Why We Walk: Lessons from the Road to Santiago de Compostela, Spain – This presentation begins at minute 2:55
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Walking the Good Life: Why Our Brain Needs Friends – This presentation begins at minute 47:30
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Strong Enough for the Road: Movement, Resilience, & Joy of the Next Step – This presentation begins at minute 1:26:00
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Listening to the Quiet Voice: Finding Meaning in your Own Pilgrimage – This presentation begins at minute 2:00:00
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EVENT CALENDAR
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Santa Fe May 13, 2026 @ 9 AM - 1 PM (registration deadline 5/4/26)
In person @ Museum of International Folk Art
706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Parking is free
Albuquerque May 14, 2026 @ 9 AM - 1 PM (registration deadline 5/5/26)
In person @ CNM Main Campus
Smith Brasher Hall
717 University Blvd., SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Parking is free and no permit is needed as long as you do not park in metered parking. Click here to see a map of parking.
Las Cruces May 28, 2026 @ 9 AM - 1 PM (registration deadline 5/18/26)
In person @ The Blue Door Venue
1750 Calle De Mercado, Las Cruces, NM 88005
Parking is free
Virtual Session May 27, 2026 @ 9 AM - 11 AM
Online: link to virtual meeting will be sent to the email you provide when registering. Please be sure to use the correct email address and check your junk folder for the confirmation.
NOTE: Virtual session will not include lunch, therefore the schedule will be consolidated to 9 AM – 11 AM.
SESSION DETAIL
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SESSION 1 - Why We Walk: Lessons from the Road to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Presenter: Sarita & Tom Loehr, Retirees, Adventurers
Join us for “Why We Walk”, a lively recap of our 180-mile Camino de Santiago adventure completed in just 11 days—in our late 60s! We’ll share the motivations, insights, and unexpected joys that kept us moving one step at a time across northern Spain. Whether you dream of the Camino or simply want to create your own walking journey closer to home, our stories will inspire you to lace up your shoes and start where you are.
DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES BY CLICKING HERE
VIDEO RECORDING COMING SOON
SESSION 2 - Walking the Good Life: Why Our Brain Needs Friends
Presenter: Ana Hernandez, MS RD LD
This session draws from 85 years of Harvard research and neuroscience to explore one of the most underestimated pillars of health: human connection. We know food, movement, and sleep matter and the science now tells us that belonging, friendship, and community belong in that same conversation. In the spirit of the Camino, we’ll walk that path together and you may leave seeing your relationships as one of the most powerful health choices you can make.
DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES BY CLICKING HERE
VIDEO RECORDING COMING SOON
SESSION 3 - Strong Enough for the Road: Movement, Resilience, & Joy of the Next Step
Presenter: Jackie Pacheco, MPH
A refreshing and uplifting session designed to help you reconnect with your body, recharge your spirit, and move forward with confidence. Through regular movement, practical resilience strategies, and moments of joy, participants will explore how to navigate life’s transitions with strength, intention, and hope. This experience invites you to pause, breathe, and step into what’s next—feeling grounded, capable, and supported.
DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES BY CLICKING HERE
Walking Challenge Details – Lace up your walking shoes, as we take our own Camino in this summer walking challenge!
Challenge Dates: June 1-June 30 – Computer platform and app can be used in challenge
Open to all retirees
Activity converter
Sign up today at: https://nmrhca.thrives.app/
Walking Challenge Resources
Albuquerque Strong Enough for the Road Movement, Reslience, and the Joy of the Next Step Resource
Las Cruces Strong Enough for the Road Movement, Reslience, and the Joy of the Next Step Resource
Santa Fe Strong Enough for the Road Movement, Reslience, and the Joy of the Next Step Resource
Virtual Strong Enough for the Road Movement, Reslience, and the Joy of the Next Step Resource
Steps Not Syncing Troubleshooting Guide
Come on out and meet at these trail heads for guided walking and social connection.
| Backpacking Through Europe Walking Challenge Resources | ||||
| Albuquerque: 30 Minute Guided Walks | ||||
| Date | Time | Location | Address | Additional Walking Resources |
| June 2 | 10:00 a.m. |
ABQ Rail Trail (Sawmill Market- Sculptural Arches) |
1834-1822 Bellamah Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 | Prescription Trails: https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/parks/prescription-trails |
| June 9 | 11:00 a.m. | Mariposa Basin Park (Basketball Courts) | 4900 Kachina St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 | ABQ Senior Center’s Hiking Groups: https://aschg.org |
| June 16 | 11:00 a.m. | Paseo del Bosque Trail (Alameda Trailhead) | Paseo del Bosque Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87114 | Albuquerque Leisure Walking and Social Activities: https://www.meetup.com/albuquerque-leisure-walking-and-social-activitys/ |
| June 23 | 9:00 a.m. | Academy Hills Park (Soccer Fields) | 9709 Layton Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 | |
| Santa Fe: 30 Minute Guided Walks | ||||
| Date | Time | Location | Address | Additional Walking Resources |
| June 4 | 9:30 a.m. | Ragle Park (Field 1) | 2530 W Zia Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505 | Prescription Trails: https://santafenm.gov/public-works/parks-and-open-space/parks-open-space-locator/prescription-trails-1 |
| June 11 | 9:30 a.m. | Swan Park (Basketball Courts) | 7350 Plaza Central, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Vamonos Santa Fe: https://sfct.org/vamonos/ |
| June 18 | 9:30 a.m. | Alto Park (Tennis Courts) | 1121 Alto St, Santa Fe, NM 87501 | |
| June 25 | 9:30 a.m. | Rail Trail (Rabbit Rd Trailhead) | 249-251 Rabbit Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87508 | |
| Las Cruces Resources | ||||
| Prescription Trails: https://prescriptiontrails.org | ||||
| Las Cruces Walk and Talk Social Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/las-cruces-walk-and-talk-social-meetup-group/ | ||||
| Las Cruces Short Hikes: https://www.meetup.com/las-cruces-short-hikes/ | ||||
| Resources for all Retirees | ||||
| All Trails: https://www.alltrails.com | ||||
| Prescription Trails: https://prescriptiontrails.org | ||||
SESSION 4 - Listening to the Quiet Voice: Finding Meaning in your Own Pilgrimage
Presenter: Jess Biggs, MS
In the noise and pace of everyday life, we often lose touch with the quiet inner voice that carries our deepest values, truest needs, and most honest sense of direction. Drawing on the spirit of the Camino de Santiago — where pilgrims discover that the most profound insights rarely come at the destination but somewhere quiet along the way — this talk explores why that voice goes unheard and how to begin listening again. Through simple, accessible practices you can carry into your daily life, you will be invited to see your own life as a pilgrimage worth paying attention to, one intentional step at a time.
DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES BY CLICKING HERE
VIDEO RECORDING COMING SOON
DETAILED SCHEDULE
9:00 AM: Opening
9:05-9:35 AM: Why We Walk: Lessons from the Road to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
9:35-9:45 AM: Break/Door Prizes/Visit tables
9:45-10:15 AM: Walking the Good Life: Why Our Brain Needs Friends
10:15-10:30 AM: Break/Door Prizes/Visit tables
10:30-11:00 AM: Strong Enough for the Road: Movement, Resilience, & Joy of the Next Step
11:00-11:15 AM: Break/Door Prizes/Visit tables
11:15-11:45 AM: Listening to the Quiet Voice: Finding Meaning in Your Own Pilgrimage
11:45-1:00 Wrap up, Lunch/Door Prizes/Visit tables
NOTE: Virtual session will not include lunch or breaks, and therefore the schedule is consolidated to run from 9 AM to 11 AM.