Summer Of Yes

July - December 2023

This all started as "maybe I'll ride a bike for a few days"... and the magic of "Yes"
My (1st) Round The World adventure. Read more

225footprints
19countries
164days
1.3kphotos
133videos
38.5kmiles
21.6kmiles
724sea miles
444miles
284miles
173sea miles
140sea miles
140sea miles
98miles
12miles
4miles

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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 12, 2023, 10:18am
- ☁️ 68 °F
- Altitude: 92 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo Marco 42.236667, -8.72166742°14’12” N 8°43’18” W
Day 2
Not Quite Done
July 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
Just cuz it it ended, doesn't mean it's over.

I haven't really gotten my head around what "post Camino" might mean. Other than the fact I woke alone in a comfy bed with real sheets and an apartment with view of the city instead of squeeky bunk beds .... And put on flip flops to casually stroll to a cafe at 10am instead of dusting my feet and donning my tattered hiking shoes to walk west at 7:20.... It feels pretty similar: new town (city), new faces , a delicious napolitana (pan de chocolate), and a cafe americano...

There's a lot more to share, but my coffee is cooling. Stay tuned!Read more
Traveler I can’t wait to follow along!
7/12/23Reply
Traveler Several people here in my retirement community have suggested that you should “bronze “ one of your walk shoes. They have enjoyed what I have shared of your trek.
7/12/23Reply
Traveler That's an interesting notion but I don't foresee wanting to have that particular memento. I have others that weigh much less. :)
7/12/23Reply
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 12, 2023, 1:51pm
- ⛅ 72 °F
- Altitude: 115 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo Vigo Guixar Station 42.236667, -8.7142°14’12” N 8°42’36” W
Day 2
Shopstavaganza; New Kicks
July 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
For the better part of 2 months I have been doing whatever I can to reduce pack-weight for walking.

Now that I'm in a stable space for a few days, and planning to walk a lot less, I decided to add a few items to make life more pleasant.

Peanut butter figured high on that list. It's really heavy. I may not finish it this week but I'll enjoy it while I have it!

My feet are elated that I've also added a new pair of shoes. They aren't as high quality as the old, but they also don't have over 1,000km on them!

And I now own *5 shirts* ! These are exciting times in Life of Steve, I assure you.Read more
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 12, 2023, 5:17pm
- ☀️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 62 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo 42.238333, -8.71666742°14’18” N 8°43’0” W
Day 2
Swimmies!
July 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Active recovery is the name of the game today. I haven't done a swim workout since April so it was awesome to get in the pool and also a little humbling.... I'm not feeling quite as merman-ish as normal.

Interesting difference between this and every other pool I have ever used (there are dozens):
They require a swim cap. Curious. Fortunately they had a loaner I could borrow. I suppose soaking it in chlorine makes it pretty safe as a vector. I hope.Read more
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 12, 2023, 9:28pm
- ☀️ 66 °F
- Altitude: 56 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo Puerto de Vigo 42.238333, -8.72166742°14’18” N 8°43’18” W
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Day 2
Family Time
July 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
I just enjoyed the hell out of an afternoon spent with two of my host-siblings from a little while ago.

And the views here are even better than I remember.

Also... Dairy-free gelato
Traveler How wonderful and special
7/12/23Reply
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 13, 2023, 9:47am
- ☀️ 64 °F
- Altitude: 161 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo Plaza Elíptica 42.235, -8.71833342°14’6” N 8°43’6” W
Day 3
Trapped!
July 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
My cute little airbnb is now a shambles of drying clothes. It resembles the "after the seduction" scene in a campy 80s movie: shirts dripping off of open cupboard doors and pants on the chair.

Despite the airbnb host's assertion that the washing machine is a washer-dryer, and despite having let it run on "auto" overnight....

It does not appear to be a washer-dryer.
And I haven't found directions online that make it behave that way.

So!
The "I'm so excited to put every piece of clothing I own in the wash" idea turned into: "Sitting around naked eating oatmeal and waiting for clothes to dry."

Which, in the end, isn't a terrible way to spend a morning. At least I have oatmeal, the weather is a pleasant mid-70s, and I generally enjoy sitting around naked.

If anyone knows the secret to making a Boscch WVF 2401 washer also be a dryer, let me know! It has very much outwitted me despite my best efforts.

