Maybe There Will Be Cupcakes

Ginny Bartolone's Blog of Many Years

Tag: Hiking

  • How to Walk 15 Miles When You Feel Like Hell

    It’s raining and chilly in NYC today. This morning, I went on a walk to honor the end of my Camino in my hiking boots, raincoat, and hiking pants. I came back to a warm apartment with a fridge full of food and a cozy cup of coffee topped off with nutmeg. Life back home…

  • “But I Did it My Way”

    I woke up to a rainy morning in Briallos and was ready to hit the road with a renewed sense of energy despite my aching knee. A sense of great accomplishment after the 28k day and the nearing finish line provided a decent amount of adrenaline for the penultimate day of hiking. And anyway, the…

  • The Longest Day

    Ben and I are out of the house for the whole day–going on an adventure of our own!–but luckily, I wrote about my 10th day of hiking last year! It also happens to be one of my favorite posts. Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone! Find the post here:)

  • Santiago Sneaks Up on You

    The funny thing about a trip of this length is that the end feels impossibly far away until suddenly, it isn’t. I woke up on the 9th day of walking with the realization that I only had three more days to be a pilgrim. I love this identity. I may not be religious, but the…

  • When the Modern Road Returns

    It’s easy to look back on a life-altering trip and color the whole experience with a rosy lens. Wrapped up neatly, I was quite content most of the trip, much more so than I managed to be in 2009 or 2017. Then again, staying upbeat for 12 days is different than staying upbeat for 35.…

  • The Third Time I Walked Into Spain

    When I woke up in Portugal for the last time as a hiker, the aroma of brewing coffee wafted in from the common room. Someone out there is my true hero, I thought. The rest of the albergue was starting to roll out of bed and the familiar sound of backpacks being packed and teeth…

  • Frida Kahlo and the Land of Deep Blue

    I have a tattoo on my left arm of a poppy and the word, ultreïa. This word was first seen in a 12th-century guide about how to walk the Camino, and it is believed to mean, “Go further!” The poppy, however, has a double meaning. To start, there are poppies all over the Camino Frances…

  • The Road to Fernanda’s

    Wanted to say a quick hello to all the sweet new (and not-so-new) followers of my blog. It’s meant so much to see your views, messages, likes, and follows. I haven’t been able to write for myself since March, so I deeply appreciate all of it. October 5, 2019 Once you get past the many months…

  • Trapped in an Elevator in the City of Roosters

    I’m feeling pretty drained today, my friends, so I’m gonna keep this a short chapter in my Camino story. But, here we go. Day 3: October 4, 2019 During my first and second Caminos, the third day of hiking was rough on both my body and mind. VERY rough. On both occasions, I injured a…

  • Saudade and the Day I Fell in Love With Porto

    This post is part of a series. Day one of my trip lives here! September 30, 2019: Part 1 When our plane finally coasted into Monday’s sunrise, my shoulder mate rose from his sweet slumber and thanked me in Spanish for not waking him up. I helped him and his wife order breakfast from the…