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Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago
Camino Walking to Santiago takes the reader along the ancient pilgrimage trail, the Camino de Santiago, as the author and her husband travel 400 miles through northern Spain's hamlets, cities, arid plains, and mountains. The book combines intriguing historical background and rich cultural stories with the author's engaging narrative to provide travelers with the inspiration and knowledge to make their own journey to the city of Santiago de Compostela and the famous cathedral where the remains of the apostle St. James are found. Not everyone has the time or inclination to walk five-hundred miles across northern Spain, but whether armchair traveler or active adventurer, readers will find that Camino Chronicle provides a realistic, non-embellished account of what such a trip involves. You'll gain a picture of refugio (hostel) life, learn about the food and wine of the regions, and enjoy reading some of the mythology and customs of the people. This book was updated in 2014, primarily in the "how to" section, to give the reader current information.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Susan Alcorn
7 books6 followersI'm a hiker, backpacker, traveler, author, and publisher. After I started backpacking at age 48, I decided to find out about other women "of a certain age" who backpacked. That led to "We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers," which supports women exploring the rewards and challenges of the wilderness.
After hiking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago (2001), I decided to learn more about the ancient trail and then wrote "Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago."
The long-distance hikes have continued--in Patagonia, in the U.S., and on additional pilgrimage routes in France, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland. I like seeing a country on foot--the slow pace of travel allows me to more fully immerse myself in the culture and to gather information for my books. It's also a much less expensive way to travel!
My husband and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area where we can enjoy the abundant hiking trails, great music, amazing restaurants, and good weather--as well as our friends and family.
I like going on book tours because I get to go to interesting places and share my passion for travel and long-distance hiking. I love doing presentations -- especially when there's time to meet people who share my interests!
After hiking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago (2001), I decided to learn more about the ancient trail and then wrote "Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago."
The long-distance hikes have continued--in Patagonia, in the U.S., and on additional pilgrimage routes in France, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland. I like seeing a country on foot--the slow pace of travel allows me to more fully immerse myself in the culture and to gather information for my books. It's also a much less expensive way to travel!
My husband and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area where we can enjoy the abundant hiking trails, great music, amazing restaurants, and good weather--as well as our friends and family.
I like going on book tours because I get to go to interesting places and share my passion for travel and long-distance hiking. I love doing presentations -- especially when there's time to meet people who share my interests!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 27, 2022
While I appreciated this first hand and honest account of Susan's travels on the Camino through Spain to Santiago, I found it to be a bit shallow. I really liked the way that she wove together her journal entries from along the trail with reflections and historical details that were added later in the writing process. But what did not live up to my expectations was the even her later additions and reflections were very clinical and logistics oriented, instead of offering any emotional engagement with the experiences she was sharing with her husband on the journey.
I am glad to read an account of partners walking the Camino together - as that is my own intention with my partner Tim. And the chapters at the end of the book about preparing for our own Camino have sparked me to start planning and tracking in a very concrete way for our projected trip next year. Other than those chapters, I'm not sure that this book is high on my list to re-visit in my Camino exploration.
I am glad to read an account of partners walking the Camino together - as that is my own intention with my partner Tim. And the chapters at the end of the book about preparing for our own Camino have sparked me to start planning and tracking in a very concrete way for our projected trip next year. Other than those chapters, I'm not sure that this book is high on my list to re-visit in my Camino exploration.
July 23, 2020
I've been on a tear this summer reading about the Camino de Santiago, possibly out of frustration that I was at least going to start the Camino this past May. Unless you have been in a galaxy far away, you would understand how that plan fell through. So, I started this journey with Susan Alcorn this past week and have enjoyed her book thus far. I finished this book and enjoyed it, even though it was more journal style and less entertaining than some of the books I've read about the Camino. Still, I found the book to be excellent in its story of how they progressed, advise for walking the Camino and I liked the flexibility they showed as to where to stay. They avoided a fundy approach that I found refreshing.
September 30, 2013
Based upon reading others' reviews of this book, I started this one mentally prepared to read a "whiny," complaining narrative of walking the Camino de Santiago. Instead, I ended the book pleased and satisfied with what I believe was an honest account of the beauty - and, occasionally, ugliness - of walking 400+ miles in just over a month. Yes, the author "whined" at times: her feet and body ached; the scenery was sometimes boring; the refugios too cold or too warm; the food bland or redundant. The author wrote the book with her journal entries mixed in: those were IN THE MOMENT thoughts while hiking the Camino and they were honest assessments of her feelings at the time.
