<![CDATA[Chris Stump

<![CDATA[Chris Stump - Home]]>Fri, 30 May 2025 00:20:45 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Camino de Santiago]]>Sun, 11 May 2025 19:40:40 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/camino-de-santiago

I recently hiked a portion of the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. These pilgrimage trails have existed for centuries, originating in hundreds of towns throughout Europe and spanning thousands of miles. [I made both of those statistics up, but it's a lot nonetheless]. The trails celebrate St James by leading pilgrims to visit his purported burial place at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Basilica in Spain.

I did not do this as a religious pilgrimage, although many do. But my father was an Episcopalian priest so I have to imagine he was aware of the Camino and would be proud of my attempt to take this on.

I had a self-imposed limit of one week to accomplish the last 117km [73 miles] from Sarria to Santiago. Come to find out that this was foolish/ambitious. The first two days of walking were 24 and 25 km respectively which left me partially lame. I took the third day off to recover, and built my mileage back up gradually.

What an amazing landscape to enjoy, often walking right through a family's farm...barn to the left, house to the right, up gravel stream beds and down paved roads. I spent many hours totally alone, and many more surrounded by groups chattering in every language imaginable. And the people I met on the trail! From all over the globe. Some had started in France some 30 days prior and hiked through the Pyrenees. Incredible.

Many folks report spiritual awakenings from this adventure. I have to admit to having some epiphanies myself. But I'm still sorting this out and will have to let you know. Suffice to say that I am changed, as well as tattooed.

]]><![CDATA[São Paulo]]>Sat, 12 Apr 2025 10:21:09 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/sao-paulo

I recently hiked a portion of the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. These pilgrimage trails have existed for centuries, originating in hundreds of towns throughout Europe and spanning thousands of miles. [I made both of those statistics up, but it's a lot nonetheless]. The trails celebrate St James by leading pilgrims to visit his purported burial place at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Basilica in Spain.

I did not do this as a religious pilgrimage, although many do. But my father was an Episcopalian priest so I have to imagine he was aware of the Camino and would be proud of my attempt to take this on.

I had a self-imposed limit of one week to accomplish the last 117km [73 miles] from Sarria to Santiago. Come to find out that this plan was ambitious. The first two days of walking were 24 and 25 km respectively which left me partially lame. I took the third day off to recover, and built my mileage back up gradually.

What an amazing landscape to enjoy, often walking right through a family's farm...barn to the left, house to the right, up gravel streambeds and down paved roads. I spent many hours totally alone, and many more surrounded by groups chattering in every language imaginable.

One day my diet consisted of a croissant and an espresso for the entire day. Another had me devouring what a friend described as a mastodon leg for dinner. And the people I met on the trail! From all over the globe. Some had started in France some 30 days prior and hiked through the Pyrenees. Incredible.

Many folks report spiritual awakenings from this adventure. I have to admit to having some myself. But I'm still sorting this out and will have to let you know. But suffice to say that I am changed, as well as tattooed.

]]><![CDATA[Boston!]]>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:27:27 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/boston8995608

Spent a wonderful weekend walking all over Boston. 16k steps one day!

I'd scheduled a workshop through Leica Store Boston, and had no idea that they might postpone it. So I bought all cheap, nonrefundable tickets and hotel. Ha!

Decided to go down anyway. I was born here and have spent a lot of time here over the years. But I saw it with new eyes.

I'd live in Boston again if I could. But alas.

]]><![CDATA[February 28th, 2025]]>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 23:32:17 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/february-28th-2025

It's been alternately snowy and warm here. During the melt today I went to the roof. What a great new perspective.

]]><![CDATA[Visit to NYC]]>Sat, 28 Dec 2024 20:07:27 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/visit-to-nyc

So I got to visit NYC on business recently. Hadn't been there in years. What a vibrant place! I did take a 'real' camera with me which is, regrettably, exceedingly rare these days. So glad I did. Can't wait for the next trip...should be to either Germany or Brazil?

]]><![CDATA[Halloween]]>Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:08:19 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/halloween

I walked around Portsmouth, NH the other night, and got to see their somewhat famous Halloween parade. It was the first time I've really tried out the 12mm f1.4 Leica DG lens. At an effective 24mm it was wide enough to take in the scene, and even at relatively high ISO I was surprised at the color saturation. Fun!

]]><![CDATA[New Brunswick and Nova Scotia 2024]]>Tue, 09 Jul 2024 22:53:48 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/new-brunswick-and-nova-scotia-2024

My son and I spent summer vacation again in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. We time our visit annually to coincide with Canada Day on July 1st, and of course US Independence Day on the 4th which we celebrate from afar. We had generally great weather and the food and people we experienced were terrific. See you all next year!

]]><![CDATA[New York Yacht Club - Newport Regatta]]>Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:44:46 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/new-york-yacht-club-newport-regatta

Last week I once again had the pleasure of attending an on-the-water workshop with the estimable Onne van der Wal in Newport, RI. This year I chose the New York Yacht Club Regatta simply because it fit my work schedule.

Equipment was my venerable Lumix duo, a G9 with the Leica DG 50-100mm [e-100-400] f2.8-4 ASPH, and a GX85 with the 8-16mm [e-16-32] f2.8-4. I have a two-camera harness which makes moving around the boat very easy...one must keep at least one hand available for handholds at all times of course. I'm a decade plus from having my sailboat live-aboard sea legs and it was choppy, so extra care was in order for the first hours.

There were four classes of racing with the largest and most elegant, the 12 meter boats, miles offshore. So, given our trawler's speed and the 'sporty' conditions outside we opted to stay in the bay and enjoy the smaller classes. These are relatively modern boats and the teams go hard and really compete. It was fun to watch.

But from now on it's only the antique and classic boat regattas for me. I miss the varnish. :)

]]><![CDATA[Summer in Maine]]>Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:10:44 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/summer-in-maine2534605

Ah, these are the days. Sunrises over the neighboring farm are golden. Last day of school was yesterday. The garden is planted...peas are already feet high. The pool was 53F when we opened last month [brrrrr], but much warmer now. Summer in Maine can't be beat.

]]><![CDATA[Another Pink Moon]]>Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMThttp://chrisstump.com/home/another-pink-moon

Yay! The telescope is back from Celestron. They tell me that the auto-nav features are working perfectly for them...we'll see. Looking forward to the next clear night.

Meanwhile, I've been thinking back to the moon photography I used to do at the last house...where I could walk to the ocean with tripod and camera slung over my shoulder. The shots above were from last year, doing just that. Nice.

]]>