The Best Way: El Camino de Santiago by Bill “Skywalker” Walker – A book review…of sorts
“Really, babe, I think you’re gonna like him. He’s a great communicator.”
2 years ago Scat and I had opted to hike from Woody Gap to Neels Gap, spending a cold night on Blood Mountain, rather than join the girls for the Amicalola Falls AT Celebration/ Backpacking Clinic. I wanted to go to the event…just not at the exclusion of a walk in the woods. While Scat and I trudged uphill through snowdrifts 2 and 3 feet deep, Dana and Ma Fred attended some great presentations. One of their favorites was Bill “Skywalker” Walker. Not just aware of, but sharing my addiction to AT narratives, Dana bought me a copy of Skywalker’s book, Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail. She even had Bill autograph it. He wrote “Wayseeker, Katahdin is a mere 5 millions steps away.” Gotta love that! Like a kid at Christmas, I couldn’t wait to tear in. I quickly discovered that my high school diploma and limited college experience had not prepared me for the vocabulary I was to encounter…closely. Progress slowed to a crawl as I repeatedly reached for my Webster’s. Now, I realize that hackles are rising on the necks of Skywalker fans as you poise to fire off scathing e-mails. Well, let me have it…but at least finish this little review before doing so. I just didn’t enjoy it. I’ve been forthright about my sketchy education. I will most certainly confess that I have no right to pass judgment on another writers work. Even that last statement implies that I see myself as a writer and makes me uncomfortable. Nonetheless…I just didn’t like it. C.S. Lewis has taught me that much…to be honest about my likes and dislikes. There were some good, even great moments but as a whole it was…and is my least favorite AT narrative. There, I’ve said it…and I pray Bill never reads this.
Flash forward to this years event. Digital recorder in one hand and event schedule in the other, I dragged Dana all over Amicalola Falls. (Not that she minded.) Presenter after presenter entertained, educated and provided fresh new content for future All Who Wander podcasts. We had a blast! As I scanned the schedule I noticed something: Skywalker’s presentation would be in support of his latest book and thru-hike…on the Camino de Santiago! What?! I’d just discovered the existence of this ancient pilgrimage a year or so ago. I had waited impatiently for Emilio Estevez’ film on the Camino, The Way to come to Redbox since we had just missed one of the limited showings in Asheville. With my distaste for Bill’s writing warring against my confidence in my wife…we went…and were not disappointed.
Bill was absolutely charismatic. His animated gesticulations, his passion for the Camino, his wry humor and engaging personality not only held my attention but struck fire to my imagination…enticing my heart to that ancient path and awakening a longing to walk this pilgrimage as well. My experience with the real Skywalker was as dissimilar to my experience with his book as it could possibly be. I thought, “Now, here’s a guy I’d like to share a trail with.” I even began to re-examine my original assessment.
Just a few weeks ago all three of Bill’s books in Kindle format were free on Amazon. I downloaded all three. I immediately dove right into his narrative on the Camino, The Best Way. The very first couple of pages gripped me, It seemed so different from what little I remembered from his first offering. I yelled to Dana, who was in another room, “I like it! This is really good!” She laughed. Then I wondered…what changed? Had Bill’s writing improved? Had he gotten an editor? Maybe. Maybe it was the fact that I had met the real Skywalker and been captivated by his authenticity and his love for the Way. Maybe it was me that had changed. Maybe both.
Well, since this is a book review…of sorts, I should give you my take. The Best Way is part trail narrative, part travel guide, part history book and all Skywalker. I’d recommend that you pick it up on Kindle or some other e-reader format because The Best Way is also part vocabulary lesson. Along with liberal splashes of espanol, Bill has continued his use of words unfamiliar…unfamiliar to me at least. Whether Bill is trying to impress us with his expansive knowledge or he’s struggling to find words to express what can sometimes be almost inexpressible, I can’t say. I can say that having a “close-encounter” with the real Skywalker has given me a whole new take on his books. So would I recommend The Best Way? Only if you’re willing to have a sehnsucht for hiking the Camino awakened in you. (That one was for you, Bill.)
