Happy New Year! I’m squeezing in one last post of 2017 because there is a lot going on in January, starting with the New Year’s Day hike in the Oakland hills. See more Camino-related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area below.
Free Oakland Hiking Tour on New Year’s Day and MLK Day (Jan 15)
Start the new year with a hike from Oakland’s Dimond District up to Joaquin Miller Park. This beautiful 7.5 mile hike will go through Oakland’s Dimond Canyon and Joaquin Miller Park, and will finish with a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay.
Oakland Hills Hike July 4 2017 with peregrinas Sheila and Abigail
New Years Day: Monday, January 1 at 9:00am (leave promptly at 9:10am)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 15 at 9:00am (leave promptly at 9:10am) Register here.
Where: Meet at La Farine Bakery: 3411 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94602 – free parking in back
Details: Steady, 7.5-mile hike in Oakland’s largest wildland trail system, with some steep uphills and downhills, and narrow trails through the canyons. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and bus fare ($2.25).
“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
I went on the hike in January and July and LOVED it! It makes for great Camino training. Here’s a highlight video I made. As you can see, it is a dog-friendly hike, as long as your dog is friendly and can handle hills.
Lake Merritt Walk + Optional Lunch & Wayfaring Film Screening
Saturday, January 6, 10:30 am
December 2017 Lake Merritt Walk
This is an informal gathering that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. The group meets at the pergola on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 AM and starts walking promptly at 10:45 AM. It’s a level, 3.3 mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. All are welcome. Afterwards, there is an optional gathering for lunch at Barlago Italian Kitchen, so bring cash to split the checks.
During lunch, there will be a screening the Camino documentary Wayfaring – A Jaunt Along The Camino de Santiago. This film follows Scott “Squatch” Herriott, an Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trail veteran, on the Camino Francés in the spring of 2013. He interviews pilgrims, albergue owners, hospitaleros (volunteers of the Camino), and a few locals who like to flirt with young peregrinas. Read Wayfaring Film Review
Free film screening courtesy of Scott Herriott of Squatch Films.
RSVP: Space at Barlago is limited. Join on Facebook event for lunch and film.
Non-Facebook users email me at laurie@caminoprovides.com to RSVP for lunch.
Directions to the walk: Take BART to the 19th Street Oakland station (Lake Merritt station will be closed this weekend) and navigate your way to the Pergola. If you drive, make sure to give yourself enough time to find parking, as there are many activities on Saturday mornings in the Lake Merritt area.
Taste of Spain: with guest Chef Yosmar Martinez
January 10, 2018 @ 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Lafayette, California
Tastes of the Camino
Yosmar Martinez, author of Tastes of the Camino book, is returning to the Bay Area to teach a cooking class at Back to the Table in Lafayette on January 10th.
$95 per person. SOLD OUT. Click to see details.
I attended Yosmar’s class and highly recommend it. See my article with photos and video at: Tastes of the Camino with Yosmar Martinez.
Lands End Hike & Labyrinth Walk
San Francisco, California
Saturday, January 13, 9:30 am
Welcome the New Year with a hike and labyrinth walk at the end of the world! This 12-mile loop route starts at the historic Beach Chalet building at Ocean Beach. This year we’re reversing the course. We’ll walk through Golden Gate Park, on a short section through city streets, then through the forested Presidio, by Andy Goldsworthy’s “Spire.” At the Golden Gate Bridge, we’ll enjoy fresh sea air and sweeping views of the ocean and Marin Headlands. Next we’ll follow the rugged coast heading south and walk the Lands End Labyrinth. We’ll continue along the coastal Lands End Trail to the Cliff House and end back at the Beach Chalet building, where we’ll cool our heels and have a casual bite at the Park Chalet restaurant.
Lands End Labyrinth, San Francisco. Photo by Stephanie Dodaro.
About Labyrinths: For thousands of years, people have walked labyrinths as a way to get answers to their questions, practice slowing down, grieve, or meditate. They’ve also served as “substitute pilgrimages” for those who couldn’t undertake long journeys. When our group arrives at the Lands End Labyrinth, we’ll provide a short history of labyrinths and some instructions, and then you’re free to walk the path. Read more about labyrinths at the Veriditas and Labyrinthos websites.
