On the way!
till I arrive back at home.
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Following Jesus...
When I was sixteen, I got to know Jesus by reading his biography, the first four books of the New Testament. I often wondered how it would have been to have actually walked with Jesus, heard his words and been part of his encounters with people. It would have certainly been life changing. A bit of that I was able to experience in 2023 on Snail-Trail 1 as I walked from my home in Germany to the west coast of Spain, and in 2024 on Snail-Trail 2 as I walked again from Germany and then through the Balkans to the city of Corinth in Greece. Both were amazing experiences. Even though I could not see Jesus, I sensed his presence, leading and enabling. I got to be a part of his encounters with people through conversations and prayers that I had with them.
Snail-Trail 3.0...
Following Jesus does not end by reaching a certain destination, completing a certain task or reaching a certain age. The call continues. The path leads on. This year I will head north, starting in Tallinn, Estonia and then walking back to my home in southern Germany. My steps on Snail-Trail 3 will take me through the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and then through Poland and the Czech Republic before crossing over the Bohemian and Bavarian Forests into Germany. I plan to arrive back home by the last week of September. I invite you to join me on this walk-talk-pray journey by way of the photos, thoughts and film clips on the blog.
Baltics…
At one point I will be walking through a narrow land corridor leading from Lithuania to Poland between the Russian exclave Kaliningrad to the west and Belarus to the east. This land strip is a reminder of the volatile history of the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – marked by periods of independence, foreign domination, and the struggle for self-determination. The Baltic States gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990–1991 and became a part of the EU and NATO in 2004. Current political developments threaten the fragile stability of the region. The past influence of communistic-atheistic thought has eroded the seedbed for faith. Estonia for instance has been called the least religious country in the world. A similar spiritual challenge can be found in Poland and the Czech Republic, two former Warsaw Pact countries that I will be walking through. Our prayer is that God’s grace and goodness will be at work in this region of Europe. Please join me in this prayer journey.
Together...
Prayer: I would greatly appreciate your prayers as well…
- Pray that God will be in the daily details, for God appointments along the way, for hearts to be touched by God’s heart.
- Pray for church planting efforts in the Baltics, Poland and Czech Republic.
- Pray for protection from wild animals and drivers and extreme weather conditions.
- Pray that my 68 year old bones and muscles will make it through another Snail-Trail!
Project: If you would like to be a part of what the Assemblies of God is doing in this region of Europe (church planting, children/youth/student outreaches…), please click on this link to make an online donation: https://giving.ag.org/donate/600001-226052?class=88
You can make a one-time contribution or wait to see how far I go for a per kilometer pledge. Please click on the option “88 Snail Trail”. Many thanks!
Blog
21.
Jul
Daukšiagires - Birštonas
Photo 1: It was love at first sight... (Wood carving on the path to Birštonas)
Today 37 years ago, Astrid and I stood before the official at the registry office in Munich and sealed our fate. We said yes and signed the dotted line. The civil ceremony in Germany is what carries the legal seal of marriage. Two days later we we repeated our vows before God and man in a church wedding. This is the third year in a row that I have been on the Snail-Trail on our anniversary. As Paul wrote in 1. Corinthians 13:7, "Love... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Photo 2: Most of the walk today followed the Nemunas River.
Photo 3: Shortly before I took a lunch break, this family passed me on their bikes. They are doing the Camino Lituano by bicycle, also as a spiritual quest. Before I continued on, I prayed with them for their family, their Camino and journey through life.
Photo 4: It did not rain today. It is not supposed to rain in the night. I dared to put up my tent! Their were two young girls working at the campground reception and restaurant, daughters of the owner. At lunchtime I discovered that I had bought a can of tuna that does not have the pull off top. So I asked them if they might have a can opener. We started talking about my trip and then about God's purposes for our lives. I encouraged them to look to the Good Shepherd to guid their ways, just as he has done for me.
Scan 5: I am now where the blue dot on the map is. You can see how far I have come from Tallinn on the northern tip of Estonia. Today I reached the One-Third-Milestone and have walked 896 kilometers. With God's help I continue on...