012 All Who Wander-Trailfest Series: Trail Days Damascus, VA – Part 2 Windtalker Concert
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This is the 4th in a new series of shows in which Dana and I follow the migratory herd of 2011 Northbound AT thru-hikers from trail to trail town stopping off at hiker celebrations along the way. This time we find ourselves, once again, in Damascus, Virginia for the 2011 Trail Days Festival. This episode of All Who Wander features an outdoor, street-side native american flute concert by thru-hiker, musician and author Windtalker (aka Randy Motz) There’s a lot of street noise but I think it just serves to give you a better feel for what a chaotic, beautiful mess Trail Days is.
This years 2012 Trail Days will be May 18 – 20.
For more info, visit: www.traildays.us
If you’d like to contact Randy and his wife Georgia, visit their website where you can find booking information, pick up a CD or purchase one of the many books they’ve co-authored…including The Walk, Reflections on Life and Faith from the Appalachian Trail…which I reviewed last year at www.allwhowander.us
Their website is: www.rmghadventures.com
Me : david@allwhowander.us. or look for me (as well as the All Who Wander fan page) on facebook
Wanna see some pics from the 2011 Trail Days? Here’s a link to my personal facebook page with a whole bunch of pics including one or two of Windtalkers concert:
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1742185959123.2089212.1372924198&type=3
Happy Trails and Donadaghovi, until we meet again…
“The danger is that you will not listen to the voice that speaks to you through the seagull mounting the gray wind, say, or the vision in the temple, that you do not listen to the voice inside you or to the voice that speaks from outside but specifically to you out of the specific events of your life, but that instead you listen to the great blaring voice of our mass culture, which threatens to deafen us all by blasting forth that the only thing that really matters about your work is how much it will get you in the way of salary and status, and that if it is gladness you are after, you can save that for weekends.”
-Frederick Buechner
Blue Like Jazz the Movie: A Review – Nooooooooo!
I’m pretty sure I groaned out loud as the first scenes flashed on the screen. I thought back to the grass roots effort by fans of the book to save the movie that was slated to die before completion, “There just wasn’t enough money to do this right.” I thought, “No, don’t start like this…people are gonna get up and leave.” I wanted to get up and leave. It was awkward…really, uncomfortably awkward. In fact, I was afraid that maybe one of those awful, garish “christian” production companies had donated a huge sum of money and hijacked Don’s book and Steve’s vision. I honestly thought these things. With dread and overwhelming disappointment, I thought these things. Then I remembered how much I had paid for the ticket and decided, “Eh, I’ll give it another scene or two.” Honestly glad I waited.
I would write this completely different if I thought everyone had already seen the film. But if you’d already seen the film you wouldn’t really care what I think…hopefully. Okay, maybe you would. You would probably be as excited as I am and wanna talk about it. (So, I may actually write a “spoilers included” version of this just because I’m so stoked about the movie.) So, editing out the spoilers, there’s not a whole lot I can say that won’t ruin the genius behind this movie. But there are some things. Here they are:
1. If you’re easily offended…don’t see this film. Wait, do see this film. You need to see it.
2. If you’ve read the book, forget that you’ve read it. Watch this as a completely separate work.
3. If you’re expecting something akin to Fireproof…you’ll really enjoy the first 5 or 10 minutes, then you’ll get up and leave.
4. Don’t leave. Wait it out. I promise it’ll be worth it. (Have I said that already?)
5. That first scene…it’s awkwardness? Intentional. Genius. You”ll see.
6. Steve Taylor’s fingerprints are all over this.
7. So are God’s.
Yup, that’s all you’re getting out of me on this one. So go see it. Then come back here and let me know what you think. Save the spoilers for my private e-mail (david@allwhowander.us).
One last thing” What does this have to do with wilderness, hiking, the outdoors, etc? Nothing, really. It has everything to do with God. With searching. With struggle. With wandering. And you know…not all those who wander are necessarily lost.
011 All Who Wander – Trailfest Series: Trail Days Damascus, VA – Part 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This is the 3rd in a new series of shows in which Dana and I follow the migratory herd of 2011 Northbound AT thru-hikers from trail to trail town stopping off at hiker celebrations along the way. In this episode (AWW 011) we found ourselves in Damascus, Virginia for the 2011 Trail Days Festival.
