Category Archives: Hiking

Challenges on the Camino

Posted on October 13, 2019 by msraaka

Buena Vista The Camino is full of beauty, but there are several challenges, too. The biggest challenge—one that we didn’t have to face, is walking daily for around 40 days. I can’t tell you how that feels because we chose … Continue reading →

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On Our Way Again

Posted on October 4, 2019 by msraaka

After a nice rest in Pamplona, we were happy to get back on the trail. It didn’t take long to get out of the city and back onto another scenic trail. With the improved weather, we were now able to … Continue reading →

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Pausing in Pamplona

Posted on October 3, 2019 by msraaka

For an easier itinerary, we chose to stay two nights in Pamplona, which was good planning. Not only did I need more rest to kick my cold, it was also time to get some laundry done. The city has plenty … Continue reading →

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Walking the Camino-Part Two

Posted on September 25, 2019 by msraaka

El Camino We had a bit of rain and wind during the first few days of our Camino. Once we dropped down into Roncesvalles, the weather improved. However, I wasn’t able to shake the cold I caught on the first … Continue reading →

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Walking the Camino—Part One

Posted on September 25, 2019 by msraaka

There are two main routes leading from St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles, the popular first day’s walk. Because of rain and overcast weather, we chose the easier route that goes by Valcarlos—a lovely town with several good accommodation … Continue reading →

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Walking the Camino—An Introduction

Posted on September 21, 2019 by msraaka

There are many ways to walk the Camino de Santiago, the famous path of St. James  that ends in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. For our first experience, we chose the Camino Francés, which starts in … Continue reading →

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Around Mont Blanc

Posted on September 4, 2014 by msraaka

Although the Matterhorn is the most famous peak in Switzerland, we were closer to Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. This majestic peak is 4,810 meters (15,781 ft.) above sea level in the Graian Alps that border both … Continue reading →

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A Few Day Hikes near Lake Geneva

Posted on August 25, 2014 by msraaka

For our first week in Switzerland, we thought we’d start out with a few easy hikes near our base town of Morges. Located on Lake Geneva, in the southwestern part of Switzerland, Morges is close to many scenic hiking areas. … Continue reading →

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On the Road Again, thanks to Home Exchange

Posted on August 21, 2014 by msraaka

This blog is mostly about travels in Italy, which is my favorite place to be. But when an opportunity to visit Switzerland came our way, we couldn’t resist. We had joined the Home Exchange community for some short trips in … Continue reading →

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10 Reasons to visit Bellingham in the Summertime

Posted on July 27, 2014 by msraaka

My hometown of Bellingham is one of the best places to spend the summer. The days are long—more than 16 hours of sunlight—without bugs or humidity. The temperatures are perfect for exploring Bellingham Bay, hanging out in town or hiking … Continue reading →

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