Today 37 years ago, Astrid and I stood before the official at the registry office in Munich and sealed our fate. We said yes and signed the dotted line. The civil ceremony in Germany is what carries the legal seal of marriage. Two days later we we repeated our vows before God and man in a church wedding. This is the third year in a row that I have been on the Snail-Trail on our anniversary. As Paul wrote in 1. Corinthians 13:7, "Love... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Photo 2: Most of the walk today followed the Nemunas River.
Photo 3: Shortly before I took a lunch break, this family passed me on their bikes. They are doing the Camino Lituano by bicycle, also as a spiritual quest. Before I continued on, I prayed with them for their family, their Camino and journey through life.
Photo 4: It did not rain today. It is not supposed to rain in the night. I dared to put up my tent! Their were two young girls working at the campground reception and restaurant, daughters of the owner. At lunchtime I discovered that I had bought a can of tuna that does not have the pull off top. So I asked them if they might have a can opener. We started talking about my trip and then about God's purposes for our lives. I encouraged them to look to the Good Shepherd to guid their ways, just as he has done for me.
Scan 5: I am now where the blue dot on the map is. You can see how far I have come from Tallinn on the northern tip of Estonia. Today I reached the One-Third-Milestone and have walked 896 kilometers. With God's help I continue on...
20.
Jul
Today would have been a nice day weather wise for walking. I wished the pilgrims well who departed this morning. I was glad though to have the day of rest.
Photo 1: The hostel where I am staying is in the upper left corner of this historic manor.
Photo 2: Across the street is this mansion, at the entry to which I had yesterday the talk and prayer with the young family father.
Photo 3: Big clouds on zhe horizon. It was not supposed to rain today, but in the early evening there was a cloudbust. That is how it was been all week.
Photo 4: A piece of art in front of a church in Kaunas showing fish coming together drawn to the circle of God's grace, love and light (my interpretation).
Photo 5: The St. James shell as a waymarker in Kaunas...
Photo 1: The hostel where I am staying is in the upper left corner of this historic manor.
Photo 2: Across the street is this mansion, at the entry to which I had yesterday the talk and prayer with the young family father.
Photo 3: Big clouds on zhe horizon. It was not supposed to rain today, but in the early evening there was a cloudbust. That is how it was been all week.
Photo 4: A piece of art in front of a church in Kaunas showing fish coming together drawn to the circle of God's grace, love and light (my interpretation).
Photo 5: The St. James shell as a waymarker in Kaunas...
19.
Jul
Vaišvydava - Daukšiagires
Photo 1: One of the many wood sculptures that are found in villages on the side of the road.
Photo 2: Dog greeters...
Photo 3: A Lithuanian hill...
Photo 4: Storks surrounded by clouds...
Photo 5: There were four of us staying at the hostel in Daukšiagires. It is an old manor in the middle of no where. I was so happy that the host offered to prepare meals, because otherwise I would have had to either carry a lot of food for the weekend plus breakfast and lunch for Monday, or eaten a number of cans of tuna fish.
Across the street from the hostel is a mansion that is used for private gatherings. When I arrived, a wedding was taking place. A man was sitting in the shade with a small child across from the entry to the mansion. I asked if he spoke English and knew what was going on. He said that his wife was performing the wedding ceremony, but that it was not a religious one. I told him that I was a pastor and also had done a number of weddings. He said that he and his wife were not religious, but maybe some day they would come around to it. I said that I was also not religious and explained the difference between being religious and following Jesus. I then offered to pray for him and his family, which he gladly accepted. I think it was a knock on his heart from heaven.
In the photo to the left is Emilis. After a few days, he caught up with me again. I was very happy to see him. Next to him is Iya from Latvia with her 79 year old father. They are both active in developing the Camino Latvia. We had a great time together at the communal meal in the evening. For the picture Iya got the Latvian Camio scarves for her and her father and also gave one to me and Emilis.
Emilis and I continued to talk after the meal. I explained what happened in the Garden of Eden that messed human history up, and how Jesus came to give us a new start with God. We prayed together for that new start in his life. I told Emilis that we are now spiritual brothers through our faith connection with Jesus.
