This is the next stage of the experiment in preparation for my pilgrimage.
I have a "new" tablet that I intend to take with me.  The key pad is a bit small for my chubby fingers but I believe I can use it to get my day's travel across. It has a 7 inch screen so it is a little easier to see.   I'll try it out for a few days.  This is the first go at it!

     As part of my preparation, I've been experimenting with some shoes.  Actually, they are hiking boots.  Last time I did the Camino I spent a large sum of money on the best hiking boots I could find.  I purchased a pair of Asolos and spent a lot of money.  They were great, I admit, but the toe room for someone with my foot was never quite right.  That, along with the fact that I broke bones in both feet, made my experience less than satisfactory for the amount I spent. 
      I have been experimenting with other shoes this time and thought I'd found the right mix with the LL Bean hiking boots that I bought.  That was until my son, the elder, advised me to look at the Keen hikers.  Having purchased, at his advice, some Keen sandals and deciding to take them because of their comfort, I took a look.  I ended up buying (with his guidance) the Verdi Mid WPs and you just can't imagine how good my feet feel.  Right out of the box I became aware that they were designed with my foot in mind.
      It  seems that I have a "fat" foot!  Well, the ball of my foot is pronounced and my toes tend to be as wide as the ball of my foot.  That means a hiker like the Keen is designed to accommodate my foot. I have worn them constantly for 2 days now and they feel almost like sandals on my feet.  I'm anxious, now, for my back to heal enough so that I can carry my pack for some distance and see how they do.  They seem to be without "hot spots" but I'll know for sure when I get more miles on them.  Suffice it to say, for now, that I'm a much happier camper... no, hiker!

     Well, as part of the process of getting off to Portugal, on my way to Santiago, I have to do what smart people do and make sure the doctor gives me a "thumbs up" for the journey.  Since I work with the VA system (retired Army) that means that nothing is easy.  My doctor (actually a Nurse Practitioner) of several years has just recently left the VA system.  That means I don't have a "doc" at the very time when it is most important for me to see one.  I guess that's the VA system at its normal condition. 
      All that to say I'm up so early this morning because I'm on my way to give blood (and whatever other body fluid they want) as part of the work-up for when I finally see a new doctor in the system.  Now is as good as any time to make sure that my cholesterol stays low and my bad cholesterol doesn't get so high that I have to take medicine. Hopefully, my faithful regimen of Vitamin D and Fish Oil will continue to do the trick!
      Other than the blood tests, the next step will be to get my back to cooperate.  It's now been about a month since I redid the stupid back injury from years ago.  It rears its ugly head every year or two and this year, in conjunction with a trip to Detroit for a church related meeting, I aggrivated it much worse than usual. Now, getting out with my pack and "just getting in some miles with it" has been delayed.  Soon, it seems, it will be good enough to let me do some "training" - just not quite yet!
      Well, I'm soon off to the doc for the blood work.  I'm going to really enjoy some breakfast and a cup of coffee when it finally comes time this morning.

     As part of my preparation for and accomplishment of retiring, I'm about to launch into the blogosphere!  I'm preparing to go on a second pilgrimage (to Santiago de Compostela, Spain) and need to get used to putting on paper my escapades.  I will try to update this blog as my preparation for making the pilgrimage in September.  I'll be walking / hiking from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago. 
     This is my second pilgrimage.  In 2009 I went with my friend, John Klein, from St. Jean Pied du Port, France to Santiago.  It was a journey of about 500 miles (800 kilometers).  This journey will be about 375 miles (600+ kilometers). 
     Here goes...