Adventure – Page 2 of 3 – We're all, juspassinthrough...

Resistance

For a while now, certainly for the last week, I’ve been in a pretty deep funk, maybe even a little depressed. There’s a lot of negative things happening on many levels. The sense of isolation brought on by CV-19 is a shared pain, the health issues with my father is a very personal bit of confinement. And then, there’s everything in between.

Early on, way back in 2017, as I climbed over the Pyrenees on a blustery Day 1 of my first Camino, I became very aware of how damaging negativity can be. I think we all sort of know that but, we don’t always take control of it, resist it. So, after being pulled back down towards that pit, I am now actively resisting it once again.

To that end, I found a YouTube show called Travels by Narrow Boat, I’ve just finished Season One (there are several seasons, who could have imagined). The show is about a guy who was burned out on life, divorced and maybe a little middle-aged crazy who cashes out and buys a narrow boat on the canals of England.

As with many YouTube shows, it’s not always well done (single camera), there’s no script or plan. It gets better with time or, I got used to it, I don’t know which it is, maybe both.

Kevin Shelley is the Country House Gent (CHG) who produces, writes (?), directs and stars in the show. Season One took him out of his van as he navigates first the purchase of and then his maiden voyage on the Aslan.

From there the show, 10 episodes I believe, takes him through what at first is the monotonous chugging of the 2-cylinder diesel engine as he cruises aimlessly thorough central England and apparently a million locks.

It took me until the third episode to catch on to the simplicity and when I realized the monotony was not that but it was a relief, a calm, where even the constant and ever present chugging of the diesel engine becomes very meditative like the mantra of his journey.

I then realized that it was very much like the Camino for a Pilgrim. It was an adjustment, a shock to the system and a slowing of pace. Once he’d slowed down, suddenly things that once seemed important were not and pedestrian things like ducks, not knowing what day it was and working the locks became normal and valuable. People became more important and things less so. While the boat is larger than a backpack, his existence in that moment is basic and simple. Kevin discovers mindfulness.

In the final show, the CHG and the Aslan arrive in Chester, near Liverpool. As he travels on that last day, he realizes the joy of arrival, even as he’s been there before but he never saw it from this vantage point. Like walking across Spain where you saw everything in normal time and at eye level, he sees Chester very differently. He also sees his life very differently as well.

Kevin also laments the end of his journey but, as many of us have discovered, sometimes the end of a journey is just in fact, the beginning of the next. Please refer to my post, Vanishing Point. Obviously, he has more journeys as there are several seasons now but, it’s interesting to hear him reflect on the changes he’s experienced and how his journey has colored his view of the world. Most Pilgrims I believe can relate very well to his change and growth.

Oddly, the program has restored some calm in my life. I enjoyed watching the scenery and appreciating his discovery of this new point of view. I also had to laugh that he always seemed to be in the same clothes. On my 2017 Camino, I took 3 t-shirts, but it seems that in most of the pictures that I’m in, I always appear in the same one. I changed shirts everyday but you could not tell by the pictures. Same with the CHG.

The worlds gone mad and we’re all in time-out wearing masks. You’ve got time and if you’re patient, you may enjoy Travels by Narrow Boat too. Or, you may think its total rubbish and wonder why in hell anyone would bother to watch. You’ll never know until you give it a try.

“T’was blind but now I see”

In my last post, I commented upon how a book that I’d recently read had impacted me and made things more clear regarding happiness, my happiness specifically and how I now had a better understanding of what made me happy.

In The Happiness of Pursuit, the author had suggested making a list of goals, quests or journeys that were important to each of us. My list is in the previous post but there was one that troubled me.

I’d included in my list that I’d like to perform a random act of kindness everyday for a year. As I lay awake early one morning I began to think about this quest. I began to question whether I could achieve that goal or, was I setting myself up to fail.

My concern was not whether I was good enough or motivated enough to perform these acts but, would they be worthy enough acts to qualify. Was honestly greeting someone and wishing them well enough?

I guess I thought that these acts needed to be extraordinary or noteworthy to qualify, something memorable. I was doubting that I could come up with this type of gesture on a daily basis. At the same time, I was concerned that I would count trivial gestures in the absence of a great ones.