It was a good week... and I am looking forward to my day of rest tomorrow.
Photo 2: Dog greeters...
Photo 3: A Lithuanian hill...
Photo 4: Storks surrounded by clouds...
Photo 5: There were four of us staying at the hostel in Daukšiagires. It is an old manor in the middle of no where. I was so happy that the host offered to prepare meals, because otherwise I would have had to either carry a lot of food for the weekend plus breakfast and lunch for Monday, or eaten a number of cans of tuna fish.
Across the street from the hostel is a mansion that is used for private gatherings. When I arrived, a wedding was taking place. A man was sitting in the shade with a small child across from the entry to the mansion. I asked if he spoke English and knew what was going on. He said that his wife was performing the wedding ceremony, but that it was not a religious one. I told him that I was a pastor and also had done a number of weddings. He said that he and his wife were not religious, but maybe some day they would come around to it. I said that I was also not religious and explained the difference between being religious and following Jesus. I then offered to pray for him and his family, which he gladly accepted. I think it was a knock on his heart from heaven.
In the photo to the left is Emilis. After a few days, he caught up with me again. I was very happy to see him. Next to him is Iya from Latvia with her 79 year old father. They are both active in developing the Camino Latvia. We had a great time together at the communal meal in the evening. For the picture Iya got the Latvian Camio scarves for her and her father and also gave one to me and Emilis.
Emilis and I continued to talk after the meal. I explained what happened in the Garden of Eden that messed human history up, and how Jesus came to give us a new start with God. We prayed together for that new start in his life. I told Emilis that we are now spiritual brothers through our faith connection with Jesus.
It was a good week... and I am looking forward to my day of rest tomorrow.
18.
Jul
Kaunas - Vaišvydava
Photo 1: As I was walking through Kaunas this morning, I notice this man unloading something to take into a Catholic Church. On his shirt it says "God's Squad". I asked him if he spoke English, which he did, and asked him what his shirt is all about. He is part of a Christian motocycle group in Lithuania that also has connections with a group in the USA. They call themselves the God's Squad, ride their bikes through the land, and endeavor to come into contact with people and, as expressed in the song from yestetday evening's service, to speak Jesus. We understood each other real well. I do not remember his name, but I prayed for him and his group. He gave me a motocycle man hug afterwards.
Photo 2: I saw these colors of the Lithuanian flag hanging down from the dome of the St. Archangle Michael Church in Kaunas. At the center of the Dome is the dove symbol for the Holy Spirit. May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring spiritual renewal to this country...
Photo 3: Two boys crossing the pedestrian bridge over the Nemunas River. If you look close enough, the one on the right is wearing a Milwaukee Bucks t-shirt. Lithuanians are big basketball fans.
Photo 4: I walked an extra half hour to go to this famous nunnery just outside of Kaunas. It was part of the pilgrim path. Since I was a pilgrim I was granted entry without charge. There were several tourist groups going here and there, but I was able to go alone in the church and sing my pilgrim song and pray for the people of Lithuania. Maybe that is what God wanted me to do. I had to walk through heavy rain and cross a long damm to get there and got splashed repeatedly by large trucks passing by, but the rain stopped for the rest of the walk.
Photo 5: I stayed the night at this House of Nature. I was the only one there, could get my things dry, and most importantly, I slept well.
Photo 2: I saw these colors of the Lithuanian flag hanging down from the dome of the St. Archangle Michael Church in Kaunas. At the center of the Dome is the dove symbol for the Holy Spirit. May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring spiritual renewal to this country...
Photo 3: Two boys crossing the pedestrian bridge over the Nemunas River. If you look close enough, the one on the right is wearing a Milwaukee Bucks t-shirt. Lithuanians are big basketball fans.
Photo 4: I walked an extra half hour to go to this famous nunnery just outside of Kaunas. It was part of the pilgrim path. Since I was a pilgrim I was granted entry without charge. There were several tourist groups going here and there, but I was able to go alone in the church and sing my pilgrim song and pray for the people of Lithuania. Maybe that is what God wanted me to do. I had to walk through heavy rain and cross a long damm to get there and got splashed repeatedly by large trucks passing by, but the rain stopped for the rest of the walk.
