Why?

My granddaughter is asking why her papa is going on this long walk. It’s a fair question. My fascination started with my friend from ORU. He hiked the Portuguese Camino after he retired a couple of years ago. Then my son-in-law’s father hiked the French Way and talked about his experience followed by another friend on a trip to Iceland hearing hearing my interest gave me a book to read called Shadow of a Pilgrim by Thomas Connell. Finally when I retired from Atherton, they gave me the gift of a trip on the Camino, so it seemed like the stars had aligned and the dye was cast. These conversations and circumstances gave life to this adventure. Like so many before me, the Camino is both a challenge, an adventure, and a spiritual pilgrimage. I am going on a journey to listen: to myself, to others, and to the Lord. Who knows what I will hear, but at this transition point in my life it seems like such an adventure is timely. There is part of me that hopes to learn something about the simple act of walking like a sojourner of old. I hope to write on the blog each day sharing what I see and hear, how many steps I have taken, what the weather is like, where I am staying and what I am eating. I expect to meet new friends from around the world, feel the aches and pains of a long walk, and see the beauty and wonder of the northern Spanish countryside. I am both excited and nervous. Final packing begins tomorrow and I fly out on Monday around noon.

Buen Camino