So incredibly proud! wanted to share

[wendyp]

I'm so incredibly proud of my dad!! Last October he had his retirement party. May dad his favorite hobby is hiking, not small distances but seriously very long distances. His biggest dream ever is walking the Pelgrim trail (https://www.lowlands-l.net/travels/stjabik.php) and than the longest version.

This trail is going from the most north of the Netherlands all the way down to Spain!
He started his journey today and one of the overnight pit-stops will be at our house next week. but after than he will be on his adventure for 3-4 months.

I will miss him incredibly but am also so proud that he is able to do this.

https://i.imgur.com/OW3nNBG.jpg

[Saar]

Oh wow!
Yay for him for doing this.
Good luck. I hope he has an amazing journey. :wub:

[LynnZant]

Amazing! Enjoy your visit with him.

[HeideC]

so cool!

[HeyJude]

What an awesome adventure!! Good for him for living his dream. :)

[Kimberly27]

So fun! What an awesome adventure. I hope he has an amazing time.

[KristinCB]

that is AMAZING!! how exciting!! hopefully he is going to take a lot of photos so you can make him a beautiful book. So inspiring.

[TraceyM]

What a cool thing he is doing! Does he say how long he expects it to take if all goes well?

[bienejen]

That is so cool!! Hope he has great weather and an amazing time!

[wendyp]

What a cool thing he is doing! Does he say how long he expects it to take if all goes well?

3 to 4 months and walking only so no cheating

He tries to overnight in a tent most of the times, unless there is a special Hostel or B&B where he can stay. There are multiple ones where he needs to show his shell neckless specially for this trail.

[Robin Carlton]

That is sooo cool Wendy!

[mmbstaley]

wow! safe travels to him!

[3BluEyedBabi]

That's amazing!

[jacinda]

Wow! Good on him! I can't even walk around my neighbourhood for more than an hour before having to sit down and rest!

[Leablahblah]

Wow! Is he doing that on his own or with a group of people?

[HeatherB]

Wow, what an amazing adventure!

[wendyp]

Wow! Is he doing that on his own or with a group of people?

On his own. Even though he knows a lot of people who already have done this trail. He joined a group to hear and read others experiences. And he had to do a lot of research on what to put in the back and where he possibly wants to stay.

[eve11ne]

Wow, it will be an adventure of a lifetime, safe travels to him!


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[JillW]

Wow! That is amazing! Kudos to your dad!!

[Lidia G]

Wow, that's an amazing journey he's off on! Thank you for sharing the link to the Pilgrim Trail with its history. A friend did a small part of the Pilgrim Trail starting in Spain. She, her husband, and son walked for about 10 days and said that it was an amazing experience and they met so many wonderful people along the way. Kudos to your dad for taking on such an adventurous journey.

[Willemijne DSI]

Wow, what an adventure! My father in law did this by bike about ten years ago!
So fun that your house is one of his stops!

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[wendyp]

Wow, that's an amazing journey he's off on! Thank you for sharing the link to the Pilgrim Trail with its history. A friend did a small part of the Pilgrim Trail starting in Spain. She, her husband, and son walked for about 10 days and said that it was an amazing experience and they met so many wonderful people along the way. Kudos to your dad for taking on such an adventurous journey.

yes he heard the same about the experiences, that made him wanna do it too. He has always been of the long distances hikes. But this one is a milestone for him.

My dad is a smooth talker so meeting many different people from different countries is something he will love too.

[cherrygutz]

Wow, that's amazing!!

[nietis]

Such an amazing adventure! How cool of your dad, Wendy!
I wish him safe and fun travels!

[tjscraps]

Oh wow, what an adventure!!! Good for him!

[amyjcaz]

Oh my gosh that is just incredible! I hope he takes tons of pics so you can scrap some of his memories!!!

[LJSDesigns]

Good for your Dad, Wendy. What an amazing journey. I'm so glad you said he did some research because that is so important. My brother and SIL set out to hike the Appalachian Trail here in the states and quit after 5 miles because it was not what they expected. Apparently they thought it was like taking a walk around the block, but had they done some research they would have known how serious it was. It sounds like your Dad will be much better prepared and enjoy his adventure.

