Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog, page 2

King and Queen for One Breakfast

Table for two. A charming aspect of distance walking in Italy is the vast variety of places we call home for a night. This dining room in a stately home in the lakeside village of Bolsena offered an omelet, yogurt, granola, jams, juice, fresh bread, coffee, and more. We felt like royalty! Our en suite … Continue reading King and Queen for One Breakfast →

The People of the Via Francigena

The Via Francigena has delighted us in its warmth, with recent days bringing us friendships. Elena (in top photo) and her mother welcomed us to their 14th-century hilltop farm home and agriturismo with personal charm, a spacious apartment, and scrumptious meals. We had dinner and trailside conversation with Renate and Herbert from The Netherlands, promising … Continue reading The People of the Via Francigena →

The Via Francigena Shines and Challenges

Tuscany on the Via Francigena has made us work for moments like these. This morning, I shot a view from our apartment window in the spectacular mountaintop village of Radicofani. A trailside picnic was a treat for our eyes and taste buds. We have shared good times with fellow trekkers, including Luca (on my left) … Continue reading The Via Francigena Shines and Challenges →

The Tale of Two Tuscan Cities

We left behind San Gimignano—the tower city—and followed the Via Francigena to Monteriggioni—the walled city. It was a day of ups and downs, showing off gorgeous Tuscan views from a sometimes rugged trail along with many miles of arduous and even dangerous road walking. At one water crossing, longer and trickier than the one in … Continue reading The Tale of Two Tuscan Cities →

The City of Towers and a Trail Surprise

San Gimignano was quite a sight from afar and continued to impress as Sue and I wandered the narrow streets and alleys. The more-than-1,000-years-old Via Francigena was instrumental to the birth and growth of San Gimignano and so many other places we visit on this journey. San Gimignano once boasted 72 towers during a time … Continue reading The City of Towers and a Trail Surprise →

Root for Ivan the Gorilla and Cap the Nerd

My only complaint about each of these books is that they are too short. The endings are great, but I longed to continue following the charming and clever characters’ lives. In Schooled, by Gordon Korman, one of my favorite authors, Capricorn Anderson (Cap for short) is a teenager who has been raised and taught by … Continue reading Root for Ivan the Gorilla and Cap the Nerd →

Italy Shines Despite Rain, Roads, and Mud

Our third day on the Via Francigena took us up, up, up to San Miniato on another mixed-weather walk. However, Tuscany did not require sunshine to display its natural Italian charm. Thirty miles into our planned 250-mile stroll to Vatican City, the “trail” has been mostly ho-hum, marked by roads, mud, and tall, wet grasses … Continue reading Italy Shines Despite Rain, Roads, and Mud →

Via Francigena Trekking Adventure Begins

Sue and I bought our pilgrim passports today at the cathedral in the walled city of Lucca, Italy, which greeted us with a light rain. We begin the Via Francigena here Friday and, fingers crossed, will arrive at Vatican City on May 9. Rain, pasta, and pizza are forecast!

Boy’s Last Wishes Become an Old Man’s Destiny

Murray McBridge, 100, meets Jason Cashman, 10, who is dying of heart disease. Their fast-forming friendship takes the boy and the lonely, retired major league baseball player on a journey revolving around Jason’s Post-It list of five wishes. The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBridge, by Joe Siple, is a unique and heartwarming adventure story. … Continue reading Boy’s Last Wishes Become an Old Man’s Destiny →

Paths to Adventure and Writing Began in Santiago

A roomful of adventurers joined me the other night at the Phoenix, Oregon library for my talk, All Paths Begin in Santiago. I led listeners on Sue’s and my journeys on eight distance paths, capped by California’s John Muir Trail, the subject of my third trekking book, Hoofin’ It on the John Muir Trail. I … Continue reading Paths to Adventure and Writing Began in Santiago →