This episode of All Who Wander features Scott Rogers, bionic-hiker and self-proclaimed one-leg wonder.
This years 2012 Trail Days will be May 18 – 20.
For more info, visit: www.traildays.us
If you’d like to contact Scott visit his website at:
Me :
david@allwhowander.us. or look for me (as well as the All Who Wander fan page) on facebook
“Our suicidal poets (Plath, Berryman, Lowell, Jarrell, et al.) spent too much of their lives inside rooms and classrooms when they should have been trudging up mountains, slogging through swamps, rowing down rivers. The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial.”
~Edward Abbey
Oh yeah, you’ll have to have a facebook account to view these but here’s a link to some pics from last years Trail Days:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1742185959123.2089212.1372924198&type=3
010 All Who Wander – Trailfest Series: April Fools Trail Days Franklin, NC – Part 2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The 2nd in a new series of shows in which Dana and I follow the migratory herd of 2011 Northbound AT thru-hikers from trail to trail town stopping off at the hiker festivals along the way. In this episode (AWW 010) we visit historic Franklin, NC for “April Fools Trail Days” and Ron Haven’s Hiker Fools Bash. We meet old friends, make new ones and introduce you to some of the characters and legends of the Trail. If you’re anything like me, be prepared to see your wintertime blahs dissipate and Springer Fever awakened just a little early this year.
Jenna Lindbo:
www.reverbnation.com/jennalindbo
www.youtube.com/jennalindbomusic
or look for her on facebook.
2012 April Fool’s Trail Days March 30th and 31st:
and
Hammock Gear:
Warren Doyle:
Me:
david@allwhowander.us. or look for me (as well as the All Who Wander fan page) on facebook
“I don’t think I am an explorer. An explorer wanders far and abroad to find some place he has never seen. I ramble off and away to find a road back home.” -Henry “Graybeard” Mitchell.
Henry Mitchell:
Wanderlust
Wanderlust indeed. I’ve wanted for a while to create a blog or series of blogs on the subject of wanderlust especially as it applies to those of us obsessed with that little pathway that travels from Springer to Maine. Today, a friend (Seven Thunders) posted this video on my facebook page. It was shot by the infamous Andrew Skurka. (A legend interviewing a legend. Pretty stellar stuff.) Anyhow, until time allows me to devote a few hours to writing here’s one of the Greats dispensing some wisdom from the trail and waxing poetic about this phenomenon. Enjoy!
The Mayans Got It Wrong! 2012 Reasons the World Can’t End in 2012.
The Mayans Got It Wrong! 2012 Reasons the World Can’t End in 2012.
Pardon me if wax eschatological but whatever your Long-count Calendar may say, the world cannot end in 2012. I enter into evidence a list of items in no particular order.
The world can’t end because I have yet to do the following:
1. North-bound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail
www.appalachiantrail.org, www.whiteblaze.net
2. Create a series of podcasts from the Trail on said thru-hike and see All Who Wander reach a million subscribers. (Hey…it could happen!)
www.allwhowander.us
3. Write a book inspired by said thru-hike.
4. Record a full-length album…well, you get the picture.
5. Thru-hike the John Muir trail and spend some quality time (say a year or two) wandering around Yosemite.
www.johnmuirtrail.org
6. Thru-hike the Continental Divide Trail
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG3l5fGmidM
7. Thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail
www.pcta.org, www.wizardsofthepct.com
8. Thru-hike the Camino de Santiago
www.caminodesantiago.me.uk, www.theway-themovie.com/
9. Watch the sunrise from my hammock on Macchu Picchu
www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu
10. Spend some quality time wandering around Yellowstone, maybe do a little fly-fishing.
www.yellowstonepark.com/
11. Spend a month deep in the wilderness of Newfound Gap doing nothing but
watch the slow approach of autumn set the mountains aflame.