[Leablahblah]

On his own. Even though he knows a lot of people who already have done this trail. He joined a group to hear and read others experiences. And he had to do a lot of research on what to put in the back and where he possibly wants to stay.
That's awesome. And very brave of him!

[craftytam]

Wow! That's amazing!

[norton94]

So incredibly cool!! You'll have to update us as you get news!

[aussiegirl]

Wow! Good for him! Praying he has a safe and fun adventure!

[helptheold]

Holy moly that's amazing! He'd have plenty of training to hike the Appalachian Trail, that one is about 3,500 km, good luck to him!

[wendyp]

He is on his third day and has walked 150 km already that is 53 miles. Like I said he has walked 31 miles straight for multiple times already so that is what he is doing walking around 31 miles a day. But he walks fast so in a 6 hours he can be done for the day. I would never ever manage that lol.

[lizziej]

WOW! Your dad is amazing!! What a journey! Please keep us posted.

[Josie]

Wow! What a great adventure! A safe trip for your dad!

[lovely1m]

This is amazing! Funny enough, I am hoping to do a multi-day hike to celebrate my military retirement. Not nearly as long as his but it would be my first one. I really need to start training now cause I am from the Plains and I want to do New Hampshire mountains. lol

[EvelynD2]

Wow! What a wonderful adventure! Keep us posted with photos!

[wendyp]

My dad just left our house after he stayed here the night. the passed few days felt pretty normal since we all new he would pass by and stay the overnights at his own house and 2 of his daughters.
But now he left our house he is REALLY leaving. My mom had a hard time yesterday since he left her than after one overnight.

He has 93,21 miles down already, and is keeping it with 16/17 miles a day so he can enjoy it more than walking more, but also because he is carrying a 35,27 pound bag with him.

https://i.imgur.com/QMOOk90.jpg

[Saar]

Thank you for the update, Wendy. I was wondering how he was doing.
So sorry to read your mom is having a hard time. Still hope he has the time of his life.

[jumbbumble]

Wauw that is a hard trail you must be very proud of him. nancy olthoff a dutch author dit a part of it a year ago and she wrote story's about it on her facebook! Mabey those are fun to read for your dad and mabey it gives him some good tips for overnight stayings

[YepBrook]

We met a man once on a trail in Georgia who had been hiking for a month and I remember thinking- wow that is crazy AND awesome! We asked if he missed his wife and he said she went with him for the first week and then meets up with him along the way. I can totally see the appeal in wanting to do this. It seems like an adventure- but I was also a little worried for the guy being alone!

Please keep us updated on your dad's journey! I find this so fascinating.

[JillW]

Thanks for the update Wendy! Your dad is amazing! I understand the stress of being the persons left behind while he's on his journey!

[Saar]

Wendy, If your dad happens to send you pictures along the way of his adventure, I think you should turn them into a scrapbook. I think it would be nice for him to look back to it.

[wendyp]

Wendy, If your dad happens to send you pictures along the way of his adventure, I think you should turn them into a scrapbook. I think it would be nice for him to look back to it.

My dad wants to create a photobook from polarsteps. The way the make it includes the whole trail in a map and pretty details.

So i leave that.

[wendyp]

We met a man once on a trail in Georgia who had been hiking for a month and I remember thinking- wow that is crazy AND awesome! We asked if he missed his wife and he said she went with him for the first week and then meets up with him along the way. I can totally see the appeal in wanting to do this. It seems like an adventure- but I was also a little worried for the guy being alone!

Please keep us updated on your dad's journey! I find this so fascinating.

He is meeting lots of new people and he is listening music while hiking. He loves to hike alone so no one holds him of his speed

[stephc777]

Your dad sounds amazing, Wendy!

[Saar]

My dad wants to create a photobook from polarsteps. The way the make it includes the whole trail in a map and pretty details.

So i leave that.

That's fun as well!

