Camino Events

Camino and Hiking Events in December 2017

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Happy December!  I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and taking time to appreciate the many blessings in life.  Below is the roundup of Camino-related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of December.

Lake Merritt Walk in Oakland
Saturday, December 2, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

October 2017 Lake Merritt Walk. Extra credit for Abigail for doing a lap around Lake Merritt before this walk for a fundraiser for Oakland schools. And for her fabulous Ta-Da! pose!

October 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 10:30 a.m. at the Pergola on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt and starts walking promptly at 10:45 a.m. It’s a level, 3.3 mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour. All are welcome (American Pilgrims members and non-members). Afterwards, there is an optional brunch in the area, location TBD.

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.

If you are in the Bay Area, join the Peregrinos Northern California Facebook Group to get details on this and other events.

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Sacred Rite of the Camino Welcome Home Event

/ Laurie A. Ferris / 1 Comment

The Northern California chapter held its annual Welcome Home Celebration and Potluck event on November 11th in Oakland. This year’s presentations included Camino routes “beyond the Francés.” First-time pilgrims and Camino veterans alike were given the opportunity to share highlights at the gathering of nearly eighty pilgrims. It was a fun way to learn about less popular routes—off the beaten path.

We presented in 10×10 format—ten slides in ten minutes. Seven Camino routes were represented: Aragones, Inglés, Le Puy, Norte, Portugués Coastal, Primitivo, and Via de la Plata.  I presented on the Camino Inglés, and I have to admit it was challenging for us to select photos and to speak for only ten minutes. We are all very passionate about our Camino experiences!

Audience watching the 10x10 presentations. Photo by Guy Joaquin.

Audience watching the 10×10 presentations. Photo by Guy Joaquin.

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Camino and Hiking Events in November 2017

/ Laurie A. Ferris / 1 Comment

Below is the roundup of Camino-related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of November.

I’ll Push You Film Screenings
Thursday, November 2

Tickets are available for the nationwide screening of I’ll Push You, an inspiring film about two best friends on the Camino de Santiago. There will be screenings all around the Bay Area and country, so check with your local Camino group to join pre-film gatherings.   Purchase tickets.
Learn more: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/ill-push-you

Oakland’s Jack London Square screening, 7:30 p.m.

To watch the film in Oakland at Regal Jack London Stadium 9, purchase movie tickets here.

+ Optional Happy Hour at Plank
Before the screening, a few East Bay pilgrims will meet up at Plank Beer Garden for Happy Hour between 6 and 7 p.m. http://plankoakland.com/
Plank doesn’t take reservations, so just find an open table. Bring cash to split checks, or run your own tab. RSVP not required, but if you are on the NorCal Facebook group, check the event to see who’s coming.  Happy Hour specials from 3-7 p.m. $2 Off All Drinks & Appetizers. See Happy Hour Menu.   Also, see Dinner Menu.

All Active, Reserve or Retired Military, Law Enforcement or Fire Fighters receive 10% off! Hooray for Hero discounts! http://plankoakland.com/daily-specials/military-special/

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Camino and Hiking Events in October 2017

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Below is the roundup of Camino-related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of October 2017. This coming Saturday, October 7th, there will be a screening of Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago for those who attend the Lake Merritt walk and lunch.  My hope is for the camaraderie to continue after our monthly walks, where everyone can gather in a comfortable atmosphere over a good meal and learn about Camino topics or enjoy a film from our chapter’s CaminoFlix library.

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Camino and Hiking Events in September 2017

/ Laurie A. Ferris / 1 Comment

Below is the roundup of Camino-related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of September 2017. This coming Saturday, September 2nd, I will be doing a presentation about One-Week Caminos with highlights of the Camino Portugués. Feedback from the last presentation on the Camino Inglés was positive, so we’ll continue with this “Camino Lunch & Learn” series as long as there is interest. The Lake Merritt walks have been a great way for like-minded people to keep the spirit of the Camino alive, right here at home. My hope is for this camaraderie to continue after our monthly walk, where everyone can gather in a comfortable atmosphere over a good meal and learn about Camino topics. I enjoyed every step of my “short” Caminos and look forward to sharing the highlights and lessons learned with those who might not have the time to walk longer Camino routes.

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Camino and Hiking Events in August 2017

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Below is the roundup of Camino related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of August 2017.  On Sat. August 5th, I will be presenting about the Camino Inglés after the monthly Lake Merritt walk and brunch.  Part of the joy of “unpacking” my Camino is going through the many photos and compiling my notes so that my reports might be helpful for pilgrims considering this route.  I enjoyed every step of the Camino Inglés and look forward to sharing the highlights and lessons learned.

