Archives, hiking boots, advice and all that

[Diane Grust]

I see your point but in some ways it proves it.  Honestly I can't size a boot
and that is why relying on good advice of trained sales staff is good
wherever you can find it.  What do I know?  My trekking shoes worked (no
blisters) but I only know from one experience with one item.  I walked May 2
to 30 and honestly even though it rained at night it did not during the day
more than a mist so I never faced the problem of real rain.  Just mud and the
shorter trekking shoes were okay in mud it never got into my boots and I had
two pairs of socks on anyway.  Speaking of mud it is more formidable than
your think.  The soil in Spain in the north is full of clay and it sticks to
your boots and weighs them down.  It also will suck the boot off your foot if
you are not laced up properly.  This is why I would recommend that anyone
traveling in the spring wear some kind of trekking shoe/boot.  Sandals and
sneakers may work in the summer when the clay bakes to a nice hard surface
but in spring you will find mud somewhere without a doubt.  Last April it
rained a lot on the entire Iberian peninsula and I checked weather.com for
weeks before I bought a ticket.  The last week in April it seemed to let up.
No one can predict the weather.  I know I was lucky as I hate rain most of
all and was spared a full day of walking in rain.  The weather is variable
even at walking speed.   To get a small idea of this check out this site:

http://www.caminosantiagocompostela.com/

Hit the second clam shell for 9-27-00 and watch the sky misty overcast sunny
overcast sunny.....that is all in one day and that is the weather in Spain.

just my thoughts
Diane