[TraceyM]

Such an impressive hike to take on - I can't begin to imagine all the adventures and people he will meet along the way!!

[Scrap-therapy]

Congrats to your father Wendy! You should be so proud of him!
This is a thing I would love to do one day but don't know if I will do it.(For the religious reasons and meaning but there's more) But I'm amaze at people doing it!
And this is the most long road I know now, most of people who did it started in France so wow!
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0f/50/63/0f506376ce012c48def04cc3ef48020d.jpg

[wendyp]

Congrats to your father Wendy! You should be so proud of him!
This is a thing I would love to do one day but don't know if I will do it.(For the religious reasons and meaning but there's more) But I'm amaze at people doing it!
And this is the most long road I know now, most of people who did it started in France so wow!
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0f/50/63/0f506376ce012c48def04cc3ef48020d.jpg

Can you imagine that a very few people even start in Norway! I think that would be even more insane lol but also very impressive.

[nesser1981]

WOW! That's so cool!

[Kimberly27]

Loving the updates. So excited for him! What an amazing journey to take. :)

[lorigaud]

Wow... what a trek that will be! Amazing!

[wendyp]

He is at Day 9 now and he is at Arnhem now. I think in 4-5 days he will be in Belgium already

[wendyp]

My dad just crossed over the Belgium Border. From what I remembered is he now very close to the village where Sarah Lives...

https://i.imgur.com/pJnALC7.jpg

[craftytam]

That's so awesome! How is he doing?

[wendyp]

he is doing great. He met a several people already who are walking the same trail only staying in different cities overnight. The story of today is that he walked with a man a few years younger than him, but with the same humor as him. He enjoyed that companion for the day. They are staying the night at the same place tonight. But it is fun to read his stories, photo's and quotes he is sharing.

https://i.imgur.com/OoWvVSk.jpg

[craftytam]

Wow! What an adventure!

[Scrap-therapy]

Can you imagine that a very few people even start in Norway! I think that would be even more insane lol but also very impressive.

I totally agree with you! That's so much road! Wow!

[lorigaud]

Wow! Sounds like things are going really well. Such a cool adventure!

[Saar]

Wow! That’s amazing. He was in my area like you said!
Where is he now? Is he still in Belgium?

[wendyp]

Wow! That?s amazing. He was in my area like you said!
Where is he now? Is he still in Belgium?

He was in Namur yesterday.

I think in 1-2 days he will be in France already. He found himself a hiking buddy. My dad and the man he met last week decided to walk mostly of the trail together. My dad says he has the same humor as my dad.

[Saar]

So fun he found himself a walking buddy AND that they share the same humor. It will be a memorable trip for sure!
Thank you for sharing his experience, Wendy. So fun to follow along.

[nietis]

Glad to read that your dad is enjoying himself on this adventure so much, Wendy!

[Scrap-therapy]

I guess your dad is in France now?
How fun He met this walking buddy! I hope they both has a great adventure!:)

[wendyp]

In a few days my dad will be walking in the center of France. He is on day 35 now and is still doing very well. Only sad thing is that there was a lot of rain in the passed few weeks. Happily there was a very warm and sunny weekend last weekend. He has met a lot of different people already locals but also other hikers, walking to Spain as well.

https://i.imgur.com/LXWf7VR.jpg

[AmieN1]

Oh wow that is so cool! Thank goodness for technology & being able to check in frequently- I'd be so proud but also a nervous wreck worrying about him! ;)

[Blagovesta Gosheva]

Wow Wendy, you must be very proud of your dad!! This is one of my dreams, too. Well, not the long way like him, but at least some of the shorts!

[angels]

what a cool adventure, you should be proud of him!

[lorigaud]

Great to see an update! What an amazing experience.

