Two years ago as I neared the end of my Camino journey, I felt a mix of relief and sadness. I'd carried the dream of walking that pilgrim path for 12 years. When I accomplished that goal, there would be an absence in my life, a dream that had been realized. I'd also be relieved … Continue reading To Realize a Dream: Arrival in Santiago
Camino
Camino Remembered: Vigo to Pontevedra
Two years ago, I was well into my journey walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino. I look back at the Blessing for Departing Pilgrims that I received from my support group back in North Carolina -- American Pilgrims on the Camino, Raleigh Chapter. "May you find companionship on the way and guidance at the crossroads." On … Continue reading Camino Remembered: Vigo to Pontevedra
Walking the Camino: A Transformative Journey
On August 10, 2024, I stepped onto the Camino path north of Porto, I was glad that 8-mile day would be along the Atlantic with dazzling views of the water. At first it was surreal that I was actually walking the Camino -- something I'd had in my heart to do since 2012. For months … Continue reading Walking the Camino: A Transformative Journey
Exploring Porto: My Pre-Camino Adventure
Two years ago, I set out to walk the Portuguese Coastal Path of the Camino de Santiago. I landed in Porto on Tuesday August 6th to acclimate myself before stepping onto the path on Saturday morning. Now I look at the artifacts from that journey, the cards and presents of encouragement, the log of my … Continue reading Exploring Porto: My Pre-Camino Adventure
Camino Journey: The Gifts of Being Present
Lately, I've been remembering back to one day of my solo journey in August of 2024 on the Camino. I started that trip in Porto, Portugal and covered 158 miles in 14 days in order to reach the Cathedral in Santiago, Spain. On my third day, with the goal of walking 16-miles of that Portuguese … Continue reading Camino Journey: The Gifts of Being Present
Walking a Path of Faith
This Sunday will mark the second in the season of Advent and the Faith candle will be lit. For me, the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph on their sojourn to Bethlehem, is mostly a story of faith. The practical reason for this trip was to pay taxes. But the overarching story is to fulfill … Continue reading Walking a Path of Faith
Camino Journey: Opening the Door
It was a year ago when I completed my journey on the Portuguese Coastal Path of the Camino. In reliving those fourteen days, I've looked back at my pictures, journal entries, and printed pages of maps and directions. Throughout my travel in Portugal and Spain, like on other trips, I was fascinated by doors and … Continue reading Camino Journey: Opening the Door
Camino Journey: Kairos Time
A year ago, I was in Porto, Portugal in the days before I'd step onto the Portuguese Coastal Path of the Camino. I'd had the dream of walking the Camino for twelve years, since I'd seen the movie The Way. That desire had been pushed down and other journeys had filled my life until it … Continue reading Camino Journey: Kairos Time
Camino Journey: The Friends We Carry
Lately, I've found myself reminiscing about my Camino journey last August, 2024 and scrolling through the many photos on my phone. Those fourteen days of walking were so full of new sights and the steady demand of covering miles each day to reach my lodging. I'm thankful that I wrote notes every night about the … Continue reading Camino Journey: The Friends We Carry
The Joys of Getting Lost
I often lose my way on my Solo Journeys. Sometimes it's been due to problems with technology while traveling. Last August when I walked the Portuguese Coastal Path of the Camino, I had problems with my apps. Two hours before I completed my 158 mile journey, I discovered that I'd failed to have my internet … Continue reading The Joys of Getting Lost