The Scleroderma Foundation California
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A Million Steps for Scleroderma

Jim’s Scleroderma Million Steps Journey

Jim Hines is in his fifth year of Jim’s Scleroderma Million Steps Journey walking over 1 million steps for the Scleroderma Foundation of California each year over the last 4 years. He hiked five routes of the Camino de Santiago, i.e. Camino Frances (2021), Camino Portugues & Finisterre (2022), Camino de Norte (2023) and last year Camino La Plata. All routes end at the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of Saint James. During his campaign he has collected over $40,000 in donations.  

  

This year Jim is planning to hike The Via Francigena Italy, a portion of the Via Francigena, a 1000 year old pilgrimage route extending from Canterbury England all the way to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the tombs of Saint Peter and Paul. (See Figure 1) Via Francigena Map. The Via Francigena Italy, itself an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the halfway point on the Via Francigena, but still over 1000 KM (~620 miles) and well over 1M Steps for Jim’s Scleroderma Journey. Trip will take ~ 50 days. (See Figure 2) Via Francigena Italy Map.


Jim will start in the Alps at the Saint Bernard Pass (See Figure 3) and then pass through seven of the central northern Italian regions, i.e. Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Lazio until he reaches Rome. (See Figure 4) Via Francigena Signage. Jim will be doing this hike during the Catholics’ Jubilee Year 2025 pilgrimage. Jubilee 2025 was designated by the late Pope Francis as a year of Hope and a special year of spiritual renewal.  In Rome Jim hopes to enter Saint Peter’s square (See Figure 5), go through the Bronze Door for Pilgrims (See Figure 6) and receive a blessing from the new American Pope Leo.  Follow me along on my pilgrimage as we will post photos. Again, please donate to Scleroderma Foundation of California. 

Buon Cammino, 

Pilgrim Jim


For more information on Jim’s Journey, See 04-On foot from the Great St Bernard Pass to Rome. 04-On foot from the Great St Bernard Pass to Rome

   

(See below for Figure 1 Map Full Via Francigena from Canterbury, England; Figure 2 Map Via Francigena Italy; Figure 3 Saint Bernard Pass, Switzerland Start; Figure 4. Via Francigena Signage, Figure 5 Pilgrims in Rome, and Figure 6 Saint Peter's Bronze Door)

Figure 1 Map Full Via Francigena from Canterbury, England  

Figure 1: Full Map Via Francigena from Canterbury, England  

Figure 2: Via Francigena Italy

  Figure 3: Route Signage

  Figure 4: Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point

  Figure 5: Pilgrims In Rome

  Figure 6: Tuscany Vineyards

Day 0 August 19. Via Francigena Grand Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point. O Miles; O Steps

Day 0 August 19. Via Francigena Grand Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point. O Miles; O Steps

Day 0 August 19. Via Francigena Grand Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point. O Miles; O Steps

Since Pope Francis has designated 2025 a Jubilee Year and a Pilgrimage of Hope. I will try to add text regarding Hope as an important part of our lives. Hope is one thing that can help us through the darkest of times. We made it to the starting point, Grand Saint Bernard Pass after a bus drive from Prescott to Phoenix AZ, plane to Washington DC, Zurich, Geneva, train to Orsieres, and bus drive. Hurray! ~20 hours later. Arriving at the Pass we were awaken by the beautiful lake surround by the mountain. Dory and I posing. The Saint Bernard digs. Attitude 8114 ft. We concluded the day with a communal delicious meal with 30 pilgrims talking of the wonders of their via Francigena journey. Starting point tomorrow Dory and I will cross over Switzerland to Italy making the steep descent from the Summitt tracing the route taken by pilgrims and popes, common hikers, and leaders of countries even Napoleon’s army.  

Day 1 August 20. Grand Alp Views Testing the Knees, 9 Miles, 22170 Steps

Day 0 August 19. Via Francigena Grand Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point. O Miles; O Steps

Day 0 August 19. Via Francigena Grand Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point. O Miles; O Steps

A statue of Saint Bernado and a panoramic view captures us outside of the hospice and as I wander down the mule path along the small Saint Bernado Lake. We looked back at the hospice, a cross peeking out of the lake and the Saint Bernard statue. The Alps captures your breath and a small mountain goat playing in the rocks below. One could feel the impact of the descent on my thighs and knees. I pass through several small villages; Saint Remy - who hold via Francigena festivals and a stronghold for those who cross the pass; Saint Leonard; Saint Oyen and into the town of Etroubles. Etroubles embodies the enchanting environment. Via Francigena history is captured in the signage there reflecting on the importance to these villages.  We then proceeded to path following the Ru Neuf, an irrigation canal, until Echevennoz, a small village with parochial ostello - albergue/ hostel and a corner bed. Just Wondering is Hope just at the end of the rainbow or the next mountaintop?

Great day but feel the effects. Ultrea from Dory and  

Day 2 August 21 Echevennoz to Aosta;12.9 miles,30500 Steps.

Day 0 August 19. Via Francigena Grand Saint Bernard Pass Starting Point. O Miles; O Steps

Day 3, August 22 Aosta to Nus, Miles 11.44, 27089 steps- Looking back at the Majestic Alps

 We had a good meal the night before with pilgrims from France and one from Australia. Well-rested although snoring continued. The pilgrims were asked to stay for breakfast; something I normally do not do since I like to start early. But we had a cup of coffee with bread and jam. The hike started out beautiful. Walking high in the Alps along the Ru Nuef, the irrigation channel. We looked down on the villages below. Uniquely we ran across a memorial of the Virgin Mary.  Eventually we made it to the town of Aosta, noted for Roman Ruins of a city started in 1 B.C. Dory and I landed in an Ostello ran by Cistern Nuns and fortunately we got a lovely single room looking up the mountains and, also, seeing a glimpse of a Romain arc. Later we were able to see the city main square and Romain arc and city being uncovered.   Unfortunately, we went to reserve a bed in the next stop but found out eight places to stay were booked. Surprise!! With the help of a couple of nuns over the course of a few hours we were able to book places to stay. Not ideal but a plan. Learn from yesterday, live for the day, and hope for a better tomorrow. Modified Einstein. Ultreia. Dory and Jim.               

