12, 2021Camino, Pilgrimage, Cafe, Spain, Trough Hike, Via Francigena, Camino FrancesComment

5 Guides to the Camino de Santiago

Curious about what makes a good guidebook, I decided to explore some guidebooks for a pilgrimage and route that I know rather well.

CaminoLeslie H ColeJanuary 8, 2021Camino de Santiago, Guidebooks, Slow Travel, Camino Ingles, Camino Primitivo, Camino francesComment

Where is Your Next Road?

The world went on hold in the year that shall not be named, and so did I. I couldn’t even begin to think about the possibility of a walk through England, France, Switzerland, and Italy.

Camino, Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeJanuary 5, 2021Camino de Santiago, Pilgrimage, Community, Slow Travel, Via FrancigenaComment

What's on the Other Side?

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, 2020.

CaminoLeslie H ColeDecember 29, 2020Door, Slow Walk, PilgrimageComment

A Camino Symbol of Community

On a medieval Camino, a pilgrim carried a scallop shell back from the ocean to show they’d reached the end of their intended journey.

CaminoLeslie H ColeDecember 22, 2020Camino de Santiago, Pilgrimage, Community, Slow TravelComment

5 Books by Women Who Walk

This list of favorites came from an autumn spent reading memoirs by women authors who walk and have published books about their experiences.

CaminoLeslie H ColeDecember 18, 2020Camino, Slow Travel, Women, Reading, BooksComment

What Do Pilgrims Carry?

It is the rare pilgrim who carries nothing at all, but I’ve seen those, too, and I’ve wondered if their souls were as free as their backs, although they might have been using a backpack service.

Camino, Slow lifeLeslie H ColeNovember 20, 2020Camino, Slow Travel, Travel Writing, Backpack Comments

We All Carry Something

Part of the joy of a long walk is unburdening ourselves of the weights we carry.

Spain, Camino, 2014Leslie H ColeNovember 17, 2020Semana Santa, Spain, Slow Travel, Camino de SantiagoComment

Electronics on Camino: Burden or Bounty?

Maribeth, who married Sam in 1942, and the car her neighbor loaned them so they could have a wedding photo in front of a vehicle and look like a couple with a future.

CaminoLeslie H ColeOctober 30, 2020Electronics, Communication, Camino, Documentation, Loneliness, Pilgrimage, QuixoteComment

The Bar at the End of the World

O’Refuxio is the bar at the end of the world, the last bar on the Camino de Santiago. I never went inside, but I did take a photo.

CaminoLeslie H ColeOctober 27, 2020Camino, Photography, Pilgrimage, Electronics, Slow Travel, DocumentationComment

Finding a Practice on the Camino

A Camino pilgrim walked 1000 miles and painted a complete work every 5 miles for 6 months.

Camino, Slow life, SpainLeslie H ColeOctober 9, 2020Camino, Practice, Walking, Pilgrimage, PaintingComment

Virtual Camino: Mind Meets Road

How do pilgrims face the disappointment of a walk canceled or postponed, potentially never to happen?

Camino, Slow lifeLeslie H ColeSeptember 25, 2020Comment

40 Days of Camino Paths

A video of the paths I walked from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Frances.

Camino, Spain, Slow lifeLeslie H ColeAugust 25, 2020 Comments

An Ending, and a Beginning

The sun sets over the Atlantic after a journey of 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago.

Camino, Spain, Slow lifeLeslie H ColeAugust 18, 2020Comment