Photo 5: I stayed the night at this House of Nature. I was the only one there, could get my things dry, and most importantly, I slept well.
17.
Jul
Panevėžiukas - Kaunas
Photo 1: Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania. I had an invitation to speak at the Thursday evening service at Kaunas Christian Church. To make that possible, I walked another 12 kilometers yesterday, a total of 41 km for the day, so that I would only have 29 today. As it turned out, I had exactly 5 minutes to close my eyes before I needed to leave the hostel to get picked up. The church provided a meal for me for which I was very grateful, and it saved me some time. I walked into the service with Pastor Rytis about five minutes after it started. The music team was singing the song"I speak Jesus" (see video). The song means a lot to mean. This is exactly what I do on the Snail-Trails. I immediately sensed God's presence. I shared from my experiences on the trail with God and people and related them to spiritual truths. A central theme was the key thought from the River Song from yestetday: "Well I can't walk on the water, but I walk with the One who can!" I prayed with people afterwards for about 45 minutes. Many hearts were touched by God's Spirit and I was greatly encouraged. This was definately one of the highlights of the trip so far.
Photo 2: The Kaunas Region uses these metal path marker for the Way of St. James.
Photo 3: The paths today were a bit more diverse, going though fields, woods, along rivers and lakes.
Photo 4: The Neris River that goes through Kaunas.
Photo 5: Kaunas Castle
Photo 2: The Kaunas Region uses these metal path marker for the Way of St. James.
Photo 3: The paths today were a bit more diverse, going though fields, woods, along rivers and lakes.
Photo 4: The Neris River that goes through Kaunas.
Photo 5: Kaunas Castle
16.
Jul
Kedainai -Panevėžiukas
Photo 1: No bridge here...
I knew I was going to have to cross the Šušva River at this point and that there would not be a bridge. The water went up to my knees. There had been dark clouds all around me most of the day. I prayed that God would give me good weather when I got to the crossing. Shortly before I arrived, the sun came out. On the other side of the river I had my lunch break and could get dry. As I was approaching the crossing, a song rose up in me. It is in the tack of the tap of hiking sticks and goes like this:
"I'm going down to the river... (3x)
"I'm going to lay my burdens down... (2x)
"Well I can't walk across the water... (3x)
"But I walk with the One who can... (2x)
"He will take us through the water... (3x)
"And into the promised land... (2x)
"We'll sit there at His table...(3x)
"And raise our cup to Him...(2x)
"I just went through the river... (3x)
"Ain't got burdens no more... (2x)
Photo 2: Village church
Photo 3: Staying ahead of the storm...
Photo 4: The hostel where I stayed was behind this old plantation building.
Photo 5: One of the tasks at the end of a day is washing your clothes and trying to get them dry for the next day. I am using my hiking sticks to hang out my shirts. About ten minutes later the storm finally caught up to me.
I knew I was going to have to cross the Šušva River at this point and that there would not be a bridge. The water went up to my knees. There had been dark clouds all around me most of the day. I prayed that God would give me good weather when I got to the crossing. Shortly before I arrived, the sun came out. On the other side of the river I had my lunch break and could get dry. As I was approaching the crossing, a song rose up in me. It is in the tack of the tap of hiking sticks and goes like this:
"I'm going down to the river... (3x)
"I'm going to lay my burdens down... (2x)
"Well I can't walk across the water... (3x)
"But I walk with the One who can... (2x)
"He will take us through the water... (3x)
"And into the promised land... (2x)
"We'll sit there at His table...(3x)
"And raise our cup to Him...(2x)
"I just went through the river... (3x)
"Ain't got burdens no more... (2x)
Photo 2: Village church
Photo 3: Staying ahead of the storm...
Photo 4: The hostel where I stayed was behind this old plantation building.
Photo 5: One of the tasks at the end of a day is washing your clothes and trying to get them dry for the next day. I am using my hiking sticks to hang out my shirts. About ten minutes later the storm finally caught up to me.
15.