Fortunately, a friend helped me see the error in my thought process. While I was thinking grand, she distilled it down to the manageable by reminding me that if it came from the heart and was genuine, the scale was not important. The answers to my questions, were there before me, in plain sight, not seen by a man looking in the wrong place.

I don’t know if learned a new lesson today but if not, I was reminded of one that my Grandma Jones taught me a long time ago. You don’t have to look far from home to find happiness.

Vanishing Point

One definition of the vanishing point is ‘the point at which receding parallel lines viewed in perspective appear to converge‘. Actually, it’s only an illusion whether on paper or a lonely road in West Texas, in fact, the road continues on.

For some time now, I’ve been trying to figure out what my 2017 Camino meant, if it had any meaning at all or, was it just one step in my personal journey that is now waiting for the next step to be placed in front of the last one.

I’ve read other people’s accounts, I’ve spent many hours contemplating this question, I’ve talked with friends and family and still, no breakthrough. While in Minneapolis several weeks ago, my oldest friend, Bill, asked me if the meaning of the talisman, my bandana that I’d left at Finisterre, had become more clear. I told him that it hadn’t and he reminded me that he told me 2 years ago that the meaning may never become clear. He encouraged me to continue to work on it and that it may be a long and possibly disappointing quest.

A couple weeks ago, this same old friend recommended a book to me. He thought that with all my wanderings which included the physical, emotional and spiritual realms that maybe this book would speak to some of the questions that I was searching for answers to. The book is The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau.

The entire book is about people like me who have discovered or are searching for what makes them happy. We’re all familiar with the expression ‘the pursuit of happiness’. Most of us will also admit that this pursuit is often elusive. What the author points out though and it’s in the title, what if happiness is in fact in the pursuit? For me, this struck home immediately, I understood exactly what he was trying to convey.

At the end of my Camino, as I sat overlooking the ocean at Finisterre, a place where many have sat, thinking, contemplating and meditating, I felt a profound sense of emptiness. I thought that I’d feel complete or content and I did but in other ways, I also felt hollow.

My hollowness was not a disappointment, I felt very content with my travels across Spain, the adventure, experience, mental rest and the people I’d met including a German woman sitting 50 feet away who is now a close friend. The Camino is a strange place.

All of my questions, searches, aborted attempts at putting the jumble of thoughts going through my head into words now started to become more clear as I read this book. I began to realize that my happiness was in the journey, the destination or completion was just a logical place to begin the next adventure or quest as Guillebeau calls it.

The hollowness was not a negative about what I’d done but a realization that like the vast Atlantic Ocean which was laid out in front of me at the End of the World, the hollowness was just a realization that I’d finished one quest and I needed to find another.

Another thing that’s become clear is that journeys, quests or goals come in all forms. I love planning, most of my friends certainly know this. The planning is part of my quest or the quest du jour. Learning about a place, thing or person is part of my journey. Going, doing and experiencing is yet another part. Finishing is another but it’s an illusion, like the vanishing point it’s not the end but in fact, a continuation to the next episode of my life.

Guillebeau suggests making a list of things you’d like to do, a bucket list of sorts. This list can be large quests or small. Simple or complex. Expensive or cheap, even free. My list (below) consists of the first things that came to mind, some simple some more involved, all interesting to me for some reason. And, this list is by no means all inclusive it is, only the beginning down a long road.

Putting this together, contemplating how I will accomplish these brings a smile to my face. The happiness of pursuit!

Fast for 24 hours.
No alcohol for a month.
Perform a random act of kindness every day for a year.
Visit all of the countries of the world that begin with ‘S’.
Write a book about travel as we age.
Improve my Spanish language skills to a conversational level.
Walk the CF one more time, slowly.
Lose 25 lbs.

What is the Camino?

What is the Camino? This question for a Pilgrim is very much like the age old question, what is the meaning of life?

For either question, is there a correct answer? If there is, is it one answer or is it different for each person? I don’t know the answer to either but, I continue to ponder them both.

The Camino to me, a casual meeting of a woman from Turkey, two cousins from Mexico, a German and an American…smiling in Trobadello.

