Let’s go back in time about a year, give or take. Rather unexpectedly an invite arrives from Chris’ sister, a most seasoned world traveller…“Come spring, let’s go to Spain!” Tales of hiking and adventure, travelling the legendary “El Camino”, getting out, seeing the country, touching on what it’s all about and keeping the touristy stuff at a minimum…with a little pampering along the way in the cards. Come and make the most amazing memories.
Oh yeah! That’s how we like to roll and without so much as a moment’s hesitation, a big “yes please” from both of us. Sounds like the trip of a lifetime (and it was – you’ll see).
It’s now June 2018, all the details have been long finalized, arrangements made, bags packed, we’re in the air sipping champagne – which helps my “not-a-fan-of flying” slightly frazzled nerves – and we daydream about what’s in store for us in the coming weeks. Some eleven or twelve hours in the air, one big leap over the ocean and then a connecting flight, we’re on the ground in Madrid. Glad that’s behind us (then it hits me…in no time we’ll have to do it again – yikes).
Off The Beaten Path en España: a whole new world to explore. Fun ‘n’ crazy adventures with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
Next it’s jump in a cab (scenes from the game Crazy Taxi), zipping through Madrid as though an Indy Car. Jump in this lane, then that. Into a tunnel. Traffic’s insane…yet, it seems to work. In spite of the congestion and down right chaos, it flows well, and interestingly no one here seems to use a horn.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
Arrive at the Hotel – the Iberostar Las Letras Gran Vía if it means anything – what a dump. And sleep. That jet lag is an evil bastard. But before it all a couple quick photos out the balcony – can already see it…what a city! Yawn…more…more…tomorrow. Eyes close…zzzzzzzz. A few hours later, awaking, a couple more photos and it’s back to bed. Adventure awaits…but it’s for tomorrow. And the next day. And every one that follows till we head home. No beaches for us, no flip-flops, no zip lines, it’s getting to know a country with a genuine curiosity. The real side of Spain.
So watch this page. As each new “España” articles gets published, we’ll post the link. We’ll break it down by day (and did we kept busy – it was amazing!), publishing a new post perhaps once every two weeks or so. We don’t want to bore or overwhelm you. With that, you’ll be seeing these well into next year!
We’ll take in Madrid for a couple days, hit the El Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Trail for a good week, then hit the coast up near Spain’s most western edge, never sitting still. And along the way we’ll see ancient buildings, impressive cathedrals that tower to the sky going back eight or nine hundred years that took two centuries to build and many small county churches. And there’s castles, monasteries, fine old stone homes, farm houses, quiet back streets, remote villages, all of it simply spectacular. And most all of it old.
So stay tuned. And in the meantime, enjoy the first photo we ever shot in Spain and a couple that followed and take in that most amazing Spanish Vibe. It begins…
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!
Date: June, 2018. Location: Madrid, plus the regions and provinces of Toledo, Leon & Galacia Spain. Article references and thanks: My sis & brother in law whom we owe a huge debt.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
What a beautiful place. Waiting for more!
There’s lots in the pipeline. Trust me!
Best thing I ever did the El Camino pilgrimage.
We both found it quite moving and will never forget it.
Thanks for all that you guys do!
We try hard! Thanks for dropping by.
Can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!
There will be some amazing pics – I’ve been looking them over. Soon we’ll post more.
Was there, but can’t wait!
It seems so long ago now. God, that was an amazing trip.
Great photos! Thanks for sharing.
Any time!