My Pilgrim Credential arrived today! Hooray! I ordered it some time ago and when I contacted the American Pilgrim Association, they admitted my application had fallen between the cracks. Guess it pays to follow up. Now it is in hand and soon to be in my pack. Found out my health insurance covers international travel so that was very good news as well. Picked up a Cash-pak of euros in small denominations so I have a little money when I land and don't have to use an ATM in the airport (typically much more expensive). Airline and train seats are finally confirmed. Things seem to be coming together rapidly.

Only two decisions left to make regarding gear: do I or don't I take a sleeping bag? It can get very cold toward the end of September in Galacia and the refugios often are not heated--do I risk it for the 32 ounces of saved weight? The other is whether to take goretex treated hiking shoes or not. If it is raining, gaitors and goretex can mean the difference between nasty blisters and not--but goretex doesn't breath well, especially if clogged with dust (which the Camino is also known for) and they are heavier. I am confident that all this will resolve itself soon.

The only other concern is Rick's (my husband) back. He has been experiencing back and hip pain since January and rather than improving, it seems to get a little better and then a lot worse. Please pray for healing. He is planning to join me in Santiago on October 2nd for the Pilgrim's Mass on the 3rd and we then plan to take 10 days to explore Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. As the dates draw closer, I am wondering if he will be able to make the trip. I may not know until the end of September. Open your fingers and let go........................what will be, will be.

Here is what I am taking:

Osprey Pack with Pilgrim Forum Patch
Hiking poles with rubber tips
Garmont Hiking Shoes
MH Sleeping bag
Silk sleeping bag liner
Ear plugs
Cotton Sarong
Small Belly pack for daily essentials such as snacks, camera, small amount of cash, etc.
Altus Poncho (covers pack and body)
Bandana
Prescription Sunglasses on a keeper
Short gaitors
MSR hydration pak - 2.5L
Wool Socks & liners - 3 pair
Chaco Sandals (to wear with hiking socks)
Cheap flip flops for the showers
Zip-off quick dry pants
Pair of quick dry capris or shorts
Two short sleeved poly-tees, quick dry performance
Long sleeved quick dry shirt-for sun protection and additional layer
Underwear - 2 sets
Lightweight fleece pants
Lightweight Fleece pullover
Sun/rain hat with wide brim
Tiny LED light on a neck cord (to keep handy for night and early morning use)
Camera & batteries, extra SD card
USB media transfer stick (to move pictures from camera to internet)
Whistle
Camino guide (with extra pages removed)
Kindle with BCP, Bible and other books, Spanish phrase book
US Passport
Pilgrim Credential
ATM & Credit Card
Waist pouch (worn under clothes for money, passport security)
Handiwipe
Lightweight soup/mug
Combo spork/plastic knife
Re-useable grocery bag (groceries, to/from showers, etc)
Cell phone & charger (will purchase a Spanish SIM amd Eurodirect card)
European adapter plug
Clothesline & 5 clothespins, 2 diaper pins
MSR quick dry towel
Deoderant-travel size
1/2 Bar of Liggett's Shampoo/conditioner
Toothbrush, paste, floss (all travel size)
Travel Brush, comb
Meds: pain, allergy
Nail clippers
Nail brush (for cleaning nails and boots!)
Toilet paper (center cardboard removed), matches
1/4 bar of Castile soap
Antibiotic cream
Blister Shield in a squirt bottle
Compeed and Bandaids
Sunscreen-travel size
Lip Balm

Total pack weight without water or food is approximately 15 pounds. Food and water will add approximately 3-4#. Since I carried 28-30# while long distance hiking on the AT, this feels soooooooooo much better!

In the beginning.....

The Way of St. James is a very old pilgrimage route. For over 1,000 years, millions of pilgrims have plodded along carrying their meager supplies on their backs as they made their way to Santiago where the bones of St. James the Apostle are said to be laid to rest in the Cathedral. There is no single route--many Europeans start right from their front doors--but the French Way (Camino Frances) is probably the best known and most followed pathway. It traditionally begins at St. Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees and follows a westward path through Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and many, many small towns as one makes his or her way to Santiago.


For those who take pilgrimage seriously, it is a time of physical testing but also spiritual testing. Not only do you have to get up each day, put on your boots, load up your pack and get going no matter what the weather or how you feel about it--but if your mind and heart are open, you will encounter the Risen Lord in events, people and places in unexpected and often life transforming ways. It is a dangerous thing to do if you want everything to remain just the same.


I have been thinking about walking the Way of St. James for over twelve years now. It seemed like a sign when I was called to serve St. James Episcopal Church in 2001. And now it finally is about to happen! I leave for Spain on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009! People keep asking me if I am going with a group. And when I say "no, I am going alone" they are astonished. And yet we never really travel alone do we? We are constantly in the presence of God who loves us more than the person who loves us the most--but we are also in the company of those who have left their footprints in the dirt before us and those who journey along the same path whether we are in conversation with them or not. The number of pilgrims on the Camino has been steadily increasing and the number in 2009 is projected to be around 120,000! There is no way I will be all by myself in that kind of crowd and yet I go expecting to walk in solitude. Someone once wrote: I seek not to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before; I seek instead the things they sought.


In preparing for this journey, I have discovered that in many ways, my Camino began with writing it down as something I wanted to accomplish. Two years ago I attended CREDO (a week offered to Episcopal priests to get away from the distractions of daily life to focus on four dimensions of health: spiritual, financial, emotional and physical. If one or more of these dimensions are out of balance, then life will feel out of balance. The purpose of the week is to get you to write down specific goals to get you back on track but also to DREAM BIG.) Unfortunately life seems to hurry by so fast that we often fail to recognize what is at the heart of our discontent. During CREDO, you are asked to identify specific goals for yourself--things that you would like to accomplish that challenge you in one or more of these dimensions. Walking the Way of St. James (or better known as El Camino de Santiago) brings all of them together! You must simplify down to basics for a pilgrimage. Probably the biggest thing you have to let go of is control. Nothing can be taken for granted. There is no entitlement. You must go with the flow and attempt to find joy and gratitude in whatever happens. And much like the disciples sent out by Jesus, you can take only a little and must depend on the hospitality and generosity of strangers to assist you along the way. On the Appalachian Trail, this is called "trail magic." Trail angels show up with a cold drink just as you are parched beyond belief; trail angels arrive at a shelter and prepare a feast just when you think you cannot stomach one more bite of dehydrated food; trail angels stop at road crossings and pick you up despite your smell and take you where you need to go. I have experienced the blessings of trail magic and give thanks to God for people who reach out not because they have to but rather because they want to--just because. So I go to the Camino wondering how I am called to be a blessing to others and how God's blessing will be revealed to me in others. And so it begins with one step forward.......