Don Pogreba is a current writer and retired teacher of English, Social Studies and Debate, and a loyal, if often sad, fan of the San Diego Padres and Portland Timbers. When he is not traveling, he is working on his classroom web site or dreaming about another adventure.
I learned today from friends and on social media that one of the most influential professors I knew during my time at Carroll College, Father William Greytak, just passed away. Greytak was already a legend at Carroll before I arrived, one of the amazing history professors at Carroll who had almost total command of their subject matter...
After Saturday’s somewhat somber post, I thought I should offer a brief update after an excellent Sunday. The weather here has been remarkable the past few days, with clear, blue skies and no wind at all. Quite a change from the first few evenings, when wind was rattling the foundations of my cabin and the rain obscured the views of the...
Today was my first difficult day of the trip, and one of those moments when I wish I were a better writer, more able to convey what I experienced and why it affected my day so much. The day started with a drive into Liegarnes, the largest town close to where I’m staying. On the edge of town, I was stopped by my first Spanish...
I’ve made an excellent choice. While I suspect being off in the mountains alone for a few weeks, with limited Internet and contact with others, might not appeal to some, and the idea that I can disconnect may seem quite surprising, I’m already in love with this place. It’s incredibly beautiful: if the photo of the bridge leading to the...
My inclination is to apologize for not writing an update sooner, but as I’m not really sure anyone is following this and apparently every person who walks the Camino has the same experience of starting off writing and photographing extensively only to see both fade. Given that I am attempting to write this on a bus to Santander and the...
My first day on the Camino was arduous and exhilarating all at once—and only slightly interrupted by disaster! When I left St. Jean Pied de Port this morning, the city was covered in a light fog that stretched out for the first hour before the sun burned it away, revealing a verdant, lush set of valleys and hills that I eagerly set out...
Given my extensive knowledge of the Spanish language, I assume that adding -ito to the word Camino conveys the nature of my effort to tackle portions of the Camino de Santiago in two short trips. If not, I doubt any of the poor bastards who tried to teach me Spanish will be surprised by my failure. My first stage starts tomorrow, with a...
I really only had one full day here in Bordeaux, with a late plane arrival last night and an early train departure tomorrow, but really enjoyed spending the day wandering the city with no particular agenda in mind nor even a map in hand. It’s a remarkable city, with so many preserved buildings, very old Cathedrals and churches, a...
As I prepare to leave Bergen, I find myself thinking about losing weight. The initial observation is rather prosaic: seeing a city filled with healthy, slender giants walking all over has reminded me of the importance of committing to a healthy lifestyle. It’s not about vanity; it’s not about wanting to be as stylish as these people...