For event details and to RSVP, visit http://www.americanpilgrims.org/northern-california-chapter
Walking the Camino Presentation
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Oakland
Wednesday, January 17, 7 pm
I will be presenting about the Camino at my parish, Corpus Christi, in the Glenview district of Oakland/Piedmont. Pilgrims will love the name of the street: St. James!
I will cover a brief history and background about the Camino, and share some highlights of my Camino Portugués and Inglés. I will also talk about my personal journey of faith and how this parish helped me adjust after walking my first Camino. Below is the announcement in the bulletin.
This is open to anyone, including those who are curious about why I’m so into walking the Camino. Please let me know if you’re interested in attending by emailing me at laurie@caminoprovides.com.
Location: 322 St. James Drive Piedmont, CA 94611
The presentation will be in the Gibson Center community room. Free parking behind the church via Estates Drive. Click for directions.
SAVE THE DATES!
Hospitalero Training For American Pilgrims Members
Friday, February 9, 2018 through Sunday, Feb 11, 2018
Sausalito, California
If you’ve been looking for a way to say thank you for all that the Camino has given you, look no further than American Pilgrims on the Camino and its hospitalero training courses. The next one available is Friday, February 9, 2018 through Sunday, Feb 11, 2018 in Sausalito, California.
The cost is $295, which includes the training, two nights’ accommodations and all meals Friday evening through Sunday lunch. Towels and linens are provided. You must stay at the training facility. No off-site lodging. You must attend the entire training for certification so please plan your travel accordingly.
Last day to register is Thursday, January 26th, or sooner if all the openings fill.
In order to be eligible for training as an hospitalero, applicants must have overnighted in at least three non-private (municipal, parochial or association-run) albergues on the Camino, must have walked at least 100 km (or biked 200 km) of the Camino, and must be a member of American Pilgrims on the Camino.
Details at: http://www.americanpilgrims.org/hospitaleros#apoc_training
NOTE: I attended the Hospitalero training in Los Gatos, CA in Feb. 2017 and highly recommend it for those who are looking for a way to serve. I haven’t written about it because “what happens at Hospitalero training, stays at Hospitalero training!” Trust me, it was worth it. I look forward to serving as a Hospitalera in Spain one of these days.
Camino Inglés 2017 Route Report
Here are a few more posts about the first few days of my Camino Inglés.
Apparently, I like to extend that Camino feeling through the winter! The truth is, I’ve been extremely busy at work, and with yoga teacher training. I should have some time next month to continue writing my travelogue. Santiago or bust! 🙂 Follow this blog and check Camino Inglés Stages for new posts coming soon.
Now available: The Camino Provides 2018 patch
The patch is similar to the 2017 design with the rainbow-banded Camino shell, but has the red color for 2018. The rainbow shell design was inspired by the concept of chakras, which was an important part of my journey with yoga and healing over the last year. I am continuing with the chakras theme for 2018 by highlighting the root chakra color at the base of the shell. Learn more.
Purchase for $4 each at etsy.com/shop/caminoprovides.
My mission is to celebrate the Camino de Santiago and the pilgrim’s journey, from the calling to Compostela and beyond. I do this by sharing informative tips on training, gear, and routes; by promoting Camino related events in the Bay Area; by interviewing pilgrims and sharing inspiring stories; and by curating content relevant to the Camino. Purchases help to defray the costs of hosting and managing this blog so that I can keep sharing the Camino love!
There are always opportunities to train for or learn about the Camino. 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 who live elsewhere, there are Camino hotspots all over the USA and the American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) website has a listing of local chapters where you can find Camino events. There are also many active Facebook groups to learn about events in your region. Check your local REI store for workshops and presentations about the Camino. Check http://www.rei.com/ for events in your area.
Visit the Northern California Chapter page on the APOC website.
Join the Peregrinos Northern California Facebook group (closed group for Northern California residents only)
Buen Camino!
The Camino Provides 