Why you may ask is this on my mind? Very good question. Friday, I met a Pilgrim named Mike from Australia. Mike was traveling with a group on a luxury two week Camino trip that cost $16k excluding air (he told me this).

Mike and I met while I was having a outrageously overpriced Martini at the Parador in Santiago, so based on the circumstances, maybe I deserved what I got.

While Mike was complaining about his luxury Camino, I began to think about what the Camino was. What I ended up with was what the Camino is not, at least for me.

After Mike told me that he always wanted to do the Camino, a luxury Camino (his words), I instantly knew that we had very different ideas of what “wanting” to do the Camino meant. He sat there in his expensive travel wear and I sat in my best clean clothes, happy that they were clean for a change.

Mike said to me, look at the old geezers, I have nothing in common with them, I wonder why I’m here. As I thought about my friends whom I desperately missed scattered across Spain, I wondered the same thing, why was he here?

Mike told me about their accommodations and how they were okay but for the price, they should be better, they were staying in the Parador in Santiago. I didn’t tell him that we slept in bunk beds, shared 2 or 3 showers and thought that having a blanket was pretty special.

Mike and his group were being picked up by a luxury coach to be taken to a special dinner with a wine pairing arranged by his tour company. While I was not having a Pilgrims dinner tonight, I smiled as I thought about all of them that I’d shared with my friends and Camino family, our wine pairing was easy, vino tinto.

Finally, Mike asked me if I enjoyed the Camino and if I got anything out of it. As I started to answer, he cut me off and said he didn’t really get it. I could only smile.

They departed as they arrived, enmasse. As they boarded their prearranged luxury coach, I felt a bit sorry for them all.

We each walk our own way. For me, the sore knees were worth it. For Mike, they we were a terrible problem. For me, the uphill (where I got a new nickname) and the excruciating downhills meant I was closer to meeting my friends, old and new and sharing the best beer I’ve ever had in the world…today, with anyone interested in joining me.

For me, the thought boarding my flight to Madrid and the the USA the next day was heart wrenching. Leaving this place and these people is like physically and emotionally removing a part of me. For Mike, apparently his Business Class seat back to Australia was all he was concerned about.

I’m sure Mike is a nice guy and I’m not judging him, we each walk our own Way. I’m not writing about Mike, the world is full of Mike’s. But I can’t help but wonder why he (and others) choose the Camino but only engage it at arms length. I’m sure their tour company managed to get them their Compostella and I hope they enjoy telling their friends how they walked the Camino de Santiago.

So, I don’t know what the Camino is but, I have a very good idea what it is not.

Buen Camino Mike, I hope you found what you were looking for. Sadly, I fear that you did.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Today, you really had to want to be a Pilgrim or maybe, you just needed to be one.

While it was a short day compared to the others, it was one which tested the soul and character of each individual.

My friend Grace and I left Sigüiero around 7:30, a short 16k day, no reason to blow out too early. As we left, a gentle rain was falling with the promise of more and old Santiago did not disappoint me.

With few Bars to tempt anyone ml Pilgrim as you leave town, we trudged on without or morning café con leche through the building rain. Past a still shuddered Aqualada and into a forest which seemed medieval in the mist, fog and rain.

As we walked, the forest path seemed to absorb the sound of our steps and those of a long line of wet and cold Pilgrims.

Walking now for almost 3 hours in a persistent rain and on an empty stomach, a break, any break would be welcome. Ahead, a yellow arrow, a flècha amarilla showed the way to a hotel with a cafeteria, any port in the driving rain was a welcome stop.

Café con leche, heat and a little conversation brightened my mood, my friend Grace too who was so wet she said she looked like a wet poodle.

As we left, sello secured, the rain had intensified and the wind had become steady, it was a full on storm. At one point, we were leaning into the wind driven rain, poncho flapping behind me, my hat secured by my left hand.

For the first time, I was cold. My exposed sleeves were soaked and my hands felt numb as I tried to grip my poles, only 5 more kilometers to go. My traveling companion Grace was as miserable as I was.

