Planes, Trains, and, umm...Hotels

Someone the other day kindly pointed out that we have less than a month before we leave.  Gee, thanks.  All those little loose ends that I figured would be taken care of when our departure date came closer all of the sudden need to be taken care of.  Exactly what train would we take from Paris to Bayonne?  Exactly what time would we arrive there?  Do we need to spend the night?  If so, where?  It's kind of funny, but it is the logistics of the pre-walking phase that are the hardest.  The girls are busy worrying themselves to death about the first day climb over the Pyrenees and here I am saying to myself, "If we can just get to the 1st day without any problems, I'll be happy."  I can't wait to just walk.

The "Bike Boys" and I gave a couple of presentations about our 2010 Lewis and Clark bike ride last week.  One was to the Springfield Rotary and the other was to the Obsidians, a local outdoors group.  We shared pictures and a few of our tales from the road.  It seemed as though they were well received and I was excited to tell the audience that a couple of kids from Springfield High were hitting the road again this summer with the Camino adventure.  Both those groups do a lot of advocacy for the youth and outdoors for this community so I hope they enjoyed hearing about our plans.

Speaking of plans.  Here is what we have so far.  The only thing to do now is have Auna and Deija comb through the plans and find some things they want to do or see in London and Paris on the days we have free.  What a wonderful thing to say as a teacher to a student: "Go ahead and just pick what you want to do in London and Paris."  I'm excited to allow them to explore!

-James

Camino De Santiago 2011

Rough Itinerary

June 18----Flight from Seattle>>>Toronto>>>Iceland>>>London

June 19----Arrive in London (Heathrow Airport) 

Tube to downtown 

Check into hotel (June 19-21)

June 19-21----Sightsee in London

June 21----Sightsee in London

Eurostar Train: From London St. Pancras to Paris Nord

Depart: June 21 8:02PM

Arrive: June 21 11:17PM

Arrive in Paris 

Check into hotel (June 21-23)

June 22---Sightsee in Paris

June 23----Meet with Bree in Paris (Her flight arrives mid-afternoon)

Train:  From Paris Austerlitz to Bayonne (overnight)

Depart: June 23 11:11PM

Arrives: June 24 6:39AM

June 24---- Arrive in Bayonne early morning.  

Train:  Bayonne to St. Jean Pied de Port

Depart: June 24 8:18AM

Arrive: June 24 9:36AM

Arrive in St. Jean Pied de Port...locate Pilgrim Office, pick up Pilgrim passport and check into hostel.

June 25---Start Walking.....for 500 miles!