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Susan Alcorn’s Hiking & Backpacking Newsletter, May, 2026.
CONTENTS:
1. Wildlife! Naturalist’s Notebook: See the World in a Velella
2. Start a fun debate: what’s a walk, what’s a hike?
3. Three recommended books on hiking and/or travel adventures
4. Visit Humboldt County in NW California
5. American Pilgrims on the Camino — where to get the facts
6. Nor Cal Camino PilgrimsSTORIES:
#1. Naturalist’s Notebook: See the World in a Velella: “In spring and early summer, find an echo of the spin of the planet in the sails of the by-the-wind sailors.” by John Muir Laws. (April 28, 2026). These creatures are called By the Wind Sailor, which is in the same family as jellyfish and anemones. The nickname came about by early sailors who noticed the way these creatures are blown across the ocean water by the wind.I am hearing about them appearing on beaches in Marin County, Sonoma County, and other Bay Area shorelines NOW–usually they are found late spring and early summer. (If you can access the article in Bay Nature’s article, it’s on this link: https://baynature.org/magazine/spring2026/naturalists-notebook-see-the-world-in-a-velella/ )
#2. Sure way to start a debate with your friends: Current article in REI’s email: Ask an Outsider: “I love urban hiking but my friends say it’s ‘just walking.’ How can I convince them I’m a hiker?” by Miles Howard, April 16, 2026.
REI link.#3. Recommended books on hiking and/or travel adventures: I’ve come across three new books I’ve enjoyed reading and hope to spread the word because of the books unique and interesting stories. All are based on the authors’ own personal histories–which have involved considerable travel and/or hiking.
A: Inga Aksamit’s memoir: Between Worlds: An Ex-Pat’s Quest for Belonging.
At thirteen, Inga Aksamit finds herself caught in her second war zone as she contemplates another evacuation. Her journey begins at age four when her family leaves California for West Pakistan. From being lost in a Tokyo train station to hiding under restaurant tables in Hong Kong, Inga’s childhood unfolds amid cultural clashes, political unrest, and life in armed compounds.“Between Worlds: An Expat’s Quest for Belonging” vividly recounts growing up in South Asia and South America in the 1960s, exploring identity, belonging, and home. Perfect for fans of Reading Lolita in Tehran and Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight.”
B. Erin Van Rheenen’s You Could Be Happy Here: “Lucy—single, childless, in her thirties—studies insects and ecosystems, in part to make sense of human behavior. That hard-won insight is shattered when her mother dies prematurely, her sister claims the California family home, and Lucy learns that her biological father is apparently a Costa Rican they knew when the family spent summers in the coastal village of Palmita.“Reeling, Lucy heads south in search of this phantom father. But he is nowhere to be found, and none of the locals seem to remember her. The dreamy, off-grid paradise she recalls from childhood has become a hard-edged town leery of outsiders.
“Kirkus Reviews wrote of You Could be Happy Here: “Van Rheenen’s deep exploration of Lucy’s sense of self yields a fascinating and layered examination of how pain, rage, and grief can ultimately give way to hope and resilience. A beautiful homage to family that urges readers to rethink what ‘home’ can really mean. Our verdict: Get it!” Amazon link here.
And more about book here: https://erinvanrheenen.com/contact/#MediaKit
C. Dami Roelse’s Body and Grace, a woman’s hike to wholeness on the Pacific Crest trail. “Body and Grace is not your ordinary hiking book. Body and Grace focuses on long-distance hiking….” “The author, Dami Roelse, hiked the remote forests, deserts, and mountains of the Pacific West over a period of 10 years between the ages of 65 and 75.
“The length of the PCT from Mexico to Canada is 2650 miles. Traversing this trail at two miles hourly suggests how long this journey is. This trail, the PCT, forms part of three principal routes stretching from Mexico to Canada. Roelse chronicles her experiences on the trail and the lessons she learned. She intersperses her stories with poems that distill the essence, the lessons, and insights of these stories.
“Roelse starts the journey while grieving the loss of her husband. She ends the journey no longer clouded by her grief, but fully present in herself, confident and happy as an older single woman. Roelse walks herself to wholeness.
“Solitary hikes provided Roelse with ample time for reflection, presence, and communion with her surroundings. “The trees started talking to me”, she says in one of her chapters as she traverses Northern California during the Covid years when she met only 2 people a day. As Roelse says in chapter 8, Dawn’s Beginning and End: “As I gaze at the mountain side getting brighter and the shadows fading on the lake water, I feel my awareness expanding, peace settling in my heart; I feel both empty and full. It’s as if I’m straddling all of reality. I’m no longer wondering what life is about. I am one with life. In the mountains, dawn erases the question of life’s purpose.”
As Roelse chronicles her hike year by year, section by section, she has moments that help her transcend her grief.
