This will be my first Camino solo. It feels freeing and yet a bit sad to not daily share the journey’s struggles and joys with a friend or family member. Even walking with others there have been days when I have walked alone on past Caminos. I enjoyed the time for reflection. I am not concerned about feeling alone. I know that within a few days my “Camino Family” will start to develop. For those who have not walked a Camino, a “Camino Family” starts developing with a word of encouragement when you need it most, a discussion about the wonderful herbal smell in the air after a storm, a shared meal, a smile, or an afternoon beer and conversation. We may only see each other for a few days out of a month plus of walking, but for some reason those few special times together cement lasting memories and longtime distant friendships.
I do have a bonus at the end of the Camino. Somewhere in the last 10 days of walking, my daughters in laws, Chase and April, a few friends, Nancy, Lynnette, Julie, and maybe Vini. They will join me in Galicia, one of my favorite regions of Spain. The finale will be when my Danish daughter, Maria, meets me in Santiago for the end of my journey.
This year the Camino Frances is very busy. Because I am walking during one of the high pilgrim times I have made reservations for my albergue stays for the first five days. I need to see how well my body does with daily hikes of 10-16 miles. I don’ want to push myself trying to be too fast. Knowing that I have a bed at the end of these first five days will allow me to pace myself, enjoy my food stops, make memories and honor my heel spur that is still with me.
Exciting adventures await