Jul
Paberžė - Kedainai
Video: Walking over a hanging bridge...
Photo 1: Before... the rain came.
Vytas got to the hostel yesterday in Paberžė in early evening. We talked a bit while we ate our evening food. I would not call it a meal. We just ate from our food supplies that we had in an attempt to refuel the burnt off calories from the walk that day. I felt in my spirit that I need to talk with Vytas more about connecting with God. But yesterday evening was not the time.
This morning we both got up early and wanted to get an early start. Vytas left about about 5 -7 minutes before me. That is a good half of a kilometer. I could see him in the distance, but could not catch him. He is 27 years younger than me, athletic and a professional soccer coach. I said: God, if you want me to talk to Vytas, you will bring our paths together at some point. That happened at my banane break about two hours later. Vytas had stopped to charge the batteries of his phone. Now he was coming up the path towards me. We walked and talked the rest of the day. Vytas grew up in the Catholic traditions, but was looking for a deeper spiritual reality. He had been reading about Buddhism and reincarnation. At lunchtime I explained what Jesus did for us on the cross and compared reincarnation to Sisyphus endless struggle to push the rock up the hill. That cycle of death and rebirth in reincarnation never ends. The religions of the world tell us that we must push the rock. Jesus invites us to come to him and find rest for our souls. Vytas understood the message. He was pushing the rock, but now wanted to stand on the Rock of Salvation, Jesus. He will carry us through life and is the only one who can bring us through the contraints of death. We prayed together for that one new birth that is necessary, being born of God's Spirit through the faith connection with Jesus.
Vytas said 90,000 people were following his Camino on Instagram. If he posted anything about about his connection to Jesus, that is more people in Lithuania who heard something about Jesus than I could have ever reached in a lifetime of living and walking and preaching there.
Photo 2: After...
The rain came for about two hours. We really got wet!
Photo 3: The day started off nice.
Photo 4: In the early morning I saw this police woman with her dog. They were looking for a seventy year old woman who was missing. I thought, the poor old lady... and then realized that I am just one and a half years away from being seventy myself. I prayed with the police woman for her and her team that God would help them find the missing person.
Photo 5: The bridge to Kedainai. In the evening the sun came out again. What a day!
Photo 1: Before... the rain came.
Vytas got to the hostel yesterday in Paberžė in early evening. We talked a bit while we ate our evening food. I would not call it a meal. We just ate from our food supplies that we had in an attempt to refuel the burnt off calories from the walk that day. I felt in my spirit that I need to talk with Vytas more about connecting with God. But yesterday evening was not the time.
This morning we both got up early and wanted to get an early start. Vytas left about about 5 -7 minutes before me. That is a good half of a kilometer. I could see him in the distance, but could not catch him. He is 27 years younger than me, athletic and a professional soccer coach. I said: God, if you want me to talk to Vytas, you will bring our paths together at some point. That happened at my banane break about two hours later. Vytas had stopped to charge the batteries of his phone. Now he was coming up the path towards me. We walked and talked the rest of the day. Vytas grew up in the Catholic traditions, but was looking for a deeper spiritual reality. He had been reading about Buddhism and reincarnation. At lunchtime I explained what Jesus did for us on the cross and compared reincarnation to Sisyphus endless struggle to push the rock up the hill. That cycle of death and rebirth in reincarnation never ends. The religions of the world tell us that we must push the rock. Jesus invites us to come to him and find rest for our souls. Vytas understood the message. He was pushing the rock, but now wanted to stand on the Rock of Salvation, Jesus. He will carry us through life and is the only one who can bring us through the contraints of death. We prayed together for that one new birth that is necessary, being born of God's Spirit through the faith connection with Jesus.
Vytas said 90,000 people were following his Camino on Instagram. If he posted anything about about his connection to Jesus, that is more people in Lithuania who heard something about Jesus than I could have ever reached in a lifetime of living and walking and preaching there.
Photo 2: After...
The rain came for about two hours. We really got wet!
Photo 3: The day started off nice.
Photo 4: In the early morning I saw this police woman with her dog. They were looking for a seventy year old woman who was missing. I thought, the poor old lady... and then realized that I am just one and a half years away from being seventy myself. I prayed with the police woman for her and her team that God would help them find the missing person.
Photo 5: The bridge to Kedainai. In the evening the sun came out again. What a day!
14.
Jul
Sidabravo - Paberžė
Photo 1: Tėvas Stanislovas is considered to be a Lithuanian saint. During the time of soviet occupation, he was sent to Siberia, because he refused to stop doing his ministry as a priest. He survived the ordeal and was sent to the obscur village parish of Paberžė. There he gave homeless people a home, alcohlics and drug addicts found freedom and a purpose to live. Paberžė became a place of hope and new beginning. The story of his life and legacy was very impressive. He sounded like a person I would have liked to have known. Paberžė was the destination for today's walk.
Photo 2: Two bike pilgrims on their way...
Photo 3: For most of the afternoon I was trying to stay ahead of the storm. I made it!
Photo 4: The two sisters Egle and Lina with me in the room where Stanislovas had slept. A photo of him is in the background. The hostel where we stayed was actually Stanislovas house. We slept in the beds where the homeless, addicts and other pilgrims back then had slept. An older lady who had worked with Stanislovas showed us some of the rooms and opened the church for us. Stanislovas was in his mid eighties when he died of cancer. The lady still remembers his last sermon: "Do not be so foccussed on your physical selbst, but take care of your spirit. Let your spirit be alive and filled with light from heaven."
Photo 5: Inside the parish church in Paberžė. That evening a new priest arrived who would be taking over the ministry responsiblities of the parish. I saw when he drove in and went over to speak with him. Gladly he accepted my prayer of blessing for his ministry and the people who come to Paberžė... searching for that light from heaven.
Photo 2: Two bike pilgrims on their way...
Photo 3: For most of the afternoon I was trying to stay ahead of the storm. I made it!
Photo 4: The two sisters Egle and Lina with me in the room where Stanislovas had slept. A photo of him is in the background. The hostel where we stayed was actually Stanislovas house. We slept in the beds where the homeless, addicts and other pilgrims back then had slept. An older lady who had worked with Stanislovas showed us some of the rooms and opened the church for us. Stanislovas was in his mid eighties when he died of cancer. The lady still remembers his last sermon: "Do not be so foccussed on your physical selbst, but take care of your spirit. Let your spirit be alive and filled with light from heaven."
Photo 5: Inside the parish church in Paberžė. That evening a new priest arrived who would be taking over the ministry responsiblities of the parish. I saw when he drove in and went over to speak with him. Gladly he accepted my prayer of blessing for his ministry and the people who come to Paberžė... searching for that light from heaven.
13.
Jul
Video: Today I walked to the Catholic Church for the Sunday morning service in Vadaktai. It is the only church in the village.
Photo 1: After the service I talked with the priest, Saulas. He tends to four different parishes and the early afternoon service in Vadaktai was his last one of four for the day. I prayed with him for his ministry and the people who live in these villages.
Photo 2: The village church in Vadaktai
Photo 3: Along the main street going through the village, about every 50 to 100 meters, there was a chair on the edge of the road with a geranium plant on it.
In the late afternoon, early evening, some other pilgrims arrived at the hostel: two bike riders, Emilis, and the two sisters Egle and Lina. Unfortunately Jakobas had hurt his foot and needed to be picked up by his grandfather. We ate our evening meal together around a small wooden table in the garden in front of the house. These are always special moments at the end of a pilgrim day.
Photo 4: The Lithuanian flag: Yellow symbolizes sunshine, prosperity, and the golden fields of Lithuania. Green represents the lush forests and meadows, embodying hope and the natural beauty of the country. Red signifies courage, the blood shed for independence, and the strength of the Lithuanian people.
Photo 5: I never got to post the picture of the Latvian flag until now.
The Latvian flag is considered one of the oldest national flags still in use today. It is believed to date back to the 13th century. The red, a deep carmine, symbolizes courage, bravery, and the willingness of the Latvian people to fight for their freedom, representing the blood shed in past battles for independence. The white stripe represents truth, justice, and the pursuit of peace, symbolizing purity, innocence, and the nation's commitment to moral values.
