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

A Walk Postponed

If I’m not making my walk this year, what am I writing about? Does this blog have another purpose?

Leslie H ColeFebruary 12, 2021Camino frances, Albuerge, Pilgrimage, Friendship Comment

Time to Evolve

I didn’t want to see anyone hang from a telephone pole, but I am the daughter of a history professor, and I also know that revolutions don’t come cheap.

Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeFebruary 9, 2021Evolve, Love, Seattle, SoDo, Pivot, PilgrimageComment

Taking a Breath

The perfect breath is 5.5 breaths per minute, 5.5 litres of air, 5.5-second inhales and 5.5-second exhales.

SpainLeslie H ColeFebruary 2, 2021Madrid, Breath, Slow Travel, Camino, PilgrimageComment

Alternative Footpaths in COVID Times

Though the well is capped, we can still sip the waters of freedom. Small journeys on foot, starting and ending at home, remain legal and plausible.

Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeJanuary 29, 2021Via Francigena, Slow Travel, England, COVID, Pilgrimage, The Old WayComment

Routes to a New Pilgrimage

Spanish Camino routes are closed to tourists until at least fall this year , but there’s no reason to stop visualizing our next pilgrimage.

Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeJanuary 26, 2021Pilgrimage, Shrewsbury, CanterburyComment

Wanderlust This and Wanderlust That

The svelte chihuahua in a skimpy bikini and sunglasses caught my attention, and I stopped clicking through long enough to listen to her rap.

Leslie H ColeJanuary 19, 2021Via Francigena, Slow Travel, Pilgrimage, GuidebooksComment

Pilgrimage or Thru-hike on the Camino

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

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

Where Do You Look for Guidance?

When I visited the church, I was immediately taken by this image of the Saint in supplication to his higher power. I don’t always know where to seek guidance now.

Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeDecember 8, 2020Crown, Winter, Christmas, PilgrimageComment

Pilgrimages Begin with Intention

Intention might be the definition of pilgrimage, the reason or the "why" behind that perennial question asked of pilgrims: "Why do you walk?"

Leslie H ColeNovember 6, 2020Pilgrimage, Himalayas, Long WalkComment

Pilgrimages Outside of Europe

The Kumano Kodō, a world heritage site, is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest peninsula of Japan.

Slow lifeLeslie H ColeNovember 3, 2020Pilgrimage, Kumano Kodo, Hike, Slow Travel, RouteComment

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