Against fading light and rising altitude, his run from San Quirico to Radicofani wasn’t just remarkable—it was unforgettable.

Jake was absolutely remarkable yesterday.
Story time.
I walked the 17+ miles from San Quirico to Radicofani in abt 6.5 hrs. I am not fast. But neither am I slow.

Jake could not leave San Q till 630 pm, because he stayed behind for biz reasons.
I asked the hostel in Radicofani to allow me to let him in at 11 or so.

The hostel in Radicofani adamantly refused to accept new guests after 7:30.
I pleaded with them to let Jake in later.

They finally agreed on 9:45 at the absolute latest. I relayed the time to Jake.
Jake said matter of factly, “I’ll make it.”

He needed to carry his back pack, spingen, et al, abt 15lb total and make the 27km trip, including the brutal climb at the end in 3 hr 15 min in the dark!

There are 80+ climbs on the VF app, rated by difficulty. This section is ranked most difficult – very challenging. I walked it earlier in the day. It was in my top 3 of difficulty.
The hostel refused to believe it was possible.

The 2 Czech kids, 30 and 29, cringed at the attempt. Sneered? Laughed out loud. They had just completed it as well. Coming in after me.

Jake stuffed his speakers and everything else in his backpack and took off running. The road was barren, isolated and there was no water or food along the way.

No support. I tracked him on WhatsApp.
The turn into town was not clear, and finding our hostel was tricky, so I walked the half mile or so to meet him.

When he got close enough I began to call out his name to encourage him.
We met. Hugged briefly. I might have choked up but I’m not saying I did. I grabbed his backpack and carried it for him for the final stretch.

He pulled up to the hostel door at 9:42 pm. Just over 3 hrs of running.
Incredible stamina, imo. Jaw dropping effort in all respects. He did what no one in the know could believe was possible.

We had dinner, cold, ready for him. He gobbled it up.
For him, just another day. He didn’t ask for nor accept praise. He smiled, took a shower, and fell into a deep sleep.

Oh. He turned 51 a couple of days ago.
Jake, simply put, does not complain. He did, however, manage a whisper to me, “That bag got pretty heavy.”

The post Against All Odds: Jake Conquers 27km Trek in Record Tim appeared first on Bill Belew.

The story explores themes of endurance, conviction, and faith through personal missteps and a missionary tale that forever changed their perspective. What emerges is not just a walk across miles, but a pilgrimage into the heart of resilience.

Personality Flaw #2
I am often guilty of not having thought things through.
It would have made all kinds of sense for me to practice a long walk, say 100 miles, before committing myself to nearly 1,200 miles of walking. My farthest practice walk was 22 miles. I’ve done more than that multiple times on this pilgrimage.

I am absolutely sure that had I done a 100-mile practice run, er, walk, there’s no way in creation I would have committed to 1,200. No way. No how.

I am guilty of once I have started something, I will keep going till I break it (flaw #1) or finish what I started. I think that if something is worth starting, then it’s worth finishing. Of course, there are times when a project should be abandoned. It doesn’t make sense to continue. But, I am not able to determine when that is. So. I keep going.

I heard a story that had a tremendous impact on me about a missionary couple. The couple was retiring after 40 years of service. There was a large gathering of Christians taking turns sharing memories. Finally, it was the couple’s turn.

However, before they could speak, an old crooked man from the country they served made his way up front.

“Let me tell you something you don’t know,” he began. “When you came here 40 years ago, we didn’t want you to stay. The first year after you planted your crops, we poisoned them so they would fail. But, you didn’t leave.

“The following year, we decided to burn down your house. Still, you didn’t leave. The third year, you had a young child. We poisoned your child thinking that surely you would leave then. But, you didn’t. It was then we realized that there was something different about you, something special and we’d better learn what it is. And we were glad you stuck it out.” And then he sat down.

How soon people will give up. How soon people will even blame God for their own unwillingness to endure. “Surely, God doesn’t want us here, or for us to continue.” When sticking it out would have made all the difference.

If God wants you to start something, it is with certainty that God wants you to finish. So, I think.
You’d think that with less than 100 miles to go and 1,000 in the bank that I’d be more confident about finishing.

I have aches and pains and other things going on that I don’t mention. But, this I can say. I will either finish this walk or break something trying…and then finish it anyway.
Maybe I’d better rethink that last sentence.
Nah. I don’t think I will.

The post From 22 Miles to 1,200: The Unyielding Spirit of a Determined Walker appeared first on Bill Belew.

He recounts a particularly challenging day where he experimented with an early start to beat the heat, only to continue walking through brutal conditions.

