On November 10, 2018, the Northern California chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino held its annual Pilgrim Welcome Home Event in Oakland. We had a great turnout of 84 people, and everyone enjoyed celebrating our returning pilgrims, hospitaleros, and volunteers.
Our chapter committee likes to have a Camino presentation at these events, which also includes a potluck and sharing of Camino stories. This year, we wanted to present something different. Everyone talks about preparing for the Camino, but what is said about returning home? Re-entry can be a challenge, but nobody prepares for it. What happens if you have a strong case of the PCBs (Post-Camino Blues)? Our Board liaison, Emilio Escudero to the rescue!
Greetings from sunny Oakland, and happy November! Below is lineup of upcoming Camino-related events and hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area. You will also find a sneak preview of NorCal Chapter T-shirts that I’ve been working on. And for those who might enjoy some different ways to alleviate stress, check out my November Yoga & Wellness Tribe Newsletter. As always, our chapter kicks off each month with the Lake Merritt walk on the first Saturday. Experienced and virgin pilgrims are always welcome.
Lake Merritt Walk, October 6, 2018
Lake Merritt Walk
Saturday, November 3, 2018 10:30 AM
Join our walk that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. We meet at the Pergola (aka “The Columns”) on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 AM and start walking by 10:45 AM. It’s a level, 3.3-mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome. Bring your questions, answers and pilgrim spirit!
Directions: Take BART to the Lake Merritt or 19th Street Oakland station 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. FYI: There is a small fee lot at the corner of Euclid and Grand Avenues that is close to the Pergola.
RSVP not required, but if you’re on the NorCal Facebook group, join event.
Happy autumn! Below is lineup of upcoming Camino-related events and hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area. You will also find a sneak preview of NorCal Chapter T-shirts that I’ve been working on. And for those who might enjoy some different ways to alleviate stress, check out my October Yoga & Wellness Tribe Newsletter.
World Premiere Screening of Old Survivor
Tuesday, October 9th
Chabot Space & Science Center
One of my favorite Bay Area non-profits, Oakland Trails, has just completed their second documentary, Old Survivor, about the wonder and resilience of Oakland’s redwoods. In the 1850’s, fueled by the California Gold Rush, an ancient redwood forest was drastically logged to help build San Francisco. Yet one old tree was left behind.
Below is lineup of upcoming Camino-related events and hikes for September 2018 in the San Francisco Bay Area. But first, I would like to announce my new Wellness Tribe Newsletter, launched in September. See first issue here. There are so many amazing events and resources to share, so this newsletter will feature wellness-focused topics, including:
workshops and retreats led by my favorite yoga teachers
free online courses, summits, and meditations
mindful practices for stress relief
yoga stretches for pilgrims
interesting tidbits I learn about in my continuing education
The newsletter frequency will be no more than once per month. I take your privacy seriously, and never sell or share email addresses. You can opt out at any time by following the link at the bottom of each newsletter email. Subscribe now.
Okay, here’s the lineup for September!
Lake Merritt Walk
Saturday, September 1, 10:30 AM to 12 PM
Join us on this walk that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. We meet at the Pergola (aka “The Columns”) on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 and start walking by 10:45. It’s a level, 3.3-mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome. Bring your questions, answers and pilgrim spirit! Below is a video of our last walk on August 4th.
Directions: Take BART to the Lake Merritt or 19th Street Oakland station and navigate your way to the Pergola. Service Modification for Labor Day Weekend 9/1 – 9/3: For those coming from SF on BART, train service will stop at West Oakland with free AC Transit bus bridge to 19th Street. See the BART alert for details.
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. FYI: There is a small fee lot at the corner of Euclid and Grand Avenues that is close to the Pergola.
RSVP not required, but if you’re on the NorCal Facebook group, join event.
Buen día, amigos. Local Camino events provide some great training hikes and learning opportunities, plus the camaraderie of being on the Camino, right here at home. Below is lineup of Camino-related events and hikes for August 2018 in the San Francisco Bay Area and slightly beyond.
Lake Merritt Walk
Saturday, August 4, 10:30 am
Join us on this walk that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. We meet at the Pergola (aka “The Columns”) on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 am, and start walking by 10:45 am. It’s a level, 3.3-mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome. Bring your questions, answers and pilgrim spirit!
The Apostle James, the reason for the Camino pilgrimage, is celebrated throughout the world on July 25th, his designated saint’s day. In Santiago de Compostela, Saint James is honored in a spectacular way on July 24th, with fireworks and a multimedia show in the Praza do Obradoiro. Below are some photos of this year’s show, courtesy of Robert Anderson, pilgrim from South Africa.
