In my post of Jan 28, 2024: The Year of Finding Your Tribe, I described my goal of joining two tribes this year that would provide a broad network of people who shared my passions. The first was the Blues Tribe that I’d found through the Blue Note Grill in Durham. There, I’d made a home among fellow dancers and musicians, a community sharing a love of that genre of music. Yesterday, I joined the second tribe: The Raleigh Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino. I’ve wanted to walk the Camino that ends at the Cathedral of St James in Santiago, Spain for many years. Now, I’ve made my plan to do the 18-day route from Porto, Portugal to Santiago in August.

To prepare for that trip, I found a group of like-minded travelers in the American Pilgrims on the Camino. I’m fortunate there’s a chapter nearby–based in Raleigh. Every other month, the group has a meeting to provide information for those planning to go from those who’ve been. On the alternate months, the group sponsors a hike. Yesterday, it was to the New Hope Overlook at the Jordan Lake Dam–a 7-mile trek. I’ve lived in the area for years and never had any knowledge of that trail.

It was a chilly, breezy, cloudy Saturday morning and I arrived early. It was easy to identify our group at the trailhead. Welcoming all of us, including a good number of first-timers, was one of the Chapter coordinators, Bob Dermody. He was well-informed and well-organized from that initial gather-round meeting; what a resource and warm individual. Later in the morning, I walked beside him and found out he’s going to walk the Portuguese Coastal Camino path in April— the same one I’ll be walking in August.

Bob prepared the group for what to expect on the seven miles. I was glad he noted that soon after we started, we would have the most strenuous section that would be good prep for the Camino. It was uphill through a pine forest and I found myself winded and reminded of my recent asthma flare. I paced myself and walked alone since I didn’t have the extra breath to talk with anyone. It reminded me to be sure to pack my inhaler.

That section was followed by an easier, flat walk down the service roads. It was still nice just walking without talking with anyone–instead, listening in on all the conversations around me. There were tips on buying airline tickets, best types of hiking socks, differences in the routes to take into Santiago, how to handle injuries. We walked through a vast stretch of open land and could see the Jordan Lake dam in the distance. I loved the wide view and thought of how I would experience all kinds of amazing vistas when I walk that sea path in August.

We reached the mid-way point at the recreation center and took a break. How good it felt to sit in the grass, drink deeply from my water bottle, and eat my snack of peanut butter crackers. A woman named, Michelle sat down beside me. I learned she’d walked part of the same route I’ll be going on and was especially enthused about her time in Porto.

“You’ll love it,” she said, and described the rich history and beautiful architecture of that old city. “I could have spent a week there—eating in the cafe’s and crossing the bridge into the area of the vineyards–where the port is made.”

We talked about the language and how to prepare to hear the people speak–Spanish that is different from what’s spoken in other places. She recommended a language program to familiarize myself and practice some phrases. She’d used Google translates for interpreting menus. How nice it was for her to share so freely from her deep travel experiences and her knowledge of several languages. While I would be able to get by without learning to speak their Spanish, I would be able to connect better with folks there if I at least tried to learn their language: Isn’t that true everywhere? 🙂

During the return hike, I got into a nice conversation with the “sweep,” the member of the group who was at the back. His wife was up ahead of us and he referred to her as the “Queen of the Camino.”

“She’s very independent,” he said, and told me about trips she’d done solo.

“I can identify with her,” I told him, and then explained my pattern of doing solo journeys for many years.

We talked about traveling, grandkids, retirement and then I found out he had a desire to go to Scotland. I was able to share my experience of traveling to Skye—which was where he wanted to go. It was so nice to be able to offer him some helpful information— since I’d already benefitted from all the info I’d gotten in my three hours with the group.

At the end of my first hike, my first meeting with the Camino Tribe, I could say of them what I’d said of the Blues Tribe: “Altogether, it had been a welcoming group and felt like a home base.” How easy they were to meet for the first time. How grateful I was to discover them, a group that loved travel and had a heart for pilgrimage–specifically on that ancient Camino path.

I’m wishing you all the best as you find Your Tribe that will be a network of support and encouragement in your passions.

Buen Camino,

Connie

Photo Source: Raleigh Chapter American Pilgrims on the Camino