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Camino and Hiking Events in July 2017

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Below is the roundup of Camino related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of July 2017. But first, I had a wonderful time on the Camino Inglés and will be writing my route reports soon.  Part of the joy of “unpacking” my Camino is going through the many photos and compiling my notes so that my reports might be helpful for pilgrims considering this route.  I enjoyed every step of the Camino Inglés and look forward to sharing the highlights and lessons learned.

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4th Annual Lake Tahoe Pilgrim Rendezvous

/ Laurie A. Ferris / 1 Comment
I’m sharing an event hosted by Camino friends Dave Jennings and Monica Armanino.  An open invitation to pilgrims, both those who have walked the Caminos de Santiago and those who are planning to walk.
Incline Village/Mt. Rose, Nevada at N. Lake Tahoe
Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 23

An unbelievable winter, can you imagine over 65 ft. of snow on Mt. Rose. The falls, streams and wildflowers should be spectacular.

An unbelievable winter, with over 65 ft. of snow on Mt. Rose. The falls, streams and wildflowers should be spectacular.

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Camino and Hiking Events in May 2017

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Below is the roundup of Camino related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of May 2017. But first, I would like to highlight a few recent updates on this blog, and announce a new e-book on the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués.

Camino Francés Route Report

Santa Cruz couple Cathy Seitchik Diaz and David Stewart are on the Camino Francés right now.  As the reporter for the Camino Frances this year, she is sharing the stages the Camino Francés, complete with daily distances, photos, observations and useful tips. See Days 1-12 and Days 13-24.  Cathy is, quite possibly, the world’s happiest pilgrim!  You can find other Camino routes linked under the Route Reports drop-down menu, and on the Camino Routes page.

Pondering Portugal?

I have been writing about Porto, a popular Camino Portugués starting point. The series is linked below, and on My Camino Portugués Stages page.

Porto Memories:
Six Bridges Cruise and Porto at Night
The Porto Cathedral
J. K. Rowling Hangouts, Majestic Café and Livrario Lello
São Bento Railway Station
Porto Walking Tour
Stock Exchange Palace and Imperial McDonald’s
Ferreira Port Cellars Tour and Tasting
Coming soon are posts about a coastal stroll and Fatima.  I am clearing the photos off my laptop to make space for my next adventures in France, then walking the Camino Inglés. 🙂 Follow my Facebook page for live updates during my trips.  www.facebook.com/CaminoProvides/

New Kindle book on the Camino Portugués

Roy Uprichard has a new book on Amazon kindle for just .99 cents.  It’s called: Stone and Water – Walking the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portuguese. Roy asks that you download, share and consider leaving a review on Amazon, to make it easier for others to find it. The preface is written by Celestino Lores, President of the Friends of the Camino Portugués. Available on Amazon.com.

Let the games begin!

Monthly Lake Merritt Walk in Oakland
Saturday, May 6, 10:30 am

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Camino and Hiking Events in April 2017

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The rain has finally stopped and spring is in full bloom here in Oakland. It’s Camino training season, so let’s get right to it! Below is the roundup of Camino related events, hikes and poles workshops in the SF Bay Area for the month of April 2017.

Monthly Lake Merritt Walk in Oakland
Saturday, April 1, 10:30 am

A walk around Lake Merritt in Oakland is held every first Saturday of the month, at 10:30 am starting at the Pergola. Afterwards, there is an optional brunch in the area.  For April Fool’s Day, we are switching things up and walking counter-clockwise around the lake. Crazy, right?  Details and RSVP on NorCal Facebook Group. I’ll be at the walk and brunch with a pocket full of Camino patches and free stickers for anyone who asks.

The next Lake Merritt walk will be on Saturday, May 6, 2017. If you are in the Bay Area, join the Peregrinos Northern California Facebook Group to get details on this and other events.

Technology on the Camino @ Oakland Rockridge Library
Saturday, April 15, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Have you wondered what technology you should take on your next Camino pilgrimage? Or do you feel that using technology on the Camino goes against the Camino spirit? Whether you like or loathe mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, GPS, or any other type of mobile technology, this talk has something for you.

No more room at the inn! Pilgrims charging up their devices on the Camino Francés in Agés, Spain.

Devices being charged on the Camino Francés in Agés, Spain. Stop the insanity! Photo by Guy Joaquin.

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