Limping on a sore knee, shivering from the damp cold could not deter me, passing the Convent of San Francisco, I knew the Praza do Obridorio was straight ahead.

Next the Parador and then, the Pilgrims center of the Universe, the Cathedral. Last time I saw it in 2017, the exterior was sheathed in scaffolding and blue tarps. Now, the full glory has been restored.

Grace and I savored the moment and The escaped to the bar at the Parador where she was staying, a fitting end to both our second Camino’s.

Not as climactic as the first, the moment still felt good and genuine. I am a very lucky man.

Into each life, a little rain must fall

The rain and mist, my traveling companion for the day was waiting for me when I stepped out of the Pension Luis at 0630, searching again for the poorly marked road to Santiago.

Leaving Pontedeume, I looked forward to an early morning Camino wake me up. Except, it’s a 40 minute OMG when does it end wake me up. I had Pyrenees flashbacks but I knew, rationally, that it wasn’t that hard but only because it won’t last for 9 hours. Reason is an interesting concept.

Up and up, through the persistent mist I climbed. The promised great views, obscured by the low clouds. Just keep climbing, there’s always another hill and, there was.

Four Km later, the English Way finally leveled out and the wet asphalt gave way to a forest path and the comforting crunch of the gravel beneath my boots, both comforting and hypnotic.

Even in the mist and light rain, my travel was good. The forested path, hidden by eucalyptus and oaks was lined with ferns, blackberries and wildflowers. All was quiet except for the far off him of the N-651. Again today, after two hours of walking I’d yet to see a Pilgrim since I left the city.

After being deposited on the 11th Hole of a golf course, the Camino finally crosses the now busy highway. It was interesting that Santiago had left a cooler of refreshing bottled water for the thirsty Pilgrims but of course Santiago needs to make a buck too, the offering only cost 1€.

Leaving the course area, the climbing returns as did a bit heavier rain. With water dripping from the brim of my hat, I climbed a rain slick rock incline. At one point I took a long step up with my right leg and pushed hard. As I began to counter that step with my left leg, my right foot lost it’s hold and shot with great force downward stopping of course at full extension…maybe more. Ouch!

A stream of simple and compound expletives flowed out of my mouth for no one but me to hear. Even with the pain I continued up but I knew something wasn’t right, just keep going I told myself.

On the flats, not too bad. Up the hills I could drag my leaden legs without too much pain. But, going down, sharp pain on the outside of my knee radiating down and out with each step.

Limping into Miño, I realized that I was fatigued, I’d not eaten yet and my hunger was masked by the pain and, hungry I was.

Still early on this Monday, not much was open I did however find a café con leche and a tosta con jamon. As I sat, my knee stiffened up and standing took some effort.

The Way into Betanzos included another descent, a steady climb and a sharp descent back to sea level and into the town.

I guess it was luck, I’m in a two star hotel, the Garelos (60€) the most expensive of my accommodations but, I was happy to see it.

After a rest and a shower which included doing my laundry (a Pilgrims life is glamorous) I decided to explore and test my knee, rest seemed to help.

I wrote earlier about being mindful and living in the moment, I wanted to do that because the thought had entered my mind that my Camino days may be numbered and I wanted to enjoy this moment.

They say that every way is uphill in Betanzos, it is, however that means at some point, every way then becomes downhill. In my exploration I proved both to be correct.

I visited the iglesia S Maria, S Francisco and of course, my nemesis, Santiago. All three from the XIV and XV centuries, big, dark, and showing nothing of the architectural revolution happening in France and Italy at the same time.

Limping back to my hotel, I had to have some Pulpo. I found a nice Tapas Bar and enjoyed a deliciously simple pulpo con papas in olive oil, salt and some spicy paprika, marveloso!

I also hit the Farmacia for some Voltadol, a cream containing ibuprofen, it helps.

Between the persistent rain and proximity to the sea, nothing drys so I had to put my clothes through a drying cycle. I told you that a Pilgrims life is glamorous, right?

Chores done, and knee at least not screaming, I went out to have a wine and write in my journal. As a side note, several months ago I decided to re-teach myself cursive writing, at this point, Mrs. Mangum would be very disappointed.