Despite the physical and mental challenges, including extreme heat, blisters, and back pain, Belew perseveres through a 60 km (37.2 miles) walk.

The day is marked by disappointment, drudgery, and the struggle to find accommodation. Yet, amidst the hardship, Belew finds a sense of resilience and determination to keep going, even as he acknowledges the need for someone to intervene before he pushes himself too far.

Personality Flaw
I have a personality flaw.

Each day I like to post pictures of pretty thises and thats. And maybe I’ll post a picture of a funny sign. I might tell a story with a happy ending. But not all days are sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows.

One personality flaw, I have many, is that I push things beyond their limits. I stretch things till they break. You know, to see what is possible. And then when it breaks, I get mad.

Today would be a day that I pushed myself till I broke.

We experimented with getting to bed early, then taking off before dawn, and getting a bunch of miles in before it gets hot. We did good. We were walking at 5am. But. When it got hot, we failed to stop. We kept going

Today was brutal. If you think I’m complaining, you can stop reading now. I’m hoping you will let me share that a lot of my time is a slog. Drudgery. Boredom. Pain. And even feeling sorry for myself a bit. No pity, please.

We really looked forward to Lucca. It was such a letdown. We saw an old medieval wall and another church that was closed. That was the highlight of our day.

We eventually walked a new best – 60 km, 37.2 miles. There was another 37, too. It was 37C. That’s 98.6 F! We were melting.

You’d think that after 900+ miles the blisters would be history. Nope! Two hot spots on my right foot shot pain up my leg every time I stepped. More than 30,000 times my right foot told me, “It hurts, doesn’t it? What did you expect you old coot?”

We walked for 12 hours. There were times I wobbled, times I folded over double because my back hurt so bad. And we still had, 4, 3, 2 hours of non-stop walking to go.

Our evening stay fell through. And then it didn’t. Then it did. While walking I was also trying also to find a place to stay.

“Think happy thoughts!” Good googie moogie. I couldn’t even think.
I was certain that today would be a day that I broke myself. But. I didn’t. I survived. I’ll try again tomorrow to walk myself into the ground…literally.

Will someone please stop me before I do?

The post From Dawn to Dusk: The Brutal Reality of Walking 37 Miles appeared first on Bill Belew.

In this tender and tenacious entry, Bill shares the deeply personal reason behind his 1,200-mile trek across Italy: a chance to reunite with his daughter before she finishes her gap-year program.

And when circumstances made that plan seem impossible, his response was simple—walk harder, walk faster, walk smarter. Because for fathers and husbands like Bill, love isn’t measured in miles. It’s measured in moments worth chasing.

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Sappy, but true.
I’ve been asked dozens of times why I am doing the VF. I have several reasons, but the answer I usually give first is, “My daughter will be doing a gap summer program in Italy this summer. She will finish on July 31. I will meet her in Rome to bring her home. I tell her that I will always be willing to cross a continent to meet her and bring her home, even if I must walk. Because dads love their little girls that much. So. I walk to meet her next month.”

Yeah, sappy. But it gets worse.
My wife and I tried to arrange a surprise meet up with Helyx. We had to give it up because it was just too far and too hard and even if I could, the one week costs would be equal to the other 11 weeks that I’m out here. So, we gave up.

But, I didn’t.
I hatched a plan. I doubled up my distances and walked nearly 7 days distance in just 3 days. I’d figure out the money later.

Then we caught a break. Someone following me here, who asked to be nameless offered to put us up … for free! We could use her home as a base.

Each day we walked, then trained back to her place. The next day we took the train to where we stopped the day before and picked up where we left off. We did this for 4 days making progress down the coast.

The trails were monstrous and the distances above our average. But if we tried hard enough, maybe, just maybe. Even I must swim!

I reached out to my daughter on the sly. She and my wife, Samantha, were traveling completely independently of me for abt a week before Helyx begins her summer program.

I got a hold of their itinerary, plotted it out and checked the local train schedule against their bus schedule, the tour schedule and our walking schedule. There was a possibility to meet for about 45 min IF everything went well.

Helyx and I tracked each other using WhatsApp’s location finder.
And it worked!! We got our 45 min in Manarola.

The last piece, after they left, was a very long haul back up and over the mountains to our next stop, with a late start in the also climbing temps. We did it, arriving after 8 pm.

So, why?
Because dads not only love their little girls enough to walk across continents, husbands also love their wives …. even if they must make the seemingly impossible … possible.
Sappy?

I don’t mind if I am.

The post Against All Odds: A Dad’s Determination to Reunite with His Family appeared first on Bill Belew.

