By the time we're done it will be about a thousand leagues, and that's a fair amount of walking. Lori and I have committed to walking across northern Spain, following a millennium's old pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago. While our actual walk across Spain isn't until the summer of 2016, our journey has already started.
Our reasons are myriad: physical, spiritual, cultural, and adventurous. The purpose of this blog is to chronicle our experience, starting now in the preparation phase. It is for our benefit, mainly. To plot our progress leading up to and through the journey, and to journal the actual trip, to look back and remember. It is to share as well, with anyone interested. Feel free to comment or ask questions. We don't know what we're doing, mind you, but we can learn together.
Lori and I have been walking together on the Centennial Trail in and through Spokane for about 9 months now. Our walks happen about once a week but we talk of the need to increase the frequency. I think we've both enjoyed our walks, and the time together, I know I have. I've read other pilgrims comments about how the Camino changes you even before you go. I know this is true, Lori and I have both commented on how it is already changing our relationship. For the better.
We are both suffering with the scourges of middle aged people who suddenly change their behavior, Lori with sore knees me with plantar fasciitis. It isn't stopping us, but it is preventing us from going out on more frequent walks. I bought some hiking shoes, Merrill Moab's, and am trying some new over-the-counter orthotics. They may be helping. I'll post more about this later.
So, we continue to continue, embracing more and more aspects of a pilgrim's life. Like life itself, I'm sure the Camino is different for everyone who follows it. I'm looking forward to the journey.
