On the one year anniversary of our hike taking in the legendary El Camino de Santiago Trail in Spain, we relived the experience. Sure, we did it here in Calgary this time and just for a day, but it felt as thought we were back. We donned the boots, dusted off Camino mementos to adorn our packs and let things unfold as they did for us the year prior. In June 2018 we walked some hundred and twenty clicks across Northern Spain…in search of something. Was it love, kindness, understanding, some way to better us? No idea, but we had a most incredible time and feel we’re better citizens because of it. And now we want that amazing feeling back.
Fast forward to June 2019, we’re doing a walk in honour of that event replicating a typical day in Spain and capturing the spirit of it all. We’ll cover a lot of ground (about 22km), take in the scenery, socialize, with plenty of coffee and pub stops along the way. Think jovial. We’ll call this is the Calgary Camino (Way) and the photos below show just a few things we saw this fine day. Truth be told we were so into the experience that the camera was often forgotten about. We’ll also share memories from 2018, and they’re awesome. Check out the links!
El Camino Calgary: Peregrinos Once Again – remembering a special time. The “good way” with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
Posts about our Spanish adventure are some of the least read on this website. They even do worse than the pinball write ups. Yikes! Anyway, engagement on these is generally in the toilet, so here especially we’d really appreciate hearing from you.
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Day dawns bright in Bowness Park. This is our starting point and ahead is a crazy circuitous route plotted out so as to hit a coffee shop or pub every few kilometres minimally (as it was in Spain). Plus we carried snacks and vino too, just in case. Got to be prepared! So we walked down pathways, streets and through parks and soon it was time for a random picnic stop. With the Ibérico stuff not readily available here we had to settle for Serrano Ham. Oh whoa is us. Jamón Ibérico is this incredible cured meat, unlike no other, and pure heaven. Wine is a great paring with either.
We look over the all El Camino trinkets collected in Spain. There’s a little souvenir shop in nearly every town on the trail (and the towns are close together) and for a Euro or two one can get a St James Cross pin or bracelet or an El Camino Shell. The latter is the most often seen symbol of the trail and we got one!
More walking (and after each pub stop, staggering – haha) and chatting and reminiscing. The El Camino, of all the cool things we’ve done, takes the lofty position as most awesome ever. We’ll never forget it and are grateful for the experience.
El Camino Memories. We arrive in a charming town where we begin the week long adventure. It’s a meet and greet with the group we’ll be hanging with and our local liaisons. And what an amazing cathedral just outside our hotel. Here: Hello Astorga.
Moving along, it’s coffee stop time. And look at that, the World Cup is on, just like it was on every single TV we saw in Spain that week in June. What hockey is to Canada, so Soccer (Football/Futbol) is to Spain. They’re obsessed! When a game’s on, the whole country comes to a grinding halt. Of course, we root for the national team, even if many of the nuances of this sport are lost on us. Simple rule, if the locals cheer, do the same.
El Camino Memories. It’s a good push up to the Iron Cross and then it’s down over the other side. There’s Thomas the last Templar Knight (shy this day), fine food, amazing mountain scenery and the oldest bridge we’ll ever cross. Here: Scruffy Peregrino (Pilgrim).
There’s a rule here, if we pass an mom ‘n’ pop grocery, we stop for lotto. This day it takes on the appearance of an addiction. In spite of spotting a Boler earlier (usually a bringer of good luck) we come away win less. Like the Oilers! Ouch, burn! Interestingly we did play some lotto in Spain which paid for the trinkets seen.
El Camino Memories It’s up and over again, the oldest church we’ll ever visit, a three hour lunch, and laundry. Things exciting and the necessary and mundane. We’re not complaining! Here: Up & Over.
Along the Bow, our minds wander. Yes, we’re back on the Camino. Downtown Calgary is now some Spanish village and Memorial Drive is now some Galician backroad with little traffic (yeah right!). The illusion is real and we’re sold.
El Camino Memories There’s a greeting said when passing fellow Pilgrims on the trail: Buen Camino or “Good Way”. It’s more churches, hórreo granaries, stamps and passports and perhaps our favourite crash pad of the trip. Thank God we weren’t paying for it! Thanks goes out to the Sis and her Hubby who as benefactors footed our entire freaking bill, and with who it was an honour to walk with. There’s zero way we could have done it otherwise.
Another few clicks, another coffee stop, feeling the buzz. Cafe Solo is high test! We think back on how much the world has changed from 2018 to 2019. Connie’s now minus a boob – damn you prick Cancer. In spite of it all, it’s chin up and fists out and she almost laughs it off. She won that battle, even if battered and bruised, but the thought of what could have been still terrifies the other half.