I'm wondering if other reviewers want to read a story that expresses nothing but joy after hiking such a long distance, even if it's fabricated. Walking the Camino - whether the minimal 100km or the full distance - no doubt puts a toll on oneself: physically, mentally, emotionally. The author complaining a bit (in her head, for the most part, and also to her husband who accompanied her) about aching feet or disagreeable food seems like a pretty acceptable thing, given those circumstances.
I also appreciate that the author was honest in her REASON for hiking the Camino. She is not a religious person and did not feign her interest in this walk as one that was for religious purposes. If readers wish to read a narrative of someone out to hike the Camino to find or be nearer to God, I'd suggest a different choice in books. This author just wanted to walk the Camino to do it: to push her body and mind to new limits. Which I find to be equally as commendable.
On a different note, the author was hiking the Camino from September 1, 2001 through early October 2001. She was in Spain during the 9/11 attacks and her entries and email excerpts to friends as she tried to piece together what was going on, thousands of miles away, were touching if not a bit tough to read.
I'm wondering if other reviewers want to read a story that expresses nothing but joy after hiking such a long distance, even if it's fabricated. Walking the Camino - whether the minimal 100km or the full distance - no doubt puts a toll on oneself: physically, mentally, emotionally. The author complaining a bit (in her head, for the most part, and also to her husband who accompanied her) about aching feet or disagreeable food seems like a pretty acceptable thing, given those circumstances.
I also appreciate that the author was honest in her REASON for hiking the Camino. She is not a religious person and did not feign her interest in this walk as one that was for religious purposes. If readers wish to read a narrative of someone out to hike the Camino to find or be nearer to God, I'd suggest a different choice in books. This author just wanted to walk the Camino to do it: to push her body and mind to new limits. Which I find to be equally as commendable.
On a different note, the author was hiking the Camino from September 1, 2001 through early October 2001. She was in Spain during the 9/11 attacks and her entries and email excerpts to friends as she tried to piece together what was going on, thousands of miles away, were touching if not a bit tough to read.
August 11, 2009
During the past three years, my wife and I have walked a week each year on le Chemin de St Jacques, the pilgrimage route dating from medieval times which goes through France to Santiago de Compostela in NW Spain. Last year we reached the French border at the foot of the Pyrenees. In September, we will cross the mountains and continue into NW Spain.
While we were in southern Chile this past March, we met, by chance, Susan and Ralph Alcorn. Not only had the Alcorns walked the entire Camino on the Spanish side in 2001, but later they also completed one of the four pilgrimage trails which traverse France, and they are currently in the process of doing a second trail. Already humbled by their accomplishments, we then learned that Susan had also written a book about their experiences on the Spanish Camino.
I enjoyed "Camino Chronicle" for many reasons. It gave us an insight into what we will face as we walk the Camino in stages over the next several years. Although the Alcorns never complained about the refugios (dormitories) in which they stayed during the early part of their trip, Susan's descriptions convinced us that we will need a slightly higher level of comfort. I also found very interesting the account of how they learned about 9/11 while on the Camino and of the support and sympathy they received from people they met, all of whom were from other countries. Finally, the book confirmed the marvelous experiences we ourselves have had along the way - the tranquility of being on our own, far removed from vehicles, crowds, noise and the normal daily stress; the independence and self-sufficiency of carrying all we need in our backpacks; the beautiful scenery and villages; the warm hospitality; and the interesting people from a wide variety of countries we have encountered along the route.
While we were in southern Chile this past March, we met, by chance, Susan and Ralph Alcorn. Not only had the Alcorns walked the entire Camino on the Spanish side in 2001, but later they also completed one of the four pilgrimage trails which traverse France, and they are currently in the process of doing a second trail. Already humbled by their accomplishments, we then learned that Susan had also written a book about their experiences on the Spanish Camino.
I enjoyed "Camino Chronicle" for many reasons. It gave us an insight into what we will face as we walk the Camino in stages over the next several years. Although the Alcorns never complained about the refugios (dormitories) in which they stayed during the early part of their trip, Susan's descriptions convinced us that we will need a slightly higher level of comfort. I also found very interesting the account of how they learned about 9/11 while on the Camino and of the support and sympathy they received from people they met, all of whom were from other countries. Finally, the book confirmed the marvelous experiences we ourselves have had along the way - the tranquility of being on our own, far removed from vehicles, crowds, noise and the normal daily stress; the independence and self-sufficiency of carrying all we need in our backpacks; the beautiful scenery and villages; the warm hospitality; and the interesting people from a wide variety of countries we have encountered along the route.
February 8, 2015
It sounds like the author and her husband had a more isolated experience than most of the authors whose 'Camino chronicles' I've read -- not that there weren't hundreds of others that they came across, but either they happened across fewer pilgrims who spoke English (maybe an autumn thing?) or these two didn't try as hard to make connections. (Or, you know, something else entirely.)