Writing done and cooling off, I needed dinner. I found another Tapas Bar, ONZE. The second best meal I’ve had in Spain. I had a tosta with tuna, guacamole, tomato and arugula drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Damn that was good. My second plate was a half raccion of sautéed squid served with fries, another hit. All of course washed down with a Mencía from just south of here.

Tough decisions to make tomorrow, walk? Don’t? How far? If I rest the knee will it recover enough for walking from León with friends?

I need to make that call in the morning as there are few resources between Betanzos and Bruma.

Ups and Downs

Sunday, I left my Hostel at 0615, it wasn’t hot, it’s just that I’d been awake since 0230 and it was light enough to see.

Walking out of Ferrol seems easy but in the city proper it’s very poorly marked and in the semi-light, it’s even more difficult. Once you get near the water, just keep it on the right as you walk around the ria de el Ferrol towards Neda. Anyone who’s done any Camino knows entering and leaving larger cities sucks, you won’t be disappointed, this one does too. At about 3.2k/2 miles, concrete gives was to a natural path and in the early morning quiet, the sound of the crunching with each step was divine. My apologies to the runner who came up behind me and almost got a mouthful of trekking poles.

Early departures are tough, no café con leche, Sunday’s are worse, no Bars open until 1000 at the earliest. I stopped at the iglesia S. Martin de Xubia for a snack (I planned ahead) and was adopted by a Camino cat or, at least she insisted on me petting her and sharing my snack.

Neda was still shutdown, I finally found a Bar in Fene but no food. The owner brought me a café and a zumo de Naranja which hit the spot. A moment later, a plate of bread and olive oil appeared to my great joy. Once I finished, she told me to come, Ven, Ven. She took me to the back to show me a great view across the river back to where I’d started in Ferrol. Big smiles. I asked for my check and she charged me for the café and would not take anymore. Tips in Spain are rare and small, not today. She wished me Buen Camino (in Gallego) and off I went.

To this point, I had not seen another Pilgrim and I would not for another 4k, what I did see were hills, from sea level, the climb was up 205m, almost 700ft, and climb I did. Fortunately now on natural paths.

Arriving in Villar do Colo, I finally ran in to 2 Pilgrims from France, together but one walked and another rode. We crossed paths most of the way to Pontedeume. Unlike the Francés, you don’t run into the same people on a regular basis.

At the peak, the downhill began, back to sea level, some gentle most steep to painfully steep, it took a toll on my right knee as I limped across the bridge into Pontedeume, happy to arrive (6.5 hours) at Pension Luis (15€). My room was tiny but clean and it had its own bathroom.

Shower, quick rest involving ibuprofen and then off to explore and do laundry. Pontedeume is small with little to see, especially on a Sunday. Families were out and the Bars open but only until 1700/5:00 PM.

Dinner of Filete y Papas, a couple glasses of good and inexpensive red wine and I was done, down for the count.

A good day filled with beauty, solitude and quiet. I hope tomorrow brings the same.

Your Camino Can Begin Anywhere

This past weekend, I went back to Colorado Bend State Park to meet a Camino friend, Chris Mark and her students from Texas A & M University.

Chris is taking these students to walk the French route of the Camino de Santiago which is where I met her and her husband Steve on our first Camino in 2017. This will be Chris’s third Camino; her previous Camino experiences created a desire to share here experiences with her students.

Colorado Bend is a rugged and beautiful gem hidden in the middle of the Texas Hill Country. 30 minutes outside of Lampasas, Texas, it’s an opportunity to get off the grid for a while and see what Texas looked like before millions of people lived here.

Our headquarters was the Best Western in Lampasas, the only hotel anywhere near the park and, it became her classroom for the weekend. Besides the Professors (Chris & Steve), Leighton, Renee, Ann, Madison and I were along because we love the adventure but also to share some of our experience on the Camino.

Class started Friday afternoon with an ice breaker (very hard). They were also introduced to their new Pacer trekking poles and, they had presentations on topics such as labor laws in Spain (EU) versus the US, architecture on the Camino and Catholicism for non-Catholics.