NB: I do have 1 pair of new socks and a new shirt, so technically I don't *have* to be *completely* naked. But.... It very much limits my options on leaving the apartment.Read more
Traveler Update: I may or may not have flashed a little old lady across the street. I'm not sure how transparent the sliding glass doors are. Hmm.
7/13/23Reply
You may have made her day😁 [Bruce Surey]
7/13/23Reply
Traveler Ohhh no!
7/13/23Reply
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 13, 2023, 1:18pm
- ☀️ 75 °F
- Altitude: 210 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo Guixar Punta de Santa Tegra 42.243333, -8.70166742°14’36” N 8°42’6” W
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Day 3
Blast from the Past
July 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Went to visit the high school I attended 31 years ago and I was amused (and flattered) to see that they've got a plaque and photos on the wall by the principal's office, commemorating my stay.

Fun times.

It felt strange to retrace footsteps from so long ago, with my Spanish Brother, Emilio. Strange in a fun way.

So we got a beer and a sandwich, too.Read more
Traveler That’s amazing!
7/14/23Reply
Traveler Ommmggg. Haha. Love it!
7/14/23Reply
VIP! [Enma]
9/23/23Reply
That sweater though! [Emma]
9/23/23Reply
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 13, 2023, 6:48pm
- ☀️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 16 ft
- Spain Galicia Cangas Cangas do Morrazo Xardíns do Señal 42.263333, -8.7842°15’48” N 8°46’48” W
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Day 3
Dipping my Toes in the Atlantic
July 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Took a ferry from Vigo to Cangas today, a beautiful way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Not only was I happily spending time with the wonderful people of my Spanish Family, but I also got sunshine, mango sorbetto, and a chance to dip my toes in the Atlantic. Win, win, win, and win.

And if you know me at all, you know that I freakin' love ferry boats. #ferrytales do come true.Read more
Traveler I thought about your love of Ferry’s while crossing the Hudson to NYC, on the Ferry. ;)
7/15/23Reply
Traveler Yay! Have you been to the Statue of Liberty before? I liked that boat
7/15/23Reply
Traveler Not on this trip. Next time.
7/15/23Reply
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 15, 2023, 1:08am
- ☁️ 64 °F
- Altitude: 187 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo Estación de ferrocarril de Urzaiz 42.235, -8.71666742°14’6” N 8°43’0” W
Day 5
Fiesta del Viernes
July 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
A fairly normal Friday night in Spain.... Meet at 9:30PM for dinner and a drink.

Visit a few bars. Then a few more. Then I get tired 'early' and go home at 3AM. By 5 everyone else had thrown in the towel, too.

Great fun was had, we visited bars where we used to play back in '92... I'm amazed that they're still there.

It was a warm night - 70's - and most people were in the streets instead of indoors... Which is definitely the best way to spend a summer night out in the City.Read more
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 15, 2023, 11:50am
- ☁️ 66 °F
- Altitude: 161 ft
- Spain Galicia Vigo Plaza Elíptica 42.235, -8.71833342°14’6” N 8°43’6” W
Day 5
Maps are fun
July 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Hungover this morning I decided to start firming up my travel plans for the next few weeks. It's a lot of moving parts and my 1st choice is always to just 'go with the flow' but as summer travel gets busy.... The Flow maybe requires some reservations....Read more
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Traveler Summer Of Yes
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- Jul 15, 2023, 10:01pm
- ☁️ 63 °F
- Altitude: 59 ft
- Spain Galicia Marín Ardán Isla de San Clemente 42.341667, -8.75166742°20’30” N 8°45’6” W
Day 5
Coastal Jaunt
July 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Jorge, Emilio and I decided to take our hungover selves out for some fresh air.

The next estuary (Ría) north of here is Ría de Pontevedra and had some great sights to see.

We started with a gentle hike to the Celtic and Roman ruins of Cabo Home with an enormous view of the rugged coastline, then grabbed a drink and discussed technological advances, AI, bagpipes, homonyms, self-driving cars, children, and the importance of positivity, among various other topics.

As the wispy clouds crept in (with sundogs!) we changed venues to a spectacular beach at Playa Lapaman and enjoyed a polycolor sky explosion along with our delicious meal of snacks, as the sun set at 10:30PM.

The drive home was sparkly with lights reflecting off of the two bays, but kinda quiet as all three of us are tired from last night's shenanigans.Read more
Traveler Happy for you
7/15/23Reply
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