www.cnyhiking.com/ATinNC-NewfoundGapToLowGap.htm
12. Trans-American bike ride
www.renalriders.wordpress.com
13. Bike the Blue Ridge Parkway end to end
www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=15
14. Thru-hike the Mountains to Sea Trail
www.ncmst.org
15. Canoe the Suwannee River from Fargo, Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico
www.backshortly.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/paddle-the-suwannee-river-days-1-2/
16. See the Northern Lights from somewhere deep in the Boundary Waters Wilderness
http://youtu.be/jX8veLSvTAs
17. Take Dana to an all-inclusive resort…finally.
18. Break Jen Davis’ AT speed record…Oh come on! That was just hilarious!
www.blueridgehikingco.com
19. See Josiah’s dreams come true
www.myspace.com/lullabiesforlostchildren
20. Southbound Thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail
I really could come up with 2,012 reasons. What about you? What would you add to the list? I can’t wait to read your comments!
Photo gratefully used with the kind permission of Paulino Romero at www.mayacalendar.com
Thanks, Paulino!
009 All Who Wander – Trailfest Series: April Fools Trail Days Franklin, NC – Part1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The first in a new series of shows in which Dana and I follow the migratory herd of 2011 Northbound AT thru-hikers from trail to trail town stopping off at the hiker festivals along the way. In this episode (AWW 009) and the next we visit historic Franklin, NC for “April Fools Trail Days” and Ron Haven’s Hiker Fools Bash. We meet old friends, make new ones and introduce you to some of the characters and legends of the Trail. If you’re anything like me, be prepared to see your wintertime blahs dissipate and Springer Fever awakened just a little early this year.
2012 April Fool’s Trail Days
March 30th and 31st.
www.aprilfoolstraildays.com and
www.hikerbash.ronhaven.com
Undulations by Karen Thompson
www.karenonthetrail.com/
undulationskt@hotmail.com
Tents made by Judy “Heartfire” Gross
www.lightheartgear.com
heartfire@heartfiregowns.com
judygross@bellsouth.net
www.facebook.com/LightHeartGear
“The Packa” by Cedar Tree Industry
The Worlds ONLY Full Coverage Backpacking Rain Parka
Edward Hinnant
436 Cabin Fever Dr.
Marion, VA 24354
276.780.2354
www.thepacka.com
Greenleaf Canoe Company
Harold “Harley” Mo
828.524.6464
828.421.8826
or look for him on facebook by searching “Greenleaf Canoe Company”
Jenna Lindbo
www.reverbnation.com/jennalindbo
www.youtube.com/jennalindbomusic
or look for her on facebook.
or look for me (as well as the All Who Wander fan page on facebook)
“It’s when you’re safe at home that you wish you were having an adventure. When you’re having an adventure you wish you were safe at home.”
~Thornton Wilder
008 All Who Wander – A Walk With Graybeard: Black Balsam to Shining Rock via Art Loeb
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This Christmas episode of All Who Wander features a winter hike on the Art Loeb Trail with Henry “Graybeard” Mitchell from milepost 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway across Black Balsam Knob to Shining Rock. Henry is an artist who makes his home in Greenville, SC.
He has several sites:
henry@sculptorsjournal.com
http://sculptorsjournal.com
http://dawntreestudio.com
http://henrymitchellsculptor.com
http://earth-sign.com
http://soulsreach.com
http://meanderlog.com
Music has been provided by Jacob Johnson. Here’s his contact info:
and
www.youtube.com/user/bebop1986
You can also find his fanpage on facebook
For booking:
Hope you enjoy! Merry Christmas and may Christ be born in you this holiday season.
The All Who Wander Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide 2011
Last minute shopper? Never fear. All Who Wander has 10 great ideas for every budget.
Last year for Father’s Dad I posted a “Hiker Dad’s Wish List”, in the hopes of providing some gift-giving inspiration for wives, family and friends of my fellow trail-loving dads. Well, Christmas is barreling down on us like Jen Davis headed toward Springer. Since, as of this writing, it’s “Black Friday” and I’ve elected not to participate in this particular holiday madness I figured I scratch out an updated list for Christmas 2011. You’ll probably notice that a couple of the items from “Hiker Dad” made it to this list as well. Well, they’re that good! Don’t feel limited by what I’ve suggested; I’d love for you to contribute your ideas as well. Just post your suggestions in the comment section of this blog. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
1. A box of the new Clif Mojo Chocolate Almond Coconut bars ($14.99)
Love Almond Joy? I do. While browsing at my local outfitter I discovered that Clif Mojo had created their own version of this trifecta of flavors. Toasted coconut, chunks of chocolate and whole roasted almonds. I scooped up a handful and hoofed it to the register. They are so much more crunchy and delicious than their Peter Paul predecessor ever dreamed of being and obviously a much healthier choice. A case might last the winter hiking season!