A random comment led him and Jake to Joanne—a host who not only opened her doors, but walked part of the path alongside them. What began as a logistical detour from the Via Francigena turned into a moment of grace, generosity, and connection. Call it luck, call it kindness—or just call it serendipity.

SERENDIPITY:

We’ve met some wonderful people along the way. Where we are now is the best yet.

When we decided to veer off the VF proper, the one everyone takes, we didn’t think it through. We just went. I am funny that way. You know. “the road less traveled.” We went from Vercelli to Genoa in 2 days, 110 km, because I couldn’t find a place to stay!

A couple of days ago, among a pile of pics I posted a pic of Jake’s shoes. He’s beaten those 300-mile running shoes into going 800+ miles. They are pathetic looking, but they do the job.

Joann commented on that pic. “We have the best shoe store for hikers on the west coast of Italy. Our town is one town away from where you are staying.”

We are at Joanne’s place now. We spent one night and will spend 3 more! Our first time staying at a place more than one night.

We are using her place as a base as we walk the tough route down the coast. We walk, train back. Take the train to where we left off the next day, proceed on then walk back.

Rinse and repeat. On the last day we will go to Sarzana and they will bring our gear to us!!!!!

What a treat! What a kindness! Above and beyond. And, and Joanne walked with us today to guide us for the first 15 km before she turned back and we went on.

All because of a picture of broken shoes.

Jake didnt find what he wanted. But there is a very good chance he will find them in Lucca when we go through there next week. I doubt we’ll find another Joanne’s.

It’s the unplanned encounters that are most memorable.
Can you say serendipity?

The post From Worn-Out Shoes to Warm Hearts: A Serendipitous Journey Through Italy appeared first on Bill Belew.

What began as a hopeful maybe turned into an unforgettable friendship with a man who not only matched the physical challenge but brought generosity, wisdom, and unwavering support to every step. Jake isn’t just a fellow traveler—he’s the kind of soul you’d want in your corner for life’s toughest climbs. Everyone needs a Jake… even if Bill’s is taken.

A Gifted Companion: The Unforgettable Journey with Jake

Everyone needs a Jake.

I confess. I quietly hoped or leaned towards wishing he wouldn’t come. Now, I’m beyond thrilled that he did.

A mutual friend introduced us about 6 months ago. We talked a few times on WhatsApp. We met face to face for the first time in Canterbury at 11 pm, 6 hours before we took off. We’ve been together every day since.

Jake was born into a hippie commune. No kidding. He’s met his father only once, when he was in his late teens.

He’s 50 now and will turn 51 on July 4th.
Jake has been to 140 countries. He’s worked on Mercy Ships. Lived in Africa for 4 years, and, and …

He’s is ridiculously resourceful, has an absolute can-do spirit. He’s a very strong walker, has a prodigious memory, and if we are playing Trivial Pursuit, he’s on my team!!

When we walk, he consistently looks back to see if I’m okay. He’s quick to lend a shoulder, literally, if I need help standing to clean out my shoe or something similar.

He’s able to work while traveling and has his hands in a LOT of ventures. He does very well for himself but is equally unpretentious.

I love my two boys (my daughter, too, of course) but if I could claim a 3rd son, I’d want Jake. He’s a gift. I couldn’t imagine this pilgrimage without him.
Everyone needs a Jake, but you can’t have mine.

The post The Ultimate Travel Buddy: Everyone Needs a Jake appeared first on Bill Belew.

From ancient churches and high-speed conversations to pasta lunches and bobblehead nods, it’s the kind of experience that leaves you fulfilled… yet curiously restless.

With dinner still hours away, he’s left contemplating the question many wanderers face: What now? A day full of miles, meals, miscommunications—and the surprisingly human urge to not be bored.

Sometimes I get bored.

We left at 6 am.

Stopped at a patisserie along the way.

Visited with an old man who let us into an old church – not sure which was older.

Covered 27km. (17+ miles)

Arrived at our destination at 1.

Had a great lunch with our host. Sausage. Pasta. Cheese. Bread. Cake.
Washed all my clothes.

Hung them out to dry.

Was guided through another 900-year-old church by another 900-year-old very nice person who couldn’t understand she needed to wait for me to push the button on my translator.

She talked like she was on fast-forward and I nodded like a bobblehead as I understood.
Took a nap – unplanned.

Booked another stay 2 nights out.
Sent requests for 3 and 4 nights out.

Wrote some emails, sent some updates, and called my wife.
Now it’s 548 pm.
Too early for bed.

Dinner is at 7.
What do I do for the next 4 hrs? 8+)

The post 900-Year-Old Churches and Fast-Talking Guides: A Unique Travel Experience appeared first on Bill Belew.