Day 3, August 22 Aosta to Nus, Miles 11.44, 27089 steps- Looking back at the Majestic Alps

Day 3, August 22 Aosta to Nus, Miles 11.44, 27089 steps- Looking back at the Majestic Alps

Day 3, August 22 Aosta to Nus, Miles 11.44, 27089 steps- Looking back at the Majestic Alps

We started late since we were working late on schedule and bookings. We started out walking in the opposite direction to reach a way to get over the highway crossing the city square. There were Romain ruins and some murals reflection the 1 A.D Roman. We immediately started hiking up the mountain. This time on the opposite side. We got up over 1000 ft before walking a horizontal path looking down below. The path was nice with an irrigation channel on its side. Vineyards were nestled along the path as well. Always seems inviting with clear cold water running to stick one’s feet in. We even passed a rundown castle. Looking down at Nus, one can see into the valley below as the mountains seem to be getting lower. Nice and steep. Dory mentioned to me that although she not just optimistic but hopeful. Krista Tipplet, the writer, said “For me …optimism sounds like wishful thinking. Hope as a force and as a resource is realty based. It sees the darkness and takes it seriously. It sees the possibly of good and redemption and takes that serious and it’s a choice. An action that one needs to put into practice.”

Ultreia. Dory and Jim.           

Day 4, August 23- Nus to Hone- 7.45 miles, 17635 Steps

Day 3, August 22 Aosta to Nus, Miles 11.44, 27089 steps- Looking back at the Majestic Alps

Day 4, August 23- Nus to Hone- 7.45 miles, 17635 Steps

Because of hostel availability, we had to make an adjustment to our schedule to find accommodations. We find a place to stay in Hône. We took a bus from Nus to Verres and got back onto the Via Francigena. Although the mountains were smaller, they were still impressive walking in the valley.  A beautiful hike along the river and amongst a few small towns. Several signs were posted along the trail, walks to inspire the world! A nice old church whose front door was open to see inside but protection by glass doors so as not to allow access. We experienced seeing a unique preserved Romain bridge, walked through the pastures before arriving at the village of Hône. But before Hone we could see in the distance a specular castle. As we got closer, we approached a church. Although many churches have been closed, to our surprise this one was open. It was the Parish of Saint Giorgio. The church was at least the third erected on the site. There were glass panel allowing us to see the remnants of two previous churches. Earlier reports say it may have been as old as 1413 with modifications in 1711 and latest 1897. On the altar was a detailed statute of Saint George fighting the dragon. Beautiful ceiling painting as well as one of the Madonna of Mercy. Dory also lit candle for family, friends, sacred Heart Parish and of course, the Scleroderma Foundation of California. If you can, support the foundation and Hope for a Cure. Aristotle said: “Hope is a waking dream.” 

Ultreia. Dory and Jim         

Day 5 August 24,15.2 Miles, 34844 Steps

Day 3, August 22 Aosta to Nus, Miles 11.44, 27089 steps- Looking back at the Majestic Alps

Day 4, August 23- Nus to Hone- 7.45 miles, 17635 Steps

Slept in until 8 AM, packed and headed to a church up the hill at the next town. Thanks to the Catholic Map app I identified where the church and mass was. A lovely small 15 century church located next to a fancy hotel. The attendance was sparse, about 20 people. Hopefully it does not shut down. After mass, we came right to the trail. The trail started out next to a man- made irrigation canal with many stone canals coming down from the mountains. The trail mainly followed the river until we reach Mont-Saint-Martin. The trail mainly followed the river but deviated through several towns passing by some old churches but unfortunately were not open even of Sunday. As we came around a corner to my surprise was a small Arch way with a lava like stone walkway. Interesting. Next we made it to Mont-Saint-Martin where we came across a beautiful Romain bridge. This time amazing. The next miles were uneventful until reaching Ivrea. Although stopped at a picnic area to have a snack by the river. We found our Ostello next to the river. Named “Ostello del Canoe”. (Because, there was a competitive kayaking circuit, where people were testing their skills.) Performed my daily routine of a shower, washing clothes and doing some stretching before relaxing getting a soda and watching the river and a duck diving for fish. Across the ways was a big cathedral. 

Ultreia. Dory and Jim.

MEET SARA DERMA MY OWL MASCOT

As part of the Via Francigena Italy, Jim will be accompanied by Sara Derma.  


Sara, a happy plush toy owl, is the color teal representative of Scleroderma. Note Scleroderma scarf (photos).  


Sara was chosen since an owl historically has been a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and contemplation for centuries and supposed to bring happiness, wealth, health, and love.  Furthermore, it is an animal that represents the spirit world and carries messages from it to ours.  


Throughout the Via Francigena Italy you will see photos of Sara making her Way through fields, forests, vineyards, villages, cities and historical sites.

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GET SARA DERMA ON THE MAP!

Every donation above $50 will place a Sara Derma on the map where Jim is. We want to fill the map with Sara's as Jim goe's on his Journey.  (Please allow 24-48 hrs to update, as Jim Checks in)

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