2. Amazon.com gift card. ($50 and up)
Did you realize Amazon isn’t just about books? They have everything!
When All Who Wander became an Amazon affiliate I was shocked to discover the ridiculous range of products from books to music to outdoor gear, to (yes) even kilts, available for online purchase! Try this experiment: Drop by www.allwhowander.us and type something…anything into the search window. You’re gonna be surprised! Did you also realize that by connecting to Amazon.com via the search window or product links at allwhowander.us you help support AWW? Just by doing what you would normally do!
3. Starbucks Via ($3.99)
My MSR coffee filter has, sadly, been relegated to spending the remainder of it’s days in the Land of Misfit Hiking Toys. The reason? Blame it on the evil Starbucks enterprise. Once I had my first sip of this micro-ground coffee I was sold. I never dreamed so much flavor could come from such a tiny foil sleeve of coffee. I won’t hike without it. A three- pack sells for around 4 bucks. Great stocking stuffer! (And yes, available through our Amazon link!) Sorry, MSR…we did have some good times, though, huh?
4. Adventure Camera ($349.00)
For Father’s Day I mentioned how much I’d love to find an Olympus Stylus Tough- TG 810 wrapped up in a box in lieu of the Father’s Day standard of necktie, socks or underwear. Well, there’s still a spot underneath the Christmas tree just waiting for said box. The 14 mega-pixel, shock-proof to 6.6 feet, freeze-proof to 16 degrees, waterproof to 33 feet and crush-proof up to 220 lbf is every hiker dad’s answer to the dilemma of balancing weight versus features, quality and endurance. I love the integrated GPS which allows you to “record landmark data in your image and then enjoy the photo surfing feature which lets you see exactly where your photos were taken by using a map display!” This beauty has dropped nearly $50 to $349.99, The good news is that Olympus no longer corners the market and recently several other manufacturers have followed their lead. Still hoping the healthy competition will lead to even better features and more affordability in adventure cameras. The competitors? I thought you’d never ask! Two of the contenders are Fuji’s Finepix XP20 and the Pentax Optio WG-With any of the three I could save my zip-lock bag for tp and trailmix…I’d be happy!
5. 4 Season Cuben Fiber Hammock Tarp ($299.00)
On my previous list, the #2 position was held by the Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock (available at www.warbonnetoutdoors.com). I’m thrilled to say that due to the generosity of some amazing friends, not to mention Kenneth Waddy, I am now the proud owner of a Blackbird. If for no other reason, the suspension system places this hammock high on my list of favorites. The only thing missing at this point is a tarp. The one I have my eye on right now is the 4 Season Cat Cut Cuben Fiber Tarp (#4 on the previous list) from www.HammockGear.com. This 8’6″ x 10′ 10″ beauty weighs a ridiculously light 6.5 ounces! Consider that a sil-nylon tarp of the same approximate dimensions weighs 19 ounces; still light but nearly triple the weight of the cuben fiber version. Yes, the price-tag is nearly triple that of the sil-nylon as well but I can tell you from personal experience that Adam (Stormcrow) and Jen’s exceptional craftsmanship and customer service make it worth every penny. How do I know this? I just unpacked my beautiful new Incubator underquilt (#3 on the previous list) and reveled in their exquisite handiwork. They even re-arranged their schedule to get it to me in time for a hike up Cold Mountain. These guys rock! Watch for an upcoming podcast that’ll include a discussion of hammocks, tarps and underquilts with Stormcrow and thru-hiker, Bat at the Hiker Fool’s Bash in Franklin, TN. Great stuff!