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Check out this mesmerizing video:
Robert and Darren Combrink are currently walking to Finisterre to complete their epic Camino and fundraiser for Walking For Life. Bravo guys! Buen Camino!
Meanwhile, closer to home
All over America, pilgrims celebrate St. James Day in different ways. Bay Area pilgrims started on Saturday, July 21st with an urban Camino in San Francisco. The 12-mile trek began near Ocean Beach and continued through the Sunset neighborhood on Santiago Street, up to Mt. Davidson (SF’s highest peak), through the Mission district to St. James church for a mass and pilgrim blessing. We ended the day with tapas, paella, and sangria at at Spanish restaurant. Here’s the video created with MapMyHike and Relive Apps:
For those who missed it, you can follow our footsteps and do this walk any time. And this coming weekend is when he church is actually celebrating Saint James Day!
July 28, noon – 3 pm meditation stations.
July 29, 10:30 mass, followed by BBQ. Here’s a snapshot of the bulletin announcement.
On Wednesday, July 25th, our NorCal APOC chapter hosted a Feast of St. James Potluck at Corpus Christi church in Piedmont, with a presentation about Saint James and a blessing for departing pilgrims. I wanted to have a special event in the East Bay, and my parish was the perfect place to have it. The church is located on Saint James Drive, after all!
Double click on photos below to see larger version and read captions.
The Gibson Center room
Belltower at Corpus Christi church
American Pilgrims on the Camino
Shells and arrows point the way to the potluck
The Wise Pilgrim Camino Map w/pins on my Camino starting points.
Pilgrim volunteers offered help to set up and clean up
Cerveza con limón
Y por supuesto, vino de España
Spanish cheeses and quince paste, tarta de Santiago, and more treats!
Someone made the Empanada recipe from Yosmar’s Tastes of the Camino cookbook!
Sweet treats from Santiago
As usual, I am too busy to fill my own plate at these events. Guy’s tortilla was going fast!
Marie Gunter brought a delicious salad
Delicious salad from the Tastes of the Camino cookbook
Reverend Beth saying “Grace” before our feast
Let the feast begin!
Pilgrim David Dement gave a presentation about Saint James
David’s rosary, credential, and well-used Brierley guide to the Camino Frances
A captivated audience
Beth Lind Foote gave a lovely blessing to departing pilgrims
Departing pilgrims reading the Beatitudes of the Pilgrim
Message from American Pilgrims on the Camino
Below you will find a message from the APOC Board of Directors:
Happy St. James’ Feast Day!
As you may know, today is the Feast of St. James’ Day, a very special day celebrated all over Spain. Throughout Galicia in particular, there are parades, special foods and meals, and commemorative Masses and ceremonies in the beautiful churches along the Way. And in Santiago, the pilgrim community, which is normally characterized by genuine joy, is even more jubilant!
We at American Pilgrims on the Camino have been supporting the improvement and rebuilding of Camino facilities and infrastructure for many years, by awarding grants to Spanish, French, and Portuguese organizations; this year alone, we made $30,000 in grants to projects along the Camino! The American Pilgrims grant program is a tangible demonstration of our mission of fostering the enduring tradition of the Camino and has helped to support the ever-increasing number of pilgrims that travel the different routes to Santiago. This program is solely possible through member support.
We invite you to join American Pilgrims on the Camino and become part of these lovely contributions to the Camino community. By joining today you will always remember your “anniversary date of belonging” is July 25, the Feast of St. James’ Day. You can start enjoying the benefits and pride of belonging right away.
Happy summer! Below is lineup of Camino-related events and hikes for July 2018 in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am excited about these events because as a recent returnee of the Camino, local events provide some of the pilgrim camaraderie and experience of being on the Camino, right here at home. Plus, there are three unique ways to celebrate St. James Day in Northern California. He’s the reason for the pilgrimage, after all!
Lake Merritt Walk
Saturday, July 7, 10:30 am
Join us on this walk that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. We meet at the Pergola (aka “The Columns”) on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 am, and start walking by 10:45 am. It’s a level, 3.3-mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome. Bring your questions, answers and pilgrim spirit!
Greetings! I am just back from the Camino Primitivo. I have been sharing a few highlights on my Instagram and Facebook accounts. I’ll sort through my photos and journal to provide a more thorough route report. I prefer to enjoy the Camino while I’m there, and re-live the experience by writing about it when I return. Alas, I have kept in touch with Bay Area chapters and there are some fun events in the works for June.