With churches shuttered and silence echoing through stone walls, Bill discovers that sometimes, the holiest places are the ones we walk into unknowingly, led only by music, faith, and the beauty of creation.

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All the churches in France were empty. All the churches in Italy are closed. I must find my own way to worship.

I was listening to Sandy Patty’s “We Shall Behold Him.” If you know Sandy Patty, you know she starts off slowly, gets warmed up, then takes off, and finishes over the top.

While I was walking I could hear her picking up steam. The recording was LIVE. The crowd started clapping and cheering. They, I knew something special was coming.

Just as she was giving it her all, I turned the corner and was overwhelmed by the mountain view in front of me.

Glorious voice, jaw dropping view. I got chills. I got emotional. Tears would have come down except the cold stopped them.

Our God is an awesome God. Someday we shall behold him and see the Maker of such marvelous sounds and views.

I worshipped the Creator of everything on that mountain.

The post A Mountain View and a Glorious Voice: A Pilgrim’s Spiritual Awakening appeared first on Bill Belew.

As he listens to Michael W. Smith and prays for young girls in India, a gust of wind and a spontaneous lift of his arms remind him that the sacred isn’t confined to Sundays. It’s woven into the rhythms of everyday steps, faith, and quiet conviction.

Sunday is not the day of worship.

Today we took a day off of sorts. We went on to the next town, but it was just 10-ish miles away. Easiest day so far.

I’d like to think we took off because it’s Sunday and we should go to one of the many churches we have seen that have nobody in them. Nope, it just happened to be Sunday and it worked out to be an easy day in our long list of daily jaunts.

But …

I was listening to Michael W Smith as I walked. He did a live concert and the song Agnus Dei came on. It’s from Revelation 4. Worthy is the Lamb. He is Holy.

I am not a raise your hands up and sing kind of Christian. Nor am I unashamed of my faith. I will share anywhere, to anyone, anytime.

Before I left the States, I committed to pray (among other things) for a group of girls in Chattisggarh, India who have no home. I ask God daily to give them a home. I am provided for daily as a pilgrim. I want them to be provided for.

Our Father. He’s my father and their father. Holy is your name. I begin my prayer. As I walked, MW Smith sang ‘Worthy is the Lamb. You are holy.’ Suddenly the wind picked up, I looked up and raised my arms up! I don’t know why. Or maybe I do know why.

The next thing I did was look around to see who might be watching me.

Sunday is not the day of worship. Every day is a day of worship.

Today was a good day, a short day, a restful day, a day full of worship as I continued my trek.

Thanks for being here. Your comments and emoji-fying are very encouraging to me.

The post A Day of Rest and Reflection: Worship Beyond Sundays appeared first on Bill Belew.

From self-doubt to spiritual grounding, he shares why avoiding deep thought can sometimes be the key to pushing forward. With audiobooks, scripture, and silent determination for company,

Bill reminds us that endurance isn’t just physical—it’s a decision made over and over again, mile by mile.

Things I think I think.

Several of you have asked me what I think about when I’m walking. Before I answer, I want to say ‘Thank you!’ to all of you who hit an emoji, or leave a comment or share a post (plz share!) It’s very encouraging. More than you might think.

I wish I could say I think deep thoughts, but the truth is I try a lot of the time to not think. No kidding. Being honest here.

When I think, I think ‘What am I doing here?’ or ‘ What was I thinking when I thought that I could do this?’ or ‘Have I lost my marbles?’ or ‘Am I going to hurt myself permanently?’

When I think. I think of reasons why I should NOT be here trying to complete this walk. Negative thoughts far out way positive thoughts. So I try not to think.

There are a lot of reasons I can think of to quit. There is usually only one reason to continue – because I told myself I would continue. When a negative thought comes to mind, when a legitimate negative thought comes to mind, I tell myself often, ‘I’ll think about that later, AFTER I finish what I’ve started here.’

I’m pretty sure I’m not making much sense here. But I understand myself … usually.

I’ve been asked to speak at a retreat for an English speaking Chinese church. I use some of my walking time to prepare for that.

I have Libby on my phone and can download tons of audiobooks. I listen to books when I walk.
I make sure I have a Bible verse each day to chew on.
I try to think of something for Wilby to do each day.

I’m also only 11 days in on this 80+ day journey. I do want to go deep. Before that I want to find my feet, the confidence that I can continue. I think I can. Being honest here. I’m still not sure that at 70 (in September), I may have finally bit off more, make that way more, than I can chew.

The post At 70, Taking on More Than I Can Chew? appeared first on Bill Belew.