Tag: hiking

Janet Palcko: Pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago

October 23, 2018 / Jill McCauslin / 5 Comments

In the spring of 2018, Janet Palcko took the epic journey of her lifetime when she walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The Camino is a pilgrimage to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where it is said that the remains of Saint James the Apostle are buried.

In episode 20 of the Becoming Elli Podcast, Jill and Chris talk with Janet Palcko about her incredible journey. Janet hiked for at least 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) in about six weeks.

The Camino de Santiago is not just one route. Thousands of pilgrims left their homes throughout the Middle Ages and followed roads all across southern Europe. Those paths all come together like branches of a tree and arrive at Santiago. Today, thousands more people walk those same routes each year. Some walk for spiritual reasons, others for physical or adventure challenges. They are all considered Pilgrims along The Way.

Janet reminds us that people have been making this pilgrimage for several centuries and today’s pilgrims follow the path of earlier ones.

One of the longest and most traveled routes is the Camino Frances, so named for the starting point in Northwestern France. Janet started her hike in France, crossed over the Pyrenees and then hiked across all of northern Spain. She did this while carrying everything she needed in her backpack.

Janet describes the different places she saw and the variety of people she met. She tells how she managed to sleep along the way, eat meals, and enjoy her pilgrimage. She also shares how she trained for this trip of a lifetime and how she prepared for it.

Janet Palcko certainly embodies the Becoming Elli spirit. She’ll make you think that hiking for six weeks is a great idea and that we should all go on this pilgrimage.

You can check out the whole trip and over 600 photos at www.polarsteps.com. Create an account (I used my Facebook account for a quick and easy login) and then search for Janet Palcko. It’s definitely worth checking out. You can also install the polarsteps app on your phone and check it out that way.

Rejuvenate with a Hike along the GAP

August 25, 2018 / Chris Brown / 0 Comments

If you’re like me and your legs get stiff from driving too long, you might enjoy taking some time and rejuvenate with a hike. This little waterfall treasure is an oasis located in Rockwood, Pennsylvania, which is about 10 miles south of the Somerset exit #110 on the PA turnpike.

Why was I in the middle of Western PA taking a photo of this little waterfall? It was part of an annual tradition of Sisters Weekend. You see, I grew up with three sisters. We are close in age – my parents had four daughters within five years – and even now, we are still close to each other, although the miles separate us.

The four of us try to meet up once a year to reconnect. Usually we pick a place that is about halfway from our houses. This year only two of us could make it, so we skipped the regular routine of a Somerset hotel and instead experienced the fun of a vintage Bed and Breakfast.

The Gingerbread House has a beautiful wrap-around porch. Our B&B was a good place to stay for a hot shower, cozy bed and delicious breakfast in the morning.

The Gingerbread House B&B has little outdoor sitting area with a bike stand just behind the house.

The B&B we selected is just a few steps off the GAP – the Great Allegheny Passage – which is a bike trail that runs 150 miles all the way from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, Maryland.

I think it is pretty neat that the GAP connects to the C&O Canal trail and you can ride all the way to Washington DC. The other B&B guests told us it is generally a 6-day bike riding trip to do the whole thing.

Although I didn’t bring my bike on this trip, my sister and I did get a chance to experience it, when we walked along the GAP.

Like many small towns, there wasn’t a lot of activity – just a couple of small restaurants, some small town shopping and a convenience store, but it had a bike shop right off the trail!

This bike shop is where the GAP crosses Rockdale Road in Rockwood, PA.

The hike was just what I needed. It felt so good to stretch my legs and do some walking and talking… especially after sitting in the car for hours to get there, followed by even more sitting at the restaurant for lunch.

The cool waterfalls send off a mist that felt so refreshing. I find there is something really soothing and relaxing about running water!

Hiking in Western Pennsylvania is especially enjoyable. For walking on the GAP, you only need some sneakers or walking shoes, not hiking boots. They do a great job of maintaining it. There are lots of little streams along the trail and the experience makes you feel like you are in the middle of the forest… but without the challenging terrain of rocks, roots and trees to dodge.

Bike riders take this path because the surface is a crushed stone and asphalt, built on top of what used to be the path of the railroads.

Bikes and trains in one piece of art sculpture on the trail.

During our hike we actually saw a lot more walkers than bike riders, but I think it was because we walked during late afternoon.