Lake Merritt Walk + Optional Picnic Lunch
Saturday, June 2, 10:30 a.m.
Lake Merritt Walk 2018 May Join us on this walk that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. We meet at the Pergola (aka “The Columns”) on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 AM and start walking by 10:45 AM. It’s a level, 3.3-mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome. Bring your questions, answers and pilgrim spirit!
Directions: Take BART to the Lake Merritt or 19th Street Oakland station and navigate your way to the Pergola (~1.5 mi walk). 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. FYI: There is a small fee lot at the corner of Euclid and Grand Avenues that is close to the Pergola.
This time after the walk, let’s have a lakeside picnic lunch to kick off summer. Bring your own lunch (and blanket if you can carry one) or walk over to the Grand Lake Farmers Market nearby to pick one up. Come along even if you just want to hang out.
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Hike
Saturday, June 9, 2018, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Photo by Judy Barnes
Join the Silicon Valley Chapter for a hike from the Palo Alto Baylands to the Shoreline Lake in Mountain View and back. Meet in the Bayland’s Bixbee Park parking lot at 2375 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303 (on the Palo Alto Baylands map you’ll see the parking symbol closer to the Refuse Area, but signage in the lot says Bixbee Park). We’ll walk the Marsh Loop Bay Trail to Shoreline Lake, stopping for refreshments and conversation at the Shoreline Lake American Bistro where you’ll be able to purchase coffee, pastries or brunch. After we’ve had our Camino-esque coffee break, we’ll hit the trail back to Bixbee Park, having walked a little over 6 miles. Hope to see you there! Thanks to Susan Austin for leading this hike.
Camino Happy Hour at Picaro
Thursday, June 14, 5-7pm
Let’s make it a TBT (Throwback Thursday) for this month’s Happy Hour with a return to chapter favorite, Picaro Tapas Restaurant in San Francisco, just one block from 16th Street Mission BART station.
Happy Hour is 5 – 7 PM and features their house-made sangria: $3.75 (Glass), $14 (Carafe). If that doesn’t bring you back to the Camino, Estrella Galicia is on tap and they also serve “clara!” Here’s the full menu for all the tapa choices: http://www.picarotapasrestaurant.com/menu.html.
If you can join us, please RSVP on the Facebook event so we can include you in the reservation count. If you’ll be bringing others, let us know in a comment. And please bring cash (small bills are best) for the bill.
Because the Bay Area has so many great restaurants, we like the idea of trying a different one each month. If you have a recommendation for the next Happy Hour, please share! “BARTable” is a plus! Continue reading →
Hola from Barcelona! I’m working my way toward the Camino Primitivo. Over the next month, I will be sharing a few highlights on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Here’s a roundup of Camino-related events and hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area for the month of May 2018.
Lake Merritt Walk
Saturday, May 5, 10:30 a.m.
Lake Merritt walk April 2018
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 a.m. and starts walking at 10:45 a.m. in a clockwise direction around the lake. It is a paved and level 3.3 mile walk and takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome at these monthly walks. RSVP not required, but if you’re on the NorCal Facebook group, join event to see who’s coming.
Directions: Take BART to the 19th Street or Lake Merritt Oakland stations 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 area.
Please note that there will not be a presentation after the walk, but there will be an informal lunch in the area. Continue reading →
Here’s a roundup of Camino-related events and hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
REI Presentations on the Caminos Norte / Primitivo with Susan & Ralph Alcorn
Learn about the Norte and Primitivo routes with Camino veterans Susan and Ralph Alcorn. View images of these beautiful, historic, and exciting trails and learn more about the similarities and differences between the Francés, Norte and Primitivo routes. The Alcorns completed their 700-mile Camino Norte and Primitivo walks during 2015-2016. From their experiences came Susan‘s new book, Healing Miles: Gifts from the Camino Norte and Primitivo, which is now available in paperback and Kindle versions.
Susan and Ralph presented this topic at the March Lunch & Learn program. I highly recommend attending one of their upcoming talks, especially if you are planning to walk the Norte or Primitivo routes. Continue reading →
As you may know, today is the Feast of St. James’ Day, a very special day celebrated all over Spain. Throughout Galicia in particular, there are parades, special foods and meals, and commemorative Masses and ceremonies in the beautiful churches along the Way. And in Santiago, the pilgrim community, which is normally characterized by g
Lake Merritt Walk 2018 May Join us on this walk that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. We meet at the Pergola (aka “The Columns”) on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 AM and start walking by 10:45 AM. It’s a level, 3.3-mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome. Bring your questions, answers and pilgrim spirit!
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Photo by Judy Barnes