6. E-reader ($75 and up)
I love books. I mean real books. Ink and paper. Hardback, paperback, leather-bound…I love books. In fact, a friend of mine sent me the manuscript to a fantastic novel he had recently completed and I struggled to finish it because I had to read it on my lap-top via MS Word. So when another friend suggested I buy an e-reader for hiking because I could “carry a thousand books” I wasn’t even remotely interested….that is until I picked one up. I was shocked at how light it was. In fact, I broke out my digital scale and started weighing my books. It was lighter than 90 percent of what I’d been carrying in my pack. I love simplicity. Hence I love low-tech. The last thing I want is one more piece of technology to maintain but I’ve gotta admit…maybe I need to give E-readers another look.
The list of features available on these babies reads like a NASA manual. Most weigh in at less than 8 ounces. Looking for books to pre-load? Here are a few on my list:
- 46 Days by Brew Davis
- Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
- Lost In Wonder. Rediscovering The Spiritual Art Of Attentiveness.
by Esther DeWaal
- Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge
- A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
7. The Winter Tilley ($99.00)
Every time I see this hat in an outfitter, I try it on. Due to it’s $100 price tag I’ll probably never buy it but I gotta tell you, I love this hat! This handsome wool noggin-topper sports tuck-away ear warmers, is crushable, packable, snow and rain repellent and dry-cleanable. Not to mention it makes me look cool…and let’s be honest…I need all the help I can get.
8. Casio Pro Trek PRW2500-1 ($300.00)
Dana’s pick for the list features: solar power, digital compass, altimeter; barometer; thermometer; tide and moon data, backlight with afterglow, power saving function, water-resistant to 660 feet…oh yeah, and it tells time too! (Need I say more?) Certainly a watch with this toolbox could help even the most navigationally challenged outdoorsman (namely me) get his (or her) bearings. Price tag? About $300.
9. Sleeping Pad ($120)
I’m a hammocker and prefer not to sleep on the ground if it can be avoided. However, there’s a 70 mile section of the AT that travels through the Smokies in which it’s “strongly suggested” that you sleep in a shelter. Assuming one day I get to do my thru-hike, I’m gonna need a pad. Choosing a sleeping pad, as with all gear, is a dance between pack-weight and comfort. For comfort? There’s no contest. It’s the Cosmo Nemo with pillow-top. (Yes, I just said “pillow-top.”) Even I could get a good nights sleep on the ground with this luxurious sleep system. And hey, it’s only 70 miles, right? Not buying it? Still too much weight? No problem. Thermarest has a pad for you . The Therma-rest Neo Air packs to the size of your Nalgene and weighs a mere 14 ounces in the regular size. One warning: Buy a set of ear-plugs for your gift recipient. Surprisingly comfortable but crinkly-noisy.
- Sleep comfort? Cosmo Nemo with pillow-top
-Low-packweight Therma-rest Neo Air
10. A Better Story (priceless)
After the publication of his best-selling memoir, Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller found himself glued to his couch with nary an ambition, aspiration or even an idea what to do next. When two movie producers show up on his doorstep and approach him about making a movie based on his book he realizes that his life falls somewhat short of an engaging read. Thus begins his journey to edit his real life into a better story. A Trans-American bike ride, a hiking trip to Machu Picchu and the foundation of a mentoring organization all contribute to his “living a better story.” “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” chronicles this journey. This scintillating and inspiring read stoked my own imagination. What about my life is book-worthy? Was there anything about my own story that would make a narrative you “couldn’t put down”? By now most of you are aware of my obsession with doing a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Yes, I’m still obsessed. If I have a book in me, I think it would emerge during that pilgrimage. What about you? Maybe a “better story” would begin with something smaller. Here are a few suggestions:
- A week-long thru-hike such as the Foothills Trail or the Art Loeb Trail or if you’re nearer to Maine, how ’bout the 100- Mile Wilderness?
- Find a way to brighten someone else’s holiday…secretly help provide
Christmas for a family in need.
- A charitable donation made in the name of the giftee: One of our favorites? New Jerusalem Missions. (www.newjerusalemmissions.com)
Here’s hoping you and yours have a Merry Christmas from all of us at All Who Wander.
