- Get Ron “Butch” Briery’s guidebook. Email us at californiamissionwalkers@gmail.com
- Get your pilgrim credential/passport from Martha López. Email her at mlcamino@att.net
- Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/californiamissionwalkers (You will need
to provide your email address, city, and zip code to join.) - Use the Facebook group and the CMW Peregrinos member list to reach out to your fellow mission walkers to share your plans and questions
- Research your walk: the route, the logistics, and the weather
- Start walking! Practice walking a few hours at a time on weekends, gradually increasing the frequency and duration until walking 12+ miles in a day is not difficult. Practice on flatlands and hills, on dirt trails and on asphalt roads.
- Get accustomed to your shoes, backpack, and other gear — you don’t want to be trying anything new during your mission walk! And don’t forget about stretching daily!
- Set your itinerary. Let other mission walkers know when they can join you on your walk
- Start your mission walk! A day here and there, or a non-stop two-month pilgrimage, whatever works for you is the best way!
- Let your mission walk happen. It won’t go exactly as planned – be open to the experience
- And don’t give up! Sore legs, blisters, sunburn, hot/cold/rainy weather, closed gates, unfriendly people, bad directions, busy roads, steep hills — all these and more will be a test of your determination.
Posted October 19, 2017