Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog, page 10
November 7, 2023
A 20-Year Run to the Boston Marathon
Whether you are a serious distance runner or an armchair adventurer, Thomas Hesch’s book will draw you to finish his story about dedication and grit. In Twenty Years to the Finish Line, Hesch describes his two-decade path to realize his dream: Run in the Boston Marathon–and finish it. It is a story filled with road … Continue reading A 20-Year Run to the Boston Marathon →
November 5, 2023
Words Become Lessons for Boy, Teen, and a Man
Vince Vawter’s trilogy begins with Paperboy. Look at the cover; see the medal marking it as a Newbery Honor Book? For me, this makes it a must read since the award is one of the most reliable predictors of books I will love. Paperboy is brilliant and I quickly zipped through the book as well … Continue reading Words Become Lessons for Boy, Teen, and a Man →
October 28, 2023
French Camino: 500 Miles in 6 Minutes
Check out Sue’s new slide show from our recent French Camino trek (She packs a lot in just six minutes.) on her YouTube channel.
October 17, 2023
French Camino: Here’s the Inside Scoop
Surreal. Over glasses of wine in Saint Jean Pied-du-Port on Monday afternoon, Sue and I were proud of what we had accomplished on the French Camino, but numb about what it all meant. Just another distance trek? No, it was more than that. The guidebooks told us we had walked nearly 500 miles over 39 … Continue reading French Camino: Here’s the Inside Scoop →
October 14, 2023
French Camino: We Are Staying Where?
The French Camino offers long gaps between accommodations, pushing us to walk as many as 21 miles in a day. To avoid another day extending us beyond our comfort zone, we were booked last night in Lichos, hardly big enough to be called a hamlet. See the photo on the left? That is where our … Continue reading French Camino: We Are Staying Where? →
October 13, 2023
French Camino: Our Third Pilgrim Path
The French Camino is our third trek on a pilgrimage route, all marked by centuries of walking by Christians from all over the world. These days, many walk the paths for non-religious reasons, but it is almost impossible not to feel some spiritual aspect of each trek. Our first pilgrimage path, in 2013, was the … Continue reading French Camino: Our Third Pilgrim Path →
October 11, 2023
French Camino: A Beer from…It Can’t Be!
I needed a beer. It was at least 90 degrees when we walked into the tiny hamlet of Mosacq, France, our home for the night and just 57 miles from the end of our French Camino. In the only bar in town, I spotted Sparta Shuc, a stout. A break from the bland French lagers. … Continue reading French Camino: A Beer from…It Can’t Be! →
October 9, 2023
French Camino: A Day of Distractions
The air was crisp this morning as we departed our hotel and walked through the tiny village of Miramont-Sensacq. An hour later, we hoped for distractions from the cornfields, pavement, and the onset of heat that would fall just short of 90. We were in luck, sort of. Churches continue to be one of my … Continue reading French Camino: A Day of Distractions →
October 7, 2023
French Camino: Alas! A Zero Day
Our journey across France took a day off today after 12 straight days of changing countryside, dwindling fellow trekkers, and mostly scorching heat. A sprinkle of rain offered a day of relative cool while the trail led us over miles and miles of hot pavement on farm roads and, lately, through vineyards and corn fields. … Continue reading French Camino: Alas! A Zero Day →
October 2, 2023
French Camino: Ouch! A Bun Burner
GPS, tracking our every step, says we have walked 450 miles (including diversions) and ascended 39,000 feet. Today, though, let’s focus on what we have seen—and not seen—on the French Camino. You might want to flip through the slideshow before proceeding. This is an ancient religious pilgrimage, so it figures places of worship would pop … Continue reading French Camino: Ouch! A Bun Burner →