El Camino Memories Back roads and paths through the woods. At times we’d see no one for an hour or two and the El Camino was all ours. And another great place to spend the night. Damn, we could get used to this. Food, man they eat well here. Lunch takes hours and dinner’s an event. Here: Lost & Loving It.
Still some distance before we reach our Calgary Camino goal, a Spanish Eatery where we’ll meet those special folks who we shared the trail with. There’s fun to be had when you enjoy everyone’s company.
El Camino Memories There’s the cow lady who was more than happy to pose for us, but chastised others who tried to take her picture. More amazing scenery, feeling fit, not wanting it to end. This is something close to heaven. More good food, more cold brews and knowing that with this trek ending soon (just one more day) it’s going to be a downer. Here: Walking the Cows.
We’re in downtown Calgary now, a busy place, hustle and bustle. Not quite as peaceful as on the trail, but hey, it’s all good. The Peace Bridge and it’s the lotto blues. Can’t seem to win there. That Boler must have been jinxed.
El Camino Memories All things must come to an end. Here at Santiago, at the Cathedral Santiago, all good Peregrinos receive their certificate of completion on finishing the El Camino. For some it’s a purely a religious experience but no one comes away without it being spiritual or moving in some way. You wanted to be grounded and look at the world through friendship googles? Then do it. Our little group, us individually and the hundreds of Pilgrims that completed the trail this day, from all corners of the world, became one that day. Here Santiago!
Destination sighted. The camera’s put away and it’s time eat and reminisce. There’s not many Spanish Restaurants in Calgary and this one served food just as we remembered it. God, it was good. But they were out of Ham! You dirty bastards! They said it’s hard to import, and they soon sell out, but we think they kept it all for themselves.
So ends this anniversary trek. We had a follow up planned for 2020, but you know Covid and all. And how changed the world is since this anniversary walk and the original in Spain. Seems like we’re all backsliding when it comes to being good people with everyone filled with hate and anger on all sides. If we could all share that Camino vibe. A pact, we’ll meet you in the trail in 2021 and we’ll buy you a beer.
If we can ever swing it, we’d do the trail again. Hate the plane ride over but the rest was the best time we’ve ever had. Tearing up just thinking about it. Thanks for joining us on all these adventures.
We now return you to your regular scheduled programming…
They’re saying…
”I enjoy your pictures and write ups so much. They bring back a touch of nostalgia for things we used to know, or didn’t even know about. It’s all about keeping our history alive and vibrant. It’s about where we came from, and about the people that made today’s world possible. Today’s world is so fast paced and so focused on the future, which is all well and good, but it’s nice to remember too, how it was not so very long ago. Thank you Chris &. Connie.” Jan Cooper.
Not sure about the trail in Spain, but would jump at the chance to do it again if it could be made to happen. For the anniversary walks like this one, that’s a resounding yes. Covid stopped us in 2020, but next year it’s in the cards. Don’t lurk, but speak out and comment when you can. We love when there’s engagement.
To combat the suckage that sometimes happens, we decided some adventure and fun would be our life’s goal. Makes for a more positive outlook. We feel blessed to do all that we do.
It was mind blowing, the greatest adventure we’ve ever been on. We do many amazing things and are thankful and blessed to do so, but this blows them all away.
Could be. Maybe a shout out to Canadians visiting? That building is an unfinished hotel, by the way. There was a lot of them in the Madrid airport area.
(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.
Miss Spain something bad.
Me too! Long to go back, such nice people and such good times and so many fond memories. I’m back there again in daydreams.
Will you do it again? Love your site and have been a long time lurker.
Not sure about the trail in Spain, but would jump at the chance to do it again if it could be made to happen. For the anniversary walks like this one, that’s a resounding yes. Covid stopped us in 2020, but next year it’s in the cards. Don’t lurk, but speak out and comment when you can. We love when there’s engagement.
It looks like you have fun in everything you do. So envious.
To combat the suckage that sometimes happens, we decided some adventure and fun would be our life’s goal. Makes for a more positive outlook. We feel blessed to do all that we do.
Buen Camino!!! We did it in 2008.
Awesome! It’s an adventure one never forgets.
Buen Camino from Spain!
Thank you señor! Your IP tells me your in Santiago. How cool!
The trail I fell in love with. It’s wonderful.
We fell in love too and long to go back.
What an amazing time it must have been!
It was mind blowing, the greatest adventure we’ve ever been on. We do many amazing things and are thankful and blessed to do so, but this blows them all away.
Is that beaver in the first photo Canadian content?
Could be. Maybe a shout out to Canadians visiting? That building is an unfinished hotel, by the way. There was a lot of them in the Madrid airport area.