Early Saturday, we headed to the park with rain threatening but, as I pointed out, it rains on the Camino too. As we drove out of Lampasas, the rain began to fall, small drops at first and then, steadier.

At the park, we made the decision to go and we started on the Slide Trail, a new trail for all of us. About 20 minutes in, with lightening slashing around us we decided that we should abort and seek shelter in our cars until the storm passed.

Instead of the cars, everyone took shelter in the park toilet which became quite a joke but, through it all, there was laughter and a lot of smiles all around. To make room, I did head to my car just in time for the hail to begin. This is now 3 times that I’ve been there that the weather has been our nemesis.

In 2017, Saturday was nice but, Sunday was flooded out…literally. In 2018, we arrived on Friday when it was 96F/36C. The next morning it was 38/4 with a cold wind. We did walk but it was cold. And now, 2019, heavy rain and hail. The Colorado Bend Pilgrims curse, I guess.

The rain finally passed, and we set off again, retracing our steps from earlier that morning through the mud and rain filled puddles. Besides the sloshing, all I heard was the sound of laughter and excited voices.

We walked to the overlook at the end of the Slides Trail where we could see Gorman Falls, far down river to the southeast, our next stop. By now and as it is on the Camino, we’d separated into 2 groups, one faster and the other a bit slower. There is no correct speed, and no one should feel pressure to walk at a pace they’re not comfortable with on either the Camino or in the Park.

As the 2^nd group arrived, the first group headed towards the Falls, to me one of the most beautiful sites at the park. To get to the base of the falls, a difficult and slippery descent is required. It’s difficult when it’s dry, it’s a bit intimidating in muddy boots.

I’m happy to report that everyone made it down (and back up), I think they enjoyed the site and the sense of accomplishment of doing something a bit out of their comfort level, I think it was a good learning experience and, Madison made them laugh most of the way up and down.

We’d planned to do the Gorman Springs Trail and the Tinaja Trail but with the lost time, we decided to only do the Springs, my favorite trail that I’ve done so far.

We got off to a good start up the box canyon and there was a minimum of mishaps. A couple of mis-steps into the creek, Madison going all the way in and, we had one collision with a low hanging branch.

For most of these young women, they’d probably never hiked central Texas or for that matter, anywhere else. I believe they enjoyed themselves, I know I did, and I would do it again tomorrow.

Walking out of the canyon the gurgling creek is very Zen for me. I could tune out the chatter and laughter and really enjoy my few minutes in nature.

Now rejoined, both groups began the 1.75-mile uphill hike back to the parking area, I’d saved the best for last. I told them that this is like the last 3km to the albergue. They all took it in stride. Yes, most were tired. And, some a little cranky but, they all made it and after a stop at Sonic, I believe all was forgotten/forgiven.

Back at the hotel, we all had a little down time before dinner and the evenings presentations. Some napped others studied, I just hung out and tried not to sit still too long or I’d stiffen up like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.

Our evening session began with some business presentations as well as more group presentations on assigned topics.

Chris had asked me to speak on Camino Etiquette which I did broadly, I’m lucky she gives me enough slack to hang myself. I thoroughly enjoyed my Camino and, speaking on that subject is a real pleasure.

The end of the evening included the Shell Ceremony. Madison had arranged for a Priest in College Station to bless scallop shells for the soon to be Pilgrims. These shells, the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, along with their Credential, the passport of the Camino were handed out to each student. The veterans wished each student Buen Camino. A very nice ceremony.

What each of these students, Pilgrims should know is that no matter what we told them, when they take their first step down the cobbled streets of Saint Jean with the Pyrenees looming in front of them, none of this matters because, they will have started their Camino which will be similar in some ways but, very different and very individual.

I will meet up with them again in Spain in Villar de Mazarife which is just west of León. They will have been on the Camino for 3 weeks by then and I look forward to hearing their stories and to see if the reality matched the expectation.

As with our other trips to Colorado Bend, Sunday was a wash out. So, we all dispersed with the winds heading back to Dallas, Houston or College Station. To Chris, well done! Thank you, Steve, for all you did. Thanks to the students for allowing me to participate in their adventure. And finally, thanks to my friends who joined in on this most excellent adventure.

It’s Like Riding a Bike

I’m finding that preparing for Camino II is like riding a bike. You’ve
already done it, you know that you can do it, so, just get on and start to
peddle. Camino II or, for that matter, any training regime is much simpler the second time around, even if I am a few years older.

My personal schedule has been severely disrupted over the last several
months so, having a bit of my routine back has been a great pleasure. Getting back to the gym for general fitness and getting back to our monthly walks now just feels right. Back and forth on the Katy Trail (KT) is a pleasure even if it’s a bit boring.

While I questioned the fit of my new boots, my Keens from Camino I would not make another trip, even on of 1/3 the length of the Camino Francés, so I
finally decided that I needed to begin breaking in my new boots, also Keens.
They actually feel fine and I look forward to actually getting them dirty, soon, I hope.

While the basics of Camino II are set, I was disappointed that I had to
adapt my schedule but, I’ve come to accept that it is Fate and, I’m not in
control. So, here’s what I know:

May 31^st, depart for Madrid.

June 1^st, arrive in Madrid and scramble to Ferrol via Santiago.

June 2^nd, begin the Camino Inglés.

June 6^th, arrive in Santiago.

From there, I must make a decision, all of them sound good but I need to
decide which road I’ll travel. My friend Katja, the Camino Beast, tells me that there’s no hurry and I will decide when I decide. While that’s true, one choice does require some advanced planning.

One choice is to train to León and meet Leo and Chris to walk to Astorga
where Leighton, Renee and Katja will join us.

Another choice would be to fly from Santiago to Madrid and meet L, R & K
and then train up to Astorga to meet Chris.

Another choice and, one that I find appealing is to start walking east,
which for a Pilgrim is very strange. The sun in your face instead of on your back. I think I could possibly make it to Sarria where I could catch a train
to Astorga. Long days but, why not. Something to seriously consider.

Whatever the choice, we will all walk from Astorga to Sarria, some of the
most beautiful country side as you leave the Meseta and begin climbing into the hills of Galicia.

From Sarria, we will all split up. I’ll head to Santiago where I’ll begin my journey home. Chris and her crew will continue to Santiago and then Finisterre/Muxía. Leighton, Renee and Leo may train to Ferrol to do the Inglés and then to Finisterre. Katja, well, who knows which way the wind
will blow my friend. Maybe west to Santiago, maybe north and east to more of the Primativo, possibly to Portugal. She’ll know when she needs to know.

Personally, the randomness is growing on me.

We Vagabonds have no where to go, everything to see but nothing to show, We trod the road in the bright summer sun, the cool of spring or a deep winters snow, Our needs are simple and always benign, taking but little with no baggage in tow.

Lost in Space

I had a wonderful weekend with my family at my brothers ranch in Bosque County, Texas. For those who’ve read my blog for a while, this is the same location that we used as our warm up and final training walk last year before we left for our Camino.

I had an email that I picked up after my walk yesterday morning from my first Camino friend, Leo. He told me that when he first read my response he saw “walking the the Basque Country” instead of “walking in Bosque County”, I had to admire his wishful thinking. Leo, I too am glad you had your Texas hat on in the Pilgrims Office in SJPP.

Walking the quiet dirt roads before sunrise was incredible, the crunching of the senda beneath my boots was both therapeutic and calming, if you have not experienced this soothing sound, you should.

The air was cool but as a native, you could feel the coming heat, it was just there, waiting for the sun to rise to begin building to the normal early September oven and, it did not disappoint. But until then, it was wonderful.

I only walked 5.8 miles, about 9.5 K as I had to pick my daughter and son-in-law up at the Clifton International Airport (greatly over-exaggerated) and as most things here in Texas, it’s a ways, away. The upside was no knee pain and I finished wishing I had more time.

My walk reinforced my previous thoughts about living in the Now. While I was there, I had few future or past thoughts to distract me and my mind was very calm. But, keeping it real, I did think about the Pit Bull I ran into the day before and, the idea of that meeting, again and in the dark did linger. I banished the thought by taking a different road, there are plenty to choose from. Problem solved!

Get out and do something, go for a walk, long or short. Your body and mind will thank you for it.