This was basically fine but not especially memorable. The photo quality (presumably not the pictures themselves, but the printing quality) left a lot to be desired, but otherwise the writing and editing and so on were fine (hurray for quality self-publishing). I think I just never connected with the author -- or her husband, who is little more than a shadow of a character. Mind, I'd likely have gotten more out of it if it had been the first or second Camino book that I'd read.
The book is a mix of memoir and info -- a diary entry followed by more in-depth writing followed by sections of history and advice. It's a good blend, for the most part, and probably a good read for someone who wants a straightforward account. The author and her husband definitely took a less hard-line approach than some, staying in hotels and busing part of the way (the only issue I take with this is that she says that those who walk or bike the whole way are generally considered the 'realer' pilgrims, while pretty much every other account I've read has been somewhat dismissive of bikers), but they're experienced hikers who seem to have had a really positive trek.
This was basically fine but not especially memorable. The photo quality (presumably not the pictures themselves, but the printing quality) left a lot to be desired, but otherwise the writing and editing and so on were fine (hurray for quality self-publishing). I think I just never connected with the author -- or her husband, who is little more than a shadow of a character. Mind, I'd likely have gotten more out of it if it had been the first or second Camino book that I'd read.
The book is a mix of memoir and info -- a diary entry followed by more in-depth writing followed by sections of history and advice. It's a good blend, for the most part, and probably a good read for someone who wants a straightforward account. The author and her husband definitely took a less hard-line approach than some, staying in hotels and busing part of the way (the only issue I take with this is that she says that those who walk or bike the whole way are generally considered the 'realer' pilgrims, while pretty much every other account I've read has been somewhat dismissive of bikers), but they're experienced hikers who seem to have had a really positive trek.
February 25, 2011
Susan Alcorn's work is a realistic, down to earth, honest story of hiking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago. Interspersed with history and cultural twists it paints a picture of a region that I had little previous knowledge of. It left me wanting to learn more about this region.
The story is told in a journal format, using notes from the hike and then updated with post-hike information and comments. It is not a style that I usual enjoy, but it worked well here.
Her descriptions of hostel life (arising extremely early, loud snoring, noisy residents) are offset by descriptions of food, wine and chocolate to die for. Not that the hostels were negative experiences, but it appears one must conform to a schedule that may not suit everyone...late sleepers-beware.
Even though her husband Ralph hiked with her, the story was more of a personal journey and Ralph was more often than not, on the periphery. The story flows well and is both well told and informative enough to guide one on a tour of the Camino.
It worked so well in fact, that my spouse and I are now planning a similar journey. There is an excellent seventeen page "How to" chapter at the end and an appendix that covers just about every facet of preparing for such a trip.
If I were to choose just one book to read prior to this journey, this would be the one.
The story is told in a journal format, using notes from the hike and then updated with post-hike information and comments. It is not a style that I usual enjoy, but it worked well here.
Her descriptions of hostel life (arising extremely early, loud snoring, noisy residents) are offset by descriptions of food, wine and chocolate to die for. Not that the hostels were negative experiences, but it appears one must conform to a schedule that may not suit everyone...late sleepers-beware.
Even though her husband Ralph hiked with her, the story was more of a personal journey and Ralph was more often than not, on the periphery. The story flows well and is both well told and informative enough to guide one on a tour of the Camino.
It worked so well in fact, that my spouse and I are now planning a similar journey. There is an excellent seventeen page "How to" chapter at the end and an appendix that covers just about every facet of preparing for such a trip.
If I were to choose just one book to read prior to this journey, this would be the one.
September 20, 2013
Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago by Susan Alcorn was the second book I read in preparation for my walking the Camino de Santiago. This book combines the legends and stories of the Camino with Ms. Alcorn's personal experience and observations. Following a history of the Camino, Ms. Alcorn chronicles her journey with journal entries interspersed with comments and background information. For me, this combination of mixing personal stories with historical background, legends, and comments worked very well; I felt as if I, too, were walking the Camino and making the discoveries along with the author and her husband, Ralph. In addition, Ms. Alcorn includes information for those who are contemplating walking to Santiago: When to Make a Pilgrimage, Hike Your Own Hike, and a full chapter on How to Prepare for Your Camino Trip. I found her checklists of things to do--three months to the last week--invaluable.
If you are interested in history, travel, walking, or the Camino de Santiago, I highly recommend this book.
If you are interested in history, travel, walking, or the Camino de Santiago, I highly recommend this book.
November 13, 2011
It was a play by play of her hike on the Camino. I think it would give you good information if you were going and it did give me a sense of how a trip like that might be like.
May 13, 2012
Good account of author and husband walking the pilgrimage trail to Santo Domingo in Spain. Enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews