A Summer Abroad

When entering the arena of academia in Florida, faculty are typically provided an opportunity to select either a nine or 12 month contract. Whichever option you select is permanent. Four years ago, with a penchant for vagabonding, I chose the former.

Thus in early May, I will embark on yet another three-month adventure across Europe. I will fly to France, spend a day taking in the sights of Paris, and board the night train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to begin walking the 800-kilometer Camino Francés — my third trek on this particular route.

Provided I manage to escape illness and injury, I will then walk the 900-kilometer Camino del Norte before flying to the UK to traverse Hadrian’s Wall and the Coast to Coast walk. I’m scheduled to return home in August via Stockholm, and if time permits, I will hop a train to the northern reaches of Swedish Lapland to re-hike the Abisko to Nikkaluokta section of the Kungsleden.

I’ve not been great in the past at documenting my travels beyond the first few weeks of a trip — but having recently tripped 40 and staring down the barrel of the second half of my life — I feel obligated to begin maintaining a detailed account of my travels.

I bought this domain with plans to build a general resource for long-distance backpackers, but I’ll keep things short for now. Up next: The things I will carry.