It’s funny, after doing a lot of driving, I felt tired when I got there, but soon after going for a 3-mile walk with my sister, I got my energy back. Does that happen to you? – Chris

Do you find that using energy gives you back more energy? Have you had good experience staying at a B&B instead of a hotel chain? How do you work in some exercise during a weekend away from home? Who else has a family tradition to stay close to siblings? Leave a message below or more privately on Facebook group.

Ten Ways to Avoid the Gym

January 28, 2018 / Jill McCauslin / 2 Comments

So, let’s say your idea of fun is not going to the gym and working out but you know you need to get some exercise to stay healthy. How do you avoid gym? Whether it’s because you don’t have a gym nearby, you don’t want to spend the money on gym membership, or you just don’t like gyms, you still need to get some exercise, right? We all know that fitness depends on moving our bodies. What should you do? I have some ideas to share.

Get a Fitbit and count your steps. We all hear this, get 10,000 steps a day. Well, get a Fitbit or some other step counter (pedometer, Apple Watch, Garmin watch) and see how many steps you get in a day. I was shocked when I first started to track my steps. Working in an office was not conducive to walking. If you’re only walking 2,000 to 3,000 steps a day, you probably shouldn’t make your first goal 10,000 steps. Instead, add 1,000 steps to what you walk normally and see if you can get that. Continue to bump up your goal until you get to the level you want and can meet it frequently.I adjust my goal for steps depending on what’s going on in my life. These days, I try not to lower my goal below 10,000 steps but if I’m in a period where I can walk a lot, I’ll bump my goal up. Then, if I know that I’m entering a period where just getting the 10,000 steps is a challenge, I’ll reset my goal.
The important thing to remember is that you get to control those goals.

Nunu on a hike.
Continuing with the walking theme, join a hiking club and get in some lengthy walks and enjoy nature. This can be an excellent way to meet people and to enjoy some exercise without having to really think about it being exercise. If you have a dog who likes to walk, take him along with you. Dogs make great hiking companions.
There are other kinds of clubs you can join. There are biking clubs and skiing clubs. All of these are a great way to combine social activities with fitness. Ride your bike, go skiing, do whatever appeals to you and that you can find a club. I just recently learned of a mountain climbing club near me. I’m in Ohio and there’s not a lot of mountain climbing here but it turns out, this group meets at a local wilderness supply store and uses their climbing wall.
Think about the things that you enjoyed as a kid or teenager. If you loved playing sports, look for some adult leagues for baseball or softball, basketball, soccer, or touch football. Many recreation departments in different towns offer sport activities for adults. If you think you want to do this, check out the team and make sure that they play at the level you’re looking for. Don’t forget bowling. The last time I went bowling, I was shocked at how much I had to use my arms. That’s a serious arm workout.
Maybe you loved dance as a kid. If so, many dance studios and rec departments offer dance classes for adults. You can find all types of dance available to you. Whether it’s ballet, tap, or ballroom dancing, put on your dancing shoes and enjoy!
Dance
Don’t forget sports such as golf and tennis. These can be great ways to get fit. Look for local leagues to join.
Check out yoga studios or yoga classes offered through rec departments or churches. You’ll often find places that offer yoga classes that are reasonably priced and set up for those of us who are as flexible as we once were. A lot of barre places have opened. These are a combination of ballet, yoga, and Pilates and uses a ballet barre for balance. This might be a good option for you.
In the same vein, Jazzercise classes or similar types of classes are offered in a variety of locations. This might be a good solution to doing something without having to join a gym. I just recently saw a place that is offering a class called Blessercise. It’s a religious based fitness class and was housed in a small retail area. You just pay by the class or pay for a monthly membership.
Let’s not forget the favorites of running and bicycling. Neither require a membership to anything and you can do both without a lot of preparation. A good pair of running shoes is the minimum requirement for running and a bike and helmet works for bicycling.
Chris Running
If you really want to just do a workout in the comfort of your home, check out what’s available online for help. Many women enjoy Leslie Sansone. You can buy a DVD or borrow one from your local library or check her out on YouTube. You can get some exercise equipment to use at home. Many people enjoy rebounders at home. Rebounders are like mini-trampolines. Others like to have some dumb bells at home for workouts. Don’t forget simple things like jump ropes. You can invest more money and get a treadmill or elliptical or even a Pilates Reformer machine. If you don’t want to invest in any equipment, do body weight exercises like pushups, lunges, and squats.
Jump rope

I’m sure there are lots of ways that I’ve not thought of to get exercise without joining a gym. Feel free to share what you do. We all need help on our way to becoming like Elli.