Camino Gratitude Primitivo

Daily life in Encinitas was brilliant. Each morning began with that crisp marine layer and a 15km walk to Church and back, a ritual for the legs and the spirit. Having Ryan, Megan, and my 5-month-old granddaughter, Cleo, visit for our final days in California was the ultimate “pre-training” for the soul. Between stroller miles, beach time, book reading and plenty of fish tacos, the heart is full.

Since early January, I’ve logged over 800 km of training across Encinitas, Solana, and Del Mar. All of it has been leading to the 350 km Camino Primitivo.

The Transition: From Surf to Storm

Re-entry to Osterville provided a classic New England welcome: overcast, wet, and windy. It was a sharp contrast to the Southern California sunshine, but a necessary adjustment to the elements in the Cantabrian Mountains. I even managed to squeeze in a few rounds of golf with my friend, Scott. A last bit of “flat ground” training before the inclines begin.

The Journey Begins

I depart for Spain on Easter Sunday evening. The flight from Madrid to Oviedo marks the start of the Primitivo, the “Original Way.” It is a demanding mountain route to Galicia, with beautiful scenery and open blue skies.

My journey starts Monday in Oviedo at 2:00 PM, where I’ll be chasing the 8:30 PM sunset to reach Paladín by nightfall. From the steep, lung-busting ascent to La Mesa to the final emotional descent into Santiago, every kilometer is a bridge between those practice walks and the path ahead.

My Camino Schedule (April 2026)

Date Route Distance

4/6 Oviedo to Paladín 19.6 km

4/7 Paladín to Salas 29.0 km

4/8 Salas to Campiello 32.6 km

4/9 Campiello to La Mesa 32.0 km

4/10 La Mesa to Fonsagrada 41.6 km

4/11 Fonsagrada to Castroverde 33.0 km

4/12 Castroverde to San Romao Retorta 40.6 km

4/13 San Romao to Melide 28.6 km

4/14 Melide to O Pedrouzo 33.7 km

4/15 O Pedrouzo to Santiago 19.6 km

4/16 Flight Santiago to Rome

4/21 Flight Florence to Madrid (more Cleo time!)

4/26 Flight Madrid to Boston

Seeking the Truth

While the physical “why” is clear, the internal motivation for my 2026 Camino remains a bit of a mystery. I’m reminded of Noam Chomsky’s words: “Nobody is going to pour the truth into your head. It’s something you have to find for yourself.”

I am stepping onto the trail expecting, perhaps demanding, a bit of enlightenment. I believe 350 km of mostly silent walking through the Spanish peaks will lead me exactly where I need to be.

I look forward to sharing more updates each night from the trail. From the Pacific to the Cape, and finally, to the spires of the Santiago Cathedral.

Buen Camino!