[LJSDesigns]

Totally amazing. I would be scared to death to do that. But then I am a big chicken and total homebody. Good for him. :)

[bienejen]

I've been listening to Arnold Schwartzenegger's book "Be Useful' on Spotify. I thought about your dad when, in the first chapter, he talks about the benefits of walking. He says "Many of history's greatest thinkers, leaders, scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs found some of their greatest inspiration going for walks." And he provides anecdotes from Wadsworth, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Einstein and Thoreau. He goes on to quote a 2014 study at Stanford University that showed 'walking increased the creative thinking of 100 percent of the study participants who were asked to walk while completing a series of creative tasks." He goes on to quote some more anecdotes from a man who walked the length of the western Himalayas and later the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It's a really interesting part of the chapter of the book.
I think it will be so interesting to see if your dad shares any problems he resolved or creative visions he developed while he's been out walking alone with his thoughts. And maybe a short walk is what all of us could use when our creative mojo isn't what we'd like it to be!

[wendyp]

I've been listening to Arnold Schwartzenegger's book "Be Useful' on Spotify. I thought about your dad when, in the first chapter, he talks about the benefits of walking. He says "Many of history's greatest thinkers, leaders, scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs found some of their greatest inspiration going for walks." And he provides anecdotes from Wadsworth, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Einstein and Thoreau. He goes on to quote a 2014 study at Stanford University that showed 'walking increased the creative thinking of 100 percent of the study participants who were asked to walk while completing a series of creative tasks." He goes on to quote some more anecdotes from a man who walked the length of the western Himalayas and later the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It's a really interesting part of the chapter of the book.
I think it will be so interesting to see if your dad shares any problems he resolved or creative visions he developed while he's been out walking alone with his thoughts. And maybe a short walk is what all of us could use when our creative mojo isn't what we'd like it to be!

He does, He is telling stories alongside the photo's he shares. He had some obstacles along the way already where he resolved it in a creative way like flooded walking paths where he switches his shoes for crocs and is just one example lol. But he shares the stories about the ups and downs of his journey

[Route66]

Wow, that's amazing Wendy! I have the Camino walk on my bucket list so I can relate to your dear old Dad, best of luck to him!

[wendyp]

It has been a month since I posted the last update. My dad is walking for more than 3 months now already. And he is still enjoying it everyday. He sometimes has ups and downs on the trail, But the ups are weighting much more than the downs.

He is in Spain now since a few days and now he is in the country of destination he is even meeting more people from all over the world. And the views are getting more and more breathtaking.

He has only around 930 KM to go maybe less. Only 1 more month before he will getting back home again.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53737801149_510f67925f_o.jpg

[bienejen]

Wow! It's hard to imagine how much ground he's covered. I love seeing his photos! I admit I did chuckle at 'only' 930 km to go. That sounds overwhelming to me!!!

[KristinCB]

everything about this is just so inspiring and amazing!!

[SweetChar]

Wow! That's incredible!

[lorigaud]

So inspiring! Thanks for the update!

[nietis]

Wow, those views and his journey are amazing!

[craftytam]

This is so amazing! Wow!

[wendyp]

A new update and the last one... My dad arrived Santiago de Compostella yesterday!!! That his goal for the journey. My mom and sister will pick him up on Sunday/monday and than they will stay for another week to just celebrate a vacation.

But I'm so incredibly proud that he has finished his journey.
My new scoop coming this weekend with Kelly is totally inspired by my dad's adventure.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53790807471_cdacbd4568_o.jpg

[sweetdoll]

Congratulations!!! Yours is certainly an example of courage and that there is no age to go after our dreams :thumbup:

[craftytam]

That's amazing! I'm so in awe of your dad.

[Blagovesta Gosheva]

Your dad is amazing! Such an adventure!

[Willemijne DSI]

What a great achievement!

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[JillW]

Oh my! That's amazing!! He will have so much to share with you!! Awesome!

[HeatherB]

What an amazing accomplishment!!

[Leablahblah]

Wow! Congrats to your dad! It's amazing!

[Tracie Stroud]

Whoa what an amazing accomplishment!

[stephc777]

Your dad is amazing!!

[Robin Carlton]

This is SUCH an amazing story Wendy! You must be so so sooo proud!

[Saar]

Yay! Congratulations to your dad!

[nietis]

WOW! Congratulations to your dad! Such an amazing & courageous journey!