Camino and Hiking Events in July

Lake Merritt Camino Walk + Optional Brunch
Saturday, July 2, 10:30 am

This is an informal gathering taking place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. The group meets at the Lake Merritt Pergola on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 a.m. and starts walking around the lake clockwise at 10:45 a.m. If you are part of the NorCal APOC Chapter, RSVP on Facebook.
Optional no-host brunch. After the walk, we will head over to Barlago Italian Kitchen.
You can check out the restaurant’s menu at http://barlago.biz.

4th of July Hiking Tour in Oakland
Monday, July 4, 2016, 8:30 am

Join Stan Dodson, producer of the TRAILHEAD documentary, on a hike from the Dimond District up to the Bay Area Ridge Trail at Chabot Space & Science Center. This beautiful hike will climb through Dimond Canyon Park and Joaquin Miller Park, rising from 200 ft to over 1,500 ft above sea level. After enjoying some treats at the top, we will hop on AC Transit for a scenic ten-minute bus ride back to Dimond.

When: Monday, July 4, 8:30 a.m. (The group will leave promptly at 8:40 a.m.)
Meeting point: La Farine Bakery, 3411 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
Details: Rigorous 5.5 mi hike in Oakland’s largest wildland trail system. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and a bus fare ($2.10).

For details, click here. To register at Eventbrite (required), click here.

“From right here in the heart of urban Oakland, we’re connected to a trail system that spans the entire East Bay. You could hike for days and days.”..—Stan Dodson, tour leader

Hike on the Redwood Creek Trail near Muir Beach
Saturday, July 9, 2016, 10:15 am

Join us for a hike near Muir Beach in Marin as we walk along the Redwood Creek Trail, up through a corner of Muir Woods, and then along the ridge on the Coastal Trail for some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Distance is about 8 miles. Pace will be moderate; hiking poles help on the uphill sections. Bring lunch, a liter of water, and a wind jacket and hat. After the hike, we will adjourn to the 16th century-era Pelican Inn for some authentic English beer and hard cider.

Bring: Sunhat, light jacket, liter of water, lunch, money.
Meet: Initially at the Muir Beach Parking Lot near the restrooms (free parking) at 10:15 AM. These will be the only restrooms on the hike. No water available though.
Carpool: Carpoolers can meet at the Orinda BART station at 8:45, or at the North Berkeley Bart Station at 9:00.
Return: Hike ends about 4:00 PM.
RSVP: dduker2001@yahoo.com
Directions: Take Hwy 580 across the Richmond Bridge, then south on Hwy 101 toward SF. Take the Hwy 1 exit in Mill Valley and follow the signs toward Stinson Beach. Before you get to Stinson, look for the Muir Beach sign/Pelican Inn on the left side of the road (large white building). Turn left at the Inn and drive 1/4 mile to the Muir Beach parking lot. There are restrooms at the parking lot, but no water.
Note: The hike does not start from Muir Beach. We are meeting there before driving about 2 miles north to the trailhead next to the Heather Cutoff path.Cancelled by rain. If you are running late, call Dick Duker’s cell at 510-705-2447.

Saint James’ Day Annual Potluck and Celebration
Saturday, July 23, 2016, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm

This year’s St. James day potluck will be held on Saturday, July 23rd at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 1300 Fifth Avenue, in Belmont, CA. from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Please bring food or beverages for the feast and a smile.

The event will include presentations on the three historical aspects of St. James: religious, national rally point and peregrino. A second talk on the reasons for Jacques DeMolay’s frequent appearance on the Camino francés is also on the agenda. You’ll also learn about the reasons for the Friday the 13th myth!

Tables will be arranged around Camino routes to provide opportunities to learn about alternative routes such as Via de la Plata, portugués, inglés, Le Puy and aragonés.

We will also repeat the El Rastro flea market first seen at the 2015 Welcome Home party. El Rastro is a giant flea market located in Madrid where you can find anything. For our version, bring your good Camino related stuff that you are willing to donate to fellow pilgrims. Equipment, refrigerator magnets, clothes, bad art you bought in error, whatever. The market will be open to all, old timers and new folks.

Please RSVP to NorCal@americanpilgrims.org no later than Friday, July 22 so we know how many chairs to set up.

Third Annual Pilgrim Get Together in Lake Tahoe
July 22-24, 2016

David Jennings is hosting the 3^rd Annual Pilgrim Renewal on July 22, 23, 24 at North Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose Campground (above Incline Village, NV.) Veteran Pilgrims and those planning to do a Camino are welcome.

Bella Tahoe from the Flume trail. Photo courtesy of Dave Jennings.

Campsites have been reserved at the Mt. Rose Federal campground for tent campers, and all meals and activities are centered at the campground. Home stays can be provided for those who do not tent camp.
Friday, 22^nd Happy Hour Social at 5:30 PM at Campground followed by a community dinner.
Saturday, 23^rd (Feast day of St. James) Breakfast at Campground followed by a hike (moderate 7+/- miles), but depending on turnout there may be options. Evening Mass, with social time and dinner to follow at campground.
Sunday, 24^th Breakfast followed by a hike (5-6 miles) returning to cars for return home about 2:30PM. The weekend with the exception of minimal camping fee is donativo.
Early reservations are much appreciated to assure space for everyone. Contact Walt Scheer for Campground reservations or Dave Jennings for home stays.

More details on our Facebook Group and NorCal Chapter page.

I’m back from my Camino

I enjoyed a Pre-Camino Tour of Portugal with my dear mom to celebrate Mother’s Day. After that, I walked 150 kilometers of the Camino Portugués May 21-29 from Ponte de Lima, Portugal. I took many photos and will be sharing my experience on this blog soon. It was truly an amazing experience.

The new 2016 Camino Provides Patch

I designed a new 2016 Camino Provides patch for those who wish to commemorate their 2016 Camino. This variation has a western theme and shell colors represent a sunset. The shell points the way along the Camino and reminds us to keep moving forward in life. Ultreia! Click for more details.

To order this new patch, write “2016” in the order notes. You can mix and match patches, just note the quantity of each. Order individual patches, or buy a dozen, get one free.

If you know of any Camino related events for the SF Bay Area that should be included in the monthly roundup, please use the comment form below, or email me.

For those that live elsewhere, there are Camino hotspots nationwide and the American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) website has a listing of local chapters where you can find pilgrim events. There are also many active Facebook groups to learn about events in your region.

See you on the trail!
Laurie