Photo 1: After the service I talked with the priest, Saulas. He tends to four different parishes and the early afternoon service in Vadaktai was his last one of four for the day. I prayed with him for his ministry and the people who live in these villages.
Photo 2: The village church in Vadaktai
Photo 3: Along the main street going through the village, about every 50 to 100 meters, there was a chair on the edge of the road with a geranium plant on it.
In the late afternoon, early evening, some other pilgrims arrived at the hostel: two bike riders, Emilis, and the two sisters Egle and Lina. Unfortunately Jakobas had hurt his foot and needed to be picked up by his grandfather. We ate our evening meal together around a small wooden table in the garden in front of the house. These are always special moments at the end of a pilgrim day.
Photo 4: The Lithuanian flag: Yellow symbolizes sunshine, prosperity, and the golden fields of Lithuania. Green represents the lush forests and meadows, embodying hope and the natural beauty of the country. Red signifies courage, the blood shed for independence, and the strength of the Lithuanian people.
Photo 5: I never got to post the picture of the Latvian flag until now.
The Latvian flag is considered one of the oldest national flags still in use today. It is believed to date back to the 13th century. The red, a deep carmine, symbolizes courage, bravery, and the willingness of the Latvian people to fight for their freedom, representing the blood shed in past battles for independence. The white stripe represents truth, justice, and the pursuit of peace, symbolizing purity, innocence, and the nation's commitment to moral values.
12.
Jul
Rozalim - Sidabravo
Video: "Early morning Whistle"...
I got up at 5.30 in the morning to get an early start. Today would be my longest hike so far, 41.53 kilometers. Originally I was planning to stop in Sidabravas, a stretch of 32 kilometers, but the hostel there was no longer in operation. I was told that the next place, Vadaktai, would be about 4 kilometers further. It ended up being 10 kilometers more. The weather was great, through, for such a long stretch. It did not rain, but clouds kept it cool.
Photo 1: Morning fields...
Photo 2: Ancient grave mound
Photo 3: Former stable at the Burbiškis Estate. Some pilgrims will stay the night here at the manor, but that would have been only 18 km for the day.
Photo 4: A gathering of small white butterflies on the path seeking protection from the wind...
Photo 5: An old wooden cross on the path. The only encounter I had today was with a young Lithuanian family riding bikes on the Camino, but going the opposite direction. They recognized that I was a pilgrim and stopped to talk. They gladly accepted my offer to pray for them and their family.
Milestone: One fourth of Snail-Trail 3.0 is now complete... 697 kilometers
Sidenote: So far I have not had any blisters on my feet. My shoes keep my feet dry if I do not step into a deep water ditch, waves do not splash up against my leg or rain water does not run down the back of my leg and into the shoe. Now the shoes just need to go the distance... me too!
I got up at 5.30 in the morning to get an early start. Today would be my longest hike so far, 41.53 kilometers. Originally I was planning to stop in Sidabravas, a stretch of 32 kilometers, but the hostel there was no longer in operation. I was told that the next place, Vadaktai, would be about 4 kilometers further. It ended up being 10 kilometers more. The weather was great, through, for such a long stretch. It did not rain, but clouds kept it cool.
Photo 1: Morning fields...
Photo 2: Ancient grave mound
Photo 3: Former stable at the Burbiškis Estate. Some pilgrims will stay the night here at the manor, but that would have been only 18 km for the day.
Photo 4: A gathering of small white butterflies on the path seeking protection from the wind...
Photo 5: An old wooden cross on the path. The only encounter I had today was with a young Lithuanian family riding bikes on the Camino, but going the opposite direction. They recognized that I was a pilgrim and stopped to talk. They gladly accepted my offer to pray for them and their family.
Milestone: One fourth of Snail-Trail 3.0 is now complete... 697 kilometers
Sidenote: So far I have not had any blisters on my feet. My shoes keep my feet dry if I do not step into a deep water ditch, waves do not splash up against my leg or rain water does not run down the back of my leg and into the shoe. Now the shoes just need to go the distance... me too!