“Happiness bubbles up in me as I continue hiking. A feeling of lightness rises, a springiness in my step, and an urge to sing. I’m in my happy place. It’s a giddiness I’ve experienced before when hiking in the Himalayas. I don’t care if it’s caused by altitude, lack of oxygen or what, I’m glad I can feel happiness again. It’s been so long.”#4. Discover Humboldt County: The Pacific Crest Trail isn’t here, but the Coastal Trail goes through it. Humboldt County, which has lots to offer on top of its groves of Redwoods, ocean views, and easy-to find Humboldt Elk. They have a full calendar of upcoming events and places to stay. You could drive through a Redwood Tree, visit a farmers’ market, art shows, a wrestling match, hike, bike, and more.
“This month you can watch kinetic sculptures race across Humboldt County in one of the most unique and artistic events you can witness across the country, or celebrate your love of Star Wars at the Forest Moon Festival. Browse fresh local produce at a local farmers’ market or eat delicious food and check out Humboldt’s talented local makers at the Eureka Friday Night Market, take a hike beneath a canopy of old-growth trees or simply find a quiet spot on the coast and let the scenery do the rest.”
One unique event coming up will be: “Escape to Humboldt in May” at Forest Moon Festival: Coming to a Galaxy Near You. “If you’re a Star Wars fan, you may already know that our region is also the Forest Moon of Endor, home of the Ewoks! Over 40 years ago, the redwood coast served as the film site for the iconic battleground between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Today, fans from around the world continue to visit this stunning cinematic landscape to honor the legendary film franchise and explore the North Coast. Visit Redwoods.com
The Forest Moon Festival is an annual celebration held in many towns across Humboldt and Del-Norte counties honoring the region’s role as this incredible filming location. Held in late May, the Forest Moon Festival features Star Wars-themed events for fans of all ages featuring costumed characters, movie screenings, film site tours and immersive activities amongst the coastal redwoods.”
#5. Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) Many on the various forums are interested in statistics: especially who/when/where/how many walk the Camino. The place to get that kind of information is generally from the American Pilgrims on the Camino website OR the the Pilgrims Reception Office in Santiago.
From APOC: High-Level Pilgrim Statistics
“For our analysis, we’re just looking at the high-level stats and the more popular routes and start points. For a deeper dive, we encourage you to check out the full data set published by the Pilgrim’s Reception office in Santiago. We pull these stats in January. There is sometimes data lag, so please consider this analysis a moment-in-time snapshot of 2025.“The Pilgrim’s Reception Office reported 530,919 pilgrims receiving a Compostela in 2025. This is a 6% increase over 2024 and 90% more than 10 years ago. It’s also worth noting that while the Camino grew overall in 2025, the 2023/24 growth rate was higher at +12%. It’s hard to say exactly why, but there was definitely a boost of US pilgrims in 2024 and it’s also possible that the post-COVID catch-up was still happening that year. Whatever the cause, the Camino certainly isn’t static – how and where pilgrims are experiencing it is always evolving.
“For instance, for the third year in a row, the traditional Francés route has grown more slowly than the combined Portuguese routes (Central and Coastal). Year-over-year, the Francés was up 2%, while the Portuguese Coastal was up 20%. There was also higher growth on the Inglés (+8%) and the Primitivo (+14%).
“The St. Jean Pilgrim office also counts people who visit their welcome center. For 2025, they reported 54,115 pilgrims. The Santiago office only counted 30,345. So, those 23,770 extra pilgrims are stopping somewhere before reaching Santiago.”
Regional S.F. Bay Area: Northern California (San Francisco Bay area)
# 6.Oakland, CA: Northern California Chapter, Lake Merritt Walk.
Jun 06, 2026 10:30AM—12:00PM. Lake Merritt Columns (aka Pergola).
Join us on this walk that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine! We meet at the “The Columns” (aka Pergola) on the northeast corner of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 AM. It’s a flat, paved 3.5-mile walk around the lake that takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards,…Happy Trails,
Susan AlcornSusan ‘backpack45’ Alcorn
Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA
https://www.susandalcorn.com
https://www.backpack45.comAuthor of Walk, Hike, Saunter: Seasoned Women Share Tales and Trails; Healing Miles: Gifts from the Caminos Norte and Primitivo; Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; We’re in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers; and Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago.
Thank you everyone. Stay well, keep hiking when prudent. I encourage you to send in items of interest to the hiking community to me at backpack45 “at sign” yahoo.com
Hiking and backpacking can be risky endeavors. Surely over the last couple of months you have heard, or read about some wilderness rescues. Dayhikes can go bad – people get lost and have to spend the night (nights) outdoors. Always be prepared for emergencies and carry food, water, shelter (warm clothing, etc.), flashlight/headlamp, matches, first aid supplies, and maps. Cell phones don’t always work. Leave word where you are traveling and when you are due back.
hiking, adventurous travel, pilgrimage