top of page
Thank you to our sponsors & donors:
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Jen's Camino Journey 2026
On June 5th 2026 I will be completing the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago with Accessible Camino; I'll be helping folks with mobility issues complete their own Camino by pushing wheelchairs, carrying gear, cheering on, and completing my own incredible comeback from Achilles surgery and knee issues.
I'll be posting a few times a week, letting you know what I'm doing to train (hiking, biking, walking, physical therapy, strength training, nutrition, mental toughness, spiritual growth, emotional intelligence and more)! I'll also be giving regular shout outs to my sponsors and supporters.
Home: Welcome
Search
The Camino is calling and I must go...
March 7, 2024 started out like any other day. I was at a work conference. Our annual Specialty Care/Rare Disease meeting where cross functional partners from all over come together to collaborate, learn, inspire/be inspired/get inspired, brainstorm, and more. That morning we had an early call, following the awards dinner the previous night (big congrats to Jane and Rod!). I sat down next to my colleague Brian, and wondered who would be presenting that morning as the agend
Jennifer Griola
Jan 275 min read
The Camino is not really about the physical journey
More Than Step. The documentary that is being filmed about the last two Accessible Caminos through Push Inc. (the team of Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray, who completed the Camino with Patrick pushing Justin’s wheelchair). Having just completed the 2nd to last Camino with them, I didn’t really get it until now. It is SOOO aptly named. I am truly having a hard time processing the experience I (and others) went through! It was hard. But the vulnerability of others and myse
Jennifer Griola
Jun 151 min read
Sometimes a pusher needs a push
Hey- you do what you gotta do😂
Jennifer Griola
Jun 101 min read
The hugger
This young man was waiting at one of the albergues for us specifically to give us each a hug. He was so excited and gave great hugs! It was really touching 🥰
Jennifer Griola
Jun 101 min read
Delightful surprises around every corner on the Camino
Bagpipes along the Camino 🥰
Jennifer Griola
Jun 91 min read
Promise more posts to come
Each day is super challenging and I’m really leaning in to meeting each person so even those that are faster than me I try to sit with someone different on the bus or at meals each day - posting a few pics here and there on Facebook - will be posting as much as I can and adding more even after we finish..,thank you for positive energy, prayers, love and support! Please keep my new friend So in your prayers- he needs your energy and love!
Jennifer Griola
Jun 91 min read
Day One: I can’t quite put it in words
Day one was exhilarating, hard, inspiring, scary and tested my limits physically. I had incredibly deep conversations with numerous people, everyone has a story (actually they have many stories). I was moved to tears more than once. Many of our captains (that is how we refer to those folks who are using wheelchairs because they know their chairs, their abilities and are in charge of how and when they are assisted) are para-athletes and I simply couldn’t keep up. Each pers
Jennifer Griola
Jun 71 min read
And so it begins
We had a welcome dinner tonight and Justin & Patrick walked us through what to expect over the next seven days…I am already bonding with people and hearing their stories. There are many reasons I sm here and I look forward to exploring a deeper connection with myself and with others. I had a 10 minute heart to heart with Justin and I didn’t even realize how much I needed it…. My roommate Melinda did the entire Camino last year, she is an inspiration! My heart is happy 🥰.
Jennifer Griola
Jun 51 min read
Lesson One: You Can Do Hard Things
When I arrived last night via bus I discovered Uber was not permitted to pick up from the bus/train station. So I headed to the taxi stand. There I discovered taxis were not permitted to drop off at my hotel. Now I am here to walk a long distance however I had three bags- a rolling suitcase, a large travel backpack and a duffel bag. The hotel was uphill. I sat down and had a little cry. Then I said to myself, if someone called you and asked for help you wouldn’t cry, you w
Jennifer Griola
Jun 51 min read
Garubo Salon thank you!
Locating in the heart of Maplewood NJ is Garubo Salon, a beauty salon that focuses as much on inner beauty as it does outer beauty. The legacy of Anthony Garrubo, who sadly passed away last year, is carried on my his family and staff. They believe in lifelong education, cultivating young talent and excellent customer service. In fact, every time I am there and am asked if I would like the foot rest up, I think of Anthony…the last time I saw him it was his day off, he poppe
Jennifer Griola
Jun 51 min read
Big love for Big Bear Gear
The proprietors & staff of Big Bear Gear in Lambertville NJ are amazing folks! Sitting along River Road across from the Raritan- Delaware canal with views of the mighty Delaware you will find a big red barn that is the home oh Big Bear Gear. A giant shout out to Big Bear Gear for coming on ss a sponsor of Jen’s Camino! Once you step inside you will be amazed at the layout and size of outdoor adventure store! Fro Thr practical to the technical, for thr beginning to the ex
Jennifer Griola
Jun 51 min read
Why are you training?
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EeBkkagWU/?mibextid=wwXIfr Not sure if this video will load or not, but I watched it with earnest and then had a full belly laugh at the end 😂
Jennifer Griola
May 221 min read
Rainy hilly walk with colorful surprise
I got out and did a few miles after work in the rain…I live in a very hilly area so I took advantage of continuing to get stronger on those hill (1000 feet of elevation according to the Whoop)… on my final turn toward home I walked down a staircase I haven’t traversed in some time and found some special painted rocks (yep! Twice in the same week…the universe is cheering me on 🤩😍)
Jennifer Griola
May 201 min read
Inspiration around every corner
I found the painted rocks at the Orange Reservoir tonight…big thank you to the folks who created and placed them!
Jennifer Griola
May 181 min read
Mother's Day Hike
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, Morris County NJ Had a great Mother's Day Hike with my sister-in-law's Irene and April (and 'nephew' Caleb- the cutest mini pin ever!).
Jennifer Griola
May 121 min read
Meadowlands Hike
DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst NJ Located on the edge of Lyndhurst sits DeKorte Park, a wildlife refuge that straddles the wetlands with views of NYC, airplanes approaching Newark airport, MetLife Stadium and Interstate 95. There is a beautiful 911 Memorial on the grounds as well!
Jennifer Griola
May 121 min read
Finding Hiking opportunities while on the road
Albany County Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail I travel for work a fair amount. Sometimes I hit the the hotel gym, other times I look for a hiking trail- this trail was 1/2 mile from my hotel last week and I got a great evening walk in!
Jennifer Griola
May 121 min read
South Mountain Reservation
Hemlock Falls New Jersey has many land reservations, one of them is walking distance from my home! What a lucky girl am I?!
Jennifer Griola
May 121 min read
A mountain in the middle of the city
Garret Mountain Reservation Garret Mountain Reservation sits high above the city of Paterson NJ on the First Watchung Mountain, it's a 600 acre park with hiking trails, riding trails, lakes, as well as paved walking paths- I love the juxtaposition of hiking through the woods to comeout to this view over Paterson (New Jersey's 3rd largest city after Newark and Jersey City). Plenty of parking abounds and there are rest rooms that are open seasonly.
Jennifer Griola
May 121 min read
Appalachian Trail Hiking
The are more square feet of hiking trails and kayaking spots in NJ than there are people! The Appalachian Trail throughout parts of PA, NJ and NY was formed in part by the glaciers and thus it can be very rocky, with large boulders, big rocks, and uneven hiking surfaces. While this doesn't mirror the topography of Camino it's actually a good thing to train on surfaces that are more difficult. This is the highest elevation in the state of NJ (aptly named 'High Point'). It
Jennifer Griola
May 121 min read
Home: Blog2
Home: Contact
bottom of page