Preparation for the journey.

About 6 months ago I announced that I was going to walk the Camino de Santiago.  I hoped and prayed I would be able to do this in the fall of 2014.  I knew though that there were alot of variables that would need to align for me to do this.  First, I would need to be able to get away from work, secondly Doug would need to be well enough for me to go and lastly I would need to be able to afford it.  Well things have aligned.  I decided to retire, having reached the rule of 90 in the fall and work half-time.  Luckily our superintendent, Wendy Johnson, allowed me to do this.  Doug is fairly stable with his MS right now, and we have many friends and family who said they would be there to support him.  And luckily, I have been able to scrape together the money.

Doug was very worried about me going alone and asked my daughter Angie if she would go with me.  She was a bit hesitant, having a busy life of her own with 2 children and a husband, but she really wanted to go.  Her husband Tom was completely supportive.  And so, she said yes, much to Doug's relief and to my joy.  An added benefit to Angie going is that Angie speaks Spanish and a bit of French. Lucky me!  I am delighted that we will be able to share this time.

It has taken a lot of work to get ready to walk the Camino.  Not only have I had to get the house ready for me to leave, I also needed to get things done at work for school to start and to walk and walk and walk to prepare for this 500 mile walk.  I have told people that I have been walking the Camino de Nampa and the Camino de Cascade always with my faithful and lovable dog Styder and sometimes with Doug and my sister Kate. Along the path in Nampa I have met many friends who have encouraged me along the way and provide me helpful tips to support my training.  I am thankful for all them especially on the days when my back, legs and feet were stiff and achy and I would rather have curled into bed for another couple hours.