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Why would you do that?

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 PA License - AB067198

Nick with pack

Imagine walking about 400 miles!

Why would you do that?

A friend recently walked one of the Camino Santiago routes, the Camino Francaise from St Jean du Pied to Santiago and in talking with each other I asked how she found the time to do that, a much longer distance than 400 miles. Her answer was, I made the time! That resonated with me, if there is something important to us we make the time to do it.

I have wanted to walk a trail for some time, I considered the Appalachian Trail but that took too long to take time off, although I know you can do parts that was not what I wanted. 

But the Camino Santiago felt right. What I had not realized was that there are many routes. Each of these routes is a medieval pilgrim route, traveled for hundreds of years sometimes thousands. When I looked at the various routes the Camino Portugues, starting in Lisbon and going all the way to Santiago, with an additional few days to go on after Santiago Finisterre, the end of the world, this will take me well over 400 miles, resonated with me.

You may have heard of the Camino Santiago, it was made famous by the movie The Way with Martin Sheen and Emilio Esteves. Father and son, in fact Martin Sheen's real name is Ramon Esteves.

As I looked at the distance, I talked it over with Trudy and she encouraged me to do it. We recently had a very active friend who unnderwent some back surgery who is now using a walker as a result and awaiting further surgery. We never know what will happen to us.

Many people's first question is "why would you do that?"

Well, it appealed to me as I approach a significant birthday, 20 years ago I ran a marathon after talking about it for years, to do something challenging. To also take time to clear my head and consider what the next stage of my life will entail to get clarity on who I want to be for the rest of my life. I have not been as active with my blogging for several weeks, due in some part to losing my motivation, my why and feel a need to get that back or find what I want to do in the future.

I am hoping this will be a time for reflection, and also looking forward to who I want to be and to discover how I become that in this next life stage. So, I will be missing from Active Rain, but you can follow the journey by following me on Facebook.

I also never belive in missing an opportunity to help others, so am using this opportunity to raise funds for two charities, each year I do the Philadelphia Heart Walk, this walk is going to be a lot further but I am asking people to support me by making a donation at  http://www2.heart.org/goto/CaminoHeartWalk.

There is also a fund raising facebook link as well.

Alternatively I am raising funds for Surrey Services for Seniors and asking people to send a check to Surrey Services for Seniors marked Camino on the memo line at 60 Surrey Way, Devon, PA 19333. I am trying to find someone to make a $5000 matching gift, so if we raise $5000 we will double it to $10,000. That is a work in progress and I have 14 days before I leave to get it done

Hope to see you on the way via Facebook.

Thankfully Trudy can cover for me while I get to go walkabout!

 
Posted by

 

Nick Vandekar
Nick is a Tredyffrin Easttown Residential and Commercial REALTOR selling The Main Line, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Giving you the confidence to make
the right decisions.

225 W Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown , PA 19335
Office 484-237-2055
SellingTheMainLine.com
Mobile: (610) 203-4543 [call or text me]
Email Me

 

My Blog

   

If you are buying or selling on or around
Tredyffrin Easttown or along the Main Line, 
I can help you, contact me.

Comments (32)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                            

                                          Thank you, Nick and Trudy. 

Sep 08, 2018 05:11 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Good luck Nick.  I will follow your trek on Facebook.

Sep 09, 2018 06:44 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I have always wanted to walk from CHimayo to Santa Fe during the Easter pilgrimage but not sure how to arrange for sleeping spaces etc - I guess I should set that for a goal for next Easter - and then just do it - God speed you on your path and keep you safe

Sep 09, 2018 06:46 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Nick

What a wonderful adventure this will be, a journey of a lifetime. I'm so happy for you for deciding to do this!

We have friends who did one of these walks and raved about it. Best wishes for your preparations and do keep us posted!! And we of course expect some terrific photos!

Jeff

Sep 09, 2018 04:31 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

I could have sworn I responded to this post, but go figure either way kudos to this Journey Nick and I wish I had the ability to make the time to do something like this, Endre

Sep 09, 2018 11:23 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I love this idea - and funny thing is, I have a friend who is doing that as well - I think she starts next week. I think this sounds like a fantastic journey.

Sep 10, 2018 03:26 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Debbie Reynolds thank you, look forward to sharing the trip.

Kathy Streib thank you so much for the feature, really appreciate it and your donation to the American Heart Association as well.

Gabe Sanders look forward to it

Lise Howe that's it as I was challenged about making time, you just have to schedule it and research it and make the plans.

 

Sep 10, 2018 09:08 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Jeff Dowler, CRS I will be sharing photos on Facebook, not sure I will get around to posting on AR, but we will see.

Endre Barath, Jr. I did two posts, one with links and you had commented on that, so your are not going crazy, thanks for the comment.

Which route are they walking Kat Palmiotti the French route or the Portuguese route?

Sep 10, 2018 09:11 AM
Kat Palmiotti

She's doing El Camino De Santiago, The French Way

Sep 10, 2018 10:54 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Wish that Fitbits were around when I through-hiked the AT. In all hikes combined my steps might reach 12,000,000 total. That said your friend is correct "you make the time." Extraordinary journeys are worth the trip. Here via Kathy Streib 

Sep 10, 2018 10:48 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

The appalachian is another one I would like to do in whole not in parts, but that will take more organizing Kevin J. May 

Sep 10, 2018 11:18 AM
Kevin J. May

We planned for about a year and it took 6 months +/- to reach the halfway point. A goal is to complete the Florida Trail, Everglades City to Amicalola Falls in GA, times a wasting. 

Sep 10, 2018 12:48 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I wish you health, happiness, and joy on your walk. Come home refreshed and ready to go!

Sep 10, 2018 10:11 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I love Trudy for encouraging you and being your biggest cheerleader through this and I am in awe of you for taking on this challenge, Nick!

ENJOY this time and boy, what a way to celebrate a significant birthday (I just celebrated one of those too and didn't do anything this good for me)!!

Sep 11, 2018 06:16 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Marte Cliff thank you for your wishes. 

Debe Maxwell, CRS I am very grateful she can cover for me and it allows me to do something like this. I am excited and looking forward to it.

Sep 11, 2018 07:13 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

So many questions! First, congratulations on setting your goal, both for the walk and the fund raisers. Now, is this a group effort? Several hikers getting together for the trip? Where will you sleep? And approximately how many days will the trip take? I'll be following your progress. Best of luck!

Sep 11, 2018 08:56 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty I am walking alone, may bump into other walkers/pilgrims on the way. There are hostels, pensions and hotels along the route, the plan is to stay in hostels. There are 24 stages laid out for the walk, they are each about 20 miles, so you may or may not cover that per day, and the guide book also suggests three days rest along the route. So at the best 27 days, but probably just over a month. I am also considering adding on an extension route to Finisterra which would probably add another 4 days or so unless I do that just by a bus trip, all depends how I feel and how long it has taken.

Sep 11, 2018 10:53 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I have two lady friends who walked the Camino last year.  What an amazing adventure they had!  You will never regret doing it.

Sep 12, 2018 01:17 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Carol Williams which Camino did they walk? Did they walk the whole route or just a part of the whole? Many people do not realize their are multiple Camino routes, all of varying lengths, and people start on them from different places as well. I am really looking forward to it at this stage.

Sep 12, 2018 01:26 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

They walked the entire 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago!  So proud of them. They are about my age.

Sep 12, 2018 01:31 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543

They must have done the Camino Francaise then starting from St Jean du Pied in France. 

Sep 12, 2018 01:39 PM
Carol Williams

I believe so.

Sep 12, 2018 01:51 PM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Good luck to you on your journey and deciding to take the step. I am sure you will succeed.

Sep 13, 2018 02:31 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Thanks Pat Champion looking forward to it.